Fever in your child: time to panic or to allow the body to heal?

Dr. Philip Incao in an article regarding this issue stated:

Children’s Health: A Question of Balance: (Pathways magazine, 12/01/2010)

  “Antibiotics, aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs cool down and suppress the fire of the immune system so that symptoms subside before the illness has fully worked its way out of the body.

  “In healthy people, the inflammatory response of the immune system rarely gets out of control. In such cases an antibiotic may be called for. Although an antibiotic may be lifesaving, it never heals an inflammation- it only suppresses it. The causes of the inflammation must still be healed after the antibiotic treatment. Otherwise, the immune system may remain weakened."

  Why does a person typically get a fever? It is a signal from the body, a messenger if you will, telling the body that there is a healing crisis going on. It is the body’s attempt to heal, overcome something foreign or toxic that the body needs to get rid of. Attempting to get rid of the fever with an ‘antipyretic’ (or fever suppressing medicine) is like killing the messenger.

  Reactions to medicines and immunizations can produce fevers because the body is attempting to cope with the toxin that has just been introduced to it. The best approach is to be calm and to make your child as comfortable as possible. Keep them warm, well hydrated, and only have them eat when they have an appetite and even then easy to digest foods like broth, the famous chicken noodle soup, herbal teas and juices are good choices.

  Sleep is one of the most powerful elixirs in any healing crisis. Help your child be at ease and they often understand that their body is healing itself. My one son always knew what to eat and in what quantity even when he was a young child.

  -Dr. Bill Lawler

Here is the link for the full article:
 http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/component/option,com_crossjoomlaarticlemanager/Itemid,49/lang,en/view,crossjoomlaarticlemanager/

My kids are drug addicts and they're only 10

A recent article DR. Claudia Anrig raised awareness about the alarming increase of prescription drugs given to children. the article is featured in the "To Your Health" magazine and can be found online at the following link:

http://toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=1427

Here are a few of the highlights from the feature article:

In December 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported the latest findings by Medco Health Solutions Inc., which determined that roughly one in four children and 30 percent of adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 are taking a medication for a chronic condition in the United States. Nearly 7 percent of children are taking two or more such drugs, according to the company's research for 2009.

Some believe this trend is just the result of doctors and parents becoming more aware of drugs as an option for kids, but the problem remains that many of these drugs have not been tested specifically for the pediatric population. Danny Benjamin, a Duke University pediatrics professor, is specifically concerned about the well-established drugs since the pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to test them. "We know we're making errors in dosing and safety," said Benjamin

"Atypical antipsychotics are extremely powerful drugs that are being used far too commonly - especially in children - given their safety issues and side effects," says Dr. David Musina.

A Worldwide Problem

As with most trends in the United States, other countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia tend to follow suit. For instance, despite the guidelines set forth by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, the number of prescriptions written in the U.K. for Ritalin is up 33 percent and in Canada, the use of ADHD drugs increased almost 50 percent between 1999 and 2004, according to IMS Health Canada. Although no current figures are available, there are very real concerns regarding the continued increase in the number of prescription drugs being given to Canadian children.

The Solution

Your chiropractor's primary goal when caring for you and your children is to allow the body to heal itself naturally. That means using conservative treatment options first, rather than turning to medication. In many cases, particularly regarding some of the pediatric conditions treated heavily with drugs these days (diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep problems, asthma, etc.) lifestyle modifications including exercise, nutrition, weight loss and stress reduction can go a long way - without drugs - to improve your child's health. Talk to your chiropractor for more information.
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There are some very alarming facts and trends highlighted in this article. Every parent needs to know there is another option! Clearly the most dangerous and expensive route is prescription drugs. It is evident that the parents only want what is best for their children and in hopes to help their children's health they reach out to the only source they know: medicare. However there is a better way. Our hope is to raise awareness for all you loving parents out there searching for the safest way to raise healthy kids! And that is what we are all about here at Chiropractic4Kids&Families!

To finish up this article here are some scary facts:

Drugging Our Children?

Many of the prescriptions or refills dispensed to children and teens in 2009 were for conditions not normally associated with children. Take a look at these staggering statistics (from most to least dispensed):

Asthma drugs: 45.388 million

• children 0-9 years: 28.252 million
• children 10-19 years: 17.136 million

ADHD drugs: 24.357 million

• children 0-9 years: 7.018 million
• children 10-19 years: 17.339 million

Antidepressants: 9.614 million

• children 0-9 years: 1.026 million
• children 10-19 years: 8.588 million

Antipsychotics: 6.546 million

• children 0-9 years: 1.396 million
• children 10-19 years: 5.150 million

Antihypertensives (treatment for high blood pressure): 5.224 million

• children 0-9 years: 1.819 million
• children 10-19 years: 3.405 million

Sleep aids: 307,000

• children 0-9 years: 14,000
• children 10-19 years: 293,000

Non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes: 424,000

• children 0-9 years: 30,000
• children 10-19 years: 394,000

Statins (treatment for high cholesterol): 94,000

• children 0-9 years: 11,000
• children 10-19 years: 83,000

Chiropractic and Reflux?

A mother brought in her cute four month old son, and said "I've never been to a chiropractor and frankly don't understand how chiropractic can help my son, but I'm ready to try something else."

She had taken her son to several MDs, received various opinions and medications, but her son was still suffering from reflux several times a day.

I explained how we do our best to 'calm down' the nervous system in people and then work on both the spine, and the stomach to help accomplish that.

This poor little guy probably 'hurled' about 2-3 times in the 10-15 min. consultation and exam. Mom was getting tired of smelling like her son's undigested food all the time.

We found some areas of concern and subluxations on the little guy. While he remained pretty happy on Mom's lap, we gave him his first gentle adjustment, and then two days later a follow up adjustment.

I taught the Mom some things to do to help with his tummy and to calm him down.

After the second visit, his reflux is almost gone. Mom is happier and so is the little bugger. Now they need to work on sleeping better...

Turning the 'power back on full' is what chiropractic is all about!

If You Are Going to Vaccinate...

Prep them by doing the following:

1: Make sure that you give them great nutrition:
No sugar, no processed foods, only the good stuff!

2: Make sure that they are exercising, moving, walking, running, (not being couch potatoes!)

3: They need to be well rested! Lots of sleep.

4: Garlic, oil of oregano, mushroom and other supplements that can help stimulate the immune system!

5: Chiropractic adjustments to clear the nervous system and help them be ready for the immune system challenge that they will face.

6: Positive imagery and emotional support.

If You Vaccinate, Ask 8!

What You Need to Know Before & After Vaccination

Under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, over $2 billion has been awarded to children and adults for whom the risks of vaccine injury were 100%. Vaccines are pharmaceutical products that carry risks, which can be greater for some than others. NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about the risks and complications of diseases and vaccines and speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision.

1: Am I or my child sick right now?

2: Have I or my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before?

3: Do I or my child have a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, neurological disorders, severe allergies or immune system problems?

4: Do I know the disease and vaccine risks for myself or my child?

5: Do I have full information about the vaccine's side effects?

6: Do I know how to identify and report a vaccine reaction?

7: Do I know I need to keep a written record, including the vaccine manufacturer's name and lot number, for all vaccinations?

8: Do I know I have the right to make an informed choice?

Source: www.nvic.org (National Vaccine Information Center)

Ways to Get Informed About Vaccinations

Here are a few books and websites I recommend to do some research on vaccinations.

Books:

What Every Parent Should Know About Childhood Vaccinations by Jamie Murphy
Click here to order on Amazon.com

Shot in the Dark (DPT discussions) by Harris Coulter and Barbara Loe Fisher
Click here to order on Amazon.com

What your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Children's Vaccinations by Stephanie Cave
(M.D., F.A.A.F.P.)
Click here to order on Amazon.com

Vaccines, Autism, and Childhood Disorders by Neil Miller
Click here to order on Amazon.com


Websites:

www.nvic.org (National Vaccine Information Center)
www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/preface.htm
www.thinktwice.com
www.mychiro4kids.com (Dr. Bill's Website)
www.vaccinerights.com
www.alanphillipslaw.com (researcher of the myths & truths of vaccinations)
www.icpa4kids.org

10 Myths and Truths About Vaccinations

Myth #1: “Vaccinations are safe”

Truth #1: “Vaccination causes significant death and disability at an astounding personal and financial cost to uninformed families.”

Myth #2: “Vaccines are very effective”

Truth #2: “Evidence suggests that vaccination is an unreliable means of preventing disease.”

Myth #3: “Vaccines are the reason for low disease rates in the US today…”

Truth #3: “It is unclear what impact, if any, that vaccines had on 19^th and 20^th century infectious disease declines.”

Myth #4: “Vaccination is based on sound immunization theory and practice…”

Truth #4: “Many of the assumptions upon which immunization theory and practice are based are unproved or have been proven false in their application.”

Myth #5: “Childhood diseases are extremely dangerous”

Truth #5: “Dangers of childhood diseases are greatly exaggerated in order to scare parents into compliance with a questionable but highly profitable procedure.”

Myth #6: “Polio was one of the clearly great vaccination success stories…”

Truth #6: “The polio vaccine temporarily reversed disease declines that were underway before the vaccine was introduced; this fact was deliberately covered up by health authorities. In Europe, polio declined in countries that both embraced and rejected vaccine.”

Myth #7: “My child had no reaction to the vaccines so there is nothing to worry about…”

Truth #7: “The long term adverse effects of vaccinations have been virtually ignored, in spite of direct correlations with many chronic conditions.”

Myth #8: “Vaccines are the only disease prevention option available”

Truth #8: “Documented safe and effective alternatives have been available for decades. (However they have been systematically attacked and suppressed by the medical establishment.”

Myth #9: “Vaccinations are legally mandated and unavoidable”

Truth #9: “Legal exemptions from vaccinations are available for many- but not all- US citizens.”

Myth #10: “Public health officials always place the public’s health above all other concerns…”

Truth #10: “Many of the public health officials who determine vaccine policy profit substantially from their policy decisions.”