Friday, February 29, 2008
ADHD Medications Increase the Risk of Heart Problems
A new study shows that Adderall, Ritalin and other stimulants used to treat ADHD can increase the chance of your child being rushed to the emergency room for heart related problems by 20 percent.
This study, published in the journal “Pediatrics,” looked at data on 55,383 ADHD children ages 3 to 20 years in FLorida. About 59 percent were taking a stimulant medication during the study period of 1994 to 2004.
Children taking a stimulant to control ADHD symptoms were 20 percent more likely to visit an emergency clinic or doctor’s office with heart-related symptoms, such as a racing heartbeat, than children who had never used or discontinued treatment.
In 2006 the FDA added a “black box” warning to the labels of ADHD drugs warning of cardiovascular risks associated with the medications. These risks included sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects; stroke and heart attack in adults; and increased blood pressure and heart rate.
The authors of this study expressed the "great need" for additional research to determine the consequences of long-term stimulant use during childhood and its effect on heart disease in adulthood.
Each year between 3 and 4 million children take stimulant ADHD medications to control symptoms of ADHD.
Other known side effects of ADHD stimulants include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sleep disruptions, headaches and stunted growth. Additionally, a small study, conducted by the University of Texas and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, found a link between Ritalin and increased risk of cancer. In this study, all children taking Ritalin experienced a significant increase in the chromosomal abnormalities associated with an a higher chance of developing cancer.
This study, published in the journal “Pediatrics,” looked at data on 55,383 ADHD children ages 3 to 20 years in FLorida. About 59 percent were taking a stimulant medication during the study period of 1994 to 2004.
Children taking a stimulant to control ADHD symptoms were 20 percent more likely to visit an emergency clinic or doctor’s office with heart-related symptoms, such as a racing heartbeat, than children who had never used or discontinued treatment.
In 2006 the FDA added a “black box” warning to the labels of ADHD drugs warning of cardiovascular risks associated with the medications. These risks included sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects; stroke and heart attack in adults; and increased blood pressure and heart rate.
The authors of this study expressed the "great need" for additional research to determine the consequences of long-term stimulant use during childhood and its effect on heart disease in adulthood.
Each year between 3 and 4 million children take stimulant ADHD medications to control symptoms of ADHD.
Other known side effects of ADHD stimulants include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sleep disruptions, headaches and stunted growth. Additionally, a small study, conducted by the University of Texas and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, found a link between Ritalin and increased risk of cancer. In this study, all children taking Ritalin experienced a significant increase in the chromosomal abnormalities associated with an a higher chance of developing cancer.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
No Long-Term Benefit with ADHD Drugs
Two recent studies could change the way doctors view the current ADHD treatment protocol. These studies showed that;- ADHD medications do provide short-term benefits.- However, ADHD medications do not provide long-term benefits.
In the first study, UCLA researchers took the results of a study from Finland, where medication is rarely used to treat ADHD, and compared the findings against ADHD Americans. In the United States about 60 percent of ADHD children receive medication for symptoms at some point in their childhood. Interestingly, the medicated American ADHD children fared as well as the non-medicated Finland population by the time ADHD children reach 16 to 18 years of age. This study that was published in the “Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry” December 2007 issue.
Next, a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) showed that ADHD medications provide short-term benefits, while also confirming the lack of long-term benefits. In this study of almost 600 children, researchers found that medicated ADHD children functioned better at home and school at the end of 14 months compared to those who received behavioral therapy or no treatment at all. However, there was little difference between the medicated group and the non-medicated groups after three years.
These studies should put parents at ease when faced with the ADHD drug decision. Your child will not be slated for ruin in their adult years if you choose not to medicate. In fact, he will likely fare as well as his medicated peers by the time he reaches adolescence. And, he will likely do better at home and in school in the short-term if he is medicated. With this information in hand, parents can decide if the risks and side effects of ADHD drugs outweigh short-term benefits.
In the first study, UCLA researchers took the results of a study from Finland, where medication is rarely used to treat ADHD, and compared the findings against ADHD Americans. In the United States about 60 percent of ADHD children receive medication for symptoms at some point in their childhood. Interestingly, the medicated American ADHD children fared as well as the non-medicated Finland population by the time ADHD children reach 16 to 18 years of age. This study that was published in the “Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry” December 2007 issue.
Next, a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) showed that ADHD medications provide short-term benefits, while also confirming the lack of long-term benefits. In this study of almost 600 children, researchers found that medicated ADHD children functioned better at home and school at the end of 14 months compared to those who received behavioral therapy or no treatment at all. However, there was little difference between the medicated group and the non-medicated groups after three years.
These studies should put parents at ease when faced with the ADHD drug decision. Your child will not be slated for ruin in their adult years if you choose not to medicate. In fact, he will likely fare as well as his medicated peers by the time he reaches adolescence. And, he will likely do better at home and in school in the short-term if he is medicated. With this information in hand, parents can decide if the risks and side effects of ADHD drugs outweigh short-term benefits.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Chew Gum for Better Test Grades?
Can chewing gum actually increase student performance? Dr. Kenneth Allen, a professor at New York University’s College of Dentistry, found this to be true when he allowed his students to chew gum in the classroom.
In a study to see if chewing helped test scores, half of Allen's 56 students chewed sugarless gum while studying while the other half did not. After three days of instruction, the gum-chewing group scored, on average, a half grade higher on a written test.
The rhythmic act of chewing stimulate the brain and helps the mind and body relax. For ADHD kids, chewing can reduce fidgety behavior.
While most classrooms ban gum, you can always toss a stick of gum at your youngster during the homework hours. Try it and see if it helps.
In a study to see if chewing helped test scores, half of Allen's 56 students chewed sugarless gum while studying while the other half did not. After three days of instruction, the gum-chewing group scored, on average, a half grade higher on a written test.
The rhythmic act of chewing stimulate the brain and helps the mind and body relax. For ADHD kids, chewing can reduce fidgety behavior.
While most classrooms ban gum, you can always toss a stick of gum at your youngster during the homework hours. Try it and see if it helps.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Reduce ADHD Symptoms without Medication
According to National Association of School Psychologists study, catching ADHD early on may make it possible to reduce symptoms. The most important tool is structure, or "environmental management."
According to this study, 30% of preschool aged children with ADHD improved with no medication at all. Changing the routine, changing the diet and improving the overall family atmosphere can make a huge difference.
A few examples of small changes that net big results are; monitoring sugar intake, establishing a set bedtime, and providing structure throughout the day.
Proactive parenting and education makes it possible to tackle ADD and make medication a last resort.
According to this study, 30% of preschool aged children with ADHD improved with no medication at all. Changing the routine, changing the diet and improving the overall family atmosphere can make a huge difference.
A few examples of small changes that net big results are; monitoring sugar intake, establishing a set bedtime, and providing structure throughout the day.
Proactive parenting and education makes it possible to tackle ADD and make medication a last resort.
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