Avoid Herbs Before
Surgery
Popping some
herbal supplements before going on the operating table may not be a
good idea.
 Some
popular herbs appear to prolong anesthesia, increase bleeding during
surgery and cause changes in blood pressure, researchers report at
the American Society for Anesthesiologists meeting in Dallas. The
report is based on a survey of 979 patients about to undergo
surgery. Dr. Charles McLeskey, an anethesiologist at Scott &
White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Pa., found 17 percent took at
least one herbal
product.
Anethesiologists and
researchers recommend patients tell their surgeons about all herbal
products they use, including prescription and over-the-counter
remedies. The most common herbal remedies used by patients were gingko
biloba, garlic,
ginger
and ginseng,
which all appear to prevent blood clotting and may lead to more
blood loss during surgery. St.
John's Wort and kava
may extend the effects of anesthesia.
Daily Briefings by Katrina
Woznicki
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