Nutrition Chapter 19- Medications, Diet-Drug interactions and Herbal Products

describe drug types

2 kinds are prescription and over the counter; because they can have more side effects or be for a specific disease, prescription drugs require permission from a doctor. OTC are safe for everyone and treat mild problems.

generic vs brand names

after 20 years a patent expires and generics can be produced. Generics must be similar but not identical. Most of the time the differences don't pose a problem but occasionally do

describe drug types

2 kinds are prescription and over the counter; because they can have more side effects or be for a specific disease, prescription drugs require permission from a doctor. OTC are safe for everyone and treat mild problems.

generic vs brand names

after 20 years a patent expires and generics can be produced. Generics must be similar but not identical. Most of the time the differences don't pose a problem but occasionally do

medicine risks

side effects, interactions with other drugs or foods, dosing errors

nutritional factors related to medicine

nutrients can alter drug activity; large doses of vitamin K can interfere with anticoagulants, grapefruit juice interferes with metabolism of certain meds. Diuretics deplete vitamin K, tetracycline inhibits Ca absorption, mineral oil (laxative) depletes fat soluble vitamin

herbal products

few have been appropriately tested

most make unfounded claims

many contain contaminants

labels are allowed to make practically any claim except that it cures a

disease

Considered nutraceuticals

conventional medical treatment vs. alternative medicine (discuss various forms)

medical treatments are based upon an understanding of the body's physiology & biochemistry & supported by extensive clinical trials.

That is not true for complimentary or alternative medicine.

When used with traditional medicine it is called complementary.

When used in place of traditional medicine it is called alternative.

list some reasons why CAM appears to work (completmentary and alternative medicine)

misdiagnosis by the CAM practitioner

person's own immune system healed them or put them in remission

previous medical treatment or medicine took a while to take effect

placebo effect because they believe or CAM practitioners spend more time

with them which increases good feelings

list some hazards of CAM

- toxicities

- interactions between them

- no studies have been done on children

- often delay the patient from seeking real treatment then they are worse or

incurable

- there is rampant misdiagnosis by CAM practitioners

- injuries

- disabilities

- death