If you’re taking herbal dietary supplements such as echinacea, ginkgo, garlic, St. John’s wort and others, or even Vitamin E supplements, and you’ll be undergoing a medical procedure that will require the administration of anesthetics, be sure to let your doctor know what supplements you are taking. A lot of herbal supplements have side effects and drug interactions. Have a look at this flyer from the American Society of Anesthesiologists: What You Should Know About Herbal and Dietary Supplement Use and Anesthesia.
Hat Tip: Help My Hurt

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a lot of sleeping pills enter the market for people who chronically have difficulty in sleeping. The newer pills are believed to be more powerful, although whether it’s because of scientific evidence or marketing strategies, is difficult to say. A new report from Consumers Union, which appears in the Consumer Reports’ Best Buy Drugs, however, suggests that for those who need sleeping aid just for a night or two might benefit just as much from older, less expensive sleeping pills such as antihistamines. The report, as well as this article from the Washington …read more