It took Paul and I a long time to choose names for our kids. We wanted to find something we both liked and had some kind of meaning for us. Our eldest is called Joseph which means "God will add"; this turned out to be appropriate as we now have eight children! Drug companies too, spend a long while choosing the right name for their products. Do you know the meaning of the … [Read more...]
Warfarin History 2 – a milk churn of blood-that-would-not-clot
Like the plot of a movie... Warfarin has been used as a medication for more than 60 years. The discovery of Warfarin is interesting and sounds a bit like the plot of a movie; it includes a president, dead cattle, an attempted suicide and rat poison. Like many scientific discoveries of the last century it involved some serendipity, good fortune, the correct … [Read more...]
More good news about stroke and warfarin
You probably already know that if you have atrial fibrillation (AF), then taking warfarin means you have a lower risk of stroke. But did you know there are two other benefits? If you have AF and you're taking warfarin, but are still unlucky enough to have an ischaemic stroke, then compared to people not on warfarin: - You are likely to have milder effects … [Read more...]
Reaching your diagnosis – stroke
In this Medical Monday series, we’re talking about how your doctor reaches a diagnosis of common conditions associated with coagulation. It may help if you first read the introduction and the post about atrial fibrillation, before reading about today's topic of stroke. Altogether we’re covering Introduction DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis Post-thrombotic syndrome … [Read more...]
Warfarin History 1 – Haemorrhagic Sweet Clover Disease
Like the plot of a movie... Warfarin has been used as a medication for more than 60 years. The discovery of Warfarin is interesting and sounds a bit like the plot of a movie; it includes a president, dead cattle, an attempted suicide and rat poison. Like many scientific discoveries of the last century it involved some serendipity, good fortune, the correct circumstances and … [Read more...]
Is floss dross? Or would a water flosser help your bleeding gums?
There has been recent debate about whether or not flossing is helpful for dental health. Even the Cochrane review, a very reputable source of medical information says " There is very weak evidence that flossing plus toothbrushing may reduce the amount of plaque" However it concludes that flossing reduces gum disease. If you decide to floss and you're on anticoagulants, you … [Read more...]
Reaching your diagnosis – thrombophilia
In this Medical Monday series, we’re talking about how your doctor reaches a diagnosis of common conditions associated with coagulation. It may help if you first read the introduction, before reading about today's topic of thrombophilia. Altogether we’re covering Introduction DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis Post-thrombotic syndrome PE, Pulmonary Embolism … [Read more...]
Guess who’s 60?
It's Paul's 60th birthday today, and we're spending it with family in Australia, including Angela's parents, who at the ages of 84 and 86 are in the process of emigrating from the UK to NZ. But we're not quite vain enough to have a post just about Paul! It is also 60 years since the first publication about warfarin. On September 13th 1956, an article entitled "Coumadin … [Read more...]
Secret side-effects of anticoagulants – do you have them?
'Secret' side-effects are those you're not likely to chat to your friends about. Your doctors however, will have heard it all before, so don't hesitate to share your symptoms with them! It was very hard to find pictures to accompany this post, which made me realise just how socially unacceptable these topics are. If you've had any of these side-effects, perhaps this post … [Read more...]
Reaching your diagnosis – mitral valve conditions
In this Medical Monday series, we’re talking about how your doctor reaches a diagnosis of common conditions associated with coagulation. It may help if you first read the introduction, before reading about today's topic of heart valve conditions. Altogether we’re covering Introduction DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis Post-thrombotic syndrome PE, Pulmonary Embolism … [Read more...]
