Mixing meds and herbs

[Guest guest]

Here's a powerful warning about mixing medications and herbal remedies...one which is important to all of us. Of course, I just won't take meds except perhaps in a life threatening emergency, but others are not as dedicated to the idea. So I think this warning is important.

 

Linda

MIXING IT UP One of the most frightening aspects of today's medical system is the practice of specialization. It's great to have experts in individual areas. But when a patient goes to an array of doctors, he/she gets different medications from each... combines these medications with herbal formulas and supplements... and then may end up sicker than before. Why? No one doctor is taking a look at the big picture when it comes to the patient's overall drug intake. For example, did you know that... * The impotence drug Viagra can cause a deadly drop in blood pressure in men who use nitroglycerin or other nitrate-containing heart drugs?* Certain antidepressants (MAO inhibitors) can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure when combined with tyramine-rich foods -- including aged cheeses, avocados and sour cream? * Taking both the herb ginkgo and a blood thinner, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin), can cause hemorrhaging? * Grapefruit juice can heighten the effects of a number of drugs, leading to dangerous conditions? Drugs affected include blood- pressure drugs, cholesterol-lowering statins and certain antidepressants. As more dietary supplements and other over-the-counter (OTC) products hit the shelves, the number of possible interactions continues to grow."It's a whole new ball game," says Dr. Timothy McCall, an internist, medical editor of Yoga Journal, and author of Examining Your Doctor: A Patient's Guide to Avoiding Harmful Medical Care (Citadel). His prescription for winning this life-or-death game... Take the fewest drugs at the lowest doses. Remember that even the most innocent substances, such as vitamin C and aspirin, can affect the way your body reacts to prescription medications. Lifestyle changes can reduce the need for medication. The right diet, exercise and relaxationtechniques, such as yoga and meditation, can help cut use of antidepressants, blood pressure medications and other popular drugs. Hot off the press: According to a small Canadian study published in TheJournal of the American Medical Association, a vegetarian diet -- one rich in almonds, fiber and soy -- is just as effective in decreasing "bad" cholesterol (LDL) as a cholesterol-lowering statin drug. Keep a current list of all the medications you use -- even if you do not take them on a regular basis. Include prescription and OTC drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins, etc. Show the list to every doctor you see. Alas, physicians and pharmacists can tell you about some drug interactions -- but no one is aware of all the risks. Interactions withnew medications may not be known until years after the drugs have been introduced. According to Dr. McCall, individual responses to a particular drug are highly variable. A substance that exerts a powerful effect on one person may hardly be noticed by another. Often, older people are especially sensitive. Self-defense: When you start taking a new drug orsupplement, be aware of how your body is responding. Consult your physician if you develop any problems -- and bring along that list of medications, just in case. Medicines are powerful tools. Use them wisely... use them well. Be well, Carole Jackson Bottom Line's Daily Health News

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