Ritalin
Many American children are prescribed Ritalin everyday. This has started raging debates over whether this drug is a miracle worker for kids or an abused drug that is prescribed to normal children when they show any signs of disruptiveness, and whether the risk of this drug is worth the benefits. Neither sides on the debate have been able to prove whether or not which side is correct. Ritalin belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system stimulants. It is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and other conditions as determined by the doctor (Advice for Patient). ADHD affects 6%-8% of the child population and some adults and is manifested by in attention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Other symptoms include weak comprehension skills, slowness, poor memory and difficulty in dealing with tasks. At present, the condition is treated with Ritalin. However, recent developments suggesting that the hyperactivity element is not common among all ADHD cases have raised doubts on the use of Ritalin (Temper or Trauma). Still, in most children with ADHD, Ritalin is an integral part of a total treatment program that includes psychological, educational, and social measures (Ritalin). Ritalin wo
Researchers have found that it is chosen over cocaine in self-administered preference studies involving nonhuman primates. There are now growing reports of teenagers and adults abusing Ritalin by snorting or injecting it to get a faster rush. Structurally and pharmacologically close to cocaine, Ritalin has a similar dependency profile and may be even more potent. rks in the treatment of ADHD by increasing attention and decreasing restlessness in children and adults who are overactive, cannot concentrate for very long or are easily distracted, and are impulsive. Some parents fear the drug is additive. A new written prescription must be obtained from a doctor each time a person or their child needs this medicine (Advice for Patient). This can lead to a greater susceptibility to drug dependence in later life (Food for Thought) . Some of the arguments are the potential for sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, and growth suppression. Experts also say that loss of appetite stabilizes after a few months, and they explain that it can be minimized by coordinating the timing of medication and meals and allowing for "catch-up" eating during periods off medication. The UK is also heading that way, with close to 300,000 prescriptions last year. Although psycho stimulants are not effective in all children with documented ADHD, about 75 to 80 percent of treated children experience improvements in attention span, frustration tolerance, and decreases in distractibility, disruptive and impulsive behavior, physical activity, and aggressive behavior. While many American children take it, Ritalin has many controversies surrounding it. As for growth suppression recent long-term studies of large amounts of adults who were treated with psycho stimulants as children suggest expected adult height is not compromised, especially if "drug holidays" are employed to allow for catch-up growth.
Common topics in this essay:
Experts Ritalin,
Lehigh University,
,
Ritalin Ritalin,
Patient ADHD,
Ritalin UK,
Volkow Concludes,
Buffalo York,
Upton York,
Advice Patient,
treatment program includes,
children adults,
total treatment program,
advice patient,
children adhd,
loss appetite,
york shown,
growth suppression,
program includes,
treatment program,
york shown ritalin,
smoked injected cocaine,
shown ritalin,
total treatment,
|