Please note that this Epilepsy information MAY NOT BE ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. Anyone with serious questions about Epilepsy should consult their doctor. Some of this material was prepared by Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton and Epilepsy Ontario.

Information contained in this document is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily represent the full or complete opinion and beliefs of our staff. There is a vast amount of information on this very important subject on the internet. Below are many links to dozens of the hundreds of available sites. If you have question on how chiropractic can help with Epilepsy, please see our contacts page and call now.

Questions Covered in this Document

Basic Information

• What does “Epilepsy” mean?
• Is Epilepsy a disease?
• What is a seizure?
• What is an aura?
• When was Epilepsy discovered?

People with Epilepsy

• What kind of people have Epilepsy?
• How many people have Epilepsy?
• Does Epilepsy strike at any particular age?
• Does Epilepsy occur more in some cultures?

Types of Seizures

• Are there different types of seizures?
• What is the difference between partial and general seizures?
• What are partial seizures?
• What are complex partial seizures?
• What are absence (petit mal) seizures?
• What are tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures?
• What are other types of seizures?
• What are “status” seizures?
• What are pseudoseizures?
• How do you distinguish epleptic seizures from pseudoseizures?
• Can seizures occur if a person does not have Epilepsy?
• What are the seizures like?
• What does it feel like to have a seizure?
• How long do the seizures last?
• Is there such a thing as a “minor” case of Epilepsy?

Causes and Triggers

• What causes Epilepsy?
• Is Epilepsy inherited?
• Is Epilepsy contagious?
• Is it caused by a virus?
• Can certain things trigger seizures?
• Can seizures be triggered by flashing lights?
• Can certain foods or drinks cause seizures?
• Can lack of sleep cause seizures?
• Can low blood sugar trigger seizures?
• Can Nutrasweet (Aspartame) trigger seizures?
• Does alcohol affect seizures?

First Aid for Seizures

• How can I help someone who is having a seizure?
• What if my child has a seizure during his sleep?

Diagnosis

• How is Epilepsy diagnosed?
• What types of doctors can diagnose and treat Epilepsy?
• Can a person with Epilepsy have a false negative EEG?
• Can a person have a false positive EEG for Epilepsy.
• Is my child having absence seizures or just day dreaming?
• What conditions are sometimes mis-diagnosed as Epilepsy?
• Can seizures go un-noticed?

Treatments

• Is there a cure for Epilepsy?
• Is it fatal?
• What kinds of treatments are available?
• Are there drug treatments for Epilepsy?
• How do drugs work to control seizures?
• What drugs are used to treat Epilepsy?
• Do these drugs have side effects?
• What is a “blood level”?
• What are the symptoms of too high a drug level?
• How much do the drugs cost?
• When is surgery used to treat Epilepsy?
• What is the likelihood that my child will outgrow a seizure disorder?
• Do non-traditional approaches help?
• Does transcendental meditation have any effect on Epilepsy?
• Does biofeedback help?
• Is there a special diet for people with Epilepsy?
• What is a ketogenic diet?

Living with Epilepsy

• Can people living with Epilepsy lead normal lives?
• What can people with Epilepsy do to help their health?
• Who should know that I have Epilepsy?
• Is there prejudice against people with Epilepsy?
• Are there any problems having children?
• Can medications for controlling Epilepsy harm a nursing baby?
• Can people living with Epilepsy drive a car?
• Can people living with Epilepsy go swimming?
• Can Epilepsy lead to problems at school?
• Can Epilepsy cause emotional problems?
• Can Epilepsy lead to problems with self-esteem?

Working With Epilepsy

• What occupations are not appropriate for people with Epilepsy?
• Can people with Epilepsy fly a plane?
• Is there a problem with job safety?
• Can an employer ask about Epilepsy on a job application?
• Can an employer ask about Epilepsy during a job intervie?
• Can I be fired because I have Epilepsy?
• Can people with Epilepsy get social assistance?

Epilepsy and Other Disorders

• Is Epilepsy related to other neurological problems?
• Is Epilepsy related to mental illness?
• Can Epilepsy affect intelligence?
• Is there a link between memory loss and Epilepsy?
• Is Epilepsy related to asthma?
• Are there any diseases that persons with Epilepsy more prone to?

Miscellaneous

• Do animals get Epilepsy?
• Can dogs sense a seizure in humans before it strikes?

More Information

• Where can I get more information about Epilepsy?
• What books are available on Epilepsy?
• Where can I find information on the Internet about Epilepsy?

Basic Information

What does Epilepsy mean?

The word “Epilepsy” is derived from a Greek word meaning “a condition of being overcome, seized, or attacked.” People used to believe that the seizure was caused by a demon, and Epilepsy became known as a sacred disease. This is the background to the myths and fears that surround Epilepsy; myths that color people’s attitudes and make the goal of a normal life more difficult than it needs to be be for people who have Epilepsy. The word “Epilepsy” means nothing more than the tendency to have seizures.

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Is Epilepsy a disease?

Epilepsy is not a disease. It is a sign or symptom of an underlying neurological disorder.

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What is a seizure?

The brain is a highly complex and sensitive organ. It controls and regulates all our actions. It controls motor movements, sensations, thoughts, and emotions. It is the seat of memory, and it regulates the involuntary inner workings of the body such as the function of the heart and the lungs.

The brain cells work together, communicating by means of electric signals. Occasionally there is an abnormal electrical discharge from a group of cells, and the result is a seizure. The type of seizure will depend upon the part of the brain where the abnormal electrical discharge arises.

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What is an aura?

Before the onset of a seizure some people experience a sensation or warning called an “aura”. The aura may occur far enough in advance to give the person time to avoid possible injury. The type of aura experienced varies from person to person. Some people feel a change in body temperature, others experience a feeling of tension or anxiety. In some cases, the epileptic aura will be apparent to the person as a musical sound, a strange taste, or even a particular curious odor. If the person is able to give the physician a good description of this aura, it may provide a clue to the part of the brain where the initial discharges originate. An aura could occur without being followed by a seizure, and in some cases can by itself be called a type of simple partial seizure.

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When was Epilepsy discovered?

Epilepsy is the oldest known brain disorder. It was mentioned more than 2,000 years before Christ. References can be found in ancient Greek texts and in The Bible. It wasn’t until the mid 1800’s, however, that Epilepsy was given serious study. Sir Charles Locock was the first to introduce a sedative that aided in controlling seizures in 1857. In 1870, John Hughlings Jackson identified the brain’s outer layer, the cerebral cortex, as the part involved in Epilepsy. Hans Berger demonstrated that the electrical impulses of the human brain could be recorded in 1929.

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People with Epilepsy

What kind of people have Epilepsy?

Virtually everyone can have a seizure under the right circumstances. Each of us has a brain seizure threshold which makes us more or less resistant to seizures. Seizures can have many causes, including brain injury, poisoning, head trauma, or stroke; and these factors are not restricted to any age group, sex, or race and neither is Epilepsy.

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How many people have Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is far more common than most of us realize. Current estimates indicate that more than one per cent of the population have had, or will have, some form of Epilepsy in their lifetime.

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Does Epilepsy strike at any particular age?

Epilepsy can strike anyone at any age. However, most persons who develop seizures during their formative years tend to experience a reduction in the intensity and frequency of their seizures as they grow older. In many cases the Epilepsy will disappear completely. 50% of all cases develop before 10 years of age.

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Does Epilepsy occur more in some cultures?

Epilepsy occurs more frequently in some cultures. In Tanzania, 4% of the population experiences severe seizure disorders. In this case, genetic predisposition to lower seizure thresholds is known to exist. In Canada, 1-2% of the population has Epilepsy.

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Types of Seizures

Are there different types of seizures?

Many varieties of epileptic seizures occur, and frequency and form of attacks vary greatly from person to person. With modern methods of treatment, however, most cases can be fully controlled. Because there are so many nuances in Epilepsy and so many different kinds of seizures, a specific classification system is being promoted by the International League Against Epilepsy. The International Classification of Epilepsy Seizures has been adopted by the medical community and is gradually replacing outdated seizure terminology including “grand mal” and “petit mal”.

The new classification scheme describes two major types of seizures: “partial” and “generalized”. It also divides each of these categories into subcategories including simple partial, complex-partial, absence, tonic-clonic, and other types.

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What is the difference between partial and general seizures?

The distinction between “partial” and “generalized” seizures is the most important feature of the new classification system. If the excessive electrical discharge in the brain is limited to one area, the seizure is partial. If the whole brain is involved, it is generalized. In all, there are over 30 different seizure types. Therefore, the new classification format subdivides the partial and generalized Epilepsies into a number of different categories.

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What are partial seizures?

Partial seizures (formerly known as focal seizures) with elementary symptomology are often referred to a simple partial. During this type of seizure the patient can experience a range of strange or unusual sensations including sudden, jerky movements of one body part, distortions in hearing or seeing, stomach discomfort, or a sudden sense of fear. Consciousness is not impaired. If another seizure type follows, these sensations may be referred to as an “aura”.

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What are complex partial seizures?

Complex-partial seizures (formerly psychomotor or temporal lobe Epilepsy) are characterized by a complicated motor act involving impaired consciousness. During the seizure the patient appears dazed and confused. Purposeless behaviors such as random walking, mumbling, head turning, or pulling at clothing may be observed. Usually, these so-called “automatisms” cannot be recalled by the patient. In children this seizure may consist of staring or lip-smacking, and therefore may be confused with the absence seizure described below.

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What are absence (petit mal) seizures?

Generalized absence seizures (formerly petit mal) are characterized by 5 to 15 second lapses in consciousness. During this time the patient appears to be staring into space and the eyes may roll upwards. Absences are not preceded by an aura and activity can be resumed immediately afterwards. Typically, they occur in children and disappear by adolescence. They may, however, evolve into other seizure types, such as complex-partial or tonic-clonic. The occurrence of absences in adulthood are rare.

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What are tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures?

The tonic-clonic (formerly grand mal) seizure is a generalized convulsion involving two phases. In the tonic phase, the individual loses consciousness and falls, and the body becomes rigid. In the clonic period, the body extremities jerk and twitch. After the seizure, consciousness is regained slowly. If the tonic-clonic seizure begins locally (with a partial seizure) it may be preceded by an “aura”. These seizures are said to be secondarily generalized. While the tonic-clonic seizure is the most visible, obvious type of Epilepsy, it is not the most common. Partial seizures are more frequently encountered and occur in 62% of all Epilepsy patients. Complex-partial seizures account for approximately 30% all cases.

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What are other types of seizures?

Benign rolandic epilepsy is an epileptic syndrome occurring in young children that is age limited (you stop having seizures in the teen years) . Salivation, twitching of the mouth or upper extremity on one side are typical manifestations. Seizures occur almost exclusively nocturnally.

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is an epilepsy characterized by onset in childhood or adolescence and is associated with extremity jerking or generalized tonic clonic seizures (’grand mal’) within an hour or two of wakening from sleep. Seizures which may be precipitated by sleep deprivation, alcohol intake or coffee (strange) tend to occur in the morning.

Pleases contact your local Epilepsy association or clinic for additional information. Other seizure terms include: Atonic (Drop Attacks), Myclonic, Infantile Spasms, Nocturnal, Photosensitive, Visual, Musicogenic, Jacksonian, Sensory, Bilateral Myclonus, Atkinetic, Autonomic, Prolonged seizures, and Ictal State.

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What are “status” seizures?

Status epilepticus is the term used to describe recurrent seizures without recovery of consciousness between attacks. This is a medical emergency and can be life threatening, or cause brain damage. Immediate action to get the necessary medical care should be taken.

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What are pseudoseizures?

Psuedoseizures (or psychogenic seizures) are quite common and can occur in people who have, or do not have, Epilepsy. The attacks are triggered by a conscious or unconscious desire for more care and attention. The seizures start with rapid breathing, triggered by mental stress, anxiety, or pain. As the person breaths rapidly, they build up carbon dioxide in their body and change their chemistry. This can cause symptoms very much like Epileptic seizures: prickling in the face, hands, and feet, stiffening, trembling, etc. The appropriate treatment for pseudoseizures is to calm the person and start them breathing at a normal rate. Treatment should also involve investigating the mental and emotional factors that led to the psuedoseizure.

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How do you distinguish epileptic seizures from pseudoseizures?

Epileptic seizures and pseudoseizures are distinguishable both by their nature and symptoms, but the diagnosis can be difficult. Epileptic seizures are caused by a change in how the brain cells send electrical signals to each other, while pseudoseizures are triggered by a conscious or unconscious desire for more care and attention. Thus, measuring brain activity with an EEG and video telmetry is important for distinguishing epileptic and pseudoseizures. Also, pseudoseizures often lack the exhaustion, confusion, and nausea that is associated with epileptic seizures. Psychogenic seizures can occur in people who also experience epileptic seizures.

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Can seizures occur if a person does not have Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic condition of recurrent unprovoked seizures. Isolated seizures and provoked seizures (e.g., drug or alcohol induced) are not Epilepsy even though the events are real seizures. There are many types of non-epileptic seizures. Non-epileptic seizures differ from epileptic seizures in that there is usually no evidence of abnormal electrical activity in the brain after the seizure, and they do not occur repeatedly. Some of the more common causes of non-epileptic seizures are: low blood sugar, fainting, heart disease, stroke, migraine headaches, kinked blood vessels, narcolepsy, withdrawal, and extreme stress or anxiety.

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What are the seizures like?

The nature of the seizures varies depending upon the type of Epilepsy the individual has. Some seizures may be very noticeable while some may go completely unrecognized. With the most common types of seizures there is some loss of consciousness, but some seizures may only involve small movements of the body or strange feelings. The different seizures types have certain characteristics that accompany them.

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What does it feel like to have a seizure?

Epilepsy is a broad classification for a wide variety of seizures, so different people’s seizures can be very different. Common feelings associated with seizures include uncertainty, fear, physical and mental exhaustion, confusion, and memory loss. Some types of seizures can produce visual and auditory phenomena, while others can involve a “blank” feeling. If a person is unconscious during a seizure there may be no feeling at all. Many people also experience an “aura” before the seizure itself.

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How long do the seizures last?

Depending on the type of seizure, they can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. In rare cases, seizures can last many hours. For example, a tonic-clonic seizure typically lasts 1-7 minutes. Absence seizures may only last a few seconds, while complex partial seizures range from 30 seconds to 2-3 minutes. “Status Epilepticus” refers to prolonged seizures that can last for many hours, and this can be a serious medical condition. In most cases, however, seizures are fairly short and little first aid is required.

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Is there such a thing as a “minor” case of Epilepsy?

There are over 30 types of seizures, and some types are more severe than others. Long tonic-clonic convulsions, for example, can produce more physical and mental effects than shorter partial seizures. Some people may experience very frequent seizures (every few hours), while others can go for months or years without a seizure. Also, some seizures are easily controlled by drug therapies, while others may continue regardless of the medication that is tried.

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Causes and Triggers

What causes Epilepsy

• Head injury that causes scaring of the brain tissue.
• Trauma at birth, or high fever.
• Excessively rough handling or shaking of infants.
• Certain drugs or toxic substances when administered in large doses.
• Interruption of blood flow to the brain caused by stroke, tumor, or certain cardiovascular problems.
• Diseases which alter the balance of blood or its chemical structure, or diseases that damage the nerve cells in the brain.

When physicians can identify the underlying disorder, such as those mentioned above, the condition is referred to as “Symptomatic” Epilepsy. In some cases, however, the underlying disorder can’t be identified and this is called “Idiopathic” Epilepsy.

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Is Epilepsy inherited?

In most cases Epilepsy is not inherited. In a few cases the tendency towards Epilepsy might be inherited, but even with this tendency certain conditions must exist in the brain before a person will experience epileptic seizures. It is most unlikely that children will inherit the disorder.

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Is Epilepsy contagious?

Epilepsy is in no way contagious. No one can get the disorder by talking to, kissing, or touching somebody with Epilepsy. Epilepsy can only be transmitted through hereditary transfer. Epilepsy that runs in families suggests an underlying metabolic or genetic etiology, and this is the least common of all Epilepsy causes.

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Is it caused by a virus?

Epilepsy can be the result of an infection or disease. Some conditions known to have a risk of resulting in Epilepsy are meningitis, viral encephalitis, and less frequently mumps, measles, diphtheria, and abscesses.

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Can certain things trigger seizures?

In some cases, epileptic seizures can be triggered by things that happen in the environment. Seizures can be triggered by flashing lights or sudden changes from dark to light (or vice versa). Other people can react to loud noises or monotonous sounds, or even certain musical notes. It is important for people with Epilepsy to learn what kinds of events can trigger seizures for them.

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Can seizures be triggered by flashing lights?

“Photosensitive Epilepsy” is the name given to a form of the disorder where seizures are triggered by flickering or flashing lights. Though it occurs more frequently in girls aged 6-12, it can occur at any age and regardless of gender.

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Can certain foods or drinks cause seizures?

People with Epilepsy should have regular meals at regular intervals and pay attention to what they eat and drink. Prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as food additives, may interact with anti-convulsant drugs. Alcohol can lower seizure thresholds.

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Can lack of sleep cause seizures?

Excessive sleep deprivation can lower seizure thresholds and possibly result in a seizure. Lack of sleep is known to be an important precipitating factor in causing seizures. Other factors that can lower seizure thresholds are high fever, increased excitement, and changes in body chemistry. It is important for people with Epilepsy to learn what kinds of events can trigger seizures for them.

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Can low blood sugar trigger seizures?

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can induce epileptic-type seizures. This condition can be caused by diet or by drugs such as insulin. This is not really Epilepsy since it is not recurrent seizures that are due to abnormal brain activity. Here the seizures are directly caused by the blood sugar levels.

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Can Nutrasweet (Aspartame) trigger seizures?

In 1984, there were 3 reports about large amounts of Aspartame causing a lowering of the seizure threshold and therefore increasing seizure activity. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta did a review of this and were unable to find any cause or effect relationship at normal doses. More recently, Aspartame has been found to be unsuitable for some children with generalized absence Epilepsy. A Queen’s University study looked at the brain-wave patterns in 10 children and the effects of the artificial sweetener “Nutrasweet”. A 40% increase in abnormal brain-wave activity associated with absence seizures was found in this study. However, there was no effect on the actual number of seizures. Research on this topic is continuing.

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Does alcohol affect seizures?

Alcohol can raise and then lower the seizure threshold, and thus increases the tendency to have a seizure. More important are interactions between alcohol and seizure medicines. Also, some drugs of abuse, especially cocaine and amphetamines, can cause seizures. Some prescription medications when taken in large doses can also bring on seizures.

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First Aid for Seizures

How can I help someone who is having a seizure?

The appropriate behavior for helping someone who has a seizure depends on the type of seizure it is. While a person experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure may require some first aid, in most cases there is little that can be done.

Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal)

This type of seizure is often the most dramatic and frightening, but it is important to realize that a person undergoing an epileptic seizure is usually unconscious and feels no pain. The seizure usually lasts only a few minutes, and the person does not need medical care. These simple procedures should be followed:

1. Keep calm. You cannot stop a seizure once it has started. Let the seizure run its course. Do not try to revive the person.
2. Ease the person to the floor and loosen clothing.
3. Try to remove any hard, sharp, or hot objects that might injure the person. It may be necessary to place a cushion or soft item under their head.
4. Turn the person on his or her side, so that the saliva can flow from the mouth.
5. Do NOT put anything in the person’s mouth.
6. After the seizure the person should be allowed to rest or to sleep if necessary.
7. After resting most people carry on as before. If the person is not at home and still seems groggy, weak, or confused, it may be better to accompany them home.
8. In the case of a child having a seizure, contact a parent or guardian.
9. If the person undergoes a series of convulsions, with each successive one occurring before he or she has fully recovered consciousness, or a single seizure lasting longer than 10 minutes, you should immediately seek medical assistance.

Absence (Petit Mal)

• No first aid is required.
• Complex-Partial (Psychomotor or Temporal Lobe)
• Do NOT restrain the person. Protect him or her by moving sharp or hot objects away.
• If wandering occurs, stay with the person and talk quietly.

Simple-Partial (Focal)

• No first aid is required.

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What if my child has a seizure during his sleep?

Children are usually awakened by seizures that occur while they sleep. Thus, a parent of a child with a known seizure disorder is usually aware when their child has seizures during the night. Only in those rare cases where a child vomits or experiences other problems during a seizure is there a need to worry.

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Diagnosis

How is Epilepsy diagnosed?

The diagnosis and evaluation of Epilepsy requires the physician to know all about the seizures – when they started, the patient’s appearance before, during, and after a seizure, and any unusual behavioral occurrences. A background of the family’s health history is also useful. In addition, an electroencephalogram (EEG) may help detect areas of increased nerve cell activity.

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What types of doctors can diagnose and treat Epilepsy?

Any licensed physician is qualified to treat Epilepsy. There are doctors who specialize in neurological disorders, and these neurologists can be found practicing in many hospitals and private practices. Epidemiologist may work in an Epilepsy clinic, as well as in private practices. Usually a referral is required from another physician in order to see a Neurologists and Epidemiologist Some people also consult alternative health practitioners who specialize in holistic healing, acupuncture, or chiropractic treatments.

Often, the first doctor to diagnose Epilepsy is the family doctor. Most of them have had some experience with it, and will be the one to refer a person with Epilepsy to a specialist initially. Pediatricians are also well aware of Epilepsy, since about two-thirds of all Epilepsy occurs before the age of 14. A neurologist has specialized training in the disorders of the brain and nervous system. A neurosurgeon, psychiatrist, or psychologist may also get involved if the circumstances require them.

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Can a person with Epilepsy have a false negative EEG?

An EEG measures the electrical activity on the surface of the brain. An EEG may appear to be normal if the abnormal electrical activity is occurring deeper in the brain than the EEG is able to monitor.

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Can a person have a false positive EEG for Epilepsy?

Many people who do not have Epilepsy may have some “epileptiform” activity on an EEG. However, this does not prove that they have a seizure disorder. Reading EEG’s is a highly skilled activity, and a diagnosis of Epilepsy is based on the clinical picture as well as the EEG. Other tests, such as CT scans and MRI scans, may be performed to confirm any findings.

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Is my child having absence seizures or just day dreaming?

A child having an absence seizure may appear to the onlooker as if they are day dreaming or just staring into space. What may be happening is a sudden period of altered consciousness. To be able to tell the difference, close observations might have to be done. Usual behavioral characteristics of a absence seizure may include: eye blinking, chewing of the mouth, and perhaps a slight rhythmic movement of the facial muscles, head, or arms. During the seizure the child may not respond to verbal or physical stimulation. Immediately after the seizure, the child is able to resume normal activity. If you observe unusual behavior in your child, a visit to a neurologist should be arranged through your family doctor.

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What conditions are sometimes mis-diagnosed as Epilepsy?

Seizures occurring as a result of alcohol withdrawal, fever, or hypoglycemia can be mistaken for Epilepsy. Other causes of seizures that do not indicate Epilepsy are strokes, migraine headaches, calcified blood vessels, narcolepsy, and psychogenic or pseudoseizures.

Can seizures go un-noticed?

The symptoms of seizures are not always noticeable for on-lookers or for the person who is experiencing the seizure. Seizure may result in rigidity in the body, convulsions, chewing of the mouth, unusual behaviors, or loss of consciousness. Some symptoms may be less apparent, such as disorientation or unusual sensations. Milder symptoms do not mean that the seizure is of less importance.

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Treatments

Is there a cure for Epilepsy?

There is no known “cure” for Epilepsy. Medications can often control seizures, but they are not a cure. Some forms of Epilepsy occur only in childhood, and the person is said to have outgrown the seizures. In some cases there is a spontaneous remission of the seizure disorder. Sometimes, surgery to remove the part of the brain in which the seizures originate can produce a complete and permanent stop to seizures.

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Is it fatal?

Epilepsy itself can cause death if prolonged repeated seizures (”status epilepticus”) are not treated properly. Such deaths are very rare, however. More common is death due to hazards or accidents that occur when someone has a seizure unexpectedly in a potentially dangerous situation.

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What kinds of treatments are available?

When a physician diagnoses Epilepsy, a specific treatment can be recommended. The treatment prescribed by the physician is designed to control the seizures and help the patient to carry on a healthy life, participating in all normal activities, including most sports. The two major kinds of treatments are drug therapy and surgery.

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Are there drug treatments for Epilepsy?

Treatment of Epilepsy is primarily through the use of special anti-convulsive drugs. There are many different types of these drugs, and the type prescribed will depend upon the particular needs of the individual. The drugs are prescribed either alone or in a combination. The various drugs or combination of drugs control different types of seizures.

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How do drugs work to control seizures?

The drugs used to control seizures are called anticonvulsants. How they stop the seizures, change the seizure threshold, or prevent electrical discharges from occurring is not fully known. The neurochemical basis for their action is also unknown. Research has shown that some of the drugs can block the spread of abnormally fast nerve impulses in the brain, while others can increase the flow of chloride ions, which stabilize the nerve cells. Research is still being done in this area.

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What drugs are used to treat Epilepsy?

There are many different drugs used to treat Epilepsy. Some of the more common ones are: Tegretol (carbamazepine), Dilantin (phenytoin), Mysoline (primidone), Epival (valproate), Frisium (clobazam), Rivotril (clonazepam), Mogadon (nitrazepam), Phenobarbitol, Depakene (valproic acid), Zarontin (ethosuximide), Neurontin (gabapentin), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Sabril (vigabatrin). There are also many new drugs under development.

The choice of drug is determined by the type of seizure, the side effects of the drugs, and the age and health of the person. Often a number of drugs, and combinations of drugs, have to be tried until the seizures are brought under control.

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How effective are the drug treatments?

Most epileptic seizures are controlled by special anti-convulsive drugs prescribed by a physician. About 50 per cent of those who take this medication will have their seizures eliminated; 30 per cent will have their seizures reduced in intensity and frequency to the point where they can live and work normally. The remaining 20 per cent are either resistant to the medication, or else they require such large dosages of the drug to control the seizures that it is preferable to accept partial control.

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Do these drugs have side effects?

Many medications for Epilepsy have side effects. These can range from mild to severe, and will differ depending on the drug and dosage. Some of the more common side effects of anti-epileptic drugs are:

drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, irritability, and hyperactivity.

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What is a “blood level”?

“Blood level” refers to the amount of anticonvulsant in the blood. It is measured with a simple blood test and is used to help determine if a patient’s symptoms may be due to toxicity or to side effects of medication. It is also used to determine if the patient is taking enough medication to prevent seizures. The therapeutic range for different anti-convulsants has been determined by testing blood levels in thousands of patients whose seizures are controlled and who are not experiencing toxic effects.

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What are the symptoms of too high a drug level?

Too high of a drug level may cause a person to experience side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, breakthrough seizures, unsteadiness, and nausea. This may require a reduction in dosage or a change to a different medication.

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How much do the drugs cost?

The cost of the anticonvulsant drugs will depend on the dosage levels needed, the drug being used, and the amount in each prescription. There is usually a difference in price between a drug’s brand name and its generic equivalent. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic one is available for you to use, and if it is appropriate.

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Is it necessary for all people with Epilepsy to be on medication?

Treatment of Epilepsy is primarily through the use of anticonvulsive drugs. There are many different types of drugs and the type prescribed will depend upon the particular seizure pattern of the individual. If someone has been seizure free for several years, the doctor may decide to slowly withdraw the medication.

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When is surgery used to treat Epilepsy?

Surgery is used only when medication fails and only in a small percentage of cases where the injured brain tissue causing the seizures is confined to one area of the brain and can be safely removed without damaging personality or functions.

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What is the likelihood that my child will outgrow a seizure disorder?

The likelihood of a child outgrowing a seizure disorder is difficult to answer. Sometimes children do outgrow Epilepsy, while for others the seizures may stay the same or intensify with age. Some people experience the same type of seizures throughout their lifetime. Some epilepsies are known to almost always remit (for example, Benign Rolandic Epilepsy or Epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and rolandic seizures), some are known to usually remit (e.g., childhood absence) and some are known to almost never remit (e.g., Juvenile Myoclonic epilepsy). The medical community cannot predict who will continue to have seizures and who will not, but they feel that the sooner Epilepsy is diagnosed, the better it can be controlled.

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Do non-traditional approaches help?

Some people with Epilepsy have tried many different approaches to improve their seizure control. In some cases, the person feels that they have experienced improvement. However, scientific studies have not been conducted into most non-traditional approaches. Techniques known to reduce stress or improve overall health may be helpful to some people. Other techniques that have been tried are biofeedback, diets, acupuncture, and meditation.

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Does transcendental meditation have any effect on Epilepsy?

The medical community has not determined if things such as transcendental meditation have any real effect on Epilepsy. It has been shown that when people know what is happening at a given moment, some can influence the automatic processes of the body. With biofeedback, some people can moderate and possibly change certain functions thought to be involuntary, such as the rhythm of their brain waves, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. The significance of this for Epilepsy is not known.

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Does biofeedback help?

Biofeedback is the process of moderating, limiting or changing certain physiological functions previously thought to be involuntary, such as heart rate, blood pressure, brain waves, etc. For Epilepsy, a person could be given extensive biofeedback training and taught behavioral modification techniques through which he/she control certain physiological functions related to seizures. Biofeedback training can also be taught as a method of stress reduction. This in itself can reduce the frequency of seizures in some persons with stress related seizures. Further study is needed to ascertain the value of biofeedback in the treatment of Epilepsy. Non-medical approaches may improve seizure control in some persons, but should not be undertaken without the knowledge of the physician prescribing the anti-convulsants. Under no circumstances should anti-convulsants be stopped suddenly as this may precipitate prolonged and life-threatening seizures.

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Is there a special diet for people with Epilepsy?

Good nutritional habits and a healthy life style may assist in the maintenance of optimum seizure control. Experiencing a drastic weight change may mean that either a chemical or metabolic imbalance is occurring, and you should consult your physician. Though some anti-convulsants may cause nutrient deficiencies in some people, a well balanced diet will usually prevent this. Also see KETOGENIC DIET

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What is a ketogenic diet?

A ketogenic diet is very rich in lipids (fats) and oils, but low in proteins and carbohydrates. This unusually high intake of lipids and oils creates a condition in the body know as “ketosis”. The metabolic shift that is created increases the seizure threshold for some. This diet is also calory and liquid restricted. The Ketogenic diet is mainly effective in children. It requires careful preparation and strict adherence. Although it takes a significant commitment to be successful, many children have greater seizure control with this diet than with conventional (drug) therapies. Some are able to reduce or eliminate antiseizure medications. Careful medical supervision is essential when using this as a therapy.

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Living with Epilepsy

Can people living with Epilepsy lead normal lives?

Experience has shown that people with Epilepsy have fewer seizures if they lead normal active lives. This means they should be encouraged to find jobs, either full or part-time. People with any disabilities are now protected under amendments to the Human Rights Code (Canada). However, some jobs, because of the nature of technical equipment or machinery, may not be recommended for a person with Epilepsy. It is therefore most important for a young adult to work with the school guidance department to establish appropriate career goals.

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What can people with Epilepsy do to help their health?

Like any medical condition, Epilepsy is affected by the general health and well-being of the person affected. So, anything that can be done to improve the state of the person can have a positive effect on Epilepsy. This includes diet, exercise, rest, reducing stress, avoiding depression, and staying away from alcohol and illegal drugs.

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Who should know that I have Epilepsy?

Openness and honesty about Epilepsy is important. A child’s teacher should be informed about the type of seizure, what they look like, their frequency, and any first aid requirements. There are advantages and disadvantages to telling an employer. What you tell them may depend upon how comfortable you are discussing your Epilepsy, the kinds of seizures involved, and the type of job. An employer may ask if you have a medical problem that would make you unable to do your job, but they may not ask generally about your medication condition.

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Is there prejudice against people with Epilepsy?

While much progress has been made in reducing societal prejudice against Epilepsy, discrimination or rejection may also be a problem for the person with the seizures. In addition, family and friends may be overprotective or impose unnecessary restrictions. In the end, the person with seizures may lose confidence or feel “like a second class citizen”.

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Are there any problems having children?

Women who use seizure-controlling drugs must be careful when it comes to having children. There have been reported cases of birth defects for these women. While the “normal” rate of birth defects is 2-3% , women with epilepsy who are not taking medication have a slightly higher (1/2%) risk of malformations. Women on a single medication have a risk of about 6-7%, with some differences due to the particular medication involved. Multiple drug combinations drastically increase the risk.

This creates a problem because the drugs may create risks for the baby, but the need for anti-seizure drugs remains during pregnancy. Seizures may even be more frequent during pregnancy, and harm both the baby and the mother.

A doctor may decide to change or reduce a woman’s medication if she plans to become pregnant. In some cases, however, the doctor may recommend that the risks of pregnancy are too great for the mother and child. Any changes in medication must be considered carefully, and a woman should never adjust her own medication.

There are some special issues relating to maternal health during pregnancy for women with Epilepsy, and this may require special attention.

Finally, some seizure medications can lead to failures of oral birth control pills.

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Can medications for controlling Epilepsy harm a nursing baby?

Always check with your physician if you are on anticonvulsants and planning to breast feed. Although anticonvulsant medication has been measured in the breast milk of mothers with Epilepsy, the amount is usually too low to harm the child.

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Can people living with Epilepsy drive a car?

In Ontario, the situation is that anyone with a history of Epilepsy may drive a motor vehicle, provided the person’s physician certifies that he or she has been free from seizures for a minimum period of a year.

Each case is reviewed by a medical advisory committee. The situation may be different in your location. Ask your physician about it, or contact a driver examination Center

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Can people living with Epilepsy go swimming?

It is advised that before a person with Epilepsy goes swimming, they should consult their doctor. When a person with Epilepsy does go swimming, they should not do it alone (common water-safety advice for everyone). It is also recommended that swimming be done in a supervised pool rather than beaches, lakes, or rivers.

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Can Epilepsy lead to problems at school?

Longstanding seizure disorders may be associated with seizure-induced brain damage and memory problems. Also, children with Epilepsy may experience learning or concentration problems because of the neurological disorder or the medications.

If a child who has Epilepsy is having problems at school, either academically or socially, the teacher and the principal should be asked to help. If you would like your child to be tested by the school psychologist, arrange it through the principal. If your child is having academic problems, ask to see the Special Education Consultant for the area. In consultation with the child’s teacher, a modified program can be arranged if necessary. Children with Epilepsy should be allowed to take part in all regular school activities, including sports.

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Can Epilepsy cause emotional problems?

People with Epilepsy may develop depression for both biological and social reasons. Some longstanding poorly controlled seizure disorders may be associated with chronic personality changes. Also, or short durations following temporal lobe seizures some patients may have emotional “swings” or other thinking difficulties.

While Epilepsy is a medical problem, the person with the seizures must also make a number of emotional adjustments. The first challenge is acceptance of the diagnosis. Initially people with Epilepsy and their families may experience shock or denial. Anger, fear, and depression are also common. However, with information and support, people with Epilepsy can understand the condition and develop positive coping strategies.

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Can Epilepsy lead to problems with self-esteem?

It is important to remember that people with Epilepsy can, and do, live full, productive lives. If self-esteem becomes a problem, open discussion with supportive friends, family, or a professional counsellor can help you develop new ways of coping and a new sense of hope.

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Working With Epilepsy

What occupations are not appropriate for people with Epilepsy?

Given that they are trained with appropriate sets of skills and/or education, the vast majority of people with Epilepsy are capable of performing any job. Some exceptions to the rule are: occupations in the military, commercial airlines, and fire brigade as the lives of others may be endangered should a seizure occur. Consideration should be give to the type of seizures and how well they are controlled by medication.

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Can people with Epilepsy fly a plane?

Persons with Epilepsy may not be able to fly a plane. There are strict standards that must be met by anyone wanting to get their pilot’s license. Each person is individually assessed and must meet a regime of standards set up by the Civil Aviation Medical Center

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Is there a problem with job safety?

Employers hiring someone with Epilepsy are often concerned that job safety will be compromised in the event of an injury caused by a seizure in the workplace. One study revealed that the accident rate of workers with Epilepsy was lower than those employees without disabilities. Liability is not a factor as long as the employee has been placed in an appropriate job and reasonable accommodation is provided as necessary.

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Can an employer ask about Epilepsy on a job application?

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Chapter 53, Section 22(2)), it is illegal for an employer to ask about medical problems on the application form. A person with Epilepsy (or any other health problem) is not required to respond to any medical related question. A copy of the Ontario Human Rights Code and A Guild to the Ontario Human Rights Code is available by calling Access Ontario at (613) 238-3630.

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Can an employer ask about Epilepsy during a job interview?

In the Ontario Human Rights Codes (Chapter 53, Section 22(3)), nothing precludes the interviewer from asking questions about your health status, however it MUST relate to your ability to perform the essential duties of the job. They may ask “Do you have any medical problems that would make you unable to do the job?”, but they MAY NOT ask “Do you have any medical problems?” A copy of the Ontario Human Rights Code and A Guild to the Ontario Human Rights Code is available by calling Access Ontario at (613) 238-3630

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Can I be fired because I have Epilepsy

The Ontario Human Rights Code does not permit employers to fire an employee because they had a seizure at work, or have Epilepsy. Before a person is dismissed, the employer must show that “reasonable accommodation” (Chapter 53, Section 23(2)) has been made to help the person keep their job. Accommodations are determined by doing a physical demands analysis, which is a breakdown of the exact physical requirements necessary to perform the job. Access Ontario, at (613) 232-0489, will be able to provide you with more Ontario Human Rights Information.

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Can people with Epilepsy get social assistance?

A person who has Epilepsy may qualify for assistance to prepare for and to obtain employment under the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. Assistance may take the form of vocational assessment, counselling, academic, or technical training or job placement. Application should be made to the nearest office of the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, listed in the blue pages in the telephone directory.

A person who is severely disabled by seizures, and unable to compete in the work force, may apply for assistance under Ontario’s Benefits Program, often called GAINS-D. Application should be made to the nearest office of the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, listed in the Government of Ontario section of the blue pages on the telephone directory.

Two other kinds of financial assistance are available in Ontario, depending on a person’s income: General Assistance, usually referred to as welfare, is available for anyone in urgent need of financial aid. Special Assistance is for a person who is employed, but has extraordinary needs such as a high prescription drug costs. Application for each of these assistance programs should be made through the municipal social service department.

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Epilepsy and Other Disorders

Is Epilepsy related to other neurological problems?

Epilepsy is not necessarily associated with other neurological problems or learning disabilities. Occasionally, the source of the seizures may be reflected in other neurological deficits. Also, medication for seizures may cause sedations and thus decrease the rate of learning. People with Epilepsy have the same range of Intelligence as the general population.

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Is Epilepsy related to mental illness?

Epilepsy is not related to mental illness. Because of the involvement of the brain, Epilepsy has been mistakenly associated with psychiatric disorders. Epilepsy differs from psychiatric disorders in that seizures last for very brief periods and begin and end abruptly. Further, when not having seizures, people with Epilepsy need not have any changes in their mood or behavior

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Can Epilepsy affect intelligence?

Seizures can affect intelligence, so prompt diagnosis and rapid control of seizures is important. There is also a risk if seizures are prolonged and there is a significant reduction in oxygen in the brain during seizures. However, these are extremely rare occurrences. In the case of developmentally delayed persons with Epilepsy, it is most likely that the cause of the developmental delay is also the cause of the seizures. In most cases, people with Epilepsy have normal intelligence.

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Is there a link between memory loss and Epilepsy?

Some people with Epilepsy do experience a difficulty in recalling distant and recent events. Often, this is caused by the medications used to treat Epilepsy, or by regular seizure activity. People affected in this way can learn to compensate by using lists and reminders, and by creating an organized environment.

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Is Epilepsy related to asthma?

Asthma occurs in children with Epilepsy at about the same frequency as it occurs in the general population. Likewise, the reverse is also true. The drug theophylline can trigger seizures.

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Are there any diseases that persons with Epilepsy more prone to?

People with Epilepsy who are on medications may experience side effects that makes them more susceptible to other diseases and disorders. One common condition is Hyperplaxia, an over-growth of the gums caused by the drug Dilantin. Other common problems are liver dysfunction and depression.

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Miscellaneous

Do animals get Epilepsy?

Epilepsy can occur in animals. Like humans, Epilepsy in animals is really just abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

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Can dogs sense a seizure in humans before it strikes?

It is possible that some dogs are able to detect pre-seizure changes in the physiology of some people with Epilepsy before the person becomes aware of them. In many cases, the person with Epilepsy is aware of an aura before the onset of the main part of the seizure.

Not enough is known about how dogs can detect seizures before their onset to know exactly what sense(s) are involved in this detection. However, one might hypothesize that since dogs can detect chemical changes due to fear, seizures that are preceded by a sense of fear might also produce detectable changes.

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More Information

Where can I get more information about Epilepsy?

There are a number of information sources about Epilepsy. Here is a partial list, and I welcome suggestions for other things to be added here.

Additional information on the Ketogenic diet can be obtained from:

A support group for patients with Rasmussen’s encephalitis, a form of Epilepsy characterized by intractable seizures, eventual hemiplegia and dementia, is being started. Interested people should contact:

In many areas there are local associations that may be valuable to you.

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Q: What books are available on Epilepsy

• EPILEPSY AND THE FAMILY by Richard Lechtenberg. Harvard Univ. Press, 79 Garden Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138-1311
• LIVING WELL WITH EPILEPSY by Robert J. Gumnit, Demos Publications, 1990, 156 Fifth Ave, NY, NY 10010
• EPILEPSY AND YOU, by Frank O. Volle and Patricia A. Heron
• DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE EPILEPSY? by J.E. Jan, R.G. Ziegler, G. Erba, Austin PRO-ED Press, 5341 Industrial Oacks Blvd, Austin, TX 78735
• CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY: A PARENTS GUIDE, by Helen Reisner, Woodbine House, 5615 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852
• ONE MIRACLE AT A TIME, HOW TO GET HELP FOR YOUR DISABLED CHILD – FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER PARENTS, by Irving Dickman, PACER Center, Inc 4826 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
• THE EPISODE, by Richard Pollak * This one is listed as fiction
• HAVING EPILEPSY, THE EXPERIENCE AND CONTROL OF ILLNESS by Joseph Schneider and Peter Conrad, Temple Univ Press, Broad and Oxford Streets, Philadelphia, PA
• PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN EPILEPSY, SOCIAL DIMENSIONS by Steven Whitman and Bruce Hermann, Oxford University Press, 16-00 Pollitt Drive, Fair Lawn, NJ 07419-2799
• SEIZURES AND EPILEPSY IN CHILDHOOD: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS by John Freeman, EileenVining and Diana Pillas, The John Hopkins University Press, 701 West 40th St, Balitimore, MD 21211
• A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND LIVING WITH EPILEPSY, Orrin Devinsky, F.A. Davis Company, 1915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
• BRAINSTORMS: EPILEPSY IN OUR WORDS, by Steven Schachter, Raven Press 1185 Avenue of the Americans, NY, NY 10036
• THE BRAINSTORMS COMPANION: EPILEPSY IN OUR VIEW, by Steven Schachter, Raven Press, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10036
• THE EPILEPSY DIET TREATMENT: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE KETOGENIC DIET (Demos Press, 1994) by John Freeman, Millicent Kelly, and Jennifer Freeman
• CHALLENGE OF EPILEPSY by Sally Fletcher (Aura Publishing Company/20 Sunnyside Ave., #A150/Mill Valley, CA 94941)

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Where can I find information on the Internet about Epilepsy?

There are two Epilepsy-related mailing lists: “Epilepsy-List” is intended for general discussions about Epilepsy and seizure disorders. Most traffic is from people living with Epilepsy or their friends and family. The companion list, “Epilepsy-PRO” is intended for discussions about Epilepsy and seizure disorders by professionals working in this field. To find out about these lists, send mail to listserv@calvin.dgbt.doc.ca and include the command lines “info epilepsy-list” and/or “info epilepsy-pro”.

There is an Epilepsy Home Page on the web that has several links, including one for the Ketogenic Diet. The URL is http://www.swcp.com/~djf/epilepsy/index.html. The Ketogenic Diet link shows the URL http://www.swcp.com/~djf/epilepsy/ketogenic.html.

Mass General Hospital and Harvard sponsor a neuro forum where people can ask questions about seizure disorders, meds, etc. The address is http://dem0nmac.mgh.harvard.edu/neurowebforum and you may try http://dem0nmac.mgh.harvard.edu/epilepsy/epihome.html. [Note: that is a "zero" in the hostname: dem0nmac. -- ASP]

Another source of information is http://www.webcom.com/pleasant/sarah/epilepsy.html

The Charles A. Dana foundation, which has opened a website at http://www.dana.org/, supports brain research and school reform by means of grants and public education initiatives.

There’s a fairly extensive description of Depakote at http://www.fairlite.com/ocd/medications/depakote.shtml and this may be a good reference for information on many medications: http://www.fairlite.com/ocd/medications.

Another reference for drug information is also available: http://pharminfo.com/drugdb/db_mnu.html .

Canine Epilepsy: http://www.zmall.com/pet_talk/dog-faqs/epilepsy.html

The Epilepsy Society of Northwest Florida has a home page: http://www.cil.gulf.net/epil.html.

The Epilepsy Association of Metro Toronto also has a home page: http://www.interlog.com/~rutheamt.

Your Child and Neurosurgery contains several chapters on the surgical treatment of children with medically refractory epilepsy: http://peds-neuro-web.med.nyu.edu/.

Other sites people have mentioned:

• Epilepsy Support/Education Organizations: http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/ep-resrc.htm
• MGH Epilepsy Surgery: http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/epilepsy.htm
• Assorted Medical Links: http://soho.ios.com/~lewycky/medical.html
• SURGERY FOR EPILEPSY: http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/epil-nih.htm
• http://ccfadm.eeg.ccf.org/~tom/ cv.out
• AECOM/MMC Epilepsy Home Page: http://balrog.aecom.yu.edu/epilepsy/
• Neurosciences Internet Resource Guide: http://http2.sils.umich.edu/Public/nirg/nirg1.html
• Department of Neurological Surgery: http://www.neus.ccf.org/
• MCG-Neurology: http://www.neuro.mcg.edu/
• University Medical Center: http://www.ahsc.arizona.edu/umc.shtml
• Tammi’s Epilepsy Page: http://www.mndly.umn.edu/~chur/epilepsy.html
• JHMI-InfoNet: Patient Advocacy Groups: http://infonet.welch.jhu.edu/advocacy.html
• Neurology/Neuroscience: http://www.informatik.uni-rostock.de/HUM-MOLGEN/neurology/
• Yale Section of Neurosurgery: http://info.med.yale.edu/surgery/neurosur/
• UNM Neurosurgery Associates: http://spine.unm.edu/neurosurg/fac&res.html
• Basic Sciences: http://lnbd.uicomp.uic.edu/homepage/bs.htm
• PSI PET Program: http://pss023.psi.ch/
• About the CVRC: http://ceres.med.upenn.edu/www/cvrc.html
• http://www.med.stanford.edu/touchstone/listserv.html
• ftp://ftp.win-uk.net/pub/users/copernic/medical.resources
• http://www.ibmpcug.co.uk/~copernic/meda.htm
• Neuropsychology Central: http://www.premier.net/~cogito/neuropsy.html
• EpiNet: http://www.epinet.org.au/
• Andrew Patrick, Ph.D. andrew@calvin.dgbt.doc.ca
• http://debra.dgbt.doc.ca/~andrew/

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Choices For Treating Ear Infections

The Research is in… A Recent report looked at 158 patients, ages three months to six years old. All of the children had experienced at least three episodes of acute OM during the previous six months prior to the study. The study concluded that the use of antibiotics for treatment of ear infection do not prevent ear infection. “Routine use of amoxicillin prophylaxis should be discouraged.” (Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997; 16(4):376-81.) Pediatricians and family physicians prescribe over 500 million dollars worth of antibiotics per year for ear infections alone and another 500 million or other pediatriac illnesses. Yet, according to Erden Cantekin, M.D., former director of research at the University of Pittsburgh, “Recurrent rates of middle ear fluid were significantly higher in the antibiotic-treated group than in the placebo group. Children receiving amoxicillin for chronic middle are infections experienced two to six times the rate of recurrence.” K. Hark, “Corporate-Funded Research May Be Hazardous To Your Health,” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist 1989, 45:3. E.J. Cantekin, TW McGuire and TL Griffith, “Antimicrobial Therapy for Otitis Media With Effusion” (Secretory Otitis Media), JAMA 1991, 226 (23); 3309 – 3317. Pharynigitis and tonsillitis are among the worst-treated of all illnesses primarily because of the over prescription of antibiotics. J.C. Pechere, etal., Infections: Recognition, Understanding, Treatment (Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1984) 37. After Congressional hearings and numerous academic studies on this issue, it has become the general consensus that 40 to 60 percent of all antibiotics in this country are mis-prescribed. S.M. Wolfe, “Antibiotics, ” Washington D.C.: Health Letter (The Public Citizen Health Research Group,1989) 5, (7): 1-5. The overuse of antibiotics has created a new breed of bacteria, which is entirely resistant to antibiotics. The medical community has labeled them “Super-bacteria”. One “Super-bacteria” that is resistant to penicillin is Streptococcus Pneunomiae (PRSP) – which causes otitis media, a common childhood ear infection. MD’s on the use of Drugs… “Every drug increases and complicates the patients condition.”     Robert Henderson, M.D. “Every educated physician knows that most diseases are not appreciably helped my medicine.”   Richard C. Cabot, M.D. (Mass. Gen. Hospital) “Medical practice has neither philosophy nor common sense to recommend it. In sickness the body is already loaded with impurities. By taking drug – medicines more impurities are added thereby the case is further embarrassed and harder to cure.”     Elmer Lee, M.D., Past Vice-President, Academy of Medicine “The person who takes medicine must recover twice; once from the disease and once from the medicine.”     William Osler, M.D. Current research indicates that surgery is often futile. Studies actually show that the surgery has been performed on many children who did not meet the medical criteria for ear tube implantation. Researchers at the Department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., conducted a study on the medical appropriateness of ear tubes. Altogether, 6,611 children under the age of 16 were included in the study. All of the children had been recommended by their doctors to have ear tubes. An Expert panel concluded that only 41% of the subjects met appropriate criteria for ear tube insertion. (JAMA 1994; 271(16): 1250-5). The Power That Made Your Body Heals Your Body. God did not make you with too many parts nor did he leave you needing any additional body parts. God made you just right. Everything you need for optimal health and high performance healing you already have. You just don’t need any interference. Drugs and unnecessary surgery interfere with your body’s ability to heal.   “The Doctor of the Future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause of disease.” Thomas A. Edison Is CHIROPRACTIC The SOLUTION? You Make The Call … NEW HOPE FOR CHILDHOOD EAR INFECTION SUFFERERS The Beginning Of Chiropractic… In 1895 Dr. D.D. Palmer stated that if the body was working as God designed it to work, it would recover from illness and disease that previously could not be cured by medicine. Dr. Palmer also felt that if the body continued to function by natural design, it would not develop disease. He then showed proof that this could be done by aligning the spine. With the objective being to remove any and all interference to the Central Nervous System, the system that coordinates all body function. Research has proven people, especially children get well under Chiropractic. And now, more visits are made each year to natural health care providers than Medical Health Care Providers. CHIROPRACTIC is based on one thing, RESULTS . . . One study enrolled . A full 93% of the children recovered within 10 days of chiropractic care. Furthermore, 43% improved with only one or two visits. Another study of five children with chronic recurrent middle ear infections who had been under medical care for at least six months, but had failed to recover. All the children improved with no more than five visits to the chiropractor. (J Clin Chir Ped 1996; 1(2):66). According to a recent study of children between the ages of 27 days and five years old, chiropractic adjustments may, depending on the severity of the condition, resolve middle ear infections (otitis media) in a relatively short time. The role of the chiropractic adjustment in the care and treatment of 332 children with otitis media, by JM Fallon. Journal of Chiropractic Pediatrics, Oct. 1997; 2(2) pp 167-183. The odds that a child treated with chiropractic will get an ear infection are much less than that of a child treated by a medical doctor. Pediatricians would most likely put the children on a course of antibiotics to treat the infection, whereas chiropractic children would never be on antibiotics. The occurrence of infectious disease was significantly less among the children treated by a chiropractor. A Comparative Study, Wendy M. Breda The CAUSE of EAR INFECTION — SUBLUXATION… Many doctors believe that middle ear infections occur when a tiny muscle called the tensor veli palatini becomes dysfunctional. This muscle is innervated by nerves, as are all muscles. These particular nerves innervating the tensor veli palatini can be traced back to the spinal cord in the upper neck. These dysfunctional areas in the spine called SUBLUXATION may interfere with nerve flow to this muscle. By the problem can be corrected. Therefore, allowing the symptom (the ear infection) to heal naturally, the way god intended us to heal. We have found that 100% of the children that come in to our office with ear infections have misalignments in their spine (SUBLUXATION). 90% of all these children have misalignment or subluxation of the first vertabrae (Atlas). The misalignment or subluxation is usually caused by the birthing process or postural strain. The particular subluxation patterns associated with ear infections cause a blockage or interference with the Eustachian tubes and/or some of the lymphatics. The result is interference with the lymphatic system. This prevents normal drainage of the middle ear. Then ear infection is the result of the blockage. Instead of treating the ear infection which is the effect of the blockage. Doctors of Chiropractic go to the root of the problem. Which is what is causing the blockage or the interference – the subluxation. Once the subluxation is reduced, the ears begin to function properly again and normal drainage begins. Then when the subluxation is corrected children do not in most cases get ear infections again. Chiropractic is the safest and most effective way to eliminate ear infections.   Call us today to start your child on the road to excellent health!   PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR EAR INFECTIONS Subluxation Check-Up - The goal is to prevent ear infections from happening in the first place. Your child should be checked by a chiropractor for subluxation regardless of symptoms. Consider this type of check-up similar to the type of check-up your medical doctor gives your child. A simple painless check-up can ensure your family that your child is on the road to excellent health and it only takes a few minutes. Take advantage of our special offer. Breast Feeding – Studies show that breast feeding bolsters an infant’s immune system and cans prevent ear infection. A study in the journal pediatrics followed 306 babies. Six-month old infants who were fed exclusively by breast-feeding were half as likely to experience a first episode of otitis media, compared with babies who were fed formula. (Pedriatics 1997; 100(4):E7). LIMIT Dairy intake – Dairy consumption may increase your child’s risk of ititis media (Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1992;25(1):197-211). Consequently, your chiropractor may recommend a dairy-free diet for your child. Stay smoke-free – Research indicates that children who are exposed to cigarette smoke get more ear infections than children who grow up in a smoke-free enviroment (Pediatr Dent 1998; 20(5):327-30). So, if you smoke, quit – or at the very least, make sure to smoke outside and far away from your child. In addition, avoid bringing your child into smoke filled homes or resturants.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a disorder that results from injury to the median nerve as it passes from the forearm into the hand through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. As the nerve passes through the tunnel, it is susceptible to repetitive stress injury (RSI) or overuse injury.

Joints of the body can lose their normal motion and position. When joint function is impaired, there is a reduced range of motion, inflammation, calcium buildup and scar tissue. This can be caused by repetitive motions, improper sitting, overextension, slips, falls, accidents, and other causes.

Awareness of these types of problems has become more common with terms like “tennis elbow”, “runner’s knee”, “frozen shoulder”, and “carpal tunnel syndrome”. Traditional treatment includes the wearing of splints to control excess movement, over the counter or prescription drugs to reduce inflammation and pain, and a more drastic approach: surgery. A more common sense approach is the natural way. A combination of chiropractic, supplementation and physical therapy is a much more effective way to treat CTS as well as many other repetitive motion injuries

Symptoms

• A tingling or numb feeling in the hand, usually just in the thumb and first three fingers.

• Shooting pains in the wrist or forearm, and sometimes extending to the shoulder, neck and chest, or foot.

• Difficulty clenching the fist or grasping small objects.

• Sometimes, dry skin and fingernail deterioration.

These symptoms are noticed especially after the regular workday, or when you’re ready to go to sleep, or on wakening. Left untreated, the symptoms progress to persistent pain and aching in the hand, that can extend to the elbow and shoulder. Often, the earliest sign of CTS is failure to feel textures or touch. CTS can eventually lead to the inability to grip things firmly and to significant weakness and wasting of the muscles of the hand controlled by the median nerve. If you experience similar tingling and numbness in your feet, ankles and lower legs, the condition is called tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Many people think CTS came in with the computer keyboard. In fact, injuries to the carpal tunnel and other major nerve passages have been around a long time; but with so many fingers tapping away at computer keyboards, the problem is more widespread than ever. The same symptoms can develop from any repetitive manual activity.

CTS and other forms of RSI are most common in middle age and tend to affect women more than men, especially if the women are overweight, pregnant or menopausal. Whether the causes are systemic or the result of repetitive stress, most injuries to the carpal and tarsal tunnels are easily prevented and entirely correctable if recognized early. The critical factor in injuries involving repetitive stress is for the patient to stop or change the activity that brings on the discomfort. Failure to do so can result in permanent, irreversible damage to the nerves and muscles in the hand, wrist or other parts of the body.

Asthma is one of the leading causes of chronic and acute illnesses in children. It is triggered by chemical allergens such as, pollen, animals, dust and also exposure to cold and other stress factors and usually has its onset in the first five years of life.

Medical treatments usually include anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator drugs. These drugs tend to lose effectiveness over time and need to be increased. Children on these medications are often depressed or drowsy from the side effects and are not able to live normal, active lives. Parents do not like to see their children live like this and will often “resort” to chiropractic. The majority of children with asthma treated by chiropractors are found to have improper curvatures in the thoracic spine. When the misalignment is corrected and managed properly, these children have a chance to live normal lives without medication.

Asthma Study: Shots Alone Don’t Work

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boston – Allergy shots, a mainstay of asthma treatment since the turn of the century, appear to be worthless for many youngsters. A major new study found the shots do nothing for children with moderate to severe year-round asthma who are already taking standard medicines. Asthma is caused by allergic reactions to a variety of substances, such as grass pollen, dust mites and cockroaches. To fight it, doctors often give gradually increased injections of the allergy-causing substances. The goal is to prompt the body to make antibodies that will block future reactions. Researchers began rigorously testing this approach, known as immunothearapy, in the “This doesn’t mean the treatment is ineffective. But it means that in children who are getting adequate medical care, including avoidance of allergenic substances in the home, adding immunotherapy doesn’t do what we had hoped.” The study dealt only with the use of allergy shots for asthma, not for other allergy problems for which they are given. For instance, doctors often administer allergy shots to relieve the itchy eyes and runny nose of chronic hay fever as well as to prevent life- threatening reactions to bee stings. The results were published in today’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was conducted on 121 youngsters with year-round moderate to severe asthma who required daily medication. They were randomly assigned to receive 2 1/2 years of allergy shots or placebos. One-third of the youngsters receiving the shots got better, but so did one-third of those in the comparison group.

ASTHMA DRUGS AND SIDE EFFECT

The traditional medical treatment for asthma is anti- inflammatory and bronchodilator drugs. In some cases, treatment included syrups such as Preventils, which is usually prescribed on a “taken as needed” basis. The combination of the drugs above promotes drowsiness and may be habit forming. A patient denied of medication feels they can not breathe properly without it, thus becoming irritable. In some cases they become so irritable that they bring on an asthma attack.

ASTHMA SHOTS INEFFECTIVE

Allergy shots used as treatment of asthma in children appears to be ineffective. Studies have proven there were no significant benefits with the shots given to children with moderate to severe asthma.

Dr. N. Franklin Adkinson Jr., John Hopkins University

IF DRUGS ARE THE ANSWER, WHY ARE OUR NATION’S CHILDREN GETTING SICKER AND SICKER?

“Intelligence is present everywhere in our bodies … our own inner intelligence is far superior to any we can try to substitute from the outside.”

Deepak
Chopra M.D.

The Five Most Dangerous Words:

“Maybe it will go away!”

Chiropractic Care

Asthma and Allergies: A Closer Look

Protect Your Child From Asthma

Your Immune System

ADD

ADHD

Symptoms in Infants and Young Children

• Crying inconsolably
• Screaming
• Restlessness
• Poor or little sleep
• Difficult feeding
• Refuses affection and cuddles
• Head banging or rocking fits or temper tantrums

Symptoms in Older Children

• Impulsiveness
• Clumsiness
• Constantly moving
• Destructive or disruptive behavior
• Accident proneness
• Bouts of fatigue, weakness and listlessness
• Aggressiveness
• Poor concentration ability
• Vocal repetition and loudness
• Withdrawn behavior
• Restlessness
• School failure despite normal or high IQ
• Poor sleep with nightmares
• Poor appetite and erratic eating habits
• Poor coordination Irritable, uncooperative, disobedient, self-injurious, nervous, very moody or depressed
• Hypersensitive to odors, lights, sound, heat and cold
• Nose and skin picking or hair pulling
• Bed wetting (enuresis)
• Dark circles or puffiness below the eyes
• Red earlobes or red cheeks
• Swollen neck glands or fluid behind ear drums

Rona M.D., Zoltan Childhood Illness and the Allergy Connection (Rocklin, California: Prima Publishing, 1997)

Potential Causes

Many natural health oriented doctors believe that potential causes for the modern epidemic of Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD) and hyperactivity are:

• Food additives
• Refined sugar
• Poor nutrition
• Natural light deficiency
• Food allergies
• Heavy metal toxicity (such as lead, mercury, or cadmium)
• Poor teaching methods combined with lack of discipline

Food Additives

The belief that food additives can cause hyperactivity in children stemmed from the research of Benjamin Feingold, M.D. It is commonly referred to as the Feingold Hypothesis. According to Feingold, perhaps 40 to 50 percent of hyperactive children are sensitive to artificial food colors, flavors, and preservatives. They may also be sensitive to naturally occurring salicylates and phenolic compounds in foods.

The Fraud of Child Psychiatry, ADD/ADHD, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Ritalin.

“…This elementary fact makes the child psychiatrist one of the most dangerous enemies not only of children, but also of adults who care for the two precious and most vulnerable things in life – children and liberty. Child psychology and child psychiatry cannot be reformed. They must be abolished.” – Thomas Szasz M.D., Cruel Compassion.

“The pediatrician’s wanton prescription of powerful drugs indoctrinates children from birth with the philosophy of ‘a pill for every ill’.”… “Doctors are directly responsible for hooking millions of people on prescription drugs. They are also indirectly responsible for the plight of millions more who turn to illegal drugs because they were taught at an early age that drugs can cure anything – including psychological and emotional conditions – that ails them. ” – Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D., How to Raise a Healthy Child…In Spite of Your Doctor.

Does You Child Have A.D.D.?

What Every Parent Needs To Know About A.D.D.

Talking Back To Ritilan

Immunize Your Child Against A.D.D.

Dealing With Attention Deficit Disorder

Studies

Results of 2 separate studies reveal that hyperactivity, and other behavioral conditions respond well to chiropractic care and even exceed results seen from medication.

Walton EV. The effects of chiropractic treatment on students with learning and behavior impairments due to neurological dysfunction. Int. Rev Chiro 1975; 29:4-5, 24-6

Giesen JM; Center DB; Leach RA. An evaluation of chiropractic manipulation as a treatment of hyperactivity in children. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989; 12(5): 353-63 / Medline ID: 90111454

There exists a positive relationship between cranial motion restrictions and learning disabled children, as well as children with a history of an obstetrically complicated delivery. Upledger JE, The relationship of craniosacral examination findings in grade school children with developmental problems., J Am Osteopath Assoc 1978; 77(10):760-76 / Medline ID: 78193624

Children with ADHD and coordination problems were more than twice as likely to have a mother who smoked during gestation, compared with children who did not have ADHD. Many subjects with ADHD also experienced language problems (65% compared to 16% of children without the disorder). The study evaluated 113 6-year olds, including 62 who had been diagnosed with ADHD plus deficits in motor control and perception.

Landgren M, Kjellman B, Gillberg C. Attention deficit disorder with developmental coordination disorders. Arch Dis Child 1998; 79(3):207-12 / Medline ID: 99092173

1971 – Study entitled “Hyperactive Children as Teenagers: A Follow – up Study”.

83 Children were followed up on, from 2 to 5 years after being diagnosed as hyperactive or as having attention deficit. 92 % of the children were treated with Ritalin.

Results were as follows:

• 83 % had trouble with frequent lying

• 78 % found it hard to sit still and study

• 60 % of the children were still overactive and had poor schoolwork (the original reasons for being put on Ritalin), but in addition were now viewed as rebellious

• 59 % had some contact with police

• 59 % were viewed as a discipline problem at school

• 58 % had failed one or more grades

• 57 % had reading difficulties

• 52 % were destructive

• 44 % had arithmetic difficulties

• 34 % threatened to kill their parents

• 23 % had been taken to the police station one or more times

• 15 % had talked of or attempted suicide.

  Mendelson W; Johnson N; Stewart MA; Hyperactive children as teenagers: A follow-up study. J Nerv Ment Dis 1971; 153(4):273-9 / Medline ID: 72027685

1987 – Satterfield study states:

“We found juvenile delinquency rates to be 20-25 times greater in our hyperactive drug-treated only group than in the normal control group.”

In the “Delinquency Outcome for the drug-treated group” the results were: of 61 Boys,

• 46% were arrested for one or more felony offenses before age 18

• 30% were arrested for 2 or more felony offenses

• 25% were institutionalized

  The authors go on to state “Studies of the long term effectiveness of drugs have been consistently discouraging.”

Satterfield JH; Satterfield BT; Schell AM; Therapeutic interventions to prevent delinquency in hyperactive boys. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1987; 26(1):56-64 / Medline ID: 87222077

1976 – Study by Riddle & Rapoport:

It was concluded that among the continuously treated hyperactive children it was found that peer status and academic achievement did not seem to improve.

Riddle KD; Rapoport JL; A 2-year follow-up of 72 hyperactive boys. Classroom behavior and peer acceptance. J Nerv Ment Dis 1976; 162(2):126-34 / Medline ID: 76121908

1976 – Study by Hechtman &Weiss stated:

Thirty-five individuals aged 17 to 24 in whom severe chronic hyperactivity had been diagnosed 10 years before were studied together with 25 matched controls. Cognitive style tests indicated continued difficulty in reflection (resulting in more errors) but less impulsivity (longer reaction time) in the hyperactive individuals. Compared with controls, hyperactive subjects were continuing to have more scholastic difficulty, although this difference seemed to be less pronounced than 5 years before. Restlessness, both reported and observed, continued to be a problem for the hyperactive individuals, and socialization skills and sense of well being continued to be poorer than in the controls. The authors concluded that methylphenidate (Ritalin) did not significantly alter poor long-term academic performance, delinquent behavior or poor emotional adjustment.

Hechtman L; Weiss G; Finklestein J; Werner A; Benn R; Hyperactives as young adults: Preliminary report. Can Med Assoc J 1976; 115(7):625-30 / Medline ID: 77023552

1978 – Study by Blouin stated the following:

“Clinical treatment with Ritalin was found to have no beneficial effect, and there was some evidence to suggest a poor behavior outcome for the drug-treated group.”

1980 – Ackerman report entitled “Report on Drug Withdrawal Symptoms”:

“The abstinence (withdrawal) syndrome associated with amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin) is marked by lethargy, sleep disturbances and prolonged depression.” “Depression is perhaps the most significant symptom.”

In the book, “Predicting Dependence Liability of Stimulant and Depressant Drugs” researchers Travis Thompson, Ph.D. and Klaus R. Unna, M.D. describe the “chronic effects of stimulants in man”: “Perhaps the best-known effect of chronic stimulant administration is psychosis. Psychosis has been associated with chronic use of several stimulants; e.g., d- and 1- amphetamine methylphenidate (Ritalin-P), phenmetrazine and cocaine.”

Thompson T; Unna KR; Predicting dependence liability of stimulant and depressant drugs. Published by University Park Press ISBN: 0839111479

1987 – The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III-R, states:

That methylphenidate (Ritalin), along with other amphetamine-type drugs and cocaine, can create “persecutory delusions” and may “cause a highly organized, paranoid delusional state indistinguishable from the active phase of schizophrenia.” It states “The person may harm himself or herself or others while reacting to delusions.”

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Dsm-Iii-R. by American Psychiatric Association January 1987. ISBN: 089042019X

This American Psychiatric Associations Manual goes on to state: “Initially, suspiciousness and curiosity may be experienced with pleasure but may later induce aggressive or violent action against enemies. Delusions can linger for a week or more, but occasionally last for over a year.” This DSM III-R also states “Suicide is the major complication of withdrawal from methylphenidate and other amphetamine or amphetamine-like drugs.”

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Dsm-Iii-R. by American Psychiatric Association January 1987. ISBN: 089042019X

1991 – Journal of Behavioral Optometry, “The Efficacy of the Use of Ritalin For Hyperactive Children”. This study evaluates 22 previous studies/articles since 1976 concerning Ritalin use for hyperactive children. It states:

“The fact that the above studies do not show the efficacy of Ritalin for helping hyperactive children should be apparent to the skeptic and make a skeptic out of the believer. But the argument should not stop at this point. The weak evidence of the value of Ritalin must now be viewed in the light of its reported side effects.” And it concludes: “…at this time there is scant evidence for the use of Ritalin in hyperactive children to produce improved learning. This lack of evidence is consequential because of the many side effect produced by Ritalin administration.”

1988 – Journal of the American Academy of child and Adolescent Psychiatry, January 1988 Case Study entitled:

“Methylphenidate-induced Delusional Disorder in a Child With Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity” discusses a case study involving a 6 year old child, J. R. who was placed on 20mgs of Ritalin in the morning and 10mgs in the afternoon, but due to measurable weight loss after 1 ½ months the dosage was decreased to 20mgs. After 4 months the child was placed on 20mgs of the sustained released Ritalin, the results were as follows: “Approximately 6 months into therapy, J.R.s mother reported that the child was becoming physically and verbally aggressive and difficult to manage. He was agitated and verbalized repeatedly that “someone” was ” going to kill “him.” …the child was suspicious and delusional, accusing others of thinking homicidal thoughts towards him ” “J.R.s stimulation (Ritalin) therapy was terminated and his behavioral disorganization and psychosis resolved completely over the next several days but only with a full return of his attention problems and hyperactivity.” The conclusion: “J.R.s psychological disturbance certainly seemed to have been associate with his methylphenidate therapy.” The final paragraph of this study states: “Young (1981) suggested that psychotic reaction to stimulants in children may be common, as prescribing physicians are generally less alert to possible signs of toxicity when these medications are prescribed within normally accepted dose ranges. J.R.s reaction was certainly more intense than what has usually been described and it is unlikely that his behavioral changes would have gone unnoticed indefinitely. On the other hand, as most reported instances of psychotic reactions in children have involved less dramatic behavioral changes, such as tactile hallucinosis, there may be considerably potential for such changes to remain unrecognized for prolonged periods of time.”

Bloom AS; Russell LJ; Weisskopf B; Blackerby JL; Methylphenidate-induced delusional disorder in a child with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1988; 27(1):88-89 / Medline ID: 88139122

Q: Can chiropractic care be effective in hyperactive children? Are there specific areas of the spine which can be pinpointed for this problem? G.D. in PA

A: Yes, chiropractic has been shown to be effective in hyperactive children. The area of the spine involved is usually the upper cervical area, usually the atlas. Above all, a nutritional change should be considered. Eliminating processed sugar foods could be beneficial.

The Hyperactive Child and Chiropractic

By: Larry Webster, D.C Originally printed in: Todays Chiropractic Jan/Feb 1988; 17(1):73-4

Depending on which study you read, there are now 1.5 to 3.5 million children who have been diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH). In some cases, the terms hyperkinetic and attention span deficiency cover the same diagnosis. Recent publicity has focused on the medical approach of using Ritalin (a stimulant medication) in these cases. This particular type of drug has been used for a longer period, and more frequently by far, than any other psychoactive drug administered for childhood psychiatric disorders. Its efficacy and side effects are well documented and are part of the chemical treatment used by most, if not all, child and adolescent psychiatrists.

Characteristics of ADDH In using medication to “control” child the child’s behavior pattern, the results are inconsistent and controversial. One child may become subdued and controllable, while others may become even more “hyper” and uncontrollable. In several case studies, it seemed initially that some improvement was obtained from medication, but later serious side effects developed and the child lapsed back into the original symptoms. Other symptoms developed, as well. The most common of these were nail biting, crying easily, and irritability. Several children bit their fingernails until they bled while manifesting no sign of pain during the biting.

In medical studies of ADDH, there is evidence that diminished activity of the brain DA may exist and that this neurotransmitter abnormality may contribute to the pathophysiology of this syndrome. With this evidence of a neurotransmitter abnormality and the inherent danger of side effects of the medication, a serious look at the chiropractic approach to this disorder must be made.

In our early studies of hyperactivity we observed interconnecting factors in the hyperactive child. One, a diet heavy In sugar-rich foods and/or junk foods was revealed. Two, a chronic subluxation of the upper cervical spine, mainly the atlas vertebra, was presented.

Regarding neurotransmitter abnormality with a chronic upper cervical subluxation, we now have the start of chiropractic management of ADDH. In the early 1950’s, a study by Dr. George Malcolm of Canada labeled the spine as a “shock organ”. By this, he meant that certain chemicals, food preservatives, dyes, or other pollutants could cause the spine to subluxate. Although this particular observation that chemicals can produce subluxations was not new in chiropractic, perhaps the term “shock organ” was new.

After reading this study, we began our own study on children focusing on the effect of these “chemicals” producing subluxations. The study utilized pre and post examinations in the following manner. The hyperactive was checked via nerve instrument, palpation, and thermographic plates. The adjustment (usually a toggle-type) was made, and after 15 minutes a post examination was made to determine a change.

Some very interesting observations were made while establishing the effect of these “chemicals” producing a subluxation, thereby indicating the possibility of initiating a neurotransmitter abnormality, and the bottom line of ADDH, in the child. In the studies, each child was asked to keep a diet diary, containing records of everything ingested in a two week period. Then, we determined whether one of these foods could be producing a subluxation, discovered in Malcolm’s studies.

We could examine the child, record our findings, and then have the child ingest the suspected substance. Our findings did indicate the spine was a “shock organ”, and certain preservatives, food dyes, and processed sugars did produce abnormal readings after immediate ingestion of the chemical. In some of the cases, we could have the child change his diet, monitor and adjust it, and then find our readings greatly reduced. We also felt that the subluxation was greatly reduced.

In several of the study groups, we would have the child immediately ingest the suspected chemical irritant after our post-improvement findings. On re-examination, our readings were off the wall again. Our conclusion was that in a chronic subluxation, as in these children, it took less and less chemical irritant each time to maintain the subluxation.

One of the major problems in treating the hyperactive child is dietary control. So many food products can irritate the nervous system that the chiropractor may have a difficult time eliminating or finding the “shock” food. We also found that parents at times chose not to exercise dietary control over their child, even though it may benefit the childs health care. The youngster wakes up to find a sugar laced cereal (such as Apple Jacks, Lucky Charms, or Crunch Berries) on the table for breakfast. In the grocery store, you can find more than 100 brands of cereal which have a sugar content of up to 68 percent. (If you write us, we can send you a list of the sugar content of approximately 80 of these cereals.) In many cases, not only will the child be served cereal with a high sugar content, but he will then place extra sugar on the cereal.

In the case of food dyes, you must be careful of red and yellow colorings. These seem to be major irritants. Forty years ago, the chiropractor did not have to pay much attention to dietary effects on the subluxation. dyes, preservatives, and other chemicals were not found in food products. Now, with studies indicating that the spine can subluxate in reaction to these addatives, we must heed these factors and isolate them.

THE HYPERACTIVE CHILD (ADDH) AND RITALIN

By: Larry. Webster, D.C.

Depending on which study you read, there may be as many as four million children in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH)

In some cases, the term hyperkinetic and attention span deficiency are used instead. Publicity has focused on the medical approach of using Ritalin – a stimulant medication which has been used for a longer period of time and more frequently by far, than any other psychoactive drug for childhood psychiatric disorders. We find that in a great many cases the parents are not given all the facts about Ritalin and as a rule know nothing about the chiropractic approach to ADDH.

In an early study titled Hyperactive children as Teenagers follow up on 83 children two to five years later revealed:

• 92% had been treated with Ritalin

• 60% were still overactive and had poor school work
• 59% had some contact with police
• 83% had trouble with lying
• 52% were labeled as destructive

Ritalin is speed. Ritalin has the same drug classification as morphine, opium and cocaine. In fact the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states that Ritalin is an extremely addictive substance and that classical symptoms of Ritalin usage and cocaine dependence are the same. Also stated in the Manual is the main complication of withdrawal from Ritalin substance is suicide. According to Medical Economics, chronic use of Ritalin has produced psychosis. Ritalin is definitely not a safe drug.

The late Robert Mendelson, M.D. made a most interesting comment about ADDH and the use of Ritalin, Dr. Mendelson stated that “So many children are being called hyperactive by the experts that I wonder whether many of them actually are perfectly normal in contrast to the hypoactive children who serve as the reference base. If we’re not careful, we’ll soon find the non-hyperactive being drugged with prescriptions for hyperactivity to arouse them from there lethargy.

In the publication, Physiological Medicine, Roselise Wilkinson MD. states “We deplore the careless manner in which Ritalin use is regarded by many educators, psychologists, and medical personnel. It is often prescribed hastily, without adequate evaluation and by authority figures who are placing unreasonable pressure on parents who wish to do the best for their child.”

Ritalin itself is used mainly in school age children and is the subject of much debate. Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that activates the arousal system in the brain stem and cortex, in effect producing increased alertness. How it does this is unknown. The only other indication for use of Ritalin is for the condition of narcolepsy, a disorder of abnormal sleep. (An oxymoron perhaps).

Some of the signs that are present in the child to diagnose ADDH are:

1. A child easily distracted by outside stimuli.
2. A child who talks excessively.
3. A child who fidget in their seat.
4. A child who blurts out answers to unfinished questions.

<This sounds a little like me at my present age. >

Clarke, National Spokesman for citizen Commission on Dennis Human Rights states “there is not a single normal activity which the psychiatrist have not labeled as mental childhood illness.”

The manufacturer of Ritalin (Ciba-Geigy) warns that the drug should not be used under the age of six. The long-term effects of Ritalin have not been established and of course the mechanism of how Ritalin works in the body is not understood. Some side effects of Ritalin are: stunting of growth, depression, chronic headaches, nervousness, skin rash, blood pressure and pulse changes and development of Tourette’s Syndrome.

In one most unusual case a parent was urged to place her son on Ritalin. The child was getting bad reports from the teachers and at the teacher-parent conference ,the teacher again urged the consideration of placing the child on Ritalin. The mother then started giving the child a vitamin each morning but telling the child it was Ritalin. When the teacher asked the child if he had taken the Ritalin the child, of course, answered yes. Then the report turned around 360 degrees. Could this have been a case of hypoactive children being compared to normal children as Mendelson stated?

In the Journal of Behavioral Optometry (1991) in evaluation studies
of the use of Ritalin in children since 1976 it states that “the
studies do not show the efficiency of Ritalin for helping hyperactive
children and should be apparent to the skeptic and make a skeptic
out of the believers of Ritalin.

In
our personal studies evaluating both the dietary habit of the child
and the spine, we have found that chiropractic can be an effective
tool in handling of the diagnosed ADDH child. Ritalin is certainly
not the answer and the parent should definitely be leery of the
statement that Ritalin has no side effects.