Wellness

Stay Healthy and Active With Blood Thinners

Blood thinners can offer many benefits to the responsible user. From smooth and seamless blood flow to treating heart conditions, blood thinners have the ability to help our bodies better conduct their natural processes when used safely. 

 

What are Blood Thinners?

Blood thinners, officially called anticoagulants, prevent blood clots (clumps) from forming in your bloodstream. Blood clots can pose a danger if they migrate and get stuck in a narrow vessel, restricting blood flow to vital organs, such as your brain or lungs. 

If a blood clot occurs in your heart, it could cause a heart attack. A blood clot in the brain would cause a stroke, whereas one in the lungs would cause a pulmonary embolism. 

Clearly, blood clots are something we hope to avoid as we age. Blood thinners can help us to avoid them.

 

Do You Need Blood Thinners?

There are a number of reasons why your healthcare provider might prescribe blood thinners. Possible conditions that are helped by use of blood thinners include:

  • Atrial Fibrillation (Irregular Heart Beat)
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • If you’ve had recent surgery

Don’t start a daily regimen of blood thinners without first consulting with your primary care physician. He or she will give you the best advice on how to start a blood thinner routine.

 

Side Effects of Blood Thinners

Blood thinners, while preventing clots, also raise the risk of over-bleeding. This could happen when playing sports or getting a seemingly mild injury, such as bumping your head.

You should avoid high-risk activities or any other event that could be potentially damaging to your body.

 

Common side effects of blood thinners include:

  • Bruising
  • Bleeding from the gums
  • Nosebleeds
  • Prolonged bleeding from a small cut
  • Heavy periods for women
  • Discoloured urine

In general, the benefits of using blood thinners outweigh the side effects if your doctor has recommended you take them. 

 

Safety Precautions When Taking Blood Thinners

There are a number of safety precautions you should take when following a daily regimen of blood thinners.

Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or keeping a card in your wallet to inform the right people that you take blood thinners, should an emergency occur.

Keep a consistent diet and monitor food you eat that is high in Vitamin K.

Don’t start a diet or weight loss program while taking blood thinners.

As mentioned earlier, avoid sports or activities that are high-risk for injury. Consider walking, swimming, or gentle yoga instead.

Take extra precautions when working with knives, scissors, or other sharp objects with which you could inadvertently cut yourself.

 

Where To Purchase Blood Thinners

Blood thinners in NZ are available at your local pharmacy. They can be available with or without prescription, depending on the specific blood thinner. Most low-dose aspirin blood thinners are available without a prescription. 

You need to remember to always follow the advice of your prescribing doctor or consult a physician if using blood thinners without a prescription. When in doubt, reach out to your healthcare provider.

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Why Do You Need to Moisturise Your Skin Every Day?

“Keep your skin moisturised”.

You hear this advice a lot, but you’re probably one of the many people guilty of neglecting good skincare. But there’s a reason that dermatologists constantly tell us that we need moisturising every single day, and that goes beyond just looking good. 

 

1. Moisturising helps delay the signs of ageing.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it’s constantly exposed to the elements every day. 

This is one of the reasons you see the early signs of ageing on your face, neck and chest, especially when you don’t practice a good skincare routine.

A moisturised skin can be more resilient to the effects of the elements, thus reducing the early signs of ageing. You also get to protect yourself from the risks of skin cancer, and you can keep your skin looking and feeling young for a longer time.

 

2. Moisturising helps reduce skin issues.

Skin issues can pop up at any time, and they could be anything from a simple rash to horrible acne. Most of these problems are caused by an imbalance when your skin dries out. If you don’t apply a moisturising cream regularly, your skin becomes more susceptible to irritations that could start as redness and eventually develop into bigger problems that require medical intervention. 

It is a must to know your skin type, so you can choose a moisturiser that will fit your specific needs. For instance, if you have generally dry skin, you should choose products that don’t only hydrate your skin but also balance out the oil to keep your skin feeling soft. 

 

3. Moisturising hides your blemishes.

Yes, applying moisturiser can help you hide your skin’s imperfections. This is because moisturisers can leave your skin with a light sheen that will help reduce the look of blemishes. Some moisturisers even contain tints or self-tanners that help even out your skin tone.

 

4. Moisturising keeps your skin healthy.

More than looking good, you need to feel good about your skin, no matter your age. When you don’t apply moisturiser regularly, your pores get filled up with dirt and dust from being exposed to the elements, and that tends to cause breakouts. But when you moisturise as part of your daily routine, you get to fill up your pores with healthy elements that will protect them from certain problems.

At the end of the day, good skincare should be one of your most significant investments for self-care and wellness. No matter what type of skin you have, it’s very important to practice measures that will help you keep your skin in good condition for the longest time possible. A simple routine that includes moisturising is all you need to look and feel young and healthy. 

 

So, make that investment and choose the right products to ensure that you will get the best protection for your skin. Get that youthful glow and plumper skin by investing in quality products that offer amazing, long-lasting results.

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