Patient was instructed that patients using anticoagulants are at an increased risk to bleed and any slightest injury can result in dangerous bleeding. Precautions to avoid injuries and consequent bleeding can be as follows:
- Watch for any red or dark brown urine and report this finding promptly to your doctor.
- Keep up with use of laxatives and other measures to prevent constipation. Avoid straining at stool, as this could result in profuse bleeding per rectum.
- Note for the color of stool on every bowel movement. Report any dark brown or black stool, which can be due to partially digested blood in the intestine, secondary to some internal bleeding in the intestines.
- Be aware of any symptoms of sudden weakness, faintness, or dizziness that can signify internal bleeds.
- Avoid excessive sneezing and exposure to cold and dry weather, as they can lead to nose bleeds that can be difficult to stop.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Do not use a regular floss, as it injures the gums and results in swollen gums and intense bleed. Try using a waxed floss, instead of regular floss.
- Wear gloves while gardening or doing other household projects.
- Exercise caution while using sharp instruments, such as knives, needles, and forks.
- Watch for hard surfaces around during ambulation and avoid knocking against them. Bumping into such surfaces can result in bleeding into the skin. Sometimes, the bleeding can be profuse and alarming.
- Closely follow for symptoms of sudden bleeding into the skin and formation of brownish red patches on the skin, especially on the outer surfaces of the extremities.
