Herbs contraindication with surgery

[Guest guest]

Here  is something we should take into account.

 

melly

 

---------

 

HERBS AND SURGERY: AN UNSAVORY MIX

You're scheduled for surgery. Perhaps you're having your

wisdom teeth removed, a hysterectomy or gall bladder surgery. You want to be as

healthy as possible beforehand. So, you follow your doctor's advice. You

exercise and rest when you're supposed to and take your medicines exactly as

prescribed. You're even taking your usual herbal supplements for reassurance.

You're doing everything you can, right?

Maybe not. Before surgery, your doctor probably didn't ask if you routinely take

herbal supplements. Most do not, even though taking herbal medicines before

surgery actually can interfere with your recovery from surgery in some

surprising ways.

In a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA),

researchers K. Ang-Lee, M.D., Moss, M.D., and Chun-Su Yuan,

M.D. found a host of potential dangers mixing herbs and traditional medicines

often used in surgery.

The doctors examined seven of the most common herbs used in the United States.

In fact, these herbs make up at least half of all herbs used in this country.

They include echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, kava, St. 's Wort and

valerian.

" Since many herbal preparations are a mixture of many different herbs, patients

should bring herb bottles with them to all their pre-surgery appointments, "

recommends Yuan, an author of the JAMA article and an assistant professor in the

Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care and Clinical Pharmacology at the

University of Chicago. This would include appointments with your general doctor,

surgeon and your anesthesiologist.

The American Botanical Council estimates that 30 percent of all adults in the

United States use some type of herbal supplement or preparation to treat common

ailments such as colds, allergies, heartburn, headaches and insomnia.

Yuan wants consumers to be better educated about the potential dangers of taking

herbs pre-surgery. " Both physicians and patients should be more aware of the

herb-drug interaction issue, " Yuan says. Here is a quick look at just some of

the problems found when mixing herbal preparations with surgery:

Echinacea

This herb often is used for preventing or treating viral, bacterial or fungal

infections. Because some people can be allergic to echinacea, those with

allergies or asthma should be cautious of using this supplement at any time.

This also is true for people with pre-existing liver conditions. Echinacea may

diminish the effectiveness of immunosuppression drugs so people who are having

any kind of organ transplant should avoid taking echinacea for several weeks

before surgery.

Garlic

Garlic inhibits your platelet's ability to aggregate, or clot. This means it can

become harder to stop any bleeding. It's a good idea not to take any kind of

garlic herbal preparation for at least a week before surgery.

Ginkgo

This herb is taken for a number of conditions, including improving mental

alertness, reducing dizziness caused by altitude sickness or vertigo and

erectile dysfunction. Ginkgo also inhibits the platelet-activating factor, part

of the normal blood-clotting process. This can make it harder for your body to

heal after surgery. Stop taking ginkgo at least 36 hours before surgery.

Ginseng

Ginseng is thought to protect the body against stress. Unfortunately,

it also may lower the glucose (sugar) in your blood. This could be a serious

problem for a person with diabetes and could even cause a dangerous blood sugar

drop in people without diabetes. It's a good

idea to stop taking ginseng a week before surgery.

 

Kava

Kava commonly is used to treat anxiety. Kava may act as a sedative in the body.

This might interfere with traditional sedatives given during surgery or shortly

after surgery. Kava could interfere with the anesthetic medication that you

receive during surgery. Try to discontinue kava at least 24 hours before your

surgery.

St. 's Wort

This herb is widely used to treat mild to moderate depression. St. 's Wort

also can increase your metabolism. This may interfere with drugs used in organ

transplants or anyone who may need to take an anticoagulation medicine after

surgery to stop bleeding. It is a good idea to discontinue St. 's Wort at

least five days prior to surgery.

Valerian

This herb is used to calm anxiety and promote sleep. Because valerian may have

some addictive qualities, it is a good idea to taper use for several weeks

before surgery.

Tips before surgery - Simple advice to make your surgery safer:

 

Even if your doctor or pharmacist does not ask specifically if you use herbal

preparations, tell them.

 

Before surgery, show your doctor any prescription medications, herbal

preparations and over-the-counter medicines you take routinely. Ask if you

should stop taking any of your medications or herbs before surgery.

 

Because your doctor simply may not know about herbal preparations, you may want

to err on the safe side and stop taking all herbs for at least a week before any

surgical procedure.

Sources:

 

 

 

Back To Top

1) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

2) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

3) American Academy of Family Physicians

  

Vision & Health Newsletter courtesy of:

 

 

Sight Improvement Center

Hollander, O.D. F.A.A.O.

Jurman.O.D. F.A.A.O.

Bindu .O.D.

25 W. 43rd Street

Suite 316

New York, NY 10036

212-921-1888

[Guest guest]

Thanks , this is very good to know.

Best regards,

Sandy

http://buyingkefirgrains.blogspot.com/

http://heavenly-haiku.blogspot.com/

From: Bag <@...>

Subject: [ ] Herbs contraindication with surgery

, oleandersoup ,

searching-alternatives

Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 7:15 AM

 

Here  is something we should take into account.

 

melly

 

---------

 

HERBS AND SURGERY: AN UNSAVORY MIX

You're scheduled for surgery. Perhaps you're having your

wisdom teeth removed, a hysterectomy or gall bladder surgery. You want to be as

healthy as possible beforehand. So, you follow your doctor's advice. You

exercise and rest when you're supposed to and take your medicines exactly as

prescribed. You're even taking your usual herbal supplements for reassurance.

You're doing everything you can, right?

Maybe not. Before surgery, your doctor probably didn't ask if you routinely take

herbal supplements. Most do not, even though taking herbal medicines before

surgery actually can interfere with your recovery from surgery in some

surprising ways.

In a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA),

researchers K. Ang-Lee, M.D., Moss, M.D., and Chun-Su Yuan,

M.D. found a host of potential dangers mixing herbs and traditional medicines

often used in surgery.

The doctors examined seven of the most common herbs used in the United States.

In fact, these herbs make up at least half of all herbs used in this country.

They include echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, kava, St. 's Wort and

valerian.

" Since many herbal preparations are a mixture of many different herbs, patients

should bring herb bottles with them to all their pre-surgery appointments, "

recommends Yuan, an author of the JAMA article and an assistant professor in the

Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care and Clinical Pharmacology at the

University of Chicago. This would include appointments with your general doctor,

surgeon and your anesthesiologist.

The American Botanical Council estimates that 30 percent of all adults in the

United States use some type of herbal supplement or preparation to treat common

ailments such as colds, allergies, heartburn, headaches and insomnia.

Yuan wants consumers to be better educated about the potential dangers of taking

herbs pre-surgery. " Both physicians and patients should be more aware of the

herb-drug interaction issue, " Yuan says. Here is a quick look at just some of

the problems found when mixing herbal preparations with surgery:

Echinacea

This herb often is used for preventing or treating viral, bacterial or fungal

infections. Because some people can be allergic to echinacea, those with

allergies or asthma should be cautious of using this supplement at any time.

This also is true for people with pre-existing liver conditions. Echinacea may

diminish the effectiveness of immunosuppression drugs so people who are having

any kind of organ transplant should avoid taking echinacea for several weeks

before surgery.

Garlic

Garlic inhibits your platelet's ability to aggregate, or clot. This means it can

become harder to stop any bleeding. It's a good idea not to take any kind of

garlic herbal preparation for at least a week before surgery.

Ginkgo

This herb is taken for a number of conditions, including improving mental

alertness, reducing dizziness caused by altitude sickness or vertigo and

erectile dysfunction. Ginkgo also inhibits the platelet-activating factor, part

of the normal blood-clotting process. This can make it harder for your body to

heal after surgery. Stop taking ginkgo at least 36 hours before surgery.

Ginseng

Ginseng is thought to protect the body against stress. Unfortunately,

it also may lower the glucose (sugar) in your blood. This could be a serious

problem for a person with diabetes and could even cause a dangerous blood sugar

drop in people without diabetes. It's a good

idea to stop taking ginseng a week before surgery.

 

Kava

Kava commonly is used to treat anxiety. Kava may act as a sedative in the body.

This might interfere with traditional sedatives given during surgery or shortly

after surgery. Kava could interfere with the anesthetic medication that you

receive during surgery. Try to discontinue kava at least 24 hours before your

surgery.

St. 's Wort

This herb is widely used to treat mild to moderate depression. St. 's Wort

also can increase your metabolism. This may interfere with drugs used in organ

transplants or anyone who may need to take an anticoagulation medicine after

surgery to stop bleeding. It is a good idea to discontinue St. 's Wort at

least five days prior to surgery.

Valerian

This herb is used to calm anxiety and promote sleep. Because valerian may have

some addictive qualities, it is a good idea to taper use for several weeks

before surgery.

Tips before surgery - Simple advice to make your surgery safer:

 

Even if your doctor or pharmacist does not ask specifically if you use herbal

preparations, tell them.

 

Before surgery, show your doctor any prescription medications, herbal

preparations and over-the-counter medicines you take routinely. Ask if you

should stop taking any of your medications or herbs before surgery.

 

Because your doctor simply may not know about herbal preparations, you may want

to err on the safe side and stop taking all herbs for at least a week before any

surgical procedure.

Sources:

 

 

 

Back To Top

1) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

2) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

3) American Academy of Family Physicians

  

Vision & Health Newsletter courtesy of:

 

 

Sight Improvement Center

Hollander, O.D. F.A.A.O.

Jurman.O.D. F.A.A.O.

Bindu .O.D.

25 W. 43rd Street

Suite 316

New York, NY 10036

212-921-1888