In the past month, have you ever misplaced your keys? Have you gone into a room to get something, and then forgot what you went to get? Have you ever lost track of what you were thinking? Have you ever started a project then got sidetracked, and didn't finish it? Have you ever started to say something, but then forgot what you were going to say? Have you ever been bored? Well if so, then you need to be on Ritalin, or Adderall, or Concerta.
You see, those are some of the exact symptoms a child with ADD or ADHD has. Not following through on things, losing things that are necessary, easily distracted, fails to finish schoolwork or projects, forgetful in daily activities. My husband likes to joke to me that I am ADHD, and you know, I do believe that if I were a child in today's school system, they'd want to put me on some sort of stimulant drug. I like to stay busy, I get bored easily, and I can be forgetful so I have to write things down (lists after lists....).
It frustrates me when parents put their children on these drugs. Yes, they do work, I see children be much more calm when they take their Ritalin, but what are the long term side effects? We know the short term side effects (insomnia, weight loss, headaches, irritability), but what is going to happen to these kids when they are 40, 50, 60 years old, when they were taking these drugs when their mind was most rapidly developing?
Ritalin is classified as a schedule II controlled substance, which is a rating given to prescription drugs that have the greatest abuse and dependence potential. Other drugs that share this category are Morphine, Opium, and Cocaine. Does that sound like a good product for children to be on? Just recently, they discovered that Red Bull has traces of Cocaine in it. Is that surprising?
What about having your child (or you) take Omega-3 fish oil, one loaded with more DHA than EPA, which is more appropriate "brain food" for these kids (or some adults). DHA is what OB's recommend to pregnant women, it is important for the brain and nervous system of the developing fetus. What about the developing brain of a 7 year old, or teenager? What about adults who misplace keys, or got bored? I know I take my fish oil every day (the HIGH quality kind).
Just recently I passed a fairly rigorous exam to award me a new certification in Pediatrics. I completed a 180-hour post graduate course through the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics, and thus by passing the course I have gained greater knowledge and confidence in working with children and pregnant women (and a few more letters after my name).
Some of the topics covered included Nutrition, prenatal care, working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, sensory integration disorders, cranial sacral therapy, and (the obvious) chiropractic analysis and treatment. Though I hardly announce my accomplishments to others, I want people to know this so you feel even more confident in coming to see me (as well as your children) and for referring others to the office.
I've learned more about ADD and ADHD, and want to help these kids, and help make this community (and world!) a healthier place. For now....it's back to that other project I was working on!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Swine Flu
Several people have asked me about the Swine Flu lately, so I felt compelled to write about it. As of this writing (Thursday night), the number of confirmed cases of the swine flu worldwide is 257, according to the World Health Organization, 109 of which are in the USA. The number of confirmed deaths is 13 (12 in Mexico and 1 in the USA, and that one was a child from Mexico that died while in Texas). The number increases if they look at suspected cases. As of yesterday, the number of suspected cases was 1,614 with 18 deaths, so those extra people may have another form of the flu, or some other bug.
The way I look at it, is how can I become one of the 244 confirmed cases, or 1,596 suspected, who have survived this flu? It's not like 100% of the people are dying. People are getting sick and still living.
We are close to a "pandemic", which means that a new infectious disease is spreading throughout the world. It doesn't mean everyone will die, it doesn't mean dead bodies will be piled high on carts & buggies (visualize those photos from the early 1900's), and it doesn't mean our food and water supply will decrease. Back then, we didn't pay as close attention to hygiene or taking care of ourselves. We didn't have the knowledge to build our immune system to fight off disease, and we didn't have the medical knowledge and capability to fight disease if/when it happened.
With the Swine Flu, health officials from the CDC recommend taking several precautions to avoid getting swine flu. First, they recommend frequent hand washing and trying to stay in good general health. They recommend getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, managing stress, drinking fluids, and eating healthy foods. They also advise people to avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Also, they say to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Isn't that what I talk about in my office every day? Should any of those be a surprise? Are they hard to do? Getting yourself healthy, building your immune system so you can fight off disease if and when you get it. The only thing they didn't mention was chiropractic care, and getting regular adjustments. Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either.
During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic's success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession's licensure in many states.
Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, out of the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths -- a loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.
Seems like Chiropractic care made a huge difference in helping people with the flu, right?
I'm not surprised the health officials don't talk about chiropractic care, because they don't know enough about it (or don't want it to be effective), as their focus is on medicine. Speaking of medicine, the Tamiflu is what they are recommending those those at risk. In 2007, Tamiflu went through some rough times when the FDA finally began investigating some 1,800 adverse event reports related to the drug. Common side effects of Tamiflu include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and cough. All in all, aren't those the very symptoms you're trying to avoid?? And isn't this a new strain of the flu?
Okay, am I concerned about the Swine Flu? Yes. But not necessarily for reasons others are. I'm concerned because I don't want to see this world in a panic, I don't want people to die, I don't want this country, state, or town to be quarantined, and I don't want people to be forced to get a vaccination. If they come up with a vaccine quickly, then chances are it won't be tested accurately, it may not be effective, and it probably will cause more harm than good. That is what I'm afraid of (come to my Vaccine talk on Sat. 5/2 to learn more).
I remember a report from NY University and the University of Lund, Sweden, that showed that people under chiropractic care had a 200% stronger immune system than people not under chiropractic care. So, if the Swine Flu does happen to come to my community, I am certainly glad that I get adjusted and that my immune system is that much stronger to fight it off.
Isn't it reasonable to think that your vulnerability to the Swine Flu (and from dying from it) depends more on your personal health than it does on bugs? Don't you think you should focus on building a strong immune system, eating lots of fruits & vegetables (antioxidants!), getting plenty of rest, decreasing your stress levels, and getting adjusted so your nervous system can work as best as possible to fight something off? Take megadoses of Vitamin C, try the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum, take whole food supplements and antioxidants, try Elderberry and extra garlic, and certainly get adjusted.
So, if I am wrong and a massive pandemic hits and there are millions of deaths, then I am sorry. In the meantime, I am going to encourage all of you to do what you can NOW to build your immune system as strong as possible. Don't panic. Do what you can to be healthy (through all the ways mentioned above) and be a survivor.
The way I look at it, is how can I become one of the 244 confirmed cases, or 1,596 suspected, who have survived this flu? It's not like 100% of the people are dying. People are getting sick and still living.
We are close to a "pandemic", which means that a new infectious disease is spreading throughout the world. It doesn't mean everyone will die, it doesn't mean dead bodies will be piled high on carts & buggies (visualize those photos from the early 1900's), and it doesn't mean our food and water supply will decrease. Back then, we didn't pay as close attention to hygiene or taking care of ourselves. We didn't have the knowledge to build our immune system to fight off disease, and we didn't have the medical knowledge and capability to fight disease if/when it happened.
With the Swine Flu, health officials from the CDC recommend taking several precautions to avoid getting swine flu. First, they recommend frequent hand washing and trying to stay in good general health. They recommend getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, managing stress, drinking fluids, and eating healthy foods. They also advise people to avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Also, they say to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Isn't that what I talk about in my office every day? Should any of those be a surprise? Are they hard to do? Getting yourself healthy, building your immune system so you can fight off disease if and when you get it. The only thing they didn't mention was chiropractic care, and getting regular adjustments. Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either.
During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic's success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession's licensure in many states.
Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, out of the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths -- a loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.
Seems like Chiropractic care made a huge difference in helping people with the flu, right?
I'm not surprised the health officials don't talk about chiropractic care, because they don't know enough about it (or don't want it to be effective), as their focus is on medicine. Speaking of medicine, the Tamiflu is what they are recommending those those at risk. In 2007, Tamiflu went through some rough times when the FDA finally began investigating some 1,800 adverse event reports related to the drug. Common side effects of Tamiflu include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and cough. All in all, aren't those the very symptoms you're trying to avoid?? And isn't this a new strain of the flu?
Okay, am I concerned about the Swine Flu? Yes. But not necessarily for reasons others are. I'm concerned because I don't want to see this world in a panic, I don't want people to die, I don't want this country, state, or town to be quarantined, and I don't want people to be forced to get a vaccination. If they come up with a vaccine quickly, then chances are it won't be tested accurately, it may not be effective, and it probably will cause more harm than good. That is what I'm afraid of (come to my Vaccine talk on Sat. 5/2 to learn more).
I remember a report from NY University and the University of Lund, Sweden, that showed that people under chiropractic care had a 200% stronger immune system than people not under chiropractic care. So, if the Swine Flu does happen to come to my community, I am certainly glad that I get adjusted and that my immune system is that much stronger to fight it off.
Isn't it reasonable to think that your vulnerability to the Swine Flu (and from dying from it) depends more on your personal health than it does on bugs? Don't you think you should focus on building a strong immune system, eating lots of fruits & vegetables (antioxidants!), getting plenty of rest, decreasing your stress levels, and getting adjusted so your nervous system can work as best as possible to fight something off? Take megadoses of Vitamin C, try the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum, take whole food supplements and antioxidants, try Elderberry and extra garlic, and certainly get adjusted.
So, if I am wrong and a massive pandemic hits and there are millions of deaths, then I am sorry. In the meantime, I am going to encourage all of you to do what you can NOW to build your immune system as strong as possible. Don't panic. Do what you can to be healthy (through all the ways mentioned above) and be a survivor.
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