Herbs, Surgery & Anesthesia
What Patients MUST Know About Herbal Supplements & Surgery
Nearly a third of surgery patients use at least one herbal supplement regularly but few disclose their use of herbs to a qualified medical professional.
More than 30% of people scheduled for surgery take at least one herbal supplement on a regular basis but most herb users facing surgery or other medical procedures don't disclose their use of herbs to their anesthesiologist, surgeon or referring physician. Unfortunately, withholding information about herbal supplement use prior to surgery can be very dangerous.
It's important to remember that herbs, and products that contain them, are generally packaged as dietary or nutritional supplements--not medicines--so herbal supplements will often not carry the same information as other medications. For example, there are usually no warnings, dosage information or suggested usage instructions included with herbal supplements. As a result, many people incorrectly assume that a "natural" medicine is inherently safer than a pharmaceutical. This is not only untrue; it's an assumption that can be dangerous if a person is facing surgery.
Herbs That Can Cause Post-Surgery Bleeding
One of the primary concerns when it comes to taking herbs prior to surgery is the risk of excessive bleeding. Several herbs are known to have anti-clotting properties and these anti-coagulant activities become even more pronounced when these herbs are combined with prescription anti-clotting medications. Some of the most commonly-used herbs linked to post-surgery bleeding are:
- Feverfew
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Vitamin E
Herbs That Can Worsen Post-Surgery Inflammation
Another issue that often arises after surgery, even if the anesthetic was only used locally, is post-surgical swelling. Excessive inflammation can delay healing, increase scarring and increase a person's risk of infection so relieving inflammation is a primary focus of post-operative care. Some of the best-selling herbs that are known to increase inflammation include:
- Echinacea
- Goldenseal
- Licorice
Herbs That Can Raise Post-Surgery Blood Pressure
Both during and after surgery, a patient's blood pressure is closely monitored. Blood pressure can not only serve as a warning of potential problems; it can also be a serious health concern on its own. Herbs that can raise blood pressure during and after surgery include:
- Ephedra
- Ginseng
- Licorice
Herbs That Can Prolong The Effects of Anesthesia
The dangers of combining herbs and surgical anesthetics has not been extensively studied but at least a few herbs are known to prolong the effects of certain types of anesthesia. The list of herbs with known sedative properties includes:
- Kava-Kava
- St. John's wort
- Valerian
The Final Word On Herbs & Surgery
Used properly, herbs can aid post-surgical healing, help minimize scarring and act as mild pain relievers. Used improperly, though, herbs can cause unpredictable and life-threatening complications.
Many people facing surgery fail to disclose their herbal supplement use out of fear of being ridiculed by their doctor. The fact is, most doctors want to know about their patients' use of herbal supplements.
Only your doctor is qualified to advise you on your risks of complications during and after surgery. Talk to him or her for more information about the herbs you are using and learn more about the potential risks they bring.
References:
American Society of Anesthesiologists. (2000). What You Should Know About Herbal and Dietary Supplement Use and Anesthesia.
Kaye, A., Kaye, M., Hegazi, A., Sabar, R., Deaton, B., Powell, J., Hofbauer, R. (2002). Nutraceuticals: potential roles and potential risks for pain management. Pain Practice.
Sabine, A., Krieg, T., Davidson, J. (2007). Inflammation in Wound Repair: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms. Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
