Nowadays, it has become very fashionable to "dilute" the blood, especially on social networks you can find a huge number of tips on this topic, experts explain. And they point out that the indiscriminate intake of blood thinners is extremely dangerous
Furthermore, they clarify that there is no scientific term "blood thinning". There is an equivalent concept - hemodilution, i.e. dilution of blood with liquid.
However, this is only applied if the patient is severely dehydrated, for example suffering from severe profuse diarrhea due to an acute intestinal infection. In such a condition, the blood literally becomes very thick, and elementary dilution is needed to restore its ability to really flow. Specialists explain that in such a situation, intravenous infusion of a simple isotonic solution with a sodium chloride concentration of 0.9% is applied.
And when it comes to the prevention of heart attack, stroke and thrombosis, one cannot speak of "blood thinning" at all. All normal people (even those who have had a heart attack, stroke, thrombotic processes) have a normal blood density (hematocrit). This term refers to the ratio between the liquid and dense parts of the blood. The hematocrit is important in determining the degree of dehydration or, less commonly, excess fluid in the body.
Antiaggregants and anticoagulants are groups of drugs that prevent the severe consequences of increased blood clotting and thrombus formation. Also, prevent these conditions.
Antiplatelets are for those of you interested in blood thinners for prevention. A typical representative of this group is acetylsalicylic acid in low doses.
Caution
Specialists emphasize the following: it is extremely dangerous to take such a remedy for viral infections, especially without consulting a specialist, even though they are bought without a prescription. Only a doctor can decide whether to cancel or replace acetylsalicylic acid in case you are taking it. Taking acetylsalicylic acid by children with a viral infection can lead to Reye's syndrome, which is manifested by severe damage to the liver and brain.
Anticoagulants, on the other hand, prevent the formation of thrombi, as well as the growth of already formed thrombi, i.e. they dissolve them. De-aggregants cannot achieve this effect. Classical representatives of anticoagulants are heparin and warfarin. No one should take warfarin alone, it is prescribed to patients with artificial heart valves for medical purposes, experts warn.
The task of disaggregants and antiaggregants is to prevent the aggregation of platelets. The main function of platelets is their participation in stopping bleeding, they form the primary (white) thrombus. Platelets constantly circulate along all vessels - from the aorta to the capillaries and track the presence of a damaged vascular network. As long as there is no damage, the platelets are not activated. But as soon as a trauma occurs in a vessel, platelets are activated: they stick to the damaged wall and aggregate, that is, they stick together. This is how a platelet plug, or primary thrombus, is formed. Activated platelets also produce biologically active substances, a whole cascade of reactions occurs, platelets are increasingly involved in the process, the vessel wall shrinks, blood clots, blood flow stops, experts explain.
Antiplatelets prevent platelets from sticking together and sticking to vessels. Disaggregants are prescribed as a means of preventing postoperative thrombosis, in various thrombophlebitis due to varicose disease, in chronic ischemia of the brain and atherosclerosis. Their main task is to prevent vascular accidents, i.e., heart attack, stroke in ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic damage to the carotid arteries. Such are calcium blockers, antihistamines, organic nitrates.
There are several reasons why you should not take these preparations alone
1. They can interact negatively with other medications. For example, with simultaneous use of antiplatelet agents and painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the risk of bleeding increases several times. Therefore, if you are being treated with antiplatelet agents, consult a doctor before taking other medications.
2. There is a risk of bleeding: when treating symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, red colored stools, easy bruising and swelling on the body, nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding from wounds. In such cases, consult a doctor urgently.
3. There is a risk of complications during surgery: if a person drinks this kind of preparations, he must inform the doctor.
Do not experiment with self-medication, so as not to seriously harm your he alth. For this purpose, you need to get a complete blood count, then consult a doctor.
Here are the foods that increase blood clotting:
• Small things: liver, kidneys, heart
• Buckwheat
• Nuts
• Legumes
• Bananas
• Potatoes
• Parsley
• Nettles
• Sugar
• Fatty foods
