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 attack. Altogether we’re covering Introduction DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis Post-thrombotic syndrome PE, Pulmonary Embolism … [Read more...]
World Pharmacists day – thank you!!
This cartoon by Ed Tan, an Australian pharmacist who produces a blog 'Ed's rant', sums up how pharmacists can be undervalued by patients and other health professionals. Did you know a pharmacy degree takes 4 years followed by 52 weeks as an intern? In NZ, pharmacy can only be studied in Dunedin and Auckland. INR Online (funder of this blog) produces the software for … [Read more...]
What’s in a name? – anticoagulant name meanings
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...]
Frivolous Friday – Are you carrots, eggs or coffee?
This story (author unknown) turned up in my Facebook feed. I thought it could be relevant to our readers who are coping with adversity. Carrots, Eggs and Coffee A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It … [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...]