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Kids health: increase in digestive drug prescriptions

October 4, 2007 By Dr. Krishna Leave a Comment

 

56% rise in prescriptions for heartburn and other digestive problems among kids between 2002 and 2006. More than 2 million American children 18 and under used drugs for gastro-intestinal complaints last year. 31% increase in drug use among children aged 5 to 11 but only 6% rise in children aged 12 to 18. This spurt in prescriptions was found in a Medico Health Solutions analysis on prescription data for 2002-06.

 

  

Proton Pump Inhibitors are the most common medicines prescribed for Gastro Intestinal problems mainly for Gastro esophageal Reflux disease.

 

Obesity and overuse of drugs are the major reasons behind this rise in prescriptions. More than 10% younger children and 30% older children are overweight in United States. Heartburn is a common complication of being overweight and obese.

 
 
Young children generally do not need drugs for heartburn and GERD but most parents are demanding doctors for prescriptions. Parents should try to use foods (non-fatty foods) and lifestyle changes to overcome this common problem.
 
 
 
This is another concern for kids and parents after recent reporting of deaths from cough and cold medicine use. It is better not to use over the counter (OTC) drugs unless advised by physician in young children.
 
 
 

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