Herbal Supplements Role in Medication Errors
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 CapsulCallâ„¢ 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
Role of Vitamins in Combating Insomnia
Insomnia is the term used for any kind of sleep disorder. A person suffering from insomnia faces severe disorder in the sleeping pattern, and does not get sufficient sleep. The cure of insomnia is very vital, because lack of sleep might lead to severe mental and physical ailments. B vitamins have a major role to play in metabolism of serotonin, a neurotransmitters which help in regulation of sleep. Therefore, deficiency of B vitamins might give rise to insomnia.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), niacin and folic acid have proved to be very effective in the treatment of sleeping disorder (insomnia). In case of deficiency of vitamins B, it is generally beneficial to increase the intake of vitamins such as pyridoxine, niacin and folic acid. Vitamin B6 helps in inducing sleep by the means of its rich constituent of amino acids. Vitamin B12 has also proved its effectiveness in treatment of insomnia. As per an observation, the injection of Vitamin B12 has given positive result on the sleep-pattern of some patients.
B vitamins are very helpful when suffering from stress, depression, or anxiety.
Insomnia can appear when a person is in a stressful state, depressed or anxious; therefore taking B vitamins relaxes the body and prevents insomnia.
Iron as a cure for Insomnia
Studies show that iron can help restless legs syndrome, which can cause insomnia. Therefore taking iron might help prevent insomnia.
Helping Insomnia with Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency causes nervousness and restlessness so makes it hard to sleep and lead to insomnia.
Taking magnesium may help to sleep better.
The best way to combat insomnia is to revise the diet chart accordingly, which emphasizes more on B vitamins.
(1) The chief sources of Vitamin B6 are egg yolk, yeast, rice polishing and germ of various grains and seeds. Deficiency of this vitamin leads to deficiency of serotonin, which in turn leads to deficiency of melatonin (sleep-triggering hormone). Therefore, the daily intake of 50 to 100 mg must be taken into consideration to prevent sleeping disorder.
(2) Vitamin B5 (niacin) is very helpful in stress and anxiety, and deficiency of this vitamin leads to disturbance in sleep pattern and weakness. The chief sources of niacin are liver, fish and milk. The daily requirement of this vitamin is approximately 100mg.
(3) Vitamin B12 is also effective in curing sleeping disorder, and deficiency may lead to loss of memory, restlessness and tiredness. The chief sources of cobalamin (B12 vitamin) are walnuts, banana, sunflower seeds, tuna, whole grains, wheat germ, and peanuts. The daily dosage of cobalamin should be approximately 25mg.
(4) Folic acid is also an important factor in inducement of sleep, and its might lead to sleeping disorder as well. The chief sources of folic acid are orange juice, leafy green vegetables, cereals, and beans. The daily dose of this vitamin should be approximately 400 micrograms.
Daily intake of these vitamins in right proportion will keep the sleep disorder under control, and in case of insomnia, increase of these vitamins can prove of great help. One should always consult the doctor to get the clear picture of dosage of these vitamins in form of medicine.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/role-of-vitamins-in-combating-insomnia-482179.html