Thought of the Day
To achieve the impossible dream, try going to sleep. Joan Klemper
July 30th,2010 Thought of the day |
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Herbs and Surgery- don’t mix
When you’re going in for surgery, whether it’s an eyelid lift or a root canal and your doctor asks what meds you take, don’t forget to mention natural remedies. Patients often don’t tell their doctors what herbs and supplements they take because they don’t think of them as medicine. But herbs can cause serious problems during and after surgery. Alert your doctor about anything you’re taking.
Ginseng, Ginko and Kava I do not recommend taking unless you have had a constitutional evaluation first.
Chondroitin- taken for arthritis STOP TAKING 2-3 wks before surgery
Ginseng- taken for energy STOP TAKING AT LEAST 1 wk before surgery
Garlic supplements- taken for immunity and BP STOP TAKING 1 wk before surgery
Ginko biloba- improved memory STOP TAKING at least 1 wk before surgery -May cause delayed recovery and abnormal grogginess
Kava-anxiety, muscle tension STOP TAKING at least 1 wk before surgery -May cause delayed recovery and abnormal grogginess
Echinacea- immune system STOP TAKING 2-3 wks before surgery- REACTION to certain anesthesia
Glucosamine- arthritis STOP TAKING 2-3 wks before surgery, lowers blood sugar which can cause fainting and delay recovery
Goldenseal- immune STOP TAKING 2-3 wks before surgery, post op grogginess, abnormal sensitivity to laser, can decrease blood volume
Arthritis
In Chinese Medicine, Arthritis is categorized as follows:
Cold arthritis: characterized by sharp, stabbing pain in a fixed location and cold sensation in joints. Relieved by heat. Recommended foods: garlic scallions, black beans, sesame seeds, chicken, lamb, mustard greens, ginger, small amount of rice wine if blood pressure not an issue. 10-20 min sunshine fresh air daily, warm liniments on area, cinnamon/ginger tea and avoid cold raw foods and cold weather.
Heat arthritis: red swollen joints, painful and hot, usually sudden onset, Recommended foods- fresh fruits, veges, cabbage, mung beans, soybean sprouts. Avoid-spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, green onions.
Damp arthritis: heavy feeling in extremities, stiffness, swelling, dull aching pain that lingers and sluggishness. Recommended foods: barley, mung beans, mustard greens, red beans, millet, sweet rice wine with meals, cornsilk tea- natural diuretic Cook barley, mung beans and red beans together.
Kidney deficient arthritis: coldness, low energy, low back pain, knee pain, weakness, poor hearing, urine retention problems. Recommended foods: warming foods- chicken, lamb, scallions, sesame seeds, fish, baked tofu, soybeans, walnuts, lentils, black beans, a little wine, ginger, cinnamon. Avoid: caold raw foods and fruits.
Kidney deficiency arthritis with heat: irritability, insomnia, nite sweats, damp palms, dry mouth, low back pain, blurry vision. Recommended foods: cooling foods, apples, peaches, pears, fresh veges, beans, tofu, chrysanthemum tea. Avoid-spicy foods, smoking, alcohol and stress.
Caffeine contents of foods and beverages
Coffee: 5 oz cup / 60-150 mg Decaf coffee: 5 oz / 2-5 mg Tea 5oz/ 40-80 mg Iced tea 8 oz/25 mg Snapple iced tea (all kinds) 8oz/21 mg Arizona iced green tea 8 oz/ 7.5 mg Hot cocoa: 5 oz/1-8 mg Chocolate milk 8oz/2-7 mg Coca cola / and diet 12 oz/46 mg Pepsi 12 oz/38 mg Red Bull 8 oz/ 80 mg regular 7- up 8 oz/O mg Diet 7-up 8 oz/23 mg Jolt cola 12 oz/71 mg
In foods: coffee ice cream 1 cup/ 40-60 mg dark chocolate 1 oz/ 20 mg milk chocolate 1 oz/ 6 mg
Medications: anacin 2 tab/26 mg dexatrim 1 tab/200 mg dristan 1 tab/30 mg midol 1 tab/32 mg excedrin max 2 tab/130 mg cafergot 1 tab/100 mg