
There are various adverse effects of blood thinners that a person should be knowledgeable about, so that he/she can be wary of them. Given below are the various complications that arise due to the use of blood thinners.
Blood is made up of two main components―blood cells and blood plasma. The cells circulate in the plasma and are transported all over the body via the plasma. It is a fine and natural balance that exists between these two components of the blood that ensures smooth and continuous circulation. If there is any kind of imbalance in these two components, there is need for prompt medical intervention, because it may disrupt normal blood flow to the various organs. If the blood becomes very viscous, that is, there are more cells, then this is an indication for the need of a blood thinner. Blood thinners are also employed in cases where a person has been diagnosed with intra-vascular blood clots or deep vein thrombosis, or even embolism of any kind. These blood thinners work to make the blood more easy to flow. However, there are a few side effects that a person must be aware of when undergoing treatment with this medication.
Complications of Blood Thinners
There are quite a few possible risks that do exist. However, this medication is strictly taken on a prescription basis, so it is given only after the doctor feels that the various problems that arise by using blood thinners are far lesser than the indications and need for the medication. One of the main side effects is bleeding. This may be in the form of mild but frequent nosebleeds, or may be as severe as uncontrolled bleeding. As blood thinners essentially aid in increasing the plasma content of the blood, and so decreasing its viscosity, the blood takes longer to clot. In fact, people that are on warfarin therapy may complain of bleeding gums when brushing their teeth, which may again be brought on due to the fact that the person develops a tendency to bleed easily. This medication can cause serious amounts of bleeding in some cases. However, this risk exists only if the dosage is not adjusted properly. This is the reason why there are certain foods to avoid while on Coumadin, a popular blood thinner. This is also the reason why it is said that, ideally, a person should keep a tab on his vitamin K and warfarin levels. If you do see any unusual amount of bleeding, or if you bruise too easily, then report to your doctor so that he can check if the dosage is proper.
There are a few more side effects of blood thinners that may or may not be see in individuals on this therapy. For starters, a person may suffer from nausea and abdominal pain while on this medication. This is usually mild, but if it is persistent or if it becomes very severe, you need to visit your doctor and ask for a replacement medication. Most of the other side effects are relatively rare. If the side effects are very severe, then the person is switched to either low aspirin dosage, or maybe if there is a significant improvement in the blood flow, then he can even be asked to shift to natural blood thinners like ginger, cinnamon, and other herbs. Usually, the side effects of natural blood thinners are negligible, which is why they are a far more healthy option, albeit which can only be used in cases where the blood clots is not too serious.
In most cases, the side effects are mild. However, it is of utmost importance to manage the dosage so that the side effects are not aggravated.