Health facts — Current health updates

Health facts — Current health updates

Interestingly, the percentage of seniors taking one to two prescription drugs decreased slightly, while the percentage taking three or more drugs increased by more than one-third to 47.6 percent.

by Dr. Nicholas Warner — 

The following three reports on prescription drug use, low iron levels and forgiveness are pieces of health information you will find useful.

CDC reports prescription drug use on the rise

A recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed the extent to which prescription drug use has affected Americans, and the news is less than encouraging. The report, which compared data from 1994 with data from 2002, showed that the percentage of the U.S. population using at least one prescription drug rose sharply between 1994 and 2000, from 39.1 percent to 44.3 percent. Alarmingly, the number of people taking three or more prescription drugs increased from 11.8 percent to 16.5 percent.

Sadly, these increases were seen in all age groups: 3.7 percent of children 18 years and younger were taking three or more prescription drugs in 2000, reflecting an increase of more than 50 percent from 1994. And as of 2000, a whopping 83.9 percent of seniors took one or more prescription drugs, up more than 10 percentage points from 73.6 percent in 1994.

Interestingly, the percentage of seniors taking one to two prescription drugs decreased slightly, while the percentage taking three or more drugs increased by more than one-third to 47.6 percent.

Prescription drug use undoubtedly has been increasing for decades, yet the trend toward taking multiple drugs is more recent. If you currently take one or more prescription medications, ask your physician if there are other viable alternatives. And remember, if you are taking prescription drugs for pain, regular chiropractic care may render your need for drugs unnecessary.

Reference: Health, United States, 2004, with chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Maryland, 2004.

Pump a little iron

Approximately 2 million children in the U.S. suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Treatment options for ADHD include behavior modification therapy and prescription medication; however, a recent study suggests that iron supplementation may help control the symptoms of ADHD, effectively reducing the need for medication.

French researchers examined the iron levels in 53 children, ages 4 to 14, diagnosed with ADHD and 27 healthy children in a control group, as well as evaluating parent surveys regarding the ADHD symptoms in their children.

Results: 84 percent of the children diagnosed with ADHD had abnormal iron levels, as opposed to 18 percent of children in the healthy group. “These results suggest that low iron stores contribute to ADHD and that ADHD children may benefit from iron supplementation,” the researchers concluded.

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, ask your doctor about iron supplementation as a treatment alternative. Experts have also noted that good nutrition plays a large role in keeping ADHD symptoms in check.

Reference: Konofal, E., Lecendreux, M., Arnulf, I., Mouren, M.C. Iron Deficiency in Children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Dec. 2004; 158: 1113-1115.

Forgiveness for your health

Thinking negative thoughts and feeling angry are never good for your physical, mental and emotional health; often, these feelings are linked with harboring grudges against others. An article in the January issue of Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests that letting go of old resentments can improve your health. In a word, forgiveness is key.

The article, “Five for 2005: Five Reasons to Forgive,” outlines the ways forgiveness can positively affect your health by helping reduce stress, improve heart function, build stronger interpersonal relationships, reduce levels of pain and anxiety, and increase happiness. Also, a study published a few years ago in the journal Circulation concluded that angry people are three times more likely to suffer sudden cardiac arrest than their less angry counterparts.

If you are holding on to old feelings of bitterness and resentment, consider doing yourself a favor by extending forgiveness to those who have hurt you. Your mind, body and spirit will benefit in the long run.

References: “Five for 2005: Five Reasons to Forgive,” Harvard Women’s Health Watch. Jan. 2005. www.health.harvard. edu/hhp/publication/view.do?name=W.

Williams, J.E., Paton, C.C., Siegler, I.C., et al. Anger Proneness Predicts Coronary Heart Disease Risk: Prospective Analysis from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Circulation 2000; 101: 2034-39.

Dr. Nicholas Warner is a certified massage therapist and a doctor of chiropractic with Wellness in Motion, LLC in Phoenix, Ariz. He has been an instructor at Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. 602-863-4252.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 24, Number 2, April/May 2005.