Many Los Angeles children take prescription medication on a regular basis; however many Angelenos may not be aware of the number. According to a December 28, 2010 article in the Wall Street Journal, more than 25% of U.S. children and teens take prescription medication on a regular basis. Many medications taken by children on a regular basis, such as asthma medication and drugs to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, others are not. Medications taken by children and teens in the U.S. are:
- Asthma medication: 45,388,000 (age 0-9: 28,252,000: age 10-19: 17,136,000)
- ADHD medication:24,357,000 (age 0-9: 7,018,000; age 10-19: 17,339,000)
- Antidepressants:9,614,000 (age 0-9: 1,026,000; age 10-19: 8,588,000)
- Antipsychotics: 6,546,000 (age 0-9: 1,396,000; age 10-19: 5,150,000)
- Antihypertensives (high blood pressure):5,224,000 (age 0-9: 1,819,000; age 10-19: 3,405,000)
- Sleep aids:307,000 (0-9: 14,000; 10-19: 293,000; age 10-19: 293,000)
- Non-insulin diabetes: 424,000 (age 0-9: 30,000; age 10-19: 394,000)
- Statins (high cholesterol):94,000 (age 0-9: 11,000; age 10-19: 83,000)
Also of interest, in most cases more boys than girls in the U.S. are on prescription medications with two exceptions: antidepressants (girls age 10-19) and non-insulin diabetics (girls age 10-19)
Many physicians warn that prescribing medications to children can be problematic. Limited research has been done on the effect of them on children; thus, both healthcare providers and benefits must assess a medication’s impact, both intended and not. The effects of some medications, such as cholesterol-lowering statins, have been extensively researched in adults; however, the consequences of using such medications during the bulk of one’s life are little understood.
According to researchers, the widespread usage is partly due to doctors and parents becoming more aware of prescription medication as an option for children. Unhealthy diets and lack of exercise among children result in excessive weight gain and obesity; this practice increases the incidence of diseases such as hypertension and obesity. Another factor increasing the prescription of medication to children is due to increased use of screening in children.
Before committing your child to prescription medication, it is prudent to explore the options. If your child is overweight and spends hours on sedentary pastimes, such as video games, and/or has an unhealthy diet, exercise and a diet modification can work wonders. Hypertension and non-insulin diabetes may disappear if this is done. Also, consider a second opinion and Internet research.
Credit : Dr. Dharma RAM Choudhar (Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist, Hematologist, Hemato Oncologist- 19 Years of Experience)
