Stars for Kids

Did you know that over the period of a decade, medication side effects have sent over half a million American children to outpatient clinics and emergency rooms annually? As a pediatric chiropractor who believes in a conservative, natural, drug-free chiropractic approach to children’s health whenever possible, I find that figure very disturbing. The statistic comes from a group of researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston. Their findings were recently published in the journal Pediatrics. The study found that between the years 1995 and 2005, a total of 585,922 incidents of adverse drug events occurred annually among children 18 years and younger. Although most of these children received treatment at outpatient clinics, 22 percent resulted in a visit to a hospital emergency room.

The study analyzed data from the National Center for Health Statistics and found that as many as 13 outpatient visits per 1,000 children occur due to drug-related adverse events; an indication that medication complications are common in pediatric care. The greatest risk of medication side effects was discovered to be among children ages four and younger, accounting for approximately 43 percent of all events. The second highest risk was found to be among teens between the ages of 15 and 18 at a total of 23 percent.

For more valuable information regarding this important study, go to healthnews.com.

Technorati Tags: Children's Hosptial in Boston, drug-related adverse reaction, medication side effects

Did you know that one-third of children suffer from recurrent headaches that occur more than once a month? That’s an alarming statistic! But, as a chiropractor, though I’m alarmed, I’m not surprised. Children can get misaligned in many ways and headaches can often be the result. The active child can sustain a fall or sports injury. The sedentary, computer video child can occur headaches as the result of poor sitting postures.  But, another cause of headaches is surprisingly “seasonal.” As children and teens begin school each year, they are more susceptible to headaches and migraines. The change in schedule, new teachers, new friends and schoolwork can increase stress and, consequently, produce headaches.

In the case of the latter, there are quite a few things that you, as a parent, can do to help reduce these “seasonal” headaches.  For starters, enforce an earlier bedtime so that your child will be well-rested before beginning a new school year. In fact, in a new study published in Headache, researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that sleep and emotional disorders were common in adolescents with migraines. You should minimize (or eliminate) your child’s caffeine consumption (there is plenty of caffeine in certain soda pops). Obviously caffeine can make getting to sleep more difficult.  Also, make certain that your child is eating balanced meals and regular snacks, as well as drinking enough amount of water. Dehydration can often cause a headache.

If your child does develop a headache, chiropractic care is an effective, drug-free alternative for headache pain relief.  Over-the-counter medications, even once a week, can potentially put your child at risk for gastrointestinal and liver problems.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, headaches in children

As a chiropractor who specializes in pediatric care, I am always happy to read articles relating to the simple ways in which a child’s brain can be stimulated. Naturally, chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect on a child’s brain and nervous system. But, there is plenty that parents can do to assist the mental awareness and communication skills of their children. So, I found today’s nytimes.com article on the benefits of parents’ talking to their children very interesting. Randi Jacoby, a speech and language specialist in New York, believes that parents today have stopped having good communications with their young children, and this is causing children to lose out on the eye contact, facial expression and overall feedback that is essential for early communication development.

“Young children require time and one-on-one feedback as they struggle to formulate utterances in order to build their language and cognitive skills,” Jacoby said. “Parents need to be reminded of the significance of their communicative model.”

Ms. Jacoby’s general advice to parents is to reward your child’s communicative attempts with your own heightened attention, and to prepared to put down your cellphone and look them squarely in the eye as they share their thoughts with you.

The article is extremely informative and should be read in its entirety, ad it offers excellent advice on how to better communicate with your children. And, the most important was that when your children try to talk to you, give them your full attention whenever possible. And before you speak to them, make sure you have their attention.

The full article can be found at nytimes.com

Technorati Tags: child communication development, pediatric chiropractic

A Children’s Chiropractic Center in Oklahoma City, “Oklahaven,” announced the dates of their annual “Have-A-Heart” campaign, a worldwide event that is held during Valentine’s week each year. The purpose of the event is to increase the awareness of the healing power of chiropractic for very sick children and also to benefit the center.

“It is through the amazing generosity and support of people all around the world that allows us the opportunity to help children with their journey back to optimal health. I am extremely hopeful that our expanded campaign efforts to businesses in your community this upcoming year will not only increase the awareness of our mission, but allow us to provide more children with the chiropractic care they so desperately need,” says Dr. James O’Dwyer, Director of “Oklahaven” Children’s Chiropractic Center.

Pediatric Chiropractic has proved to be effective in improving the health of children through treatment that is natural and medication-free.  Oklahaven’s specializes in treating neurologically disorganized children, including failure to thrive, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, ADHD, and the autism spectrum.

To learn more about “Oklahaven“, sign up for the 2010 Have-A-Heart campaign, or to make a donation please visit www.chiropractic4kids.com.

Technorati Tags: ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, chiropractic, developmental delays, failure to thrive, pediatric chiropractic

As a chiropractor, I certainly employ 21st century skills in my practice. There have been amazing innovations in chiropractic health care equipment that continue to be beneficial in many ways, but the roots of chiropractic care can be traced all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Writings from China and Greece written in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and the maneuvering of the lower extremities to ease low back pain. I still use those skills as well! I don’t believe that we need to completely let go of the past to embrace the benefits of today’s discoveries. That’s why I was very disturbed when I read an article on the Discovery website. Apparently, what used to be called “penmanship” is being shunted aside at schools across the country in favor of 21st century skills.

The decline of cursive is happening as students are doing more and more work on computers, including writing. In 2011, the writing test of the National Assessment of Educational Progress will require 8th and 11th graders to compose on computers, with 4th graders following in 2019.

Call me “old fashioned,” but I enjoy sending and (definitely) enjoy receiving a handwritten card or note, especially from my children. There is a certain “feel” to handwritten missives that an e-mail just cannot convey. And, what about the individual, nearly-impossible-to-precisely-duplicate personal signature? Even that lovely insight into our unique personalities is falling by the wayside. The article told of a mother’s shock that her eight-grade daughter was unable to sign her own name!

“We need to make sure (children will) be ready for what’s going to happen in 2020 or 2030,” said Katie Van Sluys, a professor at DePaul University and the president of the Whole Language Umbrella, a conference of the National Council of Teachers of English.

Yes, I would agree that we want our children to be able to succeed in the global market. But, by 2020 or 2030, even though automobiles will likely be obsolete, should we dispense with teaching our children how to ride a bicycle? Some things from the past bring joy to the present.

Handwriting may increasingly be something people do only when they need to make a note to themselves rather than communicate with others, but on the other hand, if our children lose the ability to write (or never learn how), will they be unable to converse with themselves in writing?

“Text messaging, e-mail, and word processing have replaced handwriting outside the classroom,” said Cheryl Jeffers, a professor at Marshall University’s College of Education and Human Services, and she worries they’ll replace it entirely before long. “I am not sure students have a sense of any reason why they should vest their time and effort in writing a message out manually when it can be sent electronically in seconds.” For Jeffers, cursive writing is a lifelong skill, one she fears could become lost to the culture, making many historic records hard to decipher and robbing people of “a gift.”

Certainly there are those, like Jeffers, who still continue to believe in the handwritten word, e.g., Montessori Schools. At Mountaineer Montessori in Charleston, teacher Sharon Spencer stresses cursive to her first- through third-graders. By the time her students are in the third grade, they are writing book reports and their spelling words in cursive. To Spencer, cursive writing is an art that helps teach them muscle control and hand-eye coordination.

This should not be an “either/or” situation and we need to address the pros and cons before it’s too late. Get in touch with your local school board, “write” a letter to those involved in policies on education at the state and federal levels. Let’s not let handwriting become extinct.

For the full story,  go to discovery.com

Technorati Tags: children and computers, cursive writing, handwriting

As a chiropractor I treat many children. Pediatric chiropractic can help boost a child’s immune system, get rid of headaches, improve gait and posture, and even help with bedwetting. Unfortunately, severe illness can’t always be prevented and sometimes children need special medical treatment in a hospital. If you’ve been with a hospitalized child then you know how frightening it can be for him or her. So I was thrilled to read that Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA has a new mobile tool to deliver music therapy and help pediatric patients cope with the fear, isolation and pain associated with being in the hospital.

Music therapy is used to help alleviate pain, improve a young patient’s mood, stimulate movement and communication, calm anxieties and fears, promote relaxation, and make the hospital feel more like home. The Music Rx unit is a high-tech, interactive studio on wheels that includes everything necessary for music therapy, both in group settings and one-on-one. It holds a variety of instruments, including drums, keyboards and guitars, as well as Apple GarageBand software for recording music, a custom-built iPod docking station with 10 iPods to loan, and a large LCD screen that plays hundreds of music videos.

The Music Rx cart was donated to UCLA’s Child Life/Child Development Services department by the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA), with support from the Starlight Children’s Foundation. UCLA is one of first hospitals to participate in the CCA’s nationwide expansion of the Music Rx program, which began in Portland, Oregon. A CCA study of Music Rx showed that the program had a positive effect on a child’s mood, family bonding and pain scores, compared with those who did not receive the music therapy.

A second component of the Music Rx program features a live music element, with professional harpists, cellists, flautists and other community musicians playing soothing music in the pediatric hallways.

When children are seriously ill, they need more than conventional medicine. Music therapy may be the answer.

For more information, go to: medicalnewstoday

Technorati Tags: hospitalized children, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, music therapy

As a chiropractor and children’s health advocate I was very excited when I read the article in the New York Times this morning about the crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration on the sale of flavored cigarettes. The announcement was made by Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of food and drugs. The ban is intended to end the sale of tobacco products with chocolate, vanilla, clove and other flavorings that lure children and teenagers into smoking. The agency will study regulating menthol products and hinted that it might soon take action against the far larger market of flavored small cigars and cigarillos. “These flavored cigarettes are a gateway for many children and young adults to become regular smokers,” Dr. Hamburg said in announcing the ban.

Laws are required, and should be strenuously enforced, when there seems to be no conscience on the part of big business, especially when it comes to the health of our children. This ban is wonderful news as studies show that every day 3,600 children and teenagers start smoking and 1,100 become daily smokers.

Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, hailed Tuesday’s announcement and said it clearly applied to flavored small cigars that are virtually identical to cigarettes. “The F.D.A. demonstrated that they’re serious about enforcing the ban on flavored cigarettes and serious about preventing tobacco companies from circumventing that ban with other tobacco products that appeal to children,” Mr. Myers said.

For the full article and sources, go to: nytimes.com

Technorati Tags: childrens health, flavored cigarettes, Food and Drug Administration

Hi would like to know your experiences of having dyslexia and studying at the same time. What do you do to overcome difficulties?

Oh my goodness I am dyslexic and currently studying, and due to another medical condition the dyslexia is causing me some real issues, I have to do a lot reading for research assignment.

However these are the things that I am currently using, to help a little.

A list of the most commonly misspelt words
Spelling rules such as I before E except after C (I only learnt this a few years ago).
Homophones is handy too, as it is not unusual to confuse similar sounding words such weather/ whether. (Laminate them and keep a copy on the fridge, and a copy to keep in my folder).

Ask teachers to write each paragraph in different colours, so I can keep track of were I am if copying from the board. (Some teachers were more than happy to do this, other not so).

Class handouts to be on coloured paper, for my daughter and I its a cream or buff colour. I now take coloured paper so my note taker can copy assignments and class notes onto the coloured stuff, which really does help with reading.

For reading text books etc, I use a coloured overlay. When reading I take my time, but at the moment it has been extremely difficult, because after half an hour of reading causes nausea and a mean headache.

I start on assignments as soon as I get it. Most teachers are happy to check on progress if asked. This year I have asked for one extension for an assignment.

I use a computer to do assignments etc, ensuring I use spell check to keep spelling mistakes in check.

Dragon Naturally Speaking is an excellent computer program which does word processing, and uses speech recognition, that allows you to dictate your work. (My daughter used this program and loves it).

Another is Read & Write gold which I am trying to get, for my self, and I can scan in text books etc, and it will read it to me.

When doing tests/exams, ask if I am allowed to take note paper in with me, if its a multi choice test, ask if I can mark the question sheet, this helps by crossing out the incorrect answers. Or ask for a verbal exam is done, or for extra time to complete the exam.

Thankfully my lecture is very supportive, and has granted me an extension for the research assignment. And have only had a few exams, which I passed with very little help.

The link below shows what dyslexics see when trying to read.

Edit;
The coloured overlay comes in different colours, because no person is exactly the same. I know someone who uses a yellow colour which makes me feel sick, but a pink & blue work for me.
This the same for printing out notes etc on coloured paper, I use a cream or a light blue.

I am a preschool teacher in an integrated childcare centre, and I have a child with autism in my class. I have never worked closely with a child with autism before, and he seems to have trouble managing his behaviour. He mainly hits, kicks, and pushes the other children. What strategies can I use to help him learn other methods of expressing his upset with the other children?

I would use a social story with him…..they are simple short stories that help the child learn to self monitor his behavior. I would also try a token system of reinforcement, something that you can show him easily and discreetly to let him know that he is displaying appropriate behavior, keeping hands and feet to self, for a small discreet reward. If he does start to have a tantrum or start to display negative behaviors and can’t calm down try removing him from the situation, and letting him have a small area, "break room" where he can deal with his frustrations. hope this helps, i included links for information on social stories.

http://autism.about.com/od/treatmentoptions/f/socialstorydef.htm

http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/

http://www.autism.org/stories.html

ADHD medications boost Norepinephrine and Dopamine.
Social phobia medications (SSRIs) will make the cyclothymia worse.
Cyclothymia medications are mood stabilizers. Some mood stabilizers are also Dopamine antagonists which should worsen the ADHD.

Any idea what doctors would use for this situation?

Medication for mood stabilization only and therapy.