|
introduction and phases
of wound healing
personal factors that
affect wound healing - nutrition, fluids, smoking
personal factors that
affect wound healing - diabetes, movement, steroids,
alcohol, stress, sun exposure, other factors
surgical and post operative
factors that affect wound healing
healing supplements - arnica
healing supplements
- bromelain, vitamin K cream
scar formation and treatment
hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Healing Supplements
No supplements should be taken without your doctor's
knowledge and consent, either before or after surgery.
Having said that, there have been some studies showing
that the herbal homeopathic supplements Arnica and Bromelain
help to minimize bruising and swelling after surgery,
and speed recovery.
While some surgeons have incorporated Arnica and Bromelain
into their practices, others still consider these supplements
experimental and the long term effects are unknown.
Any homeopathic supplement may react with other medications
that you are taking, and can be dangerous when not monitored.
Arnica (also referred to as "leopards bane")
Arnica Montana is made from the flower of a plant which
has been used for hundreds of years to treat inflammation
and reduce bruising and swelling. It is commonly used
in a gel or a pill form which contains about 1/30 the
dosage that is available in the raw plant. When digested
as the raw material, Arnica can cause abdominal bleeding,
cramping, and vomiting. Fortunately, the medical grade
Arnica does not cause these same problems.
When used around the time of surgery, Arnica can reportedly
reduce bruising and swelling. Two studies performed
by Alpine Pharmaceuticals which manufactures a popular
Arnica pill demonstrated less bruising and swelling
after liposuction, and less bruising after facelifts
when compared to patients taking a placebo (sugar-pill).
These were not closely-controlled scientific experiments,
however, and they were performed by a major manufacturer
of Arnica with an obvious financial interest in the
product.
The data in medical journals tends to suggest that
in the pill form, Arnica is no different than a placebo
in minimizing bruising and swelling, although at least
one medical journal published a report that topical
(gel) Arnica was beneficial in reducing arthritis symptoms
after 6 weeks of daily use.
Many surgeons and their patients swear by the effects
of Arnica, especially the popular brand name, SinEcch.
To properly take SinEcch, the patient takes one pill
before surgery, one immediately after surgery, and one
before bedtime on the day of surgery. After that, it's
once a day for three more days.
Other formulations available from the pharmacy may
have other dosing instructions. Do
not take any medication or supplementation without your
doctor's knowledge and consent.
To Next Section - Bromelain,
Vitamin K Cream
|
