Children increasingly medicated: study
Reuters – A variety of pills in an undated file photo. (File/Reuters) CHICAGO (Reuters) – More and more U.S. children are being given drugs to fight chronic conditions such as asthma and hyperactivity, according to a study published on Monday.
From 2002 to 2005 prescriptions for medicines to treat type-2 diabetes doubled, asthma medications rose by more than 46 percent, medicines for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder increased by more than 40 percent and prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering drugs were up by 15 percent.
The study was conducted by Emily Cox of Express Scripts Inc. in St. Louis, a manager of pharmacy insurance benefit plans, Dr. Donna Halloran of the Pediatric Research Institute in St. Louis, and Douglas Mager of the Kansas Health Institute in Topeka.
In a report published in the November issue of Pediatrics, they said the increases could mean that chronic conditions are on the rise.
But they said the trend could also reflect other factors such as changes in the way doctors prescribe drugs and better screening that identifies more chronic conditions.
In addition, the team said federal programs that encouraged research on pediatric drugs resulted in “increased data on safety and efficacy in children (that) likely provided physicians with a greater degree of confidence to prescribe (such drugs).”
The findings were based on insurance claims for 3.2 million children aged 5 to 19.
(Editing by Maggie Fox)
DOCTOR’S NOTE:
I find this EXTREMELY ALARMING. Take a second look and try and read in between the lines of this article. type 2 diabetes, asthma, and ADHD prescriptions have almost DOUBLED. The article states that it must be the fact that testing and screening has gotten better and it is a GOOD thing that we pump our children full of medications instead of taking care of the issues that are staring us right in the face. Our children are no longer required to “play” and I mean in the sense of physical activity. Playing does not involve video games or watching TV. Children have a wealth of energy that is not expended during the day as it was 25 years ago. Also, the nutritional value of our foods have gone dramatically down hill in proportion. The standard for American living has changed, children are put into school younger and younger because both parents now need to work too much to provide for their families. The TV has replaced the babysitter and video games have replaced sports and REAL play. Medications in young children can be extremely detrimental to their developing immune systems. These medications are very potent and for some children, overwhelming to the point of altering their internal biochemistries that would affect their mood, levels of energy, and even alter their personality.
My plea to all parents out there, try and figure out or see a professional in the holistic field that can help you ascertain what could be the possible CAUSE of why your child might be at risk of these problems instead of medicating them right away. Medications treat the symptoms or replace the workings of the body’s systems instead of treating the cause or root of the problem.
In Health,
Doctor Andy
Kudos! I couldn’t agree more. When will society learn that diseases, afflictions, disorders and the like generally start with poor nutrition and develop from there. The medications may treat the symptoms of the affliction, but the detriment to the body is apparent because the FDA has to approve the side effects aren’t too harmful. That statement alone should scare anyone. Thank you for your article!
very good blog, some how i found you researching on stuff for our sons birth defect esophageal atresia, i wish you the best.
Medications should be the last resort…every parents should be aware of side effects of medicines. We should be alert and follow a nutritious and a healthy diet and make sure our children are physically active.
A good article for all parents out there NUTRITIONAL MISTAKES PARENTS MAKE