Posted on August 4th, 2010
Patients often express surprise at the number of children we see at Team Health Care. Part of our mission is to help parents raise healthy families. And there is good reason why.
You may have seen Dr. Mercola’s alarming post on increased drug use in children. The study concluded prescription drug use in children was nearly 4 times higher in 2009 than the rest of the population. Amazingly, 1 in 4 children take prescription medication for chronic conditions!
Particularly concerning is these drugs are being taken for conditions not typically associated with children:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heartburn
- Acid reflux
This is in addition to medication use in children with asthma, ADD, and mental health disorders. According to California’s Board of Pharmacy, American children are the most medicated in the world. On the average, each American child takes 3 prescription medications every year. For the first time in known history, our current generation’s lifespan will be shorter than their parents.
There is a fatal flaw in the U.S. healthcare system. Children are developing deadly chronic illness related to lifestyle- poor diet, excessive stress, lack of exercise, nervous system disruption- and all our medical system has to offer is a drug that does not address the cause of the condition. Treatments that do address the cause of these conditions either are not covered or have become more restricted by insurers.
Did you know that all medications, whether prescription or OTC, are toxic to the system and put additional stress on your child’s body? Did you know that most prescription drugs are NOT tested on children for safety and efficacy? Did you know there are other options besides drugs to restore your child’s health?
Raising healthy families will require your mental and physical energy as you step outside the typical American lifestyle and medical delivery system. Children who follow the chiropractic and natural lifestyle are far less likely to require medication, surgery, and hospitalization.
Consult a provider trained in diet, exercise, and the nervous system to help put your family on the right path. Don’t let your child become a statistic. Give her a chance to look forward to a healthy future. We have a passion for treating children, and we’d love to help you raise a healthy family.
Jay P. Bertsch, DC
