Lifestyle and home remedies

Depending on your treatment plan for antiphospholipid syndrome, there are additional steps you can take to protect your health. If you take blood-thinning medications, take extra care to keep from injuring yourself and to avoid bleeding.

• Avoid contact sports or other activities that could cause bruising or injury or cause you to fall.
• Use a soft toothbrush and waxed floss.
• Shave with an electric razor.
• Take extra care when using knives, scissors and other sharp tools.

Food and dietary supplements

Certain foods and medications may affect how well your blood thinners work. Ask your doctor for guidance about:

• Safe dietary choices. Vitamin K can lessen the effectiveness of warfarin, but not other blood-thinners. You may need to avoid eating large amounts of vitamin K-rich foods such as avocado, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, leafy greens and garbanzo beans. Cranberry juice and alcohol can increase warfarin's blood-thinning effect. Ask your doctor if you need to limit or avoid these drinks.
• Safe medications and dietary supplements. Certain medications, vitamins and herbal products can interact dangerously with warfarin. These include some over-the-counter pain relievers, cold medicines, stomach remedies or multivitamins, as well as garlic, ginkgo and green tea products.