I usually have trouble sleeping, and for a while I took OTC sleep aids. They helped me sleep, but the next day I’d feel like I was half dreaming all of the time.

Recently I’ve been drinking 1-3 glasses of red wine each night instead. It definitely helps me get to sleep, and I feel very awake the next day…but is this amount of alcohol consumption healthy on a regular basis?

The Health and Wellness industry is currently an industry, which is starting to see tremendous growth, especially within the United States. In fact, a quick browse through the internet and you will find hundreds, wait, correction, THOUSANDS of companies such as Life Extension, Herbalife, GNC and numerous others advocating for consumers to use their products. Consumers are responding to their advertising efforts and many more are starting to take multivitamins, cell activators, sleep aid medications and many more!

Although the increase and use of these dietary supplements are helping multiple individuals, the fact is most healthcare providers are unaware their patients are on these herbal supplements. For example, a doctor has been trained to handle either a specialty or a wide variety of complex medical needs, unfortunately the training and education that they receive in regards to medication is months rather than the years that pharmacists have. In addition, your nurse or caregiver has been trained to protect, promote, and optimize health, but unfortunately, the training and education that they too receive in regards to medication is months rather than the years that pharmacists have. Furthermore, the absence and lack of documentation in this area could lead to medication errors.

Have you ever heard of the stories of consumers of herbal supplements such as they had high blood pressure before they started a weight loss program and after three days, their blood pressure began to lower? On the other hand, maybe you have heard stories of herbal supplements, which reduce the risk of breast cancer or prostate cancer or improve eye vision. The bottom line is, with so many herbal supplements hitting the market, and not being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), continuing to consume these herbal supplements without knowledge of what you are placing inside your body could lead to medication errors.

This article is not to debate whether herbal supplements are working for individuals or not. In fact, the good stories of individuals who are on some form of herbal supplement and receiving positive results are well praised and will provide valuable information to their healthcare provider, if they are documented on a medication record card such as a CapsulCardTM. However, consuming herbal supplements without the knowledge of a healthcare provider could lead to deadly medication errors. Trusting your medication questions to licensed and board certified clinical pharmacists puts your medication needs in the right hands.

NCapsul, Inc understands many individuals who are taking supplements may have general questions on what they are consuming. The overall goal is to reduce medication errors which injure at least 1.5 million people each year according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM). If you have questions regarding supplements, over the counter medications, or even about how food reacts to the medications you are taking look into CapsulCall™ Pharmacists. They can answer your questions and advise no question is too simple or complex. It is also a great idea to keep up to date on the latest medication errors in regards to herbal supplements and prescriptions at http://www.ncapsul.com/mederrors.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/herbal-supplements-role-in-medication-errors-2247878.html