Essay On Anticoagulant Therapy

Bleeding Precautions When on Anticoagulant Therapy, Adult

WHAT IS ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY?
Anticoagulant therapy is medicine that helps prevent or reduce blood clots. It is also called blood thinner therapy. Blood clots that form in your blood vessels can be dangerous. They can break loose and travel to the heart, lungs, or brain. This increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or blocked lung artery (pulmonary embolism). Anticoagulant therapy causes blood to clot more slowly.
Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding. Try to protect yourself from cuts and other injuries that can cause bleeding. It is important that you take anticoagulants exactly as told by your health care provider.

WHY DO I NEED TO BE ON ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY?
You
may need this medicine if you are at risk of developing a blood clot. Conditions that increase your risk of a blood clot include:
• Being born with heart disease or a heart malformation (congenital heart disease).
• Developing heart disease.
• Having had surgery, such as valve replacement.
• Having a serious accident or other type of severe injury (trauma).
• Having certain types of cancer.
• Developing certain diseases that can increase blood clotting.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON TYPES OF ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY?
The most common types of anticoagulant therapy include:
• Injections such as:
○ Unfractionated heparin.
○ Low molecular weight heparin.
• Oral medicines, such as:
○ Vitamin K antagonists.
○ Warfarin.
○ Aspirin.
○ Clopidogrel.
These anticoagulants work in different ways to prevent blood clots. They also have different risks and side effects.

WHAT DO I NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN TAKING ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY?
• If you are taking warfarin, have blood tests as told by your health care provider.
• Make an eating plan with a diet specialist (dietitian). Do not make any sudden changes to your diet after you have made your eating plan.
• Do not get pregnant. This medicine may cause birth defects.
• Take your medicine at the same time every day. If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss a whole day, do not double your dose of medicine. Take your normal dose and call your health care provider.
• Do not stop taking your medicine without talking with your health care provider. This can increase your risk of developing a blood clot.
• Get your health care provider’s approval before you start taking any new medicine, vitamin, or herbal product. Some of these could interfere with your therapy.
• Tell all of your health care providers that you are on anticoagulant therapy. This is especially important to do before you have any surgery, medical procedures, or dental work
done.

WHAT CAN AFFECT HOW ANTICOAGULANTS WORK?
Certain foods, vitamins, medicines, supplements, and herbal medicines change the way that anticoagulant therapy works. To prevent complications:
• Take over-the-counter and prescriptions medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not take over-the-counter aspirin or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, while you are on anticoagulant therapy. These medicines increase your risk of dangerous bleeding.
• Do not take over-the-counter medicines for acid reflux.
• Limit foods high in vitamin K, such as spinach and other leafy green vegetables.
○ Vitamin K can affect the way some blood thinners work.
○ You should eat these foods in a consistent amount as told by your health care provider or dietitian.
○ Tell your health care provider about any significant changes to how much vitamin K-containing foods you are eating.
• Do not drink alcohol. It can interfere with your medicine and increase your risk of an injury that causes bleeding.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO PREVENT BLEEDING?
• Be very careful when using knives, scissors, or other sharp objects.
• Use an electric razor instead of a blade.
• Do not use toothpicks.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush your teeth gently.
• Wears shoes outdoors and slippers indoors.
• Be careful when cutting your fingernails and toenails.
• Place bath mats and, if possible, handrails in the bathroom.
• Wear gloves while you do yard work.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Prevent falls by removing loose rugs and extension cords from areas where you walk.
• Do not play contact sports or participate in other activities that have a high risk of injury.

WHEN SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL CARE?
Seek medical care if:
• You miss a dose of medicine:
○ And you are not sure what to do.
○ For more than one day.
• You have:
○ Menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal.
○ Blood in your urine.
○ Easy bruising.
○ Black and tarry stool or bright, red stool
○ Side effects from your medicine.
• You feel weak or dizzy.
• You become pregnant.

WHEN SHOULD I SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE?
Seek immediate medical care if:
• You have bleeding that will not stop within 20 minutes from:
○ The nose.
○ The gums.
○ A cut on the skin.
• You have a severe headache or stomachache.
• You vomit or cough up blood.
• You fall or hit your head.

WHAT ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER?
• Why do I need anticoagulant therapy?
• What is the best anticoagulant therapy for my condition?
• How long will I need anticoagulant therapy?
• What are the side effects of anticoagulant therapy?
• When should I take my medicine? What should I do if I forget to take it?
• Will I need to have regular blood tests?
• Do I need to change my diet? Are there foods or drinks that I should avoid?
• What activities are safe for me?
• What should I do if I want to get pregnant?