Blood thinners stop formation of blood clots in the heart or in the blood vessels. These medications prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, these medications come with a drawback. Your body finds it hard to heal when you get hurt. So you need to be very careful when you are participating in physical activities like swimming, running, or playing sports. Keep a distance from adventure sports or activities. Wear helmets and if you fall, contact your doctor immediately because even if you do not see any injury externally, you may bleed internally.
When you are taking blood thinners, you need to talk to your doctor and follow the instructions carefully. Some of the tips include:
Be on time:
Always take your medicine at the same time every day. If you are inconsistent, the medicines do not work. If you cannot remember to take your medication, set a reminder on your phone and take your pill as soon as the alarm rings. If you forget to take the pill for the day, call your doctor and ask what needs to be done.
Ask your doctor first:
Before taking any over-the-counter medicines, ask your doctor because some medicines may interfere with blood thinners and increase your risk of bleeding. Therefore, talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements as they may lead to many side effects.
Be careful around tools:
Even a tiny cut can turn into a big bleed when you are on these medicines. So be careful when working with sharp tools like knives, razors, and shears. If you happen to cut yourself, apply pressure until the bleeding subsides. Call for medical help, if the bleeding doesn’t stop.
Look out for Vitamin K in food:
Talk to your doctor about the food items you need to take in moderate quantity. Some green and leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and Brussels sprouts are rich in Vitamin K and eating them too much can increase your risk of bleeding.
Be sensitive towards your teeth:
Your gums will be sensitive when you are on these medicines. So brush your teeth gently with a soft brush and use a waxed dental floss to clean the space between the teeth. When you visit your dentist, let them know that you are on medication to prevent blood clots so that they can take extra care during the dental procedures.
Be watchful of any side effects:
Call your doctor immediately if you see any of the following side effects:
– Bleeding gums
– Bruises for no reason
– Dizziness
– Vomiting
– Heavier menstrual periods
– Blood in urine and stools
– Severe stomach or head ache
Keep first aid ready:
Always carry bandages, dressing, and special powder to stop bleeding. In case you get hurt or you cut yourself you can apply the powder immediately and cover the wound with bandage. If the blood doesn’t seem to stop, get medical help immediately. Always wear a medical bracelet that shows that you are at bleeding risk. Keep a card in your wallet that specifies the medication you take. This will help the medical team to take precautions in emergency.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.