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...]
Frivolous Friday – don’t try this if you’re on anticoagulants!
A fashionable sport-linked trend is for 'cupping'. Our daughter's partner is a keen body-builder and recently tried cupping. He's allowed us to show you these photos. Whatever I may think of the medical reasoning behind it, (and I'm about to tell you!), I think he was amazingly brave! Cupping is the revival of an ancient practice where suction to parts of the skin, … [Read more...]
David Clotterfield Saga – scene 4
David Clotterfield and Clara Clearvessel are both on warfarin and as we follow their saga we'll discover their beliefs about anticoagulation through the various comments they make about their lives. At the end of each scene, you'll get a chance to test your knowledge; Are their comments true or false? Before reading this episode, you may like to catch up with the previous … [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...]
Weekend reflection – Broken Places
Today’s reflection is inspired by Kintsugi; a Japanese technique for mending broken pottery by emphasing the cracks with gold and making it even more beautiful. The photo is of a kintsugi teabowl by Morty Baker Lakeside Pottery Studio. Kintsugi is a reminder that we do not have to hide our history and pretend that hard times never … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – Appetite for blood-related foods?
Have you tried any of these foods? I'm not sure if reading this will make you more or less likely to have a go! Roasted Bone Marrow Bone Marrow produces most of our blood cells and haematologists care for many patients with bone marrow disorders such as myeloma - a cancer of the bone marrow. But eating it has never appealed to me. Our daughter-in-law feels differently though. … [Read more...]
Book Review – Coping with the Psychological Effects of Illness
Coping with the Psychological Effects of Illness: Strategies to manage anxiety and depression Fran Smith – counselling psychologist specialised in helping people adjust to living with health problems. London Carina Eriksen – counselling psychologist worked at Institute of psychiatry, London Prof Robert Bor – lead clinical psychologist in medical specialties at the Royal … [Read more...]
Could too much TV kill you?
A Japanese study, just published in the journal 'Circulation', has shown that the risk of dying from pulmonary embolism increases with the more TV you watch. What kind of study was it? It was a 'prospective cohort' study which means following a group of people over many years to see what happens. This is considered superior (although it's much more expensive) to the commoner … [Read more...]
Reaching your diagnosis – heart valve conditions – aortic stenosis
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...]