Bertie Horaks OPS Pics!

[Michael Alexander]

You're just jealous coz I had breakfast in bed.....   :emot19:

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

I think I will hold my thought.

[Rhona]

Bet you have a picture of Mike sitting up in bed with the sheet up to his chin and a tray balanced on his knee....

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

Yeeeeeeessss Rhona.  ::

[Rhona]

  :emot19:

[Bev Coates (Now Walker)]

  OOOPS sorry ladies....late again but here to support the reds.............UP THE REEEEEDDDDS.
my writing isnt red..........it should be....i selected red...........

[Carl Wrbka]

Regarding the anaesthetic, that's exactly the reason why the anaesthesiologists I use and me calculate the dose according to weight, not age.  Much safer! 

Aaah, we have a doctor in the house. beautiful  Couldn't agree more with you on the anaesthetic issue. It makes more sense to me as a layman to go according to weight and not age. Not all kids weigh the same at given ages and this could lead to problems.

Bertie, do you perhaps know why pharmaceutical companies recommend their dosages by age and not weight on their packaging? I've asked my pharmacist this question, and his answer was that it has to do with legal issues. ?????

[Bertie Horak]

Sorry Carl, took long to reply, had hectic day.
Regarding the pharmaceutical age thing - yes, there might be some legal issues, but it's also to do with human development.  For instance, at a young age your liver and kidneys might not be developed enough to handle the metabolism and elimination of certain classes of drugs from the body.  Other meds might also hamper normal development, so doses for these would be small for kids who are still growing, relative to those for adults simply to prevent problems in say, the nervous system development.  All depends on the kind of drugs and their side-effects.
That's something you mustn't get me started on - prescription drugs!  I have been a dentist for the last 15 years, but also just got my B.Comp.Med degree in complementary medicine.  I'm opening my herbal medicine practice later this year.  So - pharmacies and drug companies are not my biggest braai-maatjies!!!  spinningweed Herbs - that's the way to go!

[Rhona]

Alternative therapy??? Bertie would you recomend patients to stop taking their prescription medication for the alternative type?

[Bertie Horak]

No, not wise to stop immediately in most cases, for instance high blood pressure.  Better to wean off slowly.  Of course it depends on what you are taking the meds for, so in somecases we can stop and replace with herbs immediately.
Our treatment is holistic - treat the patient, NOT the symptom!  Unfortunately many medical practitioners send you home with an aspirin if you are suffering from headaches, without looking for the cause of the headache.  Well, good for them, the aspirin causes a stomache ulcer, and whoopee, they have something else to give meds for!  See why I can get a little edgy about allopathic medication?
I'm lucky here in Kuilsriver in that the three closest GP's to me are all for alternatives if patients ask for it or if they dont have success using their normal pharmaceuticals.
Just to get some clarity- I'm not a homeopath, we work completely different, and also only use plants and plant products.  Most of the treatments are in the form of teas, tinctures and creams, etc. all made and supplied by ourselves.  I'm registered with the Allied Health Professions Council as a "Phytotherapist", or "Herbalist".

[Chris Macpherson]

hi bertie, i had major heart surgery 2yrs ago and on meds aspirin, prexum, glucophage,simvastatin  for life expensive stuff anything i could take inplace of that as i detest taking tablets [chemicals?] . struggle to swallow the smallest tablet.

[Rhona]

@ Bertie In your own personal opinion - would you be a believer that diet plays a huge part in our symptoms? And on the subject of weaning patients off their medication slowly - while increasing the teas, tinctures etc.....some of these herbal cures actually react with prescription meds.......also if a patient stays on their perscription and also takes alternative - they could be playing dangerously, whereby causing more damage to themselves - what's your opinion on this?

[Bertie Horak]

Hi Chris.  My replies a bit slow, think my wireless limit has been reached and I'm back on dial-up for now!

The meds you're taking are quite standard, but unfortunately almost all have bad side-effcts.  There definitely are some herbs that would help.  The problem is taking them in the right doses and prepared correctly.  In most cases the doses of the natural stuff you can buy over the counter are very weak, and you don't get the desired effect.  In your case as well, you would have to be monitored very carefully in the beginning, not to cause drop or rise in blood pressure for instance (be careful of self-medication!).  Most of our prep's are much stronger, and we also have to import most of the herbs.  Herbs used often for cardiac and related problems include the following:
Crataegus (Hawthorn), Convallaria (Lily of the valley), Rosmarinus (Rosemary), Alchemilla (Lady's mantle), Allium (yes, trusted old garlic), Zingiber (Ginger - fresh root), Zanthoxylum (Prickly ash), Capsicum (Chilli pepper), Achillea (Yarrow), Tilia (Lime flower), Aesculus (Horse-chestnut), Ginkgo, Vitis (grape seed), Ruta (Rue), etc.
Of course, lifestyle and diet will have to be controlled as well!!  Have to say g'nite - in theatre early morning!

[Bertie Horak]

@ Rhona.  Yes, you're 100% correct in both cases.  Diet very NB!  We do give advise on that aspect as well, after all, it's often part of the problem.  We are what we eat!!!  I need more space and time to chat!  And about interactions - we can not give certain herbs to certain people or patients on certain meds.  That's big part of our training - to know about 192 different herbs -  their actions, properties, how they work, constituents, safety, what part to use, when to harvest, etc.  Therefore once again, don't self-medicate!  It could be dangerous.
Will have to continue later, really have to get some rest now! 

[Chris Macpherson]

thanks for the advice bertie will speak again