If you’re taking anti-coagulant pills, you have a choice between warfarin or one of the New Oral Anti-Coagulants (NOAC) such as Pradaxa/dabigatran, Xarelto/rivaroxaban or Eliquis/apixaban. We’ve chosen Pradaxa/dabigatran as the representative of the NOACs for this quiz. How much do you know about their differences? Completing this quiz may help you realise why either one is … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2016
Stopping anticoagulants – 5 life-threatening excuses
Around 30% of people started on a long-term anticoagulant have stopped taking it by three months. This is not merely missing a few tablets or reaching the end of the time you needed anticoagulants for, but deliberately stopping while you’re meant to be taking them. And of course once people are no longer anticoagulated they’re at risk of a life-threatening stroke (if they have … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – Urine uses: Have you used this?
You might wonder, what is the link between urine, blood clotting, and my trip to Sweden? All will be revealed as we take a closer look at our urine. Surprisingly urine contains an important chemical called urokinase, that breaks down blood clots. While researching this post I was surprised to find out that urine has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In an … [Read more...]