Isabella Carter
Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, are medications that reduce the blood's ability to clot, thereby lowering the risk of strokes and heart attacks. While they are life-saving medications, they come with a risk of excessive bleeding or haemorrhage. This is because blood thinners interfere with the normal clotting processes, and prevent or undo coagulation. This means that even a small injury can cause severe blood loss. People on blood thinners may experience frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or minor cuts that bleed for a long time. While these instances of nuisance bleeding are not life-threatening, they can impact a person's quality of life. However, bleeding caused by blood thinners can be serious or even life-threatening, such as bleeding into the brain or stomach. Therefore, it is important to be cautious about activities that may result in injury, and to always inform your healthcare provider about any bleeding or unusual bruising.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bleeding from gums, nose, or cuts and scrapes that won't stop | Seek immediate medical care |
| Bruising more easily or finding sudden bruises without any apparent reason | Seek immediate medical care |
| Feeling unusually dizzy, weak, or tired | Seek immediate medical care |
| Any kind of fall or injury, especially if there is a bump to the head | Seek immediate medical care |
| Internal bleeding | Seek immediate medical care |
| Serious or life-threatening bleeding | Seek immediate medical care |
| Frequent or prolonged nosebleeds | Seek medical attention |
| Minor cuts, lacerations, or skin tears that bleed for a long time | Non-life-threatening, but may require medical attention |
| Heavy menstrual bleeding | Call your healthcare provider |
| Nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, black/tarry stools | Signs of internal bleeding, seek medical attention |
| Stroke symptoms, abdominal or back pain | Signs of rapid internal bleeding, seek immediate medical attention |
| Diarrhea | Common side effect |
| Skin necrosis | Rare complication, seek medical attention |
| Blue or purple toes | Rare complication, seek medical attention |
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Head injuries
If you experience a head injury while taking blood thinners, it is important to seek medical attention right away, even if you do not feel any symptoms. A diagnostic CT scan will be performed to assess the extent of the injury. Delayed intracranial hemorrhage, or bleeding within the skull or brain, can occur within 48 hours of the initial injury and may lead to permanent brain damage or death if left untreated. The risk of delayed hemorrhage is higher in patients taking older blood thinners, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin, compared to those taking newer medications. Additionally, taking aspirin concurrently with any blood thinner may further increase the risk of delayed hemorrhage.
If you experience a head injury while taking blood thinners, it is important to go to the emergency department to get checked out. Let the medical team know that you are on a blood thinner, as they will know how to stop any bleeding and may give you a blood thinner antidote. It is recommended to wear a medical bracelet indicating that you are on a blood thinner, especially if you are unconscious, to alert medical staff quickly.
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Slow-healing cuts and scrapes
Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, are lifesaving medications that protect people at risk of dangerous blood clots, which can lead to life-threatening conditions such as strokes or heart attacks. However, they also increase the risk of bleeding. Bleeding is the most common side effect of blood thinners. This can include slow-healing cuts and scrapes, which can be a nuisance and impact a person's quality of life.
In addition to these measures, there are several products available to help stop bleeding and promote healing. For example, special bandages, wound dressings, gels, and powders can be used. Products like Celox form a protective gel cover over wounds, while powders like WoundSeal can be poured onto the skin to quickly form an instant scab. These products can be safely used by people on blood thinners as they do not interfere with the blood's natural clotting mechanism.
While slow-healing cuts and scrapes may not always be an emergency, it is important for individuals on blood thinners to be cautious and take the necessary steps to manage bleeding effectively. This includes informing their healthcare provider about any bleeding incidents and following their directions carefully. Additionally, individuals should be mindful of activities that may result in injuries, such as high-risk sports, and always wear proper safety gear.
It is important to note that while most bleeding caused by blood thinners is not life-threatening, it can be serious and requires immediate medical attention. This includes any kind of fall or injury to the head, as there is a risk of internal bleeding, especially in the brain. Therefore, individuals on blood thinners should be vigilant about monitoring their bleeding and seeking medical care when necessary.
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Internal bleeding
Risk Factors and Causes
Symptoms
The symptoms of internal bleeding can vary depending on the location and rate of blood loss. Some common symptoms to watch out for include:
- Severe and persistent pain in the abdomen, head, chest, or any other part of the body, especially after an injury.
- Unexplained and rapid swelling or bruising in a specific area, indicating the accumulation of blood beneath the skin or around organs.
- Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools, which may indicate bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Weakness, fatigue, and a general feeling of illness due to a decrease in blood volume.
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and shallow breathing, especially when accompanied by other symptoms.
- Dizziness or fainting due to a drop in blood pressure.
- Confusion, nausea, or lightheadedness.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you are on blood thinners and experience any symptoms of internal bleeding. Inform healthcare providers about your medication to guide treatment decisions and ensure the best outcome.
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Nosebleeds
If you are taking blood thinners, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin, you may experience more frequent or severe nosebleeds. These medications do not cause nosebleeds themselves, but they can prolong bleeding and make it harder for the blood to clot. If you are taking blood thinners and experience a nosebleed, apply pressure to the soft portion of the nose for 10 minutes to help stop the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 to 30 minutes, seek medical attention.
Repeated nosebleeds may be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or a tumour of the nose or sinuses. If you experience frequent nosebleeds, consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
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Bruising
If you notice more bruises after starting to take a blood thinner, the two are likely related. However, bruising may also be caused by other illnesses or vitamin deficiencies. If you are worried about bruising, or are experiencing other new symptoms, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds, you should speak to your doctor or specialist.
If you are taking blood thinners, you should tell your healthcare provider about any unusual bruising, as well as any serious falls or bumps to your head. Although rare, bleeding caused by blood thinners can be life-threatening, such as bleeding into the brain or stomach. Most of the time, bleeding caused by blood thinners is not serious, but it can impact your quality of life. For example, a small cut while shaving might bleed for longer than normal.
If you are experiencing any unexplained bruising, you should seek guidance from a doctor. Doctors may recommend additional tests or treatments if they suspect that an underlying condition is causing the bruising.
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Frequently asked questions
Bleeding that won't stop, such as from gums, nose, or cuts and scrapes, constitutes unusual bleeding when on blood thinners.
Apart from bleeding-related issues, some other side effects of blood thinners include nausea, low blood cell count, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
In case of unusual bleeding, apply pressure to the wound for at least 10 minutes. If the wound is on an arm or leg, raise the limb and apply pressure to slow the blood flow. If the bleeding doesn't stop, go to the hospital and inform them that you are on blood thinners.
