Blood thinners are medicine used to prevent blood clots.
Blood clots can block the flow of blood in vessels, causing damage that can lead to aneurysms, strokes heart attacks, and other cardiac problems.
Blood thinners can be ingested or taken intravenously, with the intensity of their effect depending on the dose and type of thinner you take.
A doctor might recommend a blood thinner if you are suffering from heart diseases such as heart valve disease and irregular heart rhythm.
You need to take the prescribed amount for them to work.
Taking less will make them ineffective, while too much can lead to severe bleeding.
Let’s look at blood thinners in detail:
What do Blood Thinners Do?
Some blood thinners help you out by making the blood less viscous, which keeps blood cells from sticking together in arteries and veins.
These are known as antiplatelet blood thinners.
Other blood thinners, known as anticoagulant drugs, prevent blood clots by delaying their formation.
Antiplatelet drugs stop platelets in the blood from clumping together. Examples of these drugs are:
Aspirin
Ticlopidine
Clopidogrel
Dipyridamole
Anticoagulants are typically prescribed to people suffering from certain heart diseases as they prevent blood clots from forming. Common anticoagulant drugs include:
Heparin
Enoxaparin
Warfarin
A doctor is likely to monitor your response to the blood thinners carefully and look out for clotting.
They might change your dosage or blood thinner type based on these results.
Side Effects
Blood thinners can cause side effects.
The most common side effect is excessive bleeding. This can become prominent show up in:
Nosebleeds
Heavy periods
Bleeding gums
Blood in the urine or faeces
Discoloured faeces
Bleeding from a cut
Other less-likely side effects of blood thinners include:
Muscle weakness
Hair loss
Rashes
Dizziness
Blood thinners can also increase the risk of internal bleeding after injuries.
You need to get yourself checked if you find yourself bleeding excessively or if you hit your head.
Although you might not have external bleeding in the latter, the impact could cause internal bleeding that can prove to be fatal.
Possible Drug Interactions
Some food items, medications, and herbs can interact and interfere with blood thinners.
Foods with vitamin K, such as cabbages, broccoli, asparagus, and several other vegetables, usually interfere with the activity of anticoagulants.
Herbal supplements and tea such as licorice, ginseng, and chamomile not only interfere with blood thinners but also make you bleed excessively for more time.
Antibiotics, pain relievers, antifungal medicine, and acid reducers increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
Natural Blood Thinners
Several natural food items can help you reduce the chances of clotting.
Foods such as ginger, garlic, celery seed, and aniseed are natural anticoagulants.
Food items rich in vitamin E, such as olives, corn, and soybean, are natural blood thinners as well.
