Proactive Health Versus Disease-Oriented Health
“All prescribed and over-the-counter drugs are high-risk substances for an infant. The main reason is immaturity of the liver and kidney organs. A mature liver is essential to break down circulating chemicals into smaller, less toxic units for excretion. In the infant this may be slow or impaired, so that toxic by-products accumulate and affect physiological functioning and well-being. Children are also at risk from iatrogenic (doctor induced) disease because of parental anxiety or pressure to prescribe—often for superficial trivial complaints—which would be far better treated by simpler preparations, or just observed.” —Dr Trevor Smith (The Side Effects Book) With today’s profuse advertising for drugs, when a child is unwell, most parents look upon pharmaceutical products as a torch in the dark, a reputable saviour. Dr Jennifer questions the security gained from the smart packaging and advertising. She asks: Do we always panic at the first sign of an infection and reach for antibiotics, or do we allow our children (when safe to do so) the opportunity to strengthen their immunity?
Dr Jennifer encourates parents to gain knowledge on fevers. Dr Jennifer reminds parents that if we continuously interfere with the innate intelligence of the body by consistently lowering a child’s temperature or using artificial aides, we can compromise their immune system and make them less capable of mounting immune responses in the future.1 Inexperienced immunities then take offence to natural allergens, rendering the child susceptible to chronic illness.2
A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE
GREATEST GIFTS WE CAN GIVE OUR CHILDREN
Drugs can save lives—that is indisputable—but we must also recognise that drugs are capable of damaging the health of our children. The blind faith that many people have in prescription and over-the-counter drugs is ill-deserved and largely due to elaborate marketing strategies by drug companies.
The number of children today suffering with allergies, asthma, behavioural disorders and brain-damage is exorbitant. As parents, we need to ask, “Why is this so?”
Considering the high level of toxins that children are already exposed to today, and the dangers involved with prescription and over-the-counter drugs,3 there are many safe and proactive steps which parents can take before resorting to pharmaceuticals.
Chiropractors and other holistic practitioners aim to support the natural defense systems of the body. They see childhood illnesses as essential stepping stones to building a strong and healthy immune system.
“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”
THE BUDDHA Allowing your child the opportunity to independently strengthen their immune system is one of the greatest gifts you can offer them.
OTHER PAGES IN THIS SECTION:
 Background
Well Adjusted Babies Book
The Well Adjusted Babies Website
A Clear Nervous System
Diet: Is Food Your Friend or Foe?
Wellness Oriented Practitioners
Proactive Health versus Disease-Oriented Health
Improving Health Literacy
Vaccination
Holistic Parenting
Professional/Peer Testimonials
External links
1. Fysh PN DC FICCP. Fighting Fever Phobia With Knowledge. Chiropractic Paediatrics; A publication of the ICA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics: Autumn 2008. JVSR 2004. (pg 1-9)
2. May A. Bauchner H. Fever phobia: the paediatricianÂ’s contribution. Paediatrics. 1992;90:851-4.WEIRD A thing
3. i Antibiotic use in Infancy Linked to Increased Risk of Asthma. Clin Exp Allergy. 1999;29:766-771.
ii. Mims Annual 2002. 26th Edition. Singapore: Tien Wah Press; 2002. 1989;70-77.
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