How to Reverse Coagulopathy

Coagulopathy represents a condition where too little or improper clotting takes place. This can happen whenever one or more the plasma proteins needed for the clotting process are insufficient or missing altogether. The health condition can be caused by a myriad of factors. For that reason, each case must be approached individually, dependent upon the specific bleeding problem and the patient's medical history and current condition. There are, however, some things that can be done to help reverse coagulopathy in general.

Instructions

• 1

  Make a doctor's appointment to determine if coagulopathy could be the cause of your bleeding disorder. Coagulopathy can present itself in different ways such as cuts that won't stop bleeding, excessive nose bleeds, bleeding gums, unusual or severe skin bruising and abnormal or unchecked menstrual bleeding in women. To rule out the possibility of coagulopathy, it is essential to have a doctor's diagnosis.

• 2

  Work with your physician to determine the exact cause of your coagulopathy. The condition can result from any number of conditions, including heredity, hemophilia, a shortage of vitamin K, a problem with the auto immune system, kidney or liver disease or an insufficient blood platelet count. It may take work and a battery of medical tests to determine what the cause is in your case.

• 3

  Stop taking any medications that could hinder the blood's ability to clot (if authorized by your physician). Over-the-counter and prescribed blood thinners are a common culprit. Aspirin is a commonly used over-the-counter blood thinner as are herbs in green tea and high doses of vitamin E. Medications such as Cumadin, Dalteparin, Plavix and Heprin are blood thinners that must be prescribed by a physician. Removal of blood thinners will reverse coagulopathy automatically in some instances.

• 4

  Use vitamin K as prescribed by your doctor if it is determined the lack of that vitamin could be the reason behind your condition. Be sure to take the medication exactly as prescribed in order to ensure a successful reversal of coagulopathy.

• 5

  Take broad-spectrum antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor for health conditions (such as liver disease) that may cause coagulopathy. Removing the heath problem may take care of the blood problem as well.

• 6

  Submit to a clotting transfusion as outlined by your physician. Depending upon the amount required and the type of delivery system to be used, this procedure may involve multiple trips to the doctor's office, an outpatient facility or clinic. Once the blood becomes properly balanced again, it may return to a normal clotting process.

• 7

  Have one or more blood transfusions as ordered by your physician. In certain instances, blood simply needs a fresh infusion for it to "right" the problem. Whether it is a single or multiple blood transfusion, you may have to report to an outpatient facility or hospital for the process.

• 8

  Use fresh plasma to jump-start the blood's normal clotting process. You may require more than a single plasma infusion, which will likely be done in a clinic, outpatient facility or hospital.

• 9

  Submit to platelet concentrates. Since blood platelets are often at the center of coagulopathy, getting new or additional platelets may help reverse the condition.