ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of if not the most common neurobehavioral disorder suffered by children around the world. A Recent report by the Mayo Clinic states that about 7.5% of school age children have ADHD, many of these children will continue to suffer from this condition as adults. It is also one of the most undiagnosed disorders today and despite numerous studies, there is still much that researchers don’t know about this disorder.
By: Nikita
Causes of ADHD
Despite intensive study, researchers have not been able to pinpoint the cause or causes of ADHD. However, they have made some observations about the condition.
ADHD may have a genetic link as adults who have or had ADHD are more likely to have a child with the condition.
Many children with ADHD are deficient in the minerals Zinc and Magnesium
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Many children with this disorder are much more deficient in omega-3 fatty acids than children who do not have it.
Many children with this disorder are much more deficient in omega-3 fatty acids than children who do not have it.
Recent British research suggests that certain food additives may exacerbate ADHD symptoms if not cause ADHD.
Other studies suggest that mothers who smoke, drink, or take drugs are more likely to have a child with ADHD.
Until a direct cause or causes are found for ADHD there is little hope of preventing or curing this condition. This means that at this time, the only hope for children and adults with ADHD lies in the treatment of the condition.
Treatment Options For ADHD
The most accepted treatment for ADHD has been a combination of Prescription drugs and behavioral therapy. In the past, all drugs used for the treatment of ADHD were stimulants, which was the only recommended treatment for ADHD for decades. Ironically these stimulants only worked for 70% to 80% of the children and were not recommended for adults at all.
In recent years some none stimulant medications have been used for children and adults with ADHD. In some cases, antidepressants may be prescribed to treat this condition.
However, in recent years parents and some experts concerned about the long term effects of these prescription medications on children and adults have opted for what the medical profession refers to as alternative treatments. These treatments include natural and chemical free ways of treating ADHD that may range from everything from changes in diet to Natural supplements for this condition. In recent years natural treatments for ADHD have begun to show promise.
Dangers of Prescription or Chemical Medications for the Treatment of ADHD
As most people know Prescription medications are made of chemicals that can and often do have some serious side effects. Many parents and a growing number of experts have become concerned about the dangers that these medications pose to both children and adults. Some of these dangers include:
Increased aggression - While aggression is a trait that many children with ADHD have, many others are not the slightest bit aggressive. Yet, many parents have noted an increased aggressiveness in their children once they began taking medications such as Ritalin. The truth is that an overly aggressive child may become a danger to himself and to others, so parents certainly don’t want to give their child medications that will make or increase their aggressive tendencies.
Sleeplessness – Here again sleeplessness is a symptom of ADHD for some children, but not for others. However, when prescription medication is given to children to treat the condition, sleeplessness may become a real issue which further affects their ability to concentrate and learn. It can also lead to a significant increase in meltdowns, frustration, and depression.
Increased Dependence – Like any drug, prescription medications for ADHD only work for so long before the dosage needs to be increased to have the same effect. This not only pours more and more chemicals into the child’s system, it can also cause an increased dependence on the drug especially as these drugs are often prescribed for years on end.
Depression and Suicidal Thoughts - Medications for ADHD have also been linked to increased depression and Suicidal thoughts especially among teenagers.
Sudden Death – There have been incidents in sudden death among both children and adults when taking prescribed ADHD medications. This usually happens when a person has a pre-existing heart condition. However, many doctors prescribe these drugs without first having a complete cardiac work or exam done, which increases the risk to those who may have heart problems and be unaware of it.
The Zombie Effect – Many children on ADHD medications complain about not feeling like themselves. They claim they feel somewhat like a zombie and while they are able to concentrate better they complain they have difficulty thinking.
There are other minor side effects such as head aches, stomach cramps, and nausea that are linked to these prescription medications.
Along with all the dangers of prescription medications for ADHD people should note that these medications really do nothing to treat the ADHD, but rather mask the symptoms of the condition.
Natural ADHD Supplements
Worried about the many dangers that prescription drugs pose, more and more people are turning to natural supplements as part of an overall treatment for ADHD. It should be noted that in most cases these supplements are taken in combination with changes in diet, behavioral modification, Exercise therapy, and other natural treatments for ADHD. When used in combination and as part of an overall treatment plan for ADHD the following natural supplements have been shown to be effective.
Omega 3 fish oil supplements - Studies suggest that children and young adults who have been given omega 3 fish oil supplements have shown improvement in both concentration and behavior. One Australian study showed a marked improvement in reading and math skills of children with ADHD who were given omega-3 fish oil supplement.
Another study conducted of youthful offenders who had aggression issues showed that over time the aggressive tendencies diminished noticeably. Since research shows that many children with ADHD have a marked deficiency of omega 3 fatty acids, common sense will tell you that repairing this deficiency only makes sense.
Zinc and Magnesium supplements – Studies have indicated that ADHD children who are deficient in zinc or magnesium show less hyperactivity when given such natural supplements. However, it should be noted that both of these minerals can be harmful to children if they overdose on them so before giving your child one of these supplements have your child tested to see if they are deficient and then follow your doctor's directions on the correct dosage to give your child.
Herbs and Herbal Supplements - Many people claim that herbs and herbal supplements are effective at helping to treat some of the symptoms of ADHD. These herbs include; Gingko Biloba which helps improve concentration and memory, Ginseng, which reduces stress and anxiety and lemon balm, which has a calming effect.
Other homeopathic remedies include:
Hyoscyamus – Studies in 1997 revealed that extracts from this plant are very effective in reducing hyperactivity, restlessness, and impulsiveness.
Tuberculinum – If your child finds it hard to stay focused or if he shows destructive behavior, this is a great homeopathic remedy to use.
Arsen Iod – Kids with ADHD are usually prone to temper outbursts or tantrums. You can minimize these occurrences by giving him extracts of arsen iod, which also increases a child’s concentration capabilities.
Verta alb – Another well-recommended homeopathic treatment for ADHD, Verta alb is particularly useful for calming an overly excitable child.
In addition, many people believe that natural nonsynthetic multiple vitamins may help to treat this condition. However, most experts today, don’t recommend multiple vitamins as the chances of being deficient in every one of the vitamins and minerals in these multi vitamins is slim, and it is possible you may overdose on a certain vitamin contained in the multivitamin, which will cause additional health problems.
There are lots of studies proving the effectiveness of these ADHD natural supplements or homeopathic treatments but in order to enjoy the best results, you have to use them the right way. You should also buy the products from a reliable manufacturer to ensure the safety of your child.
The brand that we recommend is called Native Remedies, we have no doubts about the quality of the products because they are manufactured in duly registered laboratories.
As a parent, you wouldn’t want to settle for anything less than the best for your child. So if you want to give them the most effective treatment for ADHD without the risk of side effects, then visit Native Remedies website for more information on their natural ADHD supplements.
Whether you choose to treat you or your child’s ADHD with prescription drugs or natural supplements knowing what is available and the dangers they may pose will help you to make a more informed decision.
