More than half of children taking antiviral drug Tamiflu suffer side-effects such as nausea, insomnia and nightmares, UK researchers have said.
More >> Study: Tamiflu causes nausea and nightmares in children
Friday, July 31, 2009
Half of children taking Tamiflu have side-effects
Half of children taking Tamiflu have side-effects
More than half the children in England taking the swine flu drug Tamiflu suffer side-effects such as nausea, insomnia and nightmares, researchers have found.
More than half the children in England taking the swine flu drug Tamiflu suffer side-effects such as nausea, insomnia and nightmares, researchers have found.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Underground Facts About ADHD Diagnosis - Some Shocking Facts Revealed
by Robert William Locke
You must admit that the drugs industry has done a fantastic brainwashing job on the whole nation if we think of the over prescription of ADHD drugs. These drugs are a mix of amphetamines, or anti depressives or even blood pressure drugs and their safety and effectiveness have long been contested. But when we think about ADHD diagnosis and why this is not out in the open as it should be, we begin to be assailed by doubts. When we think of the massive numbers involved in this condition, disease or disorder or whatever we like to call it, we must begin to ask ourselves some pretty serious questions about the whole process of how to diagnose ADHD.
The first shocking fact is that twenty five years ago the number of ADHD cases was about half a million. Just a quarter of a century on, we are now are facing numbers which are nearer to double figures such as 8 million cases. No wonder the drug companies are laughing all the way to the bank. Is it not strange that in all that time, nobody knows how to diagnose ADHD?
So, as we ponder the wisdom of giving our children a mix of amphetamines which may lead to other serious health conditions and may not even be effective in treating ADHD, there is another shocking fact that we should be aware of. This is that fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated that no particular diagnostic tool should be used in ADHD diagnosis. Doctors and pediatricians are now agreed on how to diagnose ADHD and that is through questionnaires based on behavioral symptoms which affects how a child develops and grows in different settings such as home and school. It is unfortunately so subjective that many parents begin to doubt an ADHD diagnosis.
The third shocking fact is that nobody has come up with an accurate objective diagnostic tool for a condition which affects a sizable proportion of the population. If you think there might be a conspiracy theory on how to diagnose ADHD or NOT to diagnose it, then please feel free!
The other shocking fact is that there is a high percentage (maybe as much as 50%) of children with an ADHD diagnosis may also have a comorbid disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, ODD, conduct disorder, or anxiety and depression.
Most experts now agree that parents must not expect too much from ADHD medication. They are urged to try alternative ADHD therapy and indeed, behavior modification is now favored as the best possible alternative which can work well with some form of medication. A homeopathic remedy for ADHD is ideal as there are no side effects and no health risks either.
You must admit that the drugs industry has done a fantastic brainwashing job on the whole nation if we think of the over prescription of ADHD drugs. These drugs are a mix of amphetamines, or anti depressives or even blood pressure drugs and their safety and effectiveness have long been contested. But when we think about ADHD diagnosis and why this is not out in the open as it should be, we begin to be assailed by doubts. When we think of the massive numbers involved in this condition, disease or disorder or whatever we like to call it, we must begin to ask ourselves some pretty serious questions about the whole process of how to diagnose ADHD.
The first shocking fact is that twenty five years ago the number of ADHD cases was about half a million. Just a quarter of a century on, we are now are facing numbers which are nearer to double figures such as 8 million cases. No wonder the drug companies are laughing all the way to the bank. Is it not strange that in all that time, nobody knows how to diagnose ADHD?
So, as we ponder the wisdom of giving our children a mix of amphetamines which may lead to other serious health conditions and may not even be effective in treating ADHD, there is another shocking fact that we should be aware of. This is that fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated that no particular diagnostic tool should be used in ADHD diagnosis. Doctors and pediatricians are now agreed on how to diagnose ADHD and that is through questionnaires based on behavioral symptoms which affects how a child develops and grows in different settings such as home and school. It is unfortunately so subjective that many parents begin to doubt an ADHD diagnosis.
The third shocking fact is that nobody has come up with an accurate objective diagnostic tool for a condition which affects a sizable proportion of the population. If you think there might be a conspiracy theory on how to diagnose ADHD or NOT to diagnose it, then please feel free!
The other shocking fact is that there is a high percentage (maybe as much as 50%) of children with an ADHD diagnosis may also have a comorbid disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, ODD, conduct disorder, or anxiety and depression.
Most experts now agree that parents must not expect too much from ADHD medication. They are urged to try alternative ADHD therapy and indeed, behavior modification is now favored as the best possible alternative which can work well with some form of medication. A homeopathic remedy for ADHD is ideal as there are no side effects and no health risks either.
Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in Children's Health. He has written extensively on ADHD. Discover what natural ADHD medications
treatment is available.
Smart parenting is the key to successful ADHD treatment and the problem
child. Sign up for FREE Parenting Tips to help you cope with problem behavior
It is Official: WHO Recommends Mandatory Injections to Almost Two Hundred Countries
Executives from Baxter, Novartis, Glaxo-Smith Kline, and Sanofi Pasteur have seats at the advisory group that on July 13th recommended mandatory H1N1 vaccination of everyone in all 194 countries that belong to the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a report just issued by journalist Jane Burgermeister. WHO spokesperson Alphaluck Bhatiasevi confirmed that Dr. Margaret Chan did not give the press briefing at WHO headquarters in Geneva as anticipated. At short notice, Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny stepped in to announce that "vaccines will be needed in all countries."
More >> It is Official: WHO Recommends Mandatory Injections to Almost Two Hundred Countries
More >> It is Official: WHO Recommends Mandatory Injections to Almost Two Hundred Countries
Babies die slowly after Bangladesh drug scam
When Kohinur Akhter's 19-month-old baby boy came down with a fever and cough a little over a week ago, she had no idea the medicine she gave him to ease the pain would put him on his death bed.
More >> Babies die slowly after Bangladesh drug scam
More >> Babies die slowly after Bangladesh drug scam
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Toxic chemical found in killer Bangladeshi drug
Bangladeshi authorities said Tuesday they had found traces of a toxic chemical in paracetamol syrup believed to have killed two dozen children in the past six weeks.
More >> Toxic chemical found in killer Bangladeshi drug
More >> Toxic chemical found in killer Bangladeshi drug
Parenting 101: Possible dangers of children taking ADHD meds
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning recently about a possible association between the use of stimulant medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, and sudden cardiac death in healthy children.
Pfizer settles in Nigeria drug suit: lawyers
US drugmaker Pfizer and Nigeria's northern Kano state have clinched a final out-of-court settlement over the 1996 drug trials that led to the deaths of 11 children, lawyers said Monday.
More >> Pfizer settles in Nigeria drug suit: lawyers
More >> Pfizer settles in Nigeria drug suit: lawyers
Kids on drugs! A tenfold increase in atypical antipsychotics
Medical research out of the University of British Columbia suggests the number of children taking medications known as atypical antipsychotics has increased tenfold over the past decade, CBC News has learned.
More >> Kids on drugs! A tenfold increase in atypical antipsychotics
More >> Kids on drugs! A tenfold increase in atypical antipsychotics
Monday, July 27, 2009
Ask Dan: Find a competent professional to diagnose ADD
My son has been anxious and easily distracted since he was 5 years old. He has had difficulty paying attention to his schoolwork.
More >> Ask Dan: Find a competent professional to diagnose ADD
More >> Ask Dan: Find a competent professional to diagnose ADD
Some Reasons Why We Are Over Medicating Our Bipolar Children
by Ken P Doyle
Our society is so controlled by so many things such as the need to feel good, look good” and “perform well.” We have turned into a society of “medicated freaks.” In this article we will try to define some of the problems we as a civilized society are faced with, in regards to the illness of bipolar and bipolar medication.
More >> Some Reasons Why We Are Over Medicating Our Bipolar Children
Our society is so controlled by so many things such as the need to feel good, look good” and “perform well.” We have turned into a society of “medicated freaks.” In this article we will try to define some of the problems we as a civilized society are faced with, in regards to the illness of bipolar and bipolar medication.
More >> Some Reasons Why We Are Over Medicating Our Bipolar Children
Pros and Cons of ADHD Medication
By Mackenzie Quinn
Introduction
As a parent of a child who has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) you are faced with deciding how to manage your child’s ADHD symptoms. One options for treating the symptoms of ADHD that is highly debated is medication; some people strongly believe it is the best options and other believe medication shouldn’t be used on children. Determining the best option for your child is an important decision that shouldn’t be made without sufficient information. Before you make this decision, you should know that there are pros and cons to ADHD medication and that medication may be right for one child but not another. This article may help you as a parent or caregiver decide if medication is the right treatment method for your child.
Cause of ADHD
When treating ADHD, it is important to look at the cause. “Scientists now believe that the impulsivity, short attention span and other symptoms associated with ADHD are caused by a specific dysfunction in the brain that is often inherited” (Wilens, 2004, p10). ADHD is a medical diagnosis with a medical cause, and many times medication offers a “straight forward solution” (Wilsen, 2004, p12). Members of the medical community often compare the treatment of ADHD with medication to that of seizures or other health problems with a medical cause and believe that these medical symptoms can be managed with medication.
Symptoms of ADHD
The cause of ADHD is a dysfunction in the brain (Wilens, 2004) but parents and caregivers seek treatment to manage the hyperactivity, impulsivity, short attention span and other behaviors associated with ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are behavioral and many think they should be treated in the same manner as other behavior problems. Stephen Flora writes in his book Taking America Off Drugs “ The best way to improve behavior is with behavior modification techniques” (Flora, 2007)
Overview of Treatment Options
As mentioned earlier, one treatment method for ADHD symptoms is medication; these medications are prescribed to “diminish the inattention, distractibility, over activity, and impulsivity” caused by ADHD. These medications ideally allow students to perform to their fullest potential such as focus on their homework and listen to directions. For individuals who do not have ADHD and can focus on their work these medications may seen like performance enhancing drugs that are not necessary. As you know ADHD is more than just a little distractibility.
Along with medication, there are other ways to treat ADHD symptoms such as behavior therapy. Behavior therapy is a form of psychological treatment method that stems from behaviorism and focuses on observable and measurable behaviors. When applying behavior therapy to students who have ADHD the family works with the counselor to increase the occurrence of positive behaviors through routines and a better understanding of what the student needs. Some students can be treated with behavior therapy but for many children their symptoms are severe enough that behavior therapy isn’t enough. Behavior therapy may not be enough because it treats the symptoms of ADHD not the cause of the problem. Students who have ADHD have aspects of their brains that are malfunctioning, these malfunctions cause the hyperactivity, inattention and other symptoms that behavior therapy attempts to control. For these students medication can help supplement the therapy or other forms of treatment being used.
Common Medications and Routines For Taking Medication
There are a wide variety of medications that are prescribed for the treatment of ADHD symptoms and you should discuss the specifics with your health care provider. Briefly, three of the top brands of medication are Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall.
Depending on the type of medication your child is taking they will have to take the medication anywhere from once a day to three or four times a day. Some medications are longer lasting and only need to be taken once a day while others are short term and must be taken more frequently. Both are safe and effective options.
Pros of Medication
The most important pro to ADHD medication is the reduction or elimination of the behavioral symptoms associated with ADHD. By reducing students hyperactivity and giving them the ability to focus, medication gives many students the ability to perform better in school, make friends and participate in extra curricular activities.
Many parents worry that their children will become addicted to the ADHD medication. However, there is no physical way for children to become addicted to ADHD medication because addiction comes from a high or state of euphoria and the medications used to manage ADHD symptoms do not cause students to have a high.
There have been numerous studies indicating that psychotropic drugs are safe, tolerable and useful for children. As of 2004 there have been “over 250 scientifically controlled studies of the stimulant medications for ADHD” (Wilen, 2004, p 91) These studies suggest that if children take the prescribed dosage indicated by their doctor, then the medication is safe and that the majority of the side effects are mild.
Cons of Medication
Now that we have looked at some of the pros of ADHD medication lets examine some of the cons. One aspect of ADHD medication that should be of concern to parents is that there are very few studies done on the long-term affects of the medication. So, while we know that these medications are safe in the short term the prospect of giving students medication without knowing the long-term effects bring cause for hesitation.
There are also mild side effects associated with many of the medications including loss of appetite, difficulty falling asleep, dizziness, moodiness and growth problems. These side effects should be monitored but for the most part are easily managed. For specific side effects consult your health care provider.
And even though students cannot become physically addicted to these forms of medication, they can form a psychological dependency. This dependency can develop when students feel they need medication for everything or when they are afraid to go off their medication.
Decision Making
When deciding whether medication is right for your child there are 4 things to consider; side effects, the severity of your child’s symptoms, if your child’s symptoms are being managed with other forms of treatment how your child feel about medication. Before you make this decision talk, with your child’s teacher, the school counselor or psychologist, your health care provider and most importantly your child. While this may seem overwhelming now, the more information you can gather the easier this decision will be.
Conclusion
As you can see there are pros and cons to ADHD medication and what is right for one child and family will not necessarily be right for another. When choosing whether to try medication as a way to manage the symptoms of your child’s ADHD make sure to consider the pros and cons along with your child’s characteristics and the attitude of the school.
References
Flora, Stephen Ray. Taking America Off Drugs (2007) State University of New York Press, Albany
Wilens, Timothy E. Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medication For Kids, (2004) TheGuilford Press, New York
Introduction
As a parent of a child who has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) you are faced with deciding how to manage your child’s ADHD symptoms. One options for treating the symptoms of ADHD that is highly debated is medication; some people strongly believe it is the best options and other believe medication shouldn’t be used on children. Determining the best option for your child is an important decision that shouldn’t be made without sufficient information. Before you make this decision, you should know that there are pros and cons to ADHD medication and that medication may be right for one child but not another. This article may help you as a parent or caregiver decide if medication is the right treatment method for your child.
Cause of ADHD
When treating ADHD, it is important to look at the cause. “Scientists now believe that the impulsivity, short attention span and other symptoms associated with ADHD are caused by a specific dysfunction in the brain that is often inherited” (Wilens, 2004, p10). ADHD is a medical diagnosis with a medical cause, and many times medication offers a “straight forward solution” (Wilsen, 2004, p12). Members of the medical community often compare the treatment of ADHD with medication to that of seizures or other health problems with a medical cause and believe that these medical symptoms can be managed with medication.
Symptoms of ADHD
The cause of ADHD is a dysfunction in the brain (Wilens, 2004) but parents and caregivers seek treatment to manage the hyperactivity, impulsivity, short attention span and other behaviors associated with ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are behavioral and many think they should be treated in the same manner as other behavior problems. Stephen Flora writes in his book Taking America Off Drugs “ The best way to improve behavior is with behavior modification techniques” (Flora, 2007)
Overview of Treatment Options
As mentioned earlier, one treatment method for ADHD symptoms is medication; these medications are prescribed to “diminish the inattention, distractibility, over activity, and impulsivity” caused by ADHD. These medications ideally allow students to perform to their fullest potential such as focus on their homework and listen to directions. For individuals who do not have ADHD and can focus on their work these medications may seen like performance enhancing drugs that are not necessary. As you know ADHD is more than just a little distractibility.
Along with medication, there are other ways to treat ADHD symptoms such as behavior therapy. Behavior therapy is a form of psychological treatment method that stems from behaviorism and focuses on observable and measurable behaviors. When applying behavior therapy to students who have ADHD the family works with the counselor to increase the occurrence of positive behaviors through routines and a better understanding of what the student needs. Some students can be treated with behavior therapy but for many children their symptoms are severe enough that behavior therapy isn’t enough. Behavior therapy may not be enough because it treats the symptoms of ADHD not the cause of the problem. Students who have ADHD have aspects of their brains that are malfunctioning, these malfunctions cause the hyperactivity, inattention and other symptoms that behavior therapy attempts to control. For these students medication can help supplement the therapy or other forms of treatment being used.
Common Medications and Routines For Taking Medication
There are a wide variety of medications that are prescribed for the treatment of ADHD symptoms and you should discuss the specifics with your health care provider. Briefly, three of the top brands of medication are Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall.
Depending on the type of medication your child is taking they will have to take the medication anywhere from once a day to three or four times a day. Some medications are longer lasting and only need to be taken once a day while others are short term and must be taken more frequently. Both are safe and effective options.
Pros of Medication
The most important pro to ADHD medication is the reduction or elimination of the behavioral symptoms associated with ADHD. By reducing students hyperactivity and giving them the ability to focus, medication gives many students the ability to perform better in school, make friends and participate in extra curricular activities.
Many parents worry that their children will become addicted to the ADHD medication. However, there is no physical way for children to become addicted to ADHD medication because addiction comes from a high or state of euphoria and the medications used to manage ADHD symptoms do not cause students to have a high.
There have been numerous studies indicating that psychotropic drugs are safe, tolerable and useful for children. As of 2004 there have been “over 250 scientifically controlled studies of the stimulant medications for ADHD” (Wilen, 2004, p 91) These studies suggest that if children take the prescribed dosage indicated by their doctor, then the medication is safe and that the majority of the side effects are mild.
Cons of Medication
Now that we have looked at some of the pros of ADHD medication lets examine some of the cons. One aspect of ADHD medication that should be of concern to parents is that there are very few studies done on the long-term affects of the medication. So, while we know that these medications are safe in the short term the prospect of giving students medication without knowing the long-term effects bring cause for hesitation.
There are also mild side effects associated with many of the medications including loss of appetite, difficulty falling asleep, dizziness, moodiness and growth problems. These side effects should be monitored but for the most part are easily managed. For specific side effects consult your health care provider.
And even though students cannot become physically addicted to these forms of medication, they can form a psychological dependency. This dependency can develop when students feel they need medication for everything or when they are afraid to go off their medication.
Decision Making
When deciding whether medication is right for your child there are 4 things to consider; side effects, the severity of your child’s symptoms, if your child’s symptoms are being managed with other forms of treatment how your child feel about medication. Before you make this decision talk, with your child’s teacher, the school counselor or psychologist, your health care provider and most importantly your child. While this may seem overwhelming now, the more information you can gather the easier this decision will be.
Conclusion
As you can see there are pros and cons to ADHD medication and what is right for one child and family will not necessarily be right for another. When choosing whether to try medication as a way to manage the symptoms of your child’s ADHD make sure to consider the pros and cons along with your child’s characteristics and the attitude of the school.
References
Flora, Stephen Ray. Taking America Off Drugs (2007) State University of New York Press, Albany
Wilens, Timothy E. Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medication For Kids, (2004) TheGuilford Press, New York
Appendix
Resources For Parents To Get More Information
- Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medication For Kids-
This book was written for parents who have questions about the affects
and risks of psychiatric medication on children. It is a basic guide
for what parents need to know about a wide variety of psychiatric
medications including ADHD medications.- Wilens, Timothy E. Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medication For Kids, (2004) TheGuilford Press, New York
- Taking
America Off Drugs; Why Behavior Therapy is More Effeftive for Treating
ADHD, OCD, Depression, And Other Psychological Problems- This
books presents behavior therapy as an alternative treatment method for
ADHD instead of medication. The book does a good job of showing the
other side of treating psychological problems.- Flora, Stephen Ray. Taking America Off Drugs (2007) State University of New York Press, Albany
- CHADD-
this website is a support system for parents of children with Attention
Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Retrieved May 12, 2009, http://www.chadd.org/
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Health officials OK Tamiflu for kids despite risks
Federal health officials have approved the use of the antiviral drug Tamiflu in children under age one, despite limited safety data, because of the risk that swine flu poses to infants.
More >> Health officials OK Tamiflu for kids despite risks
More >> Health officials OK Tamiflu for kids despite risks
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Explains the Autism Coverup
Vaccines are not safe, and the number of shots children are taking keeps increasing at a tremendous speed. This means huge profits for the big drug companies -- especially when parents are told that it is mandatory.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Explains the Autism Coverup
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Explains the Autism Coverup
Australian coroner: Couple gave baby drug overdose
An Australian toddler died after being given morphine and methadone by either his mother or her boyfriend, but there is not enough evidence to charge either of them, a coroner found on Friday.
More >> Australian coroner: Couple gave baby drug overdose
More >> Australian coroner: Couple gave baby drug overdose
Child Protective Services – What CPS Caseworkers Don't Know About Children With ADHD
Foster parents often complain that their foster child with ADHD drives them silly but turns angelic when the CPS (Child Protective Services) caseworker arrives for quarterly visits. The caseworker believes what she sees and discredits the foster parent’s verbal report of the child’s previous 89 days of mischievous behavior. Let us discuss how quarterly CPS visits fit the following conditions that cause a child with ADHD to pay attention:
More >> Child Protective Services – What CPS Caseworkers Don't Know About Children With ADHD
More >> Child Protective Services – What CPS Caseworkers Don't Know About Children With ADHD
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Critical Alert about Ritalin and Your Child
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fMVUdYS0Mc
The FDA's at it again. Protecting their sacred cash cow Big Pharma. And this time it might be at the expense of your child or grandchild's life.
A recent study conducted by the FDA and the National Institute of Mental Health revealed shocking information about the potential danger of Ritalin and other ADHD drugs to children.
These safe drugs may greatly increase the risk of sudden death. Yet no one is sounding the alarm. Least of all the FDA.
Get the facts you need to protect your children. Their very lives may depend on it! Watch this important video and visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com/youtube for more information.
Sign up for my FREE daily e-Alert for urgent health alerts you, and your family, need to know http://hsibaltimore.com/sign-up-today/
Health Disclaimer: The information provided in this video should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this video. Viewers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
12,000 U.S. Children To Be Swine Flu Vaccine Guinea Pigs
Around 12,000 U.S. children will be used as guinea pigs for an experimental swine flu vaccine known to contain the dangerous ingredient squalene, which has been directly linked with cases of Gulf War Syndrome and a host of other debilitating diseases.
More >> 12,000 U.S. Children To Be Swine Flu Vaccine Guinea Pigs
More >> 12,000 U.S. Children To Be Swine Flu Vaccine Guinea Pigs
Foster care drug oversight lacking
State law requires clear, informed consent from a judge or parent before doctors can prescribe psychotropic drugs for foster children. But no one gave such consent for 7-year-old Gabriel Myers to take a powerful drug known to trigger suicidal thoughts in children.
More >> Foster care drug oversight lacking
More >> Foster care drug oversight lacking
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