May
8
The first year of life is one of growth and change. Every day is something new. And every visit to the doctor’s office means a new vaccination. But should you get them? Are they safe?
Unless you have done a lot of research on the topic, you might not even question the need for vaccines. When you have a baby, the vaccines begin, and you go with the flow. There is so much change in your life, its easy just to take the advice of your pediatrician.
You know that vaccinations are normally required to attend school. You know that vaccinations are designed to prevent your child from contracting illnesses that could be life threatening. What you may not know is whether childhood vaccines are a good thing or not. Read more
Apr
25
Kids and Chiropractic: Why Its Never Too Early To Begin
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When is it too early to introduce your kids to chiropractic care? Never.
Even birth can cause severe trauma to a newborn. Chiropractic care isn’t about curing an ailment or improving a condition that has existed for awhile. Instead, chiropractic care goes to the root of the problem, and works to improve the health of the nervous system by removing and irritants at the core of your body – your spine.
Chiropractic care for kids can include many things, including: Read more
Aug
24
When you hear the word sports, chances are that you might think football, baseball and other traditionally “male” sports. The truth is that girls are very active in sports, including male-dominated sports. In this day and age, there is no reason to differentiate between the sexes when it comes to sports. Girls and boys can both benefit from playing sports. To instill a love of sports in your daughter, you have to start young. There are many reasons why girls should play sports at school beyond just the physical aspect.
Health – It is a fact that sports keep kids active and active kids are usually healthier. To help keep your little girl’s health at its best, enroll her in one or two sports at school. You can also encourage her to participate in daily Physical Education (P.E.) classes to get her daily dose of exercise. Read more
Jul
20
Fifty percent of children will suffer from a middle ear infection before their first birthday. Sixty-six percent will have at least one middle ear infection by the time they are three. For many of these children, this ear infection is the beginning of a painful and repetitive cycle with potential long term hearing effects.
For the occasional ear infection, many doctors will prescribe an antibiotic. Unfortunately, this treatment is only effective if the cause of the infection is bacterial rather than viral. Children who suffer from chronic ear infections may face even more invasive treatments involving surgery and general anesthesia. Read more
Apr
1
Parents are constantly reminded about the importance of talking with their children about drug use, alcohol, and unprotected intercourse. But in the midst of all these uncomfortable conversations, one important topic is often forgotten: steroid use. Many parents don’t realize the pressure kids may feel to use steroids (or at least try them) for a physical advantage. Unmonitored steroid use can cause serious and potentially permanent changes in an individual’s body. So, how do you start that conversation, warning your kids about yet another dangerous element of the growing up world?
1. Get educated - Find out what steroids really do. Take some time to research the affects and side affects. Be sure to also study up on the long term negative results caused by unmonitored steroid use. Knowledge is power and you want to equip both yourself and your child as much as possible. Read more
Mar
7
Bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, has been the subject of many discussions and scientific studies. BPA is a chemical used in the lining of cans and in the production of many types of plastics, including some baby bottles and sippy cups.
People that are exposed to BPA at an early age are statistically more susceptible to developing health problems, such as an increased risk of prostate and breast cancer. BPA has also been linked to birth defects, ADHD, obesity, and early puberty. It is important for parents to know the risks and take the necessary precautions to protect their children. Until the federal government steps in and incorporates stringent regulations on the use of chemicals, parents must educate and protect themselves and their kids.
Although other countries have taken the initiative and banned the use of BPA from being used in the production of baby bottles, the United States has yet to make that move. As a parent, there are still ways you can protect your baby from the harmful effects of BPA. Read more
Dec
21
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Chronic Ear infections
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Statistics claim 35% of Pediatric visits in the United States are a result of children’s ear pain. Additionally, almost 50% of children will have a middle ear infection by the age of 1 and 66% will have an ear infection by the age of 3. Furthermore, frequent ear infections are the second greatest cause of surgery in children under the age of two.
With ear infections such a prevalent issue for young children, many parents are seeking another way to address the problem. One viable alternative for chronic ear infections is chiropractic care.
Many chiropractors believe there is a link between the birthing process and chronic ear infections. A misalignment of the spine can impact the nervous system, which in turn affects the eustachian tube, the tube that links the pharynx and the middle ear. This could lead to a build up of fluid in the middle ear causing an ear infection. Read more
Sep
29
Flu shots are recommended every year for high risk individuals including the elderly, children and caregivers. However, there is a serious concern by some researchers and patient advocacy groups about the potential serious effects of the flu shot for children. In particular, some parents and healthcare providers are concerned about the mercury content of the flu shot and the possible link of autism. Because of these concerns it leaves a lot of parents with the question of whether they and their children really need a flu shot this season.
The Risk
Thimerosal is a form of mercury that is a preservative in flu shots. Initially, it was used not only in flu shots but also in vaccinations for children. Because of the growing numbers of autism and the concern of the possible link of this preservative with autism the U.S. Public Health Service and the American Academy of Pediatrics agreed that vaccines for children should be thimerosal-free. Dr. Stephanie Cave, a family physician in Louisiana who successfully treats children with autism and is an advocate for removing mercury from the flu shot, states that autism is mercury and aluminum toxicity. Although officials removed mercury from vaccinations, because they did not have enough information at the time as to whether there was a risk for children, they still state that thimerosal is safe and there is no link between autism and the use of it in vaccinations. It is concerning that although they removed it from vaccinations, mercury has not been removed from the flu shot. It leaves the question that if there is indeed no risk, why remove it from vaccinations? Read more
Sep
16
Finding ways to soothe a colicky baby is a frustrating experience for both new and seasoned parents. A baby is diagnosed with colic when they have fits of uncontrollable crying for a specified amount of time. The timeframe is usually three hours a day, three times a week, for three weeks. Many parents are turning to chiropractic care to find relief for their colicky infants.
Although chiropractic care is not generally the first treatment for colic, or something parents automatically think of when faced with a colicky baby, it has been shown to drastically improve the symptoms. Colic may result from spinal misalignments that are a direct result of the birthing process. A few simple adjustments to a colicky baby’s spine can correct the misalignments caused by birth. Other chiropractic care treatments involve lengthening the body to help relieve intestinal kinks. Both of these treatments are not painful or harmful to the baby and both treatments have proven to be beneficial to colicky infants. Read more
Sep
10
ADHD and Ritalin – Is Chiropractic a Better Solution
Filed Under Children's Health | Leave a Comment
School is back in full swing, and all across America students are being diagnosed with ADHD, and being introduced to the drug Ritalin.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of all school age children currently suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD has a variety of symptoms, including:
- Failing to give close attention to details
- Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
- Has trouble listening even when spoken to directly
- Has difficulty organizing tasks
- Is easily distracted
- Fidgets and has a hard time remaining in one place
While a medical diagnosis is needed to determine if a child has ADHD before administering psycho-stimulants, many pediatricians surveyed responded they had spent less than one hour with a child before writing a prescription.
What does this mean for our children? Are psycho-stimulants the best solution for our kids?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Ritalin users may face a number of side effects including stunted growth, insomnia, nervousness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, depression, anorexia, blood pressure changes, and Tourette’s Syndrome. Ritalin is also highly addictive, and has even made it into the mainstream drug scene, with teens going as far as crushing and snorting Ritalin to remain focused in school.
Instead of pumping medication into our kids at an early age, isn’t it a better solution to teach them about good health?
With all of the changes in our current health care system, one thing remains constant: the need to take control over your family’s heath and wellness. It starts with eating right, exercise, and full night’s sleep, and investing in programs that help promote wellness.
Chiropractic care is a part of many families wellness routines. Is it the right choice for you?
