Taking supplements without consulting a doctor can be costly, know why expert advice is important

News Topical, Digital Desk : Sometimes even a balanced diet is not able to fulfill all the vitamins and minerals and there is a need to take supplements. Many people are advised to take supplements along with medicines for the weakness caused after a long illness.

Many times people start taking supplements on their own will without consulting a doctor. In the midst of all this, if we have to go to another doctor for the treatment of any other disease, then it is very important to tell them which supplements you are taking. Let us know why this is so important:-

Tell your doctor about these medicines as well

If your doctor asks you about any other medicines, it also includes your over-the-counter medicines . Be sure to tell your doctor about these medicines:

• Allergy medications
• Herbal Supplements
• Multivitamins and other vitamin or mineral supplements
• Painkillers

may decrease the effect of other medications

Just as prescribed drugs can affect the effects of other medicines, so can over-the-counter medicines and supplements. Your doctor should know a list of all the medicines you are taking so that he or she can be aware of the possible effects on other medicines when prescribing them to you.

This is how they make an impact

• Vitamin K may prevent blood thinner medications from doing their job effectively.
• Vitamin C and Vitamin E may interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.
• If you already have a disease, supplements can worsen its symptoms
• Blood clotting disorders: Many supplements can cause problems with blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. The risk may increase even more if you have a blood clotting disorder or are about to have surgery.
• Allergy: If you are allergic to a particular plant, herbal supplements can increase it. Sometimes you don't even know which plants are causing the allergy.
• Pregnancy: Many vitamins and supplements are considered unsafe to take during pregnancy.

Too much goodness is also harmful

• Excess vitamin A in the body can weaken bones.
• Excess vitamin B6 can increase the risk of physical imbalance and nerve damage.
• If there is excess vitamin D in the body , it can lead to hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) and serious heart-related problems.

So do this

• Tell your doctor the name of every medicine or supplement you take.
• Why are you taking that supplement or medicine.
• Tell us about the dosage of those medicines and after how many days you take them.
• If you want, you can take those medicines or supplements with you to your doctor at your next appointment.

Just as prescribed drugs can affect the effects of other medicines, so can over-the-counter medicines and supplements. Your doctor should know a list of all the medicines you are taking so that he or she can be aware of the possible effects on other medicines when prescribing them to you.

This is how they make an impact

• Vitamin K may prevent blood thinner medications from doing their job effectively.
• Vitamin C and Vitamin E may interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.
• If you already have a disease, supplements can worsen its symptoms
• Blood clotting disorders: Many supplements can cause problems with blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. The risk may increase even more if you have a blood clotting disorder or are about to have surgery.
• Allergy: If you are allergic to a particular plant, herbal supplements can increase it. Sometimes you don't even know which plants are causing the allergy.
• Pregnancy: Many vitamins and supplements are considered unsafe to take during pregnancy.

Too much goodness is also harmful

• Excess vitamin A in the body can weaken bones.
• Excess vitamin B6 can increase the risk of physical imbalance and nerve damage.
• If there is excess vitamin D in the body , it can lead to hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) and serious heart-related problems.

So do this

• Tell your doctor the name of every medicine or supplement you take.
• Why are you taking that supplement or medicine.
• Tell us about the dosage of those medicines and after how many days you take them.
• If you want, you can take those medicines or supplements with you to your doctor at your next appointment.

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