When U open your bottle of prescription drugs, U R in charge of your health – not your M.D. The risks U run & the benefits U reap depend greatly on what U Know about your medications, or your prescriptions IQ. Drug smart patients know the pills they take R life – enhancing yet potentially dangerous.  The best way to ensure that you have a dialogue with your doctor about natural therapies is to ask a lot of questions. Doctors admit that a well-informed patient generally get more respect. Inquire whether any of the therapies on your list could cause complications. Be sure to ask about additional treatments you’re thinking of trying. Write down your questions ahead of times so you don’t forget them. Government health sites such as that of the National Institutes of health (www.inh.gov), as well as home pages for medical schools & associations, are loaded with useful information.

If your doctor does not have the time to answer all of your questions ask to talk to a physician’s assistant or nurse in your doctor’s office. Both may be more accessible and open to such communication. Many nurses and physician’s assistants can advise you on how to safely integrate alternative and conventional therapies. They can also keep your doctor informed about which therapies you’re using.

If your doctor brushes off your questions or can’t even answer them, don’t begin withholding or give up on the idea of intergrading therapies (just change your doctor). Do your own research. The Internet is a valuable source of medical information but don’t believe everything you read there. “Patients may not be equipped to tell the good information from the bad,” says Kao. Ask a physician’s assistant, nurse, or pharmacist to help you evaluate the advice you find.

Dangerous Omissions

If you have cancer or heart disease or R facing surgery, U need to be aware of the following nutrient – drug interactions. They’re good examples of why U should always practice full disclosure with your conventional doctor. This is not a comprehensive list of interactions, nor will these effects occur in all cases.

If you’re a cancer patient, consider………

o   YOUR GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. Adding supplements to your diet or suddenly boosting your intake of certain foods can cause gastrointestinal upset. Your doctor may mistake your nausea for a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation and, if your stomach upset is severe enough, alter these treatments unnecessarily.

o   YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. Immune – boosting herbs like Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) may actually suppress your immune response when you take them for long periods of time. If you’re undergoing cancer treatments that may further suppress your immune system, this can be dangerous.

o   YOUR HORMONES. Supplements with estrogen like qualities, like black cohosh, red clover, and soy may interfere with your treatment if you have hormone – related breast cancer.

If you’re a heart disease patient, consider…….

o   YOUR METABOLISM. Herbs like ginseng (panax), hawthorn (Cratagus spp), Licorice, St. John’s Wort, and Uzara can change your metabolism, thereby altering blood levels of prescription heart drugs like digoxin.

o   YOUR BLOOD. Coenzyme Q10, garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), ginko, ginseng, and Vitamin E are all blood thinners and can dangerously increase the effects of prescription anticoagulants like Coumadin.

o   YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. Combining ephedra (Ephedra sinica), also known as ma huang, a stimulant found in some herbal weight – loss supplements, with manoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, a class of drugs used to treat depression, can increase your blood pressure.

If you’re surgery candidate, consider….

o   YOUR BLOOD. CoQ10, Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo, Ginseng, and Vitamin E can alter the effects of anesthesia or cause excessive bleeding during surgery. The American Society of Anesthesiologists advises patients to stop talking all supplements at least two weeks prior to a scheduled surgery.

Women’s Wellness Screening Checklist

These R some general recommendations for screening tools that R important for your wellness. In some cases family & individual risk factors R important in deterring appropriate, so we highly recommend that U discuss them with your physician.

        *Complete Physical Exam Includes Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, & Blood Glucose (Diabetes) Testing.

     ** Frequency of Test is Significantly Related to Individual Risk & Family History. You & your Doctor Should Determine Test Frequency.

Don’t assume that M.D.’s & hospital have up-to-date information about U. Healthcare professionals do their best to be accurate, but you’d be surprised how easily errors can creep into your medical chart. Each time U visit an M.D. or Hospital, bring along an up – to – date list that includes:

(  The Names & phone #’s of all the M.D.’s you’re seeing.

(  Your blood chart (CBC).

(  Ur current & pasted conditions.

(  Include the names & dosages of everything U take; including over – the – counter drugs, Vitamins, and Herbal remedies.

(  A list of things U may be allergic to.

(  Give dates and descriptions of key hospitalizations, surgeries, medical procedures, etc.

Suggested questions to ask your Doctor

1)   How long can I expect to be in the hospital?

2)   Will I need to see any other M.D.s or Specialists while I’m here?

3)   What is the daily routine in this hospital / on this flr.?

4)   Will I need any tests?

5)   R there any different medications I’ll be receiving while I’m in the hospital?

6)   Will I need to make any dietary changes while I’m in the hospital or when I return home?

7)   Am I at risk for DVTs?

8)   What kind of DVT treatments R available?

9)   How do anticoagulants work?

  10) Can it affect other medications or Vitamin in take?

  11) If there R any medications how long do I have to take it?

I have successfully completed my 1^st part of Anatomy & physiology with in depth studying. Reading an article, that peeked my interest, which I am now able to share with U.

North Carolinians were organizing to pass the freedom of access Act. This act provides information on practitioners’ level of schooling to prospective clients & allows them to make informed decisions about whom they wish to consult. Licensing only shows that the practitioner has X # of hours of training, can spit out textbook information on an exam & whatever else the licensing board decides is needed for the license. This is no guarantee of professionalism, wisdom, skill, or talent. The best way to find a professional is to be well informed & ask a lot of Questions (in poche parole inteligente!). 

 Source of reference: USA weekend 1.21-23.05, Natural Health Oct/Nov. 2001 pg. 12,