This Medical Monday series is about risk factors for venous thromboembolism, VTE (pulmonary embolism and DVT). The post 'Are you on the red or blue team?' outlines the difference between arterial and venous clots. We are going to cover Strong risk factors; being in hospital, having surgery and immobility Moderate risk factors; age (60+), a previous blood clot, family … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – when life gives you lemons
At first glance you'd think today's post belongs in our 'Weekend Reflection' series, as the original phrase "When life gives you lemons make lemonade" is about coping with adversity. Apparently the phrase was first used in a 1915 obituary and has since been quoted often in various forms. Today though we're going to look at variations on the phrase, starting with the one that … [Read more...]
David Clotterfield Saga – scene 6
David Clotterfield and Clara Clearvessel are both on warfarin and as we follow their saga we 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...]
“Best Anticoagulant Control in the World” – from Paul’s book chapter
Point-of care testing book This week a new book, entitled "A Practical Guide to Global Point-of-Care testing", was published in Australia. I am very excited about this as I am one of the contributors. Point-of-care testing, or POC testing for short, is where a laboratory test is carried out at the bedside or immediately after a blood sample is taken. Those of you who use … [Read more...]
Halloween – the link between vampires and coagulation
Happy Halloween - a good day to cover the ways that vampires have come to be linked with coagulation. Dracula Vampires, Dracula teeth and bats have become synonymous with the decorations for Halloween, but the story behind Dracula and vampires is quite interesting and goes back to the middle ages and is possibly linked to a rare blood disorder. It is not quite clear where the … [Read more...]
Stroke is treatable – World Stroke Day Campaign
Today is World Stroke Awareness Day, (WSD): This year's campaign is that stroke is treatable, especially if its recognised early (remember FAST) and treated as a medical emergency with thrombolysis therapy if indicated. Their video, below, emphasises this. WSD says, "Stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without blood, … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – 4 Halloween blood-related treats
It's Halloween on Monday and we'll be explaining some of the medical links between vampires and coagulation, but in the meantime, we've found four blood-related ways to spoil yourself over the weekend. 1. Watch a movie with the kids (or grand-kids) Who ever would have thought a vampire movie could be described as 'sweet'? But that's exactly what came to mind as I watched … [Read more...]
Do you believe the 2 biggest myths about anticoagulants?
As we're approaching Halloween with all its myths, we thought it would be a good time to look at anticoagulant myths. Myth number 1 - anti-coagulants are blood thinners A while ago I was talking to one of my patients about the side-effects of warfarin and mentioned that some people feel cold on warfarin, but we don't know why this should be. He said to me that it is obvious, … [Read more...]
Why Noah never forgets his medication
When people meet our son Noah for the first time, they usually recognise all he can’t do; you see he has Down syndrome and Asperger’s syndrome. Once you get to know him though, you quickly fall in love with his sunny personality and quick wit. You just accept that he looks different and has some odd behaviours. And we see him for what he can do. One thing he is very good … [Read more...]
Clot risk – having surgery
This Medical Monday series is about risk factors for venous thromboembolism, VTE (pulmonary embolism and DVT). The post 'Are you on the red or blue team?' outlines the difference between arterial and venous clots. We are going to cover Strong risk factors; being in hospital, having surgery and immobility Moderate risk factors; age (60+), a previous blood clot, family … [Read more...]