Stars 4 Kidz

Archive for October, 2009

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