ADHD

Today we will takle the ADHD "epidemic"

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the name of a group of behaviors found in many children . People who have ADHD have trouble paying attention in school, at home or at work. They may be much more active and/or impulsive than what is usual for their age. These behaviors contribute to significant problems in relationships, learning and behavior. For this reason, children who have ADHD are sometimes seen as being "difficult" or as having behavior problems.ADHD is common, affecting 4% to 12% of school-age children. It's more common in boys than in girls.


What are the symptoms of ADHD?

1. The child with ADHD who is inattentive will have 6 or more of the following symptoms:

Has difficulty following instructions
Has difficulty keeping attention on work or play activities at school and at home
Loses things needed for activities at school and at home
Appears not to listen
Doesn't pay close attention to details
Seems disorganized
Has trouble with tasks that require planning ahead
Forgets things
Is easily distracted

2. The child with ADHD who is hyperactive/impulsive will have at least 6 of the following symptoms:

Fidgety
Runs or climbs inappropriately
Can't play quietly
Blurts out answers
Interrupts people
Can't stay in seat
Talks too much
Is always on the go
Has trouble waiting his or her turn


What should I do if I think my child has ADHD?

Talk with your child's doctor. A diagnosis of ADHD can be made only by getting information about your child's behavior from several people who know your child. Your doctor will ask you questions and may want to get information from your child's teachers or anyone else who is familiar with your child's behavior. Your doctor will do vision and hearing tests if these tests haven't been done recently.Your doctor may recommend trying medicine to see if it helps control your child's hyperactive behavior. Your doctor may also want your child to see someone who specializes in helping children who have behavior problems, such as a psychologist.

In this article we will provide an alternative to the traditional approach to ADHD that is usually taken. Usually the children's teacher will be the first one to "notice" any changes. They will try to contact the parents to try to get the kid to a doctor or a psychologist for evaluation. Usually kids will end up taking stimulant medication and optimally some sort of counseling.

Parents and professionals faced with the challenging task of treating ADHD in children commonly face an unfortunate situation in which behavior problems at home and/or school have placed yet another pressure to opt for medication as the primary treatment.

There is little doubt that the majority of these 'medicated' children will have benefits in their attention span, behavior, and other components of their disorder. And yet, the benefits of medication come with built-in risks from misdiagnosis, side effects, abuse, and unforeseen long-term complications.

Although complementary and alternative therapies have shown promise in treating ADHD, the task of matching the patient to the most appropriate of these therapies remains difficult to parents and health professionals. Many treating physicians are waiting for better studies, and conventional standards, to help establish appropriate treatment protocols.

Alternative Medicine in the treament of ADHD

First the non pharmacological approach:

1. Digestion & Nutrition: In some cases, there are common, healthy foods ( usually wheat and dairy products ) to which an individual is sensitive. Removal of these foods from the child’s diet leads to profound changes in behavior. This includes sweets ( sugars and artificial sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, Splenda and Aspartame ) .In other cases, food additives or a defficient protein intake are the culprits. Other nutritional deficiencies can also be present in otherwise healthy looking kids. Dietary adjustments and digestive aids can clear up symptoms in these cases and help build a solid foundation of nutrition for healthy development.

2. Environmental influences: Many studies have linked excessive TV viewing to increases in child obesity and violent behavior. Recent studies have been shown correlations between TV viewing time and ADHD prevalence. The two have been positively linked (the more time spent watching TV at age 1 and 3 years, the more likely attentional problems were present at age 7). The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends no TV viewing for children 2 and younger, and only 1-2 hours per day of nonviolent, educational programs for older children.

3. Exposure to toxins. Pesticides and herbicides have been linked with other health problems like cancer and reproductive issues, and heavy metals have been linked with a number of behavioral and learning problems. If you are unsure about the safety of your drinking water, air, or food, these can and should be assessed.

4. Cultural issues: At the heart of the ADHD epidemic are the changing educational expectations, and many other cultural issues. Children are being expected to perform well on tests and learn academic material earlier and earlier in their development. Academic Goals are increased with very little emphasis on subjects such as music, arts or physical training. This is not healthy at all. The children need to be able to run around and release their great supplies of energy. If not allowed to do this on the playground, children will release their energy in other ways that we do not find as desirable. Parents also devote less and less time to their children who need consistency and attention.

There are herbs that can help with ADHD such as:


1. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Ginkgo leaves are remarkable for their ability of their ginkgolide and flavone glycoside-containing extracts to increase local blood flow to brain, bringing greater oxygenation to the tissues, while acting as a neural antoixidant. Ginkgo also improvies brain glucose metabolism, and positively affects levels of amine neurotransmitter substances in the brain. These benefits become more pronounced after prolonged use.

2. Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) This Ayurvedic herb has a long history of use as a cognitive enhancer. Research shows that it the protects brain from free radical damage even better than the cognitive-enhancing drug deprenyl (Battacharya), while stimulating improved learning and cognitive function (Kidd).

3. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosis) Adaptogenic; helps to modulate stress reactions by normalizing physiological function. The extract stimulates brain activity and causes a more economical release of body energy which results in increased work output. It contains a mixture of eleutherosides A-E, including syriingin (B) and syringaresinol diglucoside (E), which have been shown to diminish stress-caused reductions of strength and memory retrieval. It also benefits growth rates.
The anti-stress effect seems to derive from its antioxidant and steroid metabolism activity on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal endocrine function. It improves adaptation to dimished blood flow to the brain. Siberian ginseng also produces an increase of amine nerve transmitter substances in the brain and adrenal gland.

4. Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica, also Hydrocotyle asiatica) These herbs are not to be confused with the caffeine-containg Kola nut. Their triterpenoid glycosides - asiaticoside, madecassoside, and brahmoside - reduce adrenal corticosterone blood levels during stress. They have also been found to be useful for cognitive and nervous disorders and vascular problems of the brain.

5. Green Oats (Avena sativa) The fresh green seeds have been used as a mild antispasmotic and nourishing nerve tonic. Its tonic effects are not immediatly stimulating as with caffeine, but are cummulative and resotorative over time with continued use.

Chinese Medicine can also help. You may want to go to your local Acupuncturist or Medical Acupuncturist for the following formula from Kan Herbs : Calm Dragon Formula (K'an Herbs) also called Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction.

Another formula, marketed as Liquid Serenity, from Dr. Tilgner has got the following profile:

1. St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum, is a nervine, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and trophorestorative (nourishing). It is used for depression, fear, insomnia, anxiety or feelings of worthlessness, nerve pain and night terrors. St. John's Wort should be used long term for these effects.

2.Kava Kava, Piper methisticum, is a sedative, hypnotic, antispasmostic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and mild anticonvulsant. It is used to relieve anxiety, stress, insomnia, tension headaches, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and general pain from muscle spasms or inflammation. Research has shown that individuals are able to maintain cognitive effects when using kava kava, unlike most sedative or hypnotic drugs.

3. Siberian Ginseng, Elutherococcus senticosus, is an adaptogen. It helps the body to adapt to stressful situations of many types whether from internal or external causes. It increases endurance and concentration and enhances oxygen metabolism in tissues and organs. This herb strengthens disgestion, kidneys, and enhances overall resistance to disease. It is supportive to the adrenal gland and other bodily functions.

4. Skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora, is a sedative, antispasmotic, hypotensive, nervous sytem trophorestorative and cerebral vasodilator. It is used for insomnia, restless sleep, agitation, nervous exhaution, and nervous system weakness after prolonged illness. Skullcap is indicated for nervous irritation of the cerebrospinal nervous system.

5. Chamomile, Matricaria recutitia, is anti-inflamatory, antispasmotic, analgesic, carminative, sedative, and stomachic. It is a restorative tonic for the nervous system. Chamomile isused as a mild sedative for nervousness and nightmares and is especially nice for infants and children that are restless when attempting to sleep.

6. Oat, Avena sativa, is a slow-acting nourishing nervine. Green oat extracts have been used in breaking addictive habits with substances like morphine, opium, alcohol, nicotine, and coffee. It is also used for insomnia, nervousness, and an irritated nervous system from exhaustion or stress.

7. Schisandra, Schisandra chinensis, is a hepatoprotective, immunomodulator, adaptogen, and cholagogue. It increases brain efficiency, work capacity, and builds strength. It is used in this formula for its multi-system support. It is useful in insomnia, night sweats, prolonged diarrhea, and immunodeficient states.

8. Lavender essential oil, Lavandula officinalis, is a spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, and carminative. It is used for nervous excitement, exhaustion, and insomnia.

9. Orange essential oil, Citrus aurantium, has an aroma that is relaxing and uplifting. The aroma is taken into the body by the olfactory nerve and affects the limbic system of the brain.

I hope that these tips help you out. Also do bear i n mind that counseling with a formal psychologist for both the child and the parents is always helpful when dealing with ADHD. It will also be helpful for the parents to meet regularly with the school teachers and advisors to discuss the progress or lack of it with the treament they are getting.

Please watch the following video on ADHD:





For more information, go to our sister website http://www.medicaldocs.net/ADHD.php to purchase the E-book: Alternative ADHD cures. This ebook will give you:

1. The TOP TEN all natural supplements to treat ADHD.

2. Get NO PILL approaches to treat ADHD.

3. Get resources to contact ASAP to start a treatment protocol ASAP.

4. Learn about an ancient eastern treatment to effectively eliminate the stress component of ADHD.

5. Get Support resources to help you and your child cope better with ADHD and get together ( electronically ) with other parents and specialists to share experiences.

6. Get answers about why treating with medicine might not be your first option.

7. Learn about a group of physicians in Florida that are treating ADHD with a novel combination of amino acids claiming to resolve >70% of all cases and how to contact them.