|
Conventional What are the treatments for ADHD?
The most common treatment for ADHD is the use of stimulant drugs. Whether or not drug therapy is recommended is often related to the severity of the symptoms. The use of methylphenidate, the most commonly prescribed drug for the management of ADHD, has increased 700 percent in the past five years.(1) Sometimes drugs called psychotropic medications may be prescribed. These are drugs that are most commonly used to treat psychiatric disorders. Using the standard tests that are associated with the diagnosis of ADHD, along with a thorough physical examination, your physician will be able to prescribe a medication that is most appropriate.
It seems that stimulant drugs may serve as a homeostat to stabilize arousal and thereby temper the spontaneous fluctuations that are characteristic of ADHD.(2, 3) Most parents report positive outcomes with the use of these drugs even though the side effects associated with them may cause concern. Some of the side effects include sleeplessness, lack of appetite, and increased thirst. Parents must monitor these side effects during early treatment with stimulant drugs in order to assure the best dosage for the child.
While conventional drug treatment is common, there is mounting evidence that many ADHD sufferers can achieve dramatic results with dietary, nutritional, and environmental interventions. Particularly among young children, non-pharmaceutical interventions provide a risk free alternative that can be explored as a first line of treatment. If drug therapy is chosen as the preferred treatment, then combining that therapy with solid nutrition and dietary supplementation can result in a more comprehensive program.
Nutritional Supplementation Additional information (Precautions) is available by clicking on the underlined supplement. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
It has been suggested that a lack of essential fatty acids is a possible cause of hyperactivity in children. It is more likely the result of varying biochemical influences. These children have a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) either because they cannot metabolize linoleic acid normally, cannot absorb EFAs effectively from the gut, or because their EFA requirements are higher than normal.
Some of the physical symptoms reported in ADHD are similar to symptoms observed in essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in animals and humans. Researchers report that a subgroup of patients expressing many symptoms similar to those seen in EFA deficiency had lower plasma levels of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid compared to those with fewer symptoms.(4, 5) Children with low levels of total omega-3 fatty acids exhibited significantly more behavioral problems, temper tantrums, and learning, health, and sleep problems than did those with high proportions of omega-3 fatty acids.(6)
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most commonly deficient nutrients in children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders.(7)
Magnesium supplementation has been found to reduce levels of hyperactivity when the children being studied were given 200mg each day over a six month period of time.(8) The chief sources of magnesium in the diet are fruits and vegetables.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
N-acetyl cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that helps to remove toxins from the body.(9, 10) Some studies indicate that exposure to toxic metals such as mercury(11) and lead(12) result in declines in attention and memory, as well as many other negative effects. If patients with ADD/ADHD are found to have elevated levels of toxic metals, N-acetyl cysteine is an effective agent to utilize in a detoxification program. Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus acidophilus
Studies report an association between ear infections in childhood and the development of hyperactivity.(13) Some practitioners believe that this is because the antibiotics affect the healthy bacteria in the intestines allowing toxins to enter the blood stream. The intestinal tract in a healthy person is populated with beneficial bacteria. Antibiotics can destroy a large percentage of the beneficial bacteria. If probiotics are not taken following a course of antibiotics, "bad" bacteria that are normally present in only small concentrations can compete equally with the few remaining friendly bacteria. If substantial amounts of pathological bacteria proliferate, it is quite possible the toxins excreted from their metabolism can enter the blood stream, causing hyperactivity, blood sugar anomalies, malabsorption of nutrients as well as other conditions.
Herbal Supplementation Additional information (Precautions) is available by clicking on the underlined supplement. Olive Leaf
Olive leaf extract has been reported to be an effective antimicrobial agent against a wide variety of pathogens.(14) It also has antiviral activity(15, 16) which acts as an antifungal agent.
Kava
Kava has been used for centuries by South Pacific natives. In European phytomedicine, kava has long been used as a safe, effective treatment for mild anxiety states, nervous tension, muscular tension, and mild insomnia.(17, 18) Some practitioners recommend Kava to children with ADHD to help with the stress and nervousness that accompanies this condition. Evening Primrose
Evening primrose oil (EPO) is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid.(19, 20) The human body can produce all but two fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Both must be obtained through the diet or with the use of supplements. Obtaining a balance of these two fatty acids is essential. Essential fatty acids are needed for building cell membranes and are precursors for production of hormones and prostaglandins. Modern diets tend to be lacking in quality sources of fatty acids. Grapefruit Seed
Grapefruit seed extract has been reported to be a broad spectrum antimicrobial.(21) It has been found to inhibit some of the "bad" bacterial that may be found in the gut and to help maintain the adequate levels of the healthy bacteria.(21) Bacopa
Bacopa or water hyssop, is a plant used since approximately the sixth century A.D. in the traditional Ayurvedic Medical System of India as an extract with cognition-enhancing benefits. Termed "Brahmi" in the Hindu language Sanskrit, bacopa is the foremost tonic for the nervous system in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been traditionally used for epilepsy, mental illness, and to improve memory and mental capacities.(22) Bacopa was reported to increase learning ability in laboratory animals.(23) Clinically, bacopa has been reported to be a useful agent for improving intellectual behavior in children.
Homeopathy Agaricus muscarius
Typical Dosage: 6X or 6C, 30X or 30C
Difficulty in learning;
Nervous children;
Aversion to mental tasks Baryta carbonica
Typical Dosage: 6X or 6C, 30X or 30C
Physically and intellectually backward children, anxiousness;
Aversion to play;
Poor memory;
Inattention to studies Hyoscyamus niger
Typical Dosage: 6X or 6C, 30X or 30C
Insomnia and nightmares;
Fearful;
Very talkative Stramonium
Typical Dosage: 6X or 6C, 30X or 30C
Very restless;
Impulsive;
Talkative;
Sometimes hysterical;
Obstinate;
Uncontrolled fury Tarentula hispana
Typical Dosage: 12C
Irritable and moody;
Constantly moving;
Headaches;
Indifference;
Anger;
Poor memory
Diet & Lifestyle The effect of diet on children with hyperactivity disorder has been the subject of debate for over 30 years. During the 1960's, Dr. Benjamin Feingold, a California pediatrician, studied the effects of a low salicylate diet in the treatment of ADHD after observing an exacerbation of symptoms among hyperactive children when they ate salicylate-containing foods. Feingold's observations led to a controlled clinical trial, which demonstrated that in addition to artificial colors and preservatives (which contain high amounts of salicylates), 90 percent of the ADHD children in the study had additional food intolerances.(24) The most common allergenic foods among children have been identified as cow's milk, corn, wheat, soy, peanuts, and eggs. Additional "problem foods" have been identified. An experimental diet among preschool boys with sleep problems and hyperactive behavior demonstrated that after removal of artificial flavors and colors, dairy products, caffeine, MSG, and chocolate, over 50 percent of the children improved.(25) One study compared the treatment success of dietary restriction with methylphenidate and found that while 44 percent responded to the drug treatment, 24 percent had equal success with dietary modifications alone.(26)
-
Avoid/eliminate all sugar and simple carbohydrate and white flour/pasta foods.
- Avoid/eliminate all foods containing artificial flavoring agents, coloring agents, and preservatives.
- Identify and eliminate food and environmental allergies
Full Spectrum Light: Dr. John Ott reported doing time lapse photography of a hyperactive child in a Sarasota, Florida elementary school. Over the weekend, the standard cool white fluorescent lights in this classroom were changed from their original tubes to full spectrum fluorescent lights. Within a week after the new full spectrum lights had been installed, the films revealed a reduction in the amount of hyperactive behavior with the new full spectrum lighting.(27)
Biofeedback: Numerous trials support the use of biofeedback as a retraining tool for brain patterning.
|
