Ritalin and Liver cancer

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"Brad_Chad" wrote in message
oups.com...
By definition? The medical community can't even agree on a definition
of ADD. Some doctors say that it doesn't even exist. Get a clue.

The DSM IV clearly delineates the diagnostic criteria for AD/HD. The AAP
has
published diagnostic and treatment protocols.

However, there is no doubt that the diagnosis and treatment remain in the
forefront of discussion amongst professionals, and this is a good thing,
not
bad as you seem to imply. Refining, learning, studying is good.

You can do your homework and learn more about AD/HD by visiting the
appropriate websites.

Many of which are gone.

http://www.ritalindeath.com/maryannblocktestimony.htm

There is no valid test for ADHD. The diagnosis called ADHD is completely
subjective.

Since there is no valid test for
ADHD, most doctors get the information for the diagnosis from the child's
teacher in the form of a checklist.

==

Buyer Beware When It Comes to ADHD Diagnosis


June 22, 2004


- John Rosemond
The Charlotte Observer, N.C.
Q: Another parent told my husband and me that a local clinic run by a
well-known physician and expert in the field has developed a means of
diagnosing attention deficit disorder using a brain scan and/or
sophisticated
measure of brain activity. We have looked into it and are thinking of having
it
done with our son, age 8. Do you have any knowledge of this sort of thing,
and
would you recommend it?


A: A number of clinics across the country now advertise procedures of this
sort
for diagnosing ADD/ADHD. Whereas I'm not a medical doctor and therefore not
qualified to comment on the procedures themselves, I can and will share some
pertinent information obtained with the able assistance of Dr. DuBose
Ravenel,
a nationally-known developmental/behavioral pediatrician who serves as one
of
my consultants on medical matters.


The bottom line: As concerns the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD
(attention
deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), let the buyer
beware. No other contemporary "medical" issue is full of more myth, hype,
and
dubious advertising as this.


In 1998, an overwhelming majority of experts attending the National
Institutes
of Health Consensus Conference, after days of reviewing all of the available
evidence, agreed there is no compelling evidence to the effect that ADD/ADHD
is
caused by or significantly and reliably associated with physical or
biochemical
"irregularities" (e.g., deficiencies in the left temporal lobe, biochemical
imbalances) in the brain. They furthermore agreed that no objective test or
set
of criteria exists with which to accurately diagnose ADD. A 2002 book,
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-State of the Science," written by
a
number of recognized authorities in the field, reported that the 1998
Consensus
Conference findings remained unchanged.


==

Article Last Updated: Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 9:13:03 AM PST


Study reviews medicated kids
By Rebecca Vesely, STAFF WRITER


An unusual study is under way at the University of California, Berkeley,
that
could help parents, doctors, teachers and lawmakers better grasp the
economic
and social reasons why some kids are receiving drug therapy for attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.


Dr. Richard Scheffler, a UC Berkeley professor of health economics and
public
policy, and Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, a psychology professor and leading expert
on
ADHD, last month received a $900,000 grant from the National Institutes of
Mental Health for the three-year project.


Unlike most studies that look at the effects of psychostimulant drugs --
such
as Ritalin -- on kids diagnosed with ADHD, researchers aim to uncover the
economic and policy issues behind prescription trends.


"There's enormous variation in the use of these drugs across state lines and
communities," Scheffler said.


ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in children. In the
decade leading up to 2001, the number of people -- mostly children --
diagnosed
with ADHD grew fivefold, from 900,000 to 4.5 million, according to the
National
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That rise coincided with
national
policy changes that allowed children with ADHD to receive special
accommodations at school.


Ritalin on the rise


At the same time, the number of prescriptions for Ritalin, Adderall and
other
psychostimulants to treat ADHD rose by about 50 percent over the past
decade.


Using data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, researchers will track
shipments of these drugs to the pharmacies dispensing them to see which
communities are heavy prescribers.


In addition, they will drill down into those communities and examine
underlying
policy decisions, teacher influence and health care issues, such as access
to
child psychiatrists.


Clinical research isn't telling the whole story, Hinshaw said. "All this
research is taking place against a backdrop of quickly changing market
forces
and treatment practices," he said.


Some states have enacted legislation that limits school influence in drug
treatment of ADHD. In Connecticut, it's illegal for school staff members to
discuss ADHD treatment with parents.


To get a better picture of treatment and diagnosis, UC Berkeley researchers
will have access to the medical records of 14,000 children enrolled with
Kaiser
Permanente Northern California.


This piece of the puzzle is key, the researchers said, because the patient
records will include information about race, ethnicity, family history, area
of
residence and compliance in drug therapy.


"Are poorer kids being underdiagnosed and rich kids being overmedicated? We
hope to get a sense of that," Scheffler said.


The study is the first of its kind -- and atypical of what the National
Institutes of Mental Health usually funds, a spokesman for the federal
grant-making and research institute said, because of the focus on sociology
and
economics of drug therapy.


Testing for ADHD


Skepticism about drug treatment for ADHD relates to the ambiguous nature of
diagnosis and stigma surrounding mental illness, Hinshaw said.


There is no test for ADHD. Rather, diagnosis is based on observed behavior
and
family and medical history.


When left untreated, ADHD can have a significant affect on a child's growth
and
development. Studies have shown that untreated children with ADHD have
higher
rates of school failure, underemployment, illicit drug and alcohol use and
accidental injuries.


"The problem is many practitioners don't follow well-established guidelines
for
diagnosis and treatment," Hinshaw said. "There's a brief pediatric visit and
sporadic follow-up and monitoring. Some kids are diagnosed too quickly and
some, such as girls or inner city children, may get ignored and
underdiagnosed.
You need an accurate diagnosis first."
===

There is ample evidence that it is possible for psychoactive drugs - and
stimulants in particular - to harm the brain," said Dr Terrell Gibbs, of the
Boston University School of Medicine, whose research has shown that high
doses
of amphetamines can cause brain damage in animals. "Wide use [of Ritalin] in
children began before information on its long-term effects were available,
and
we are very lucky not to be seeing an epidemic of neurological disease.
Prozac
is now in the position that Ritalin was a few years ago, with widespread
paediatric use despite very limited evidence of safety."


The use of stimulants such as Ritalin has more than doubled in the UK since
1995 with doctors writing a quarter of a million prescriptions in 2002.
Ritalin
is a brand name for the amphetamine-like drug methylphenidate, which is used
to
treat children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). There is
controversy over how to diagnose the disease and estimates for the number of
British children suffering from it range from 70,000 to 350,000.


The symptoms - which include a short attention span, always being "on the
go"
and fidgeting - are diverse and no single test for the disorder exists,
raising questions about where to draw the line between a lively child and an
ADHD child and whether some affected children could respond as well to firm
parenting as to pharmacology.
==

According to Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), the skyrocketing use
of Ritalin represents the greatest increase in drugs associated with
abuse, and causes the highest number of suicides and emergency room
admissions.


October 20, 1999


The medical community has expressed alarm over the widespread use of
psychotropic drugs for children. Dr. Fred Baughman Jr., pediatric
neurologist, said of psychiatrists, "They have proven several times
over that chronic Ritalin/amphetamine exposure they advocate for
millions of children causes brain atrophy (shrinkage)." The National
Institute of Health (NIH) reported, "We do not have an independent
valid test for ADHD, and there are no data to indicate that ADHD is
due to brain malfunction. Further research to establish the validity
of the disorder continues to be a problem." The NIH also reported that
Ritalin and other stimulant drugs result in "little improvement in
academic or social skills," and they recommend research into
alternatives such as change in diet or biofeedback.

http://www.urbantulsa.com/article.asp?id=2064

The American Psychiatric Association recognizes ADD as a mental disorder-the
exact cause is unknown; there is no medical test for it; therefore, the
diagnosis is based on observations of children's behavior

So often educators and mental health officials offer information about ADHD
that is unproven. They also say things about the drugs that are supposed to
treat ADHD that are not true. For example, when parents hear that ADHD is a
brain-based biological disorder caused by a chemical imbalance in their
child's brain, the truth is that there is absolutely no reliable test that
accurately distinguishes between children that are supposed to have ADHD and
those that are not.


In 1998, a U.S. National Institutes of Health Conference of the world's
leading ADHD experts, was forced to conclude that there is no data
confirming
it as a brain dysfunction.

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...
The CSPI monograph on AD/HD refers to several of these studies. The model
used was double blind, cross-over challenge. For one thing, sugar having a
role was soundly debunked.

While that is true, sugar certain does make kids hyper!!!!!

LL/Jan


"Beth Kevles" wrote in message
...

Hi --

I'd be curious to know about the studies that 00doc cites, about the
parents who couldn't tell if their kids had been given "trigger" foods.
Do you have the cites available?

By the way, I'll strongly second the notion of having some sort of a
double-blind test of trigger foods before accepting a diagnosis of food
intolerance.

--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the
milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

I think the U.S. Government spent about $7 million on food allergy
research in 2001. When you consider all the medical conditions that it
is implicated in, the government doesn't spend nearly enough.

"LadyLollipop" wrote in message
news:gBbge.70031$NU4.55318@attbi_s22...

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"Brad_Chad" wrote in message
oups.com...
By definition? The medical community can't even agree on a definition
of ADD. Some doctors say that it doesn't even exist. Get a clue.

The DSM IV clearly delineates the diagnostic criteria for AD/HD. The AAP
has
published diagnostic and treatment protocols.

However, there is no doubt that the diagnosis and treatment remain in
the
forefront of discussion amongst professionals, and this is a good thing,
not
bad as you seem to imply. Refining, learning, studying is good.

You can do your homework and learn more about AD/HD by visiting the
appropriate websites.


Those websites you posted do not provide factual information. I suggest the
American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institutes of Health.

"LadyLollipop" wrote in message
news:4Kbge.69305$r53.42743@attbi_s21...

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...
The CSPI monograph on AD/HD refers to several of these studies. The
model
used was double blind, cross-over challenge. For one thing, sugar having
a
role was soundly debunked.

While that is true, sugar certain does make kids hyper!!!!!

Not necessarily. In the crossover challenge studies, kids whose parents
"absolutely knew when they had consumed sugar" were given either a placebo
or sugar, and then switched. The parents were not able to accurately select
those times when the kids got sugar.



LL/Jan


"Beth Kevles" wrote in message
...

Hi --

I'd be curious to know about the studies that 00doc cites, about the
parents who couldn't tell if their kids had been given "trigger" foods.
Do you have the cites available?

By the way, I'll strongly second the notion of having some sort of a
double-blind test of trigger foods before accepting a diagnosis of food
intolerance.

--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the
milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you
would
like me to reply.

"Brad_Chad" wrote in message
oups.com...
I think the U.S. Government spent about $7 million on food allergy
research in 2001. When you consider all the medical conditions that it
is implicated in, the government doesn't spend nearly enough.


OK, so you do not want to read about studies that have been done.

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"LadyLollipop" wrote in message
news:gBbge.70031$NU4.55318@attbi_s22...

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"Brad_Chad" wrote in message
oups.com...
By definition? The medical community can't even agree on a definition
of ADD. Some doctors say that it doesn't even exist. Get a clue.

The DSM IV clearly delineates the diagnostic criteria for AD/HD. The
AAP
has
published diagnostic and treatment protocols.

However, there is no doubt that the diagnosis and treatment remain in
the
forefront of discussion amongst professionals, and this is a good
thing,
not
bad as you seem to imply. Refining, learning, studying is good.

You can do your homework and learn more about AD/HD by visiting the
appropriate websites.


Those websites you posted do not provide factual information. I suggest
the
American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institutes of Health.

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

(that's the line in which I restrained myself after taking a five minute
break)


Dr. DuBose Ravenel,
a nationally-known developmental/behavioral *******pediatrician******** who
serves as one
of my consultants on medical matters.


The bottom line: As concerns the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD
(attention
deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), let the buyer
beware. No other contemporary "medical" issue is full of more myth, hype,
and
dubious advertising as this.


In 1998, an overwhelming majority of experts attending the

********* National
Institutes of Health *********

Consensus Conference, after days of reviewing all of the available
evidence, agreed there is no compelling evidence to the effect that ADD/ADHD
is caused by or significantly and reliably associated with physical or
biochemical
"irregularities" (e.g., deficiencies in the left temporal lobe, biochemical
imbalances) in the brain. They furthermore agreed that no objective test or
set
of criteria exists with which to accurately diagnose ADD. A 2002 book,
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-State of the Science," written by
a
number of recognized authorities in the field, reported that the 1998
Consensus
Conference findings remained unchanged.
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes ADD as a mental disorder-the
exact cause is unknown; there is no medical test for it; therefore, the
diagnosis is based on observations of children's behavior

In 1998, a

******U.S. National Institutes of Health ********

Conference of the world's
leading ADHD experts, was forced to conclude that there is no data
confirming
it as a brain dysfunction.

The

******National Institute of Health (NIH)*******

reported, "We do not have an independent
valid test for ADHD, and there are no data to indicate that ADHD is
due to brain malfunction. Further research to establish the validity
of the disorder continues to be a problem." The

****NIH******

also reported that
Ritalin and other stimulant drugs result in "little improvement in
academic or social skills," and they recommend research into
alternatives such as change in diet or biofeedback.

The medical community has expressed alarm over the widespread use of
psychotropic drugs for children. Dr. Fred Baughman Jr.,

*******pediatric
neurologist,********

said of psychiatrists, "They have proven several times
over that chronic Ritalin/amphetamine exposure they advocate for
millions of children causes brain atrophy (shrinkage)."

LL/Jan

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"LadyLollipop" wrote in message
news:4Kbge.69305$r53.42743@attbi_s21...

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...
The CSPI monograph on AD/HD refers to several of these studies. The
model
used was double blind, cross-over challenge. For one thing, sugar
having
a
role was soundly debunked.

While that is true, sugar certain does make kids hyper!!!!!

Not necessarily

YES ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Forget any crossover study, ask any teacher!!!!!!!!

LL/Jan


.. In the crossover challenge studies, kids whose parents
"absolutely knew when they had consumed sugar" were given either a placebo
or sugar, and then switched. The parents were not able to accurately
select
those times when the kids got sugar.



LL/Jan


"Beth Kevles" wrote in message
...

Hi --

I'd be curious to know about the studies that 00doc cites, about the
parents who couldn't tell if their kids had been given "trigger"
foods.
Do you have the cites available?

By the way, I'll strongly second the notion of having some sort of a
double-blind test of trigger foods before accepting a diagnosis of
food
intolerance.

--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the
milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you
would
like me to reply.

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"Brad_Chad" wrote in message
oups.com...
I think the U.S. Government spent about $7 million on food allergy
research in 2001. When you consider all the medical conditions that it
is implicated in, the government doesn't spend nearly enough.


OK, so you do not want to read about studies that have been done.

Like. Mark who just read and didn't see the words NIH
mentioned,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

LL/Jan

"LadyLollipop" wrote in message
news:ugpge.74265$WI3.24692@attbi_s71...

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"LadyLollipop" wrote in message
news:gBbge.70031$NU4.55318@attbi_s22...

"Mark Probert" Mark wrote in message
...

"Brad_Chad" wrote in message
oups.com...
By definition? The medical community can't even agree on a
definition
of ADD. Some doctors say that it doesn't even exist. Get a clue.

The DSM IV clearly delineates the diagnostic criteria for AD/HD. The
AAP
has
published diagnostic and treatment protocols.

However, there is no doubt that the diagnosis and treatment remain in
the
forefront of discussion amongst professionals, and this is a good
thing,
not
bad as you seem to imply. Refining, learning, studying is good.

You can do your homework and learn more about AD/HD by visiting the
appropriate websites.


Those websites you posted do not provide factual information. I suggest
the
American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institutes of Health.


__________________________________________________ __________________________
____________________

(that's the line in which I restrained myself after taking a five minute
break)

Your break should have been longer.

Dr. DuBose Ravenel,
a nationally-known developmental/behavioral *******pediatrician********
who
serves as one
of my consultants on medical matters.

Nationally known? One reference on Medline for a letter he wrote.


The bottom line: As concerns the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD
(attention
deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), let the buyer
beware. No other contemporary "medical" issue is full of more myth, hype,
and
dubious advertising as this.


In 1998, an overwhelming majority of experts attending the

********* National
Institutes of Health *********

Consensus Conference, after days of reviewing all of the available
evidence, agreed there is no compelling evidence to the effect that
ADD/ADHD
is caused by or significantly and reliably associated with physical or
biochemical
"irregularities" (e.g., deficiencies in the left temporal lobe,
biochemical
imbalances) in the brain. They furthermore agreed that no objective test
or
set
of criteria exists with which to accurately diagnose ADD.

Yes, in *1998* there was no evidence that there were any structural or
chemical differences. However, if the "nationally known" doctor had done
some homework, and it is obvious that he has not, he would have found
copious documentation in the form of studies reported where there were clear
structural differences found in the ADHD brain. He could do a simple search
on Nora Volkow's work. She is now the head of the National Institute of Drug
Abuse, and is an expert on the imaging of the brain with various types of
scanners, etc. Dr. Volkow is cited on Medline 323 times.

A 2002 book,
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-State of the Science," written
by
a
number of recognized authorities in the field, reported that the 1998
Consensus
Conference findings remained unchanged.
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes ADD as a mental
disorder-the
exact cause is unknown; there is no medical test for it; therefore, the
diagnosis is based on observations of children's behavior

In 1998, a

******U.S. National Institutes of Health ********

Conference of the world's
leading ADHD experts, was forced to conclude that there is no data
confirming
it as a brain dysfunction.

The

******National Institute of Health (NIH)*******

reported, "We do not have an independent
valid test for ADHD, and there are no data to indicate that ADHD is
due to brain malfunction. Further research to establish the validity
of the disorder continues to be a problem." The

****NIH******

also reported that
Ritalin and other stimulant drugs result in "little improvement in
academic or social skills," and they recommend research into
alternatives such as change in diet or biofeedback.

The medical community has expressed alarm over the widespread use of
psychotropic drugs for children. Dr. Fred Baughman Jr.,

*******pediatric
neurologist,********

said of psychiatrists, "They have proven several times
over that chronic Ritalin/amphetamine exposure they advocate for
millions of children causes brain atrophy (shrinkage)."

In the area of AD/HD research, citing a book, etc. written 1998 is the
equivalent of citing King Tut.