Some Alternative Therapies Can Be Safe, Effective For Children, According To Pediatrics Professor

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children

than ever are being treated with complementary and alternative

therapies. Recent studies indicate that about 30 percent of healthy

children and up to 50 percent of children with chronic disease are

using some kind of alternative therapy. “There

is a huge place for complementary and alternative medicine in

pediatrics,†says Dolores Mendelow, M.D., clinical assistant professor

of pediatrics and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan

Medical School. Complementary

and alternative therapies are becoming a more prevalent treatment for

children. If individuals follow the directions of their physicians,

these treatments are a safe and effective way to get and stay healthy,

Mendelow says. While certain

types of complementary and alternative therapies are safe for children,

there are many therapies that could potentially be dangerous. Mendelow

notes that parents should always consult their children’s pediatrician

before beginning any new treatment. Alternative

therapies can be successful against many illnesses – including the

common cold or skin rashes – when over-the-counter medications do not

have immediate success. For instance, honey can be used for coughs

related to the common cold – just not for children less than one year

of age. “In terms of

complementary medicine, we’re using acupuncture, dietary

supplementation and herbal or botanical therapies,†Mendelow says. Some types

of therapies that may be beneficial for children:

* Yoga. Experts suggest that pediatric patients participate in yoga as

a form of therapy. Yoga, when combined with medicines prescribed by a

physician, can be used to help asthmatic patients learn to practice and

use deep breathing and remain calm when faced with shortness of breath.

Yoga also helps reduce stress in teens and adolescents.

* Tai chi. Research shows teenagers encounter a lot of stress, which

puts them at risk for depression. Mind and body therapies, such as tai

chi, help reduce the risk of depression and anxiety. Tai chi and yoga

help to decrease blood pressure and sympathetic activity in children.

This allows for a sense of relaxation and calmness.

* Probiotics. These live bacteria, similar to those found in the human

stomach, can be found in dietary supplements or in food, such as

yogurt. Used to treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea, controlled

studies have shown probiotics are safe for children. Using probiotics

can reduce diarrhea by one to two days, allowing children to go back to

school or day care sooner. Probiotics are not recommended for children

on any immunosuppressive drugs or those who are immuno-compromised.

Always consult a doctor first. While

there is strong evidence that these complementary and alternative

therapies are safe for children, Mendelow advises parents that other

complementary and alternative medicines can have serious consequences

for children and adolescents. Some types of therapies that may be harmful to

children include:

* Ma Haung. Ma Haung, a popular Chinese medicine used to control

asthma, is an ephedra compound, a stimulant often used to boost

athletic performance. Using this type of boosting agent in a child can

lead to heart palpitations and other cardiac-related events, all

extremely dangerous for a child.

* Creatine. Creatine is another supplement that should not be used in a

child’s diet. “Creatine is used for a lot of body building and we know

that it can have adverse side effects for kidneys,†says Mendelow.

* Other supplements. Children that are on anti-coagulants should avoid

certain complementary and alternative therapies, including ginkgo

biloba or high-dose fish oil. Anti-coagulants increase the bleeding

time as do these two supplements, so that children are more prone to

bleeding. Before taking any supplement, always check with your

physician if you’re on other prescription medication to make sure it’s

safe. * Chiropractics.

Mendelow advises against high-speed spinal manipulation. “The

children’s spines are probably not fully developed until they’re about

18 to 20 years old and you can actually do more harm than good,â€

Mendelow says.

Adapted from materials provided by University of Michigan Health System.

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