The Racine Chiropractor to see - Chiropractor Racine

Ritalin Risks

Children's health issues image.

Character traits associated with ADHD/ADD include a chronic history of having a short attention span, being easily distracted, impulsivity, moderate to severe hyperactivity, minor neurological signs, abnormal EEG, impaired ability to learn…sounds like most normal children/teenagers! Aren’t they all easily distracted and impulsive? Yet, even though there is no single comprehensive test to diagnose ADHD (most consist of checklists of different types of observed behaviors), millions of prescriptions for Ritalin were written in 2005.

Some of the side effects associated with this mass-marketed psychotropic drug include:

  • Impaired thinking/memory loss due to decreased blood flow to the brain – similar to what happens to the brain on cocaine
  • Interference with the growth hormone, causing growth retardation, both brain and body, in children
  • Addiction, similar to that of cocaine
  • Insomnia, depression, mania, anxiety and an increase in the symptoms it is supposed to help
  • Decreased ability to learn

There are natural alternatives to Ritalin, and other prescribed medications, used to treat ADHD and ADD. Parents need to be informed about these alternatives and to understand that according to the package insert, “Sufficient data on safety and efficacy of long-term use of Ritalin in children are not yet available. Although a causal relationship has not been established, suppression of growth (i.e., weight gain, and/or height) has been reported with the long-term use of stimulants in children. Therefore, patients requiring long-term therapy should be carefully monitored.”

Often children are diagnosed with ADHD when what they really have is a food allergy, sugar addiction, hypoglycemia or hearing/vision problems. We would be happy to talk to you about your child’s problems and to review with you the many alternatives that are available to deal with your child’s condition. Call us to schedule a consultation and examination of your child.

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Dr. John Asks some important questions of interest to Racine residents - Chiropractor Racine Dr. John Asks...

How come medical doctors don't recommend chiropractic?
That's changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. As more and more Racine folks seek alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical practitioners are referring their patients to chiropractors.
Is a muscle spasm a cause or an effect?
With the knee-jerk use of muscle relaxers, you'd think it was a cause. But it's an effect. Chiropractors know that bones don't move unless muscles move them. And muscles don't contract unless commanded by the nervous system. That's why your nervous system is the focus of our Racine chiropractic practice.