Recent study links stimulant use to sudden death; media and current research suggest chiropractic as a safe alternative.

Certain stimulant medications used to control attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may cause sudden, unexplained death - this according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.  This adds to previous reports emphasizing the potential dangers of such medications.

The study, funded by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the National Institute of Mental Health, evaluated stimulant use in 564 children and teens age 7-19 who died unexpectedly, and had no known history of life threatening illness or defined cause of death, such as accident or homicide against a control of 564 age-matched who died in motor vehicle accidents (the control group.)

Comparing the two groups, researchers foundthat a significantly higher number of children/teens in the study group had taken methylphenidate prior to their death than the control.  Methylphenidate is the generic form of ADHD drugs like Ritalin and Concerta.

On the good news side, according to a CBS Early Show segment and recent research from the International Pediatric Chiropractic Association (ICPA) suggests benefit of chiropractic care for ADHD sufferers. The study, "The Chiropractic Care of Patients With Attention Deficit Disorder: A Retrospective Analysis" has been aceepted for publication by a major biomechanical journal shows promising results for children under chiropractic care. 

In the CBS Early Show segment on the June 15th "Healthwatch", medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton told CBS anchor Julie Chen, "There have been studies that show complimentary or alternative therapies [such as] chiropractic care and dietary changes can be beneficial is some children who are on ADHD medication.  She also noted side effects accompanying ADHD drugs including elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

I have been treating children suffering with ADHD in my office for several years now, and have found many children, and adults, have had the ability to discontinue use of Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall (with medical supervision) after starting care in our office.  If you know someone suffering with ADHD, please have them call the office 985-867-8100 or go to Mandeville Chiropractor for a free consultation to discuss their health and possible options.