Herbal Supplements and Surgery: What You Need to Know

[Guest guest]

Herbal supplements and surgery: What you need to know

By Mayo Clinic staff

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=300C25C5-751B-4522-

90A109EB618CF34A

When you're preparing for surgery, your doctor typically asks you a

number of questions about your health. Your surgeon and

anesthesiologist use this information to help make your surgery as

successful and safe as possible.

One of the things your doctor wants to know is what, if any,

medications you're currently taking. You may even be asked to prepare

a list of these as part of your surgery preparation. You might not

think to tell your doctor about the echinacea you take to help fight

off your colds, or the feverfew you use to prevent your migraines.

What you may not realize is that these and other herbal supplements

can affect the success of your surgical procedure, just as

conventional medicines can. Learn more about the possible surgical

complications of herbal supplements and find out which herbs, in

particular, are a concern.

Herbs and surgery: Possible complications

Possible surgical complications vary, depending on the herb you're

taking. Some herbal supplements increase heart rate and cause or

worsen high blood pressure. Others may alter the effectiveness of

sedative anesthesia used during surgery or medications you need

during or after surgery.

Some herbs may suppress your body's immune system, interfering with

healing. Others may increase your immune functioning, which, if

you're having transplant surgery, could increase the possibility of

your body rejecting the transplant. Still other herbs may contribute

to excessive bleeding by interfering with your blood's ability to

clot.

Common herbs: How they affect surgery

Some common herbal supplements that may cause surgical complications

include:

Danshen. May cause bleeding.

Dong quai. May cause bleeding.

Echinacea. May interfere with the effectiveness of immunosuppressant

drugs given to prevent transplant rejection. May interfere with your

body's immune functioning after surgery.

Ephedra. In late December 2003, the Food and Drug Administration

announced the ban of ephedra from the marketplace because of health

concerns. Ephedra goes by many names, including ma huang, Herbal

Ecstasy, Chinese ephedra, mahuanggen and ma huang root. Ephedra can

cause serious cardiovascular problems, leading to increased heart

rate, heart attack or stroke. Interaction with anesthesia can lead to

an abnormal heartbeat. And if you're taking a monoamine oxidase

inhibitor (MAOI) — a type of antidepressant medication — the

interaction between ephedra and anesthesia may result in life-

threatening high blood pressure and coma.

Feverfew. May cause bleeding.

Garlic. May cause bleeding or interfere with normal blood clotting.

Ginkgo. May cause bleeding.

Ginseng. May cause bleeding.

Goldenseal. May cause or worsen high blood pressure.

Kava. May enhance the sedative effects of anesthesia.

Licorice. May increase blood pressure. Most licorice candy contains

little or no herbal licorice, but check product ingredients

( " licorice flavoring " is safer than " licorice extract, " or " natural

licorice " ) to be sure. Your doctor may recommend you avoid licorice

in any form as you prepare for surgery.

St. 's wort. Can increase or decrease the effect of some drugs

used during and after surgery.

Valerian. May interfere with the effects of anesthesia.

As doctors learn more about herbal supplements and their effects,

other herbs may be added to the list of those causing concern. Ask

your doctor about any herbal product you're taking, even if it's not

on this list.

Protect yourself: Discontinue herbs before surgery

Different herbs remain in your body for different lengths of time.

Because of this, you may need to stop taking herbs up to a week or

more before surgery. As soon as you know you're going to have

surgery, ask your doctor how far in advance of your procedure you

need to stop taking your herbs.

If you're having surgery on short notice, try to bring your herbal

supplements with you to the hospital or surgical center. Keep them in

their original containers so the surgeon and anesthesiologist can

review the dosage and strength information.

By discontinuing herbs in advance of surgery and informing your

doctor of all herbs and medications you're taking, you can help

ensure a more successful surgical procedure.

Breast Cancer News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, a

grassroots organization focusing on Health Advocacy, Support and

Education. The information is intended for educational purposes only,

in order to help you make informed health choices and may not have

been touched upon by your doctors. We are not doctors and we do not

recommend any particular treatments. We are sending this information

to advise you of the complete scientific overview that is currently

available, although we may not necessarily endorse it.

http://www.breastcanceroptions.org

[Guest guest]

---

Great info nne! I'm printing off and putting in my notebook. My

son-inlaw is an anesthesiologist and he has told me it is VERY

important to tell them everything including herbs you take. Here is a

link that tells all about herbs.

http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html

(((BIG HUG))) ~Lala~ ^^Å^^ ^^å^^

Yesterday is the past Tomorrow is the future Today is a " Gift " That

is why it

is called the " Present "

In breastcancer2 , " marianne " <moochie@i...> wrote:

> Herbal supplements and surgery: What you need to know

> By Mayo Clinic staff

> http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=300C25C5-751B-4522-

> 90A109EB618CF34A

>

> When you're preparing for surgery, your doctor typically asks you a

> number of questions about your health. Your surgeon and

> anesthesiologist use this information to help make your surgery as

> successful and safe as possible.

>

> One of the things your doctor wants to know is what, if any,

> medications you're currently taking. You may even be asked to

prepare

> a list of these as part of your surgery preparation. You might not

> think to tell your doctor about the echinacea you take to help

fight

> off your colds, or the feverfew you use to prevent your migraines.

>

> What you may not realize is that these and other herbal supplements

> can affect the success of your surgical procedure, just as

> conventional medicines can. Learn more about the possible surgical

> complications of herbal supplements and find out which herbs, in

> particular, are a concern.

>

> Herbs and surgery: Possible complications

> Possible surgical complications vary, depending on the herb you're

> taking. Some herbal supplements increase heart rate and cause or

> worsen high blood pressure. Others may alter the effectiveness of

> sedative anesthesia used during surgery or medications you need

> during or after surgery.

>

> Some herbs may suppress your body's immune system, interfering with

> healing. Others may increase your immune functioning, which, if

> you're having transplant surgery, could increase the possibility of

> your body rejecting the transplant. Still other herbs may

contribute

> to excessive bleeding by interfering with your blood's ability to

> clot.

>

> Common herbs: How they affect surgery

> Some common herbal supplements that may cause surgical

complications

> include:

> Danshen. May cause bleeding.

> Dong quai. May cause bleeding.

> Echinacea. May interfere with the effectiveness of

immunosuppressant

> drugs given to prevent transplant rejection. May interfere with

your

> body's immune functioning after surgery.

> Ephedra. In late December 2003, the Food and Drug Administration

> announced the ban of ephedra from the marketplace because of health

> concerns. Ephedra goes by many names, including ma huang, Herbal

> Ecstasy, Chinese ephedra, mahuanggen and ma huang root. Ephedra can

> cause serious cardiovascular problems, leading to increased heart

> rate, heart attack or stroke. Interaction with anesthesia can lead

to

> an abnormal heartbeat. And if you're taking a monoamine oxidase

> inhibitor (MAOI) — a type of antidepressant medication — the

> interaction between ephedra and anesthesia may result in life-

> threatening high blood pressure and coma.

> Feverfew. May cause bleeding.

> Garlic. May cause bleeding or interfere with normal blood clotting.

> Ginkgo. May cause bleeding.

> Ginseng. May cause bleeding.

> Goldenseal. May cause or worsen high blood pressure.

> Kava. May enhance the sedative effects of anesthesia.

> Licorice. May increase blood pressure. Most licorice candy contains

> little or no herbal licorice, but check product ingredients

> ( " licorice flavoring " is safer than " licorice extract, " or " natural

> licorice " ) to be sure. Your doctor may recommend you avoid licorice

> in any form as you prepare for surgery.

> St. 's wort. Can increase or decrease the effect of some drugs

> used during and after surgery.

> Valerian. May interfere with the effects of anesthesia.

> As doctors learn more about herbal supplements and their effects,

> other herbs may be added to the list of those causing concern. Ask

> your doctor about any herbal product you're taking, even if it's

not

> on this list.

>

> Protect yourself: Discontinue herbs before surgery

> Different herbs remain in your body for different lengths of time.

> Because of this, you may need to stop taking herbs up to a week or

> more before surgery. As soon as you know you're going to have

> surgery, ask your doctor how far in advance of your procedure you

> need to stop taking your herbs.

>

> If you're having surgery on short notice, try to bring your herbal

> supplements with you to the hospital or surgical center. Keep them

in

> their original containers so the surgeon and anesthesiologist can

> review the dosage and strength information.

>

> By discontinuing herbs in advance of surgery and informing your

> doctor of all herbs and medications you're taking, you can help

> ensure a more successful surgical procedure.

>

> Breast Cancer News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, a

> grassroots organization focusing on Health Advocacy, Support and

> Education. The information is intended for educational purposes

only,

> in order to help you make informed health choices and may not have

> been touched upon by your doctors. We are not doctors and we do not

> recommend any particular treatments. We are sending this

information

> to advise you of the complete scientific overview that is currently

> available, although we may not necessarily endorse it.

> http://www.breastcanceroptions.org

[Guest guest]

---

Great info nne! I'm printing off and putting in my notebook. My

son-inlaw is an anesthesiologist and he has told me it is VERY

important to tell them everything including herbs you take. Here is a

link that tells all about herbs.

http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html

(((BIG HUG))) ~Lala~ ^^Å^^ ^^å^^

Yesterday is the past Tomorrow is the future Today is a " Gift " That

is why it

is called the " Present "

In breastcancer2 , " marianne " <moochie@i...> wrote:

> Herbal supplements and surgery: What you need to know

> By Mayo Clinic staff

> http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=300C25C5-751B-4522-

> 90A109EB618CF34A

>

> When you're preparing for surgery, your doctor typically asks you a

> number of questions about your health. Your surgeon and

> anesthesiologist use this information to help make your surgery as

> successful and safe as possible.

>

> One of the things your doctor wants to know is what, if any,

> medications you're currently taking. You may even be asked to

prepare

> a list of these as part of your surgery preparation. You might not

> think to tell your doctor about the echinacea you take to help

fight

> off your colds, or the feverfew you use to prevent your migraines.

>

> What you may not realize is that these and other herbal supplements

> can affect the success of your surgical procedure, just as

> conventional medicines can. Learn more about the possible surgical

> complications of herbal supplements and find out which herbs, in

> particular, are a concern.

>

> Herbs and surgery: Possible complications

> Possible surgical complications vary, depending on the herb you're

> taking. Some herbal supplements increase heart rate and cause or

> worsen high blood pressure. Others may alter the effectiveness of

> sedative anesthesia used during surgery or medications you need

> during or after surgery.

>

> Some herbs may suppress your body's immune system, interfering with

> healing. Others may increase your immune functioning, which, if

> you're having transplant surgery, could increase the possibility of

> your body rejecting the transplant. Still other herbs may

contribute

> to excessive bleeding by interfering with your blood's ability to

> clot.

>

> Common herbs: How they affect surgery

> Some common herbal supplements that may cause surgical

complications

> include:

> Danshen. May cause bleeding.

> Dong quai. May cause bleeding.

> Echinacea. May interfere with the effectiveness of

immunosuppressant

> drugs given to prevent transplant rejection. May interfere with

your

> body's immune functioning after surgery.

> Ephedra. In late December 2003, the Food and Drug Administration

> announced the ban of ephedra from the marketplace because of health

> concerns. Ephedra goes by many names, including ma huang, Herbal

> Ecstasy, Chinese ephedra, mahuanggen and ma huang root. Ephedra can

> cause serious cardiovascular problems, leading to increased heart

> rate, heart attack or stroke. Interaction with anesthesia can lead

to

> an abnormal heartbeat. And if you're taking a monoamine oxidase

> inhibitor (MAOI) — a type of antidepressant medication — the

> interaction between ephedra and anesthesia may result in life-

> threatening high blood pressure and coma.

> Feverfew. May cause bleeding.

> Garlic. May cause bleeding or interfere with normal blood clotting.

> Ginkgo. May cause bleeding.

> Ginseng. May cause bleeding.

> Goldenseal. May cause or worsen high blood pressure.

> Kava. May enhance the sedative effects of anesthesia.

> Licorice. May increase blood pressure. Most licorice candy contains

> little or no herbal licorice, but check product ingredients

> ( " licorice flavoring " is safer than " licorice extract, " or " natural

> licorice " ) to be sure. Your doctor may recommend you avoid licorice

> in any form as you prepare for surgery.

> St. 's wort. Can increase or decrease the effect of some drugs

> used during and after surgery.

> Valerian. May interfere with the effects of anesthesia.

> As doctors learn more about herbal supplements and their effects,

> other herbs may be added to the list of those causing concern. Ask

> your doctor about any herbal product you're taking, even if it's

not

> on this list.

>

> Protect yourself: Discontinue herbs before surgery

> Different herbs remain in your body for different lengths of time.

> Because of this, you may need to stop taking herbs up to a week or

> more before surgery. As soon as you know you're going to have

> surgery, ask your doctor how far in advance of your procedure you

> need to stop taking your herbs.

>

> If you're having surgery on short notice, try to bring your herbal

> supplements with you to the hospital or surgical center. Keep them

in

> their original containers so the surgeon and anesthesiologist can

> review the dosage and strength information.

>

> By discontinuing herbs in advance of surgery and informing your

> doctor of all herbs and medications you're taking, you can help

> ensure a more successful surgical procedure.

>

> Breast Cancer News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, a

> grassroots organization focusing on Health Advocacy, Support and

> Education. The information is intended for educational purposes

only,

> in order to help you make informed health choices and may not have

> been touched upon by your doctors. We are not doctors and we do not

> recommend any particular treatments. We are sending this

information

> to advise you of the complete scientific overview that is currently

> available, although we may not necessarily endorse it.

> http://www.breastcanceroptions.org

[Guest guest]

---

Great info nne! I'm printing off and putting in my notebook. My

son-inlaw is an anesthesiologist and he has told me it is VERY

important to tell them everything including herbs you take. Here is a

link that tells all about herbs.

http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html

(((BIG HUG))) ~Lala~ ^^Å^^ ^^å^^

Yesterday is the past Tomorrow is the future Today is a " Gift " That

is why it

is called the " Present "

In breastcancer2 , " marianne " <moochie@i...> wrote:

> Herbal supplements and surgery: What you need to know

> By Mayo Clinic staff

> http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=300C25C5-751B-4522-

> 90A109EB618CF34A

>

> When you're preparing for surgery, your doctor typically asks you a

> number of questions about your health. Your surgeon and

> anesthesiologist use this information to help make your surgery as

> successful and safe as possible.

>

> One of the things your doctor wants to know is what, if any,

> medications you're currently taking. You may even be asked to

prepare

> a list of these as part of your surgery preparation. You might not

> think to tell your doctor about the echinacea you take to help

fight

> off your colds, or the feverfew you use to prevent your migraines.

>

> What you may not realize is that these and other herbal supplements

> can affect the success of your surgical procedure, just as

> conventional medicines can. Learn more about the possible surgical

> complications of herbal supplements and find out which herbs, in

> particular, are a concern.

>

> Herbs and surgery: Possible complications

> Possible surgical complications vary, depending on the herb you're

> taking. Some herbal supplements increase heart rate and cause or

> worsen high blood pressure. Others may alter the effectiveness of

> sedative anesthesia used during surgery or medications you need

> during or after surgery.

>

> Some herbs may suppress your body's immune system, interfering with

> healing. Others may increase your immune functioning, which, if

> you're having transplant surgery, could increase the possibility of

> your body rejecting the transplant. Still other herbs may

contribute

> to excessive bleeding by interfering with your blood's ability to

> clot.

>

> Common herbs: How they affect surgery

> Some common herbal supplements that may cause surgical

complications

> include:

> Danshen. May cause bleeding.

> Dong quai. May cause bleeding.

> Echinacea. May interfere with the effectiveness of

immunosuppressant

> drugs given to prevent transplant rejection. May interfere with

your

> body's immune functioning after surgery.

> Ephedra. In late December 2003, the Food and Drug Administration

> announced the ban of ephedra from the marketplace because of health

> concerns. Ephedra goes by many names, including ma huang, Herbal

> Ecstasy, Chinese ephedra, mahuanggen and ma huang root. Ephedra can

> cause serious cardiovascular problems, leading to increased heart

> rate, heart attack or stroke. Interaction with anesthesia can lead

to

> an abnormal heartbeat. And if you're taking a monoamine oxidase

> inhibitor (MAOI) — a type of antidepressant medication — the

> interaction between ephedra and anesthesia may result in life-

> threatening high blood pressure and coma.

> Feverfew. May cause bleeding.

> Garlic. May cause bleeding or interfere with normal blood clotting.

> Ginkgo. May cause bleeding.

> Ginseng. May cause bleeding.

> Goldenseal. May cause or worsen high blood pressure.

> Kava. May enhance the sedative effects of anesthesia.

> Licorice. May increase blood pressure. Most licorice candy contains

> little or no herbal licorice, but check product ingredients

> ( " licorice flavoring " is safer than " licorice extract, " or " natural

> licorice " ) to be sure. Your doctor may recommend you avoid licorice

> in any form as you prepare for surgery.

> St. 's wort. Can increase or decrease the effect of some drugs

> used during and after surgery.

> Valerian. May interfere with the effects of anesthesia.

> As doctors learn more about herbal supplements and their effects,

> other herbs may be added to the list of those causing concern. Ask

> your doctor about any herbal product you're taking, even if it's

not

> on this list.

>

> Protect yourself: Discontinue herbs before surgery

> Different herbs remain in your body for different lengths of time.

> Because of this, you may need to stop taking herbs up to a week or

> more before surgery. As soon as you know you're going to have

> surgery, ask your doctor how far in advance of your procedure you

> need to stop taking your herbs.

>

> If you're having surgery on short notice, try to bring your herbal

> supplements with you to the hospital or surgical center. Keep them

in

> their original containers so the surgeon and anesthesiologist can

> review the dosage and strength information.

>

> By discontinuing herbs in advance of surgery and informing your

> doctor of all herbs and medications you're taking, you can help

> ensure a more successful surgical procedure.

>

> Breast Cancer News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, a

> grassroots organization focusing on Health Advocacy, Support and

> Education. The information is intended for educational purposes

only,

> in order to help you make informed health choices and may not have

> been touched upon by your doctors. We are not doctors and we do not

> recommend any particular treatments. We are sending this

information

> to advise you of the complete scientific overview that is currently

> available, although we may not necessarily endorse it.

> http://www.breastcanceroptions.org