1) Contrary to their name, blood thinners do not actually make our blood any thinner. They instead work to reduce the size of clots inside our blood vessels by stopping the events leading to formation of blood clots.
2) It is normally advised that people who are on blood thinners should avoid green leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, methi etc because these vegetables have a lot of Vitamin K which can interfere with the functioning of blood thinners. The fact is if you take the same amount of leafy vegetables very day and your INR ratio is under control, then it is all right to have them. A sudden increase in the vegetable intake on a particular day however may affect the functioning of these medications. Most of the newer medications are independent of vitamin K pathway and you can eat as many greens as you want.If you have any query regarding your medicines, you should check with your doctor.
3) The most common side effect of these medications is bleeding. So if you are bleeding too much from a small cut or gums or any other place like having reddish urination or black stools, you must see your doctor immediately.
If you are on such medicines, it is best to use soft tooth brushes, avoid the use of sharp objects like blades and scissors and wear proper shoes while outdoors. The idea is to minimize the chances of any cuts and bleeding.
4) Blood thinners like warfarin etc should be taken on the same time every day because the effect is dose dependent. However, if you skip your dose you must not double it or alter the dose as it can cause fatal bleeding inside. Check with your doctor instead and take the standard dose as soon as you remember.It is best to keep such medicines in day wise compartments so you know if you have skipped your dose.
5) Aspirin is not a blood thinner as such but will still prevent blood clots and reduce your risk of heart attacks if you are a high risk individual .However, the dose should be decided and taken under guidance of your physician.