My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Herbs and Supplements
People have used herbs since ancient times to improve their health in some way. Whether to prevent a cold, increase immune system function, or treat allergy symptoms, many people turn to herbs and supplements to feel better.
Saw Palmetto [Read/Print full article]
Overview
.
Saw palmetto is a fruit extract that may be useful in treating adult men with an enlarged prostate. It may give mild to moderate relief from the following symptoms:
- Frequent urination
- Urination that starts and stops
- The need to push to urinate
- A weak flow of urine
- Waking at night to urinate
- Feeling like your bladder is not empty
Some claims made by manufacturers about saw palmetto have not been proven to be true. It has not been proven that saw palmetto:
- Increases sexual drive or sperm count
- Acts as a diuretic (increases urine production by kidneys)
- Relieves bladder or genital soreness
- Reverses testicle shrinkage
- Enlarges women's breasts
- Promotes hair growth
Safety
.
There are no known drug interactions with taking saw palmetto, but you should not use this supplement if you:
- Have prostate cancer.
- Have a surgery or other procedure scheduled. Stop taking herbs 2 weeks before any procedure.
- Plan to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Saw palmetto should not be taken by children. It's important to discuss herb use with your health care professional, especially if you take prescription drugs.
Side Effects
.
Side effects are not common, but they may include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- High blood pressure
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Erection problems
- Decreased sexual drive
- Difficult or painful urination
If you notice any side effects, stop taking saw palmetto and let us know.
Safety and Quality Issues
.
Many people think that because an herb is natural, it must be safe. However, anything that is strong enough to affect your health is also strong enough to have side effects. In fact, some herbs can cause sickness and even death.
It's important for your health to know the facts about all of your medications, including natural products. That's why we've teamed up with the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database to bring you unbiased, scientifically reliable information so you can better evaluate dietary supplements, including:
- Herbal remedies
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Other natural products
Before beginning any herbal treatment, talk to your doctor or other medical professional. He or she will be able to tell you if your treatment complements or interferes with other medications or with your treatment plan.
Our pharmacies carry only herbs and supplements known to be effective in treating certain medical conditions.
Additional References:
- External Link to Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
- External Link to Herbs at a Glance
Regulation of Herbs and Supplements
.
In the U.S., herbs are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that they are not tested for safety or purity by manufacturers. The amount of any herb in an herbal product can range from 0 to 150 percent of the amount stated on the label. The herb in the bottle may even be different from the herb on the label. Here are some of the other problems that can occur:
- Toxicity. Certain herbs can make you sick.
- Contamination. The herb (or a pesticide used on the herb) may make you sick.
- Impurity. Herbs imported from other countries may have prescription drugs added to them.
- Incorrect dosage. You may be getting less – or more – of an ingredient than the label shows, even if it uses the word "standardized" or "certified."
To manage your health, you need to be an informed consumer. We strongly recommend that you talk to your doctor before taking herbs or supplements so that you will be aware of the effects the herb or supplement may have on you.
Before You Use Herbs and Supplements
.
Talk to us before taking any herbs or supplements. We need a full picture of everything you do to manage your health, so that we can take the best care of you. Talk to us in person or by e-mail or visit your nearest Health Education Department.
Before using herbs or supplements, think about these things:
- Some herbal supplements can interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
- Pregnant or nursing women should be especially careful when using herbal supplements. This caution also applies to giving children herbal supplements.
- The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database provides information about when to get medical care and when it's safe to self-treat.
- Information about the safety and effectiveness of herbal supplements can change as new research results are reported. To check for recent updates, please visit the Herbs at a Glance series online at nccam.nih.gov/herbs.
Additional References:
- External Link to Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
- External Link to Herbs at a Glance
Related Health Tools:
Interactive Programs
- Online Health Coach Online Health Coach
Podcasts
- Ease Pain Ease Pain
- Panic Attacks and Anxiety Panic Attacks and Anxiety
- Relaxation and wellness Relaxation and wellness
- Relieve Stress Relieve Stress
- Stress Management for Medical Conditions Stress Management for Medical Conditions
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.