Table of Contents
What causes thickening of the blood?
Thick blood is caused by heavy proteins, or by too much blood in the circulation. Too many red cells, white cells, and platelets will result in blood thickening. Another cause is an imbalance in the blood clotting system.
What does thick blood feel like?
This can cause the blood to become thick, resulting in a range of symptoms. The symptoms vary, but they may include: nosebleeds. bleeding in the gums and the retinas of the eyes as small blood vessels become damaged.
How do you keep your blood from thickening?
Preventing Blood Clots
- Wear loose-fitting clothes, socks, or stockings.
- Raise your legs 6 inches above your heart from time to time.
- Wear special stockings (called compression stockings) if your doctor prescribes them.
- Do exercises your doctor gives you.
- Change your position often, especially during a long trip.
Is it bad to have thick blood?
Is thick blood bad? Thick blood is a risk factor for blood clots, so if you have thick blood, you will need to manage it. Unmanaged, thick blood can clot and lead to heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis.
Does thick blood make you tired?
The increase in blood cells makes the blood thicker. Thick blood can lead to strokes or tissue and organ damage. Symptoms include lack of energy (fatigue) or weakness, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, visual disturbances, nose bleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual periods, and bruising.
Is thick blood bad?
What happens if you have too much blood in your body?
Due to the excess red blood cells, though, some people may eventually develop skin itchiness and redness, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in their hands, feet, arms or legs.
Does aspirin help thick blood?
It can help prevent a heart attack or clot-related stroke by interfering with how the blood clots. But the same properties that make aspirin work as a blood thinner to stop it from clotting may also cause unwanted side effects, including bleeding into the brain or stomach.
What medication thickens the blood?
Warfarin sodium is an anticoagulant medication. “Anti” means against and “coagulant” means causing blood clotting. Warfarin controls the way that blood clots (thickens into a lump) inside your blood vessels.
Can thick blood cause headaches?
Can drinking lots of water thin your blood?
Blood volume Just like most liquids, water can dilute blood. Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water helps to keep the viscosity of the blood low. If the blood is very viscous then this is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and blood clots.