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Pulmonary Embolism
Several years ago, after experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain, I was taken to the local emergency room where I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. This came as quite a shock. I learned that I was lucky to have had it diagnosed because the alternative could have been quite dire. After about a week in the hospital, during which time I was given the blood thinner, heparin, I was sent home with instructions for giving myself shots of heparin and a prescription for warfarin, an anticoagulant to decrease the blood's ability to clot. This medication is used to stop blood clots from getting bigger and to prevent clots from forming, but warfarin will not break up blood clots that have already formed. The body dissolves most clots with time. I had to learn to follow a diet that is low in vitamin K, a vitamin that is present in green leafy vegetables and in some oils, and take a daily dose of warfarin. Vitamin K is the vitamin that aids the blood in clotting so it would be counterproductive to eat foods with it while needing to take an anti clotting medicine. It is hard to get the warfarin dosage right because it has to be the correct amount, not too much or too little. The amount of vitamin K in a person’s diet can alter the potency of the medication. Therefore, it is important that the blood of patients taking warfarin be carefully monitored and the dosage adjusted so that the exact correct amount is taken each day. Too much salad one day could throw everything off the following week. Getting used to eating the same amount of green leafy vegetables every day is also a bit difficult.
It is not hard to follow a low vitamin K diet, but for those people who enjoy salads and vegetables such as spinach, it does require some adjustment. There are a lot of web sites that give help on this subject, including ones that will have lists of high and low vitamin K foods and amounts to eat. In my case, the pulmonary embolism came about suddenly and unexpectedly. It certainly is not anything anyone would ever expect to get, especially since I had no previous health issues that might have caused it such as a deep vein thrombosis in my leg. I had been on a long bus trip prior to the event and I now know that anyone who experiences periods when they will be inactive for a considerable length of time is a potential candidate for this condition. Long automobile or airplane trips or extensive hospitalization could be a problem for some people. When I fly these days, I use compression stockings to prevent swelling in my legs. Also, I make it a habit to get up and walk around every half hour in the air, and when on driving trips to stop for a rest every hour, if possible. I decided to write about my experience so that it can be added to the number of health issues most people never think about but ought to be aware of. I have no idea what the percentages are or what age group might be most susceptible, but I have read that the incidents among people past 60 is much higher than for younger individuals. |
http://www.julierichman.com
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Good info. My father experienced this after being in the hospital for several days. He was "lucky" also and spent many years on Coumadin.
I'm glad you're ok now. I know many people wear the anti-em stockings, even healthy business travelers, due to sitting for long periods. Great info!
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