Chronic Pain In Kids Up 831%. Whassup with that? – Part 1

Share Button

By Kac Young PhD, N.D., DCH

twokidsunThe number of pediatric patients admitted to US hospitals with chronic pain diagnoses increased by 831% from 2004 to 2010. The average patient was a white girl about 14 years old with headaches, abdominal and musculoskeletal pain, and depression and anxiety, according to a study published online July 1 in Pediatrics.

Only 235 of the 3752 patients were aged 0 to 7 years. Girls outnumbered boys by 2.41 to 1, and whites accounted for 79% of the study population. Of all patients, 65% had gastrointestinal diagnoses, 44% had psychiatric diagnoses, and 9.9% had a coded medication adverse effect, overdose, or substance abuse. (1)

What’s happening to our children? And, more importantly, what can we do about it?

Did you know that our kids are under more stress than ever before. Their systems are constantly being bombarded from all sides. Here are just some of the stress triggers kids are experiencing:

• being bullied or exposed to violence or injury – online, via social networks as well as at school or sports and social functions.

• emotional stress, family conflicts, or the heavy feelings that can accompany a broken heart or the death of a loved one

• ongoing troubles with schoolwork related to a learning disability or other problems, such as ADHD, learning anxiety, and performance pressure to excel,

• crammed schedules, not having enough time to rest and relax, and always being on the go

• electronic leashes such as cell phones, social applications and never getting a break from “constant contact.”

Here’s how kid’s ranked stressors: grades, school, and homework (36%); family (32%); and friends, peers, gossip, and teasing (21%).

About 25% of the kids surveyed said that when they are upset, they take it out on themselves, either by banging their heads against something, hitting or biting themselves, or doing something else to hurt themselves. These kids also were more likely to have other unhealthy coping strategies, such as eating, losing their tempers, and keeping problems to themselves.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this article shortly…..

References:

(1) Thomas A. Coffelt, MD, from the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, and colleagues analyzed the de-identified records of 3752 pediatric patients up to 18 years old who were admitted for chronic pain between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010.

(2) http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/kids_stress.html#

Kac Young, a former television director and producer, has earned a PhD in Natural Health and is a Doctor of both Clinical Hypnotherapy and Naturopathy. She is the author of 10 books. Heart Easy is a system of nutritionally sound, delicious meals that promote heart health, long life and taste great. In the Heart Easy cook book sound nutritional advice is followed by family favorites that have been turned into heart healthy meals anyone can make and everyone will love.