Kids and Drugs Don't Mix -- Or They Shouldn't by Dr. Laura Thompson Drugs and kids don't mix - or they shouldn't. But they are - more now than ever. The commonality of giving children prescribed drugs has led many parents to thinking that it is normal. Common it is; normal it is not. Have we lost our focus on the importance of food? Have we lost our knowledge about the healing power of food? Or - are we too busy. Our children are in danger and the statistics are staggering. Children are now second only to senior citizens, as the fastest growing group of prescription drug takers. A new study has found that children are spending 34 percent more of their time - more of their life -- on medications. If our children were better nourished, this would not be happening. Asthma would not be so rampant. Allergies and infections would not be overwhelming our children's immune systems. The most prescribed drugs for children are for allergies, asthma, and infections. The incidence of asthma and allergies has doubled in the past 25 years. It is estimated that 7 percent of all children are asthmatic and 25 percent have allergies. Asthma and allergies affect the lungs and respiratory tract. Our children are being denied a most basic right - the right to breathe - the right to live without the fear of losing your breath. Steroid medications and inhalers have a damaging affect on our adrenal glands, our stress-balancing organs. No wonder so many children have difficulty handling stress and adapting to change. No wonder they have mood swings, depression, energy problems, hyperactivity, and diminished cognitive function. Our adrenal glands carry us through all the phases of our lives, helping us adapt to change and to deal with trauma and loss, joy or pain. They are connected with the nervous system, so they affect our emotions and behaviors. The adrenals are the key to stress-relief and balance. They also manufacture the sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Premature hormonal development may result, saddling some children with both severe physical and emotional challenges. Do not under-estimate the impact that most prescription medications have on our adrenal glands. This is an UNLISTED side effect. We become more susceptible to illness and stress, and we pre-maturely age when our adrenal glands are over-worked. Additionally, spending on antibiotics for children has increased 42 percent. Many children have been on 10, 20, 50 rounds of antibiotics for ear infections, sinus, throat, and lung infections, before they are even 10 years old. The immune suppression and liver damage that may result may affect their health for the rest of their lives. You know, we can neutralize bad bacteria and infections ourselves, without the drugs, but with good bacteria or probiotics. Acidophilus and bifidus are the two most abundant good bacteria in our bodies and they become depleted when we use antibiotics, sugar, and refined -white- foods. These good bacteria products are very available in health food stores and traditional pharmacies. These good bacteria form our inner army and they need replacements from time to time So keep acidophilus and bifidus on hand - in your medicine cabinet or your refrigerator. And if your child is too young, or unable to swallow the capsules that contain these beneficial micro-bacteria (little critters), then open up a cap and put it in their juice or applesauce. Let's give our kids' bodies what they need to defend themselves. Why wait to be attacked. Bacteria are all around. We mustn't succumb. We are not weak. Our children need to know that they are strong - that they can defend themselves. Save the antibiotics for life-saving necessities. This is where they shine, not in day-to-day life. Dr. Laura Thompson, Family Nutritionist and Naturopathic Endocrinologist has a nationwide practice by phone, and locally in Carlsbad, California. For further information about her services, call 800-608-5602. |
