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Herbal
Remedies may cause surgical risks
Warning on Herbs used by
Diabetics
It has been found that some herbal
preparations can have adverse impact on various haemodynamics of a
person during surgery. The herbal preparations can speed up or
slow down the heart rate, inhibit blood clotting, alter the immune
system and change the effects and duration of anaesthesia.
Scientists have found some preparations have an impact
if taken up to a week before a patient goes under the knife.
The herbs that have been studied are echinacea,
gingko biloba, garlic, St John's wort and valerian.
Between 1993 and 1998 a total of 2,621 adverse
reactions, including 101 deaths, were reported to the United States
Food and Drug Administration.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists has
recognised the potential for adverse reactions and suggests that
patients stop taking all herbal medications two weeks before surgery.
Effects observed and recommendation:
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Echinacea |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Boosts
immunity. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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Allergic
reactions, impairs immune suppressive drugs, could impair wound
healing. |
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Recommendations: |
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Discontinue
as far in advance as possible. |
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Ephedra |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Increases
heart rate & blood pressure. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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Risk of
heart attack, stroke, interaction with other drugs, kidney
stones. |
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Recommendations: |
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Discontinue
at least 24 hours before surgery. |
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Garlic |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Prevents
clotting. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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Risk of
bleeding. |
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Recommendations: |
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Discontinue
at least 7 days before surgery. |
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Ginko |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Prevents
clotting. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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Risk of
bleeding. |
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Recommendations: |
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Discontinue
at least 36 hours before surgery. |
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Ginseng |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Lowers
blood glucose, inhibits clotting. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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Increases
risk of bleeding. Interferes with anti-clotting drug. |
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Recommendations: |
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Discontinue
at least 7 days before surgery. |
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Kava |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Sedates,
decreases anxiety. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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May
increase sedative effects of anesthesia. |
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Recommendations: |
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Discontinue
at least 24 hours before surgery. |
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St.
John's wort |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Acts
like anti-depressants such as Prozac. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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Alters
metabolisms of other drugs. |
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Recommendations: |
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Discontinue
at least 5 days before surgery. |
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Valerian |
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Relevant
effects: |
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Sedates. |
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Concern
during surgery: |
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Long-term
use could increase the amount of anesthesia needed. |
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Recommendations: |
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Taper
dose weeks before surgery. |
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Source BBC News
Warning on Herbs used by
Diabetics
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