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Home
| | Dietary
Supplements:
Hidden dangers
If
you are planning to have elective surgery, it is very important to tell
us about any and all herbal remedies that you are taking. Many
patients fail to tell their doctors about supplements for a number of
reasons. Many do not think of these products as medicine, and they
believe the use of them, to be unimportant. Others are intimidated
and afraid of what their doctors may say to them. However, we need
to know everything you are taking- not just prescription drugs.
Some supplements adversely affect surgery.
Please tell us if you are taking any of these
supplements!
Among the herbal supplements to
discontinue at least two weeks prior to surgery and two weeks after
surgery:
 | Bilberry, Contains
compounds called anthocyanosides, and flavonoid compounds that strengthen
blood vessels, improve circulation and can be useful in treating eye
disorders. Bilberry can affect blood cells called platelets and may
increase bleeding. |
| Cayenne, Also know
as red pepper, cayenne lowers levels of cholesterol in the blood, which can
help lower blood pressure. Cayenne may affect platelets and an overdose
can cause a significant drop in body temperature. |
| Dong Quai, An all-purpose
women's herb used to provide energy and regulate female hormones. An
active constituent in Dong Quai is a Coumadin-like compound, which may
increase existing anticoagulant (blood thinning) medications. |
| Echinacea
may impact the liver when general anesthesia is used. |
| Feverfew, from the Latin
word, febrifuge, which means fever-reducing, the herb is used mainly to treat
migraine headaches. Feverfew may increase bleeding, especially in
patients taking certain blood-thinning medications. |
| Fish Oil, The
Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil are beneficial for lowering
blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reducing the risk of
heart disease. Fish Oil has blood thinning properties which can be
problematic during surgery. |
| Yohimbe,
(the natural Viagraź) and licorice root, which also have MAO
effects and increase the potency of the anesthetic. |
| Gingko Biloba,
a powerful anticoagulant is considered to be three times
stronger than vitamin E. |
| Ginger, garlic,
cayenne and bilberry have antiplatelet activity and may
inhibit clot formation. |
| Ginseng has
been associated with episodes of hypertension and tachycardia. |
| Melatonin decreases
the amount of anesthesia needed for surgery. |
| St. John's wart,
which has a mild monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effect and may
intensify the effects of anesthesia. |
| Aloe,
used topically, can cause contact dermatitis, and when ingested, can
create low potassium levels. |
| PC-SPES,
used for prostate cancer, has a definable incidence of deep vein
thrombophlebitis. |
Some supplements can be useful after
surgery
Arnica Montana and Bromoline, a pineapple
extract are substances that reduce bruising and swelling in the face and
other places on the body where liposuction was performed.
After breast implant surgery, vitamins C,
B complex and E are useful.
For more information...
 National
Institutes of Health, office of dietary supplements
Food
and Drug Administration
Med watch
American
Botanical Council
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