ADHD Diagnosis on the Rise

Between 2009 and 2010 the percentage of poor children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity increased from 8 to 12% with a corresponding increase in stimulant drugs as a treatment. Every year, my assistant and I do a good number of physicals for midget football. This year I noticed a good sized jump in the number of kids on these drugs, compared to 2011. It is a shame that Medicaid and most insurances do not cover food allergy blood tests for these kids. Identifying food reactions, along with vitamin B12 and fish oils would go a long way toward solving this difficult problem without the drugs. See Family Practice News, July 2012, p. 6-7. www.healthcelebration.com