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...]
Archives for September 2016
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...]
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...]