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Many of these children are not acting out of malicious intent; they are just biochemically out of balance. The scientific arena only began research into this behavior at the turn of the 20th century. Dr. George Still was introduced to several young children who he described as having "defective moral control". He studied many patients and gave lectures on his findings in hope to bring attention to this serious disorder. For most of the 20th century, our understanding has steadily grown, but many holes remain.
The disease had no particular name until 1987 when scientists began referring to it as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADD or ADHD is now considered the most common behavioral problem in America, affecting more than 3.5 million children. According to the American Psychiatric Association, ADD is a term used to depict children who display characteristics of hyperactivity along with impulsive and/or inattentive behavior. The long-term problems associated with this disorder include the following: learning, socialization, and a risk of psychopathology in adulthood. Various biological factors are considered to have a causal relationship to ADD. These include neurochemical imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, hypoglycemia, poor eating habits, and environmental chemicals. Unfortunately, controversial drugs such as Ritalin, and Adderall are the most commonly used medical treatments for children with ADD. Both of the drugs are powerful central nervous stimulants and can produce addictive tendencies. They also can cause harmful side effects such as nervousness, insomnia, tachycardia, and loss of appetite. These drugs function by increasing the levels of catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) available at the synapses in the brain.
Today, however, no one has pinpointed the exact cause of ADHD, but some interesting research has been taking place.
Identical twins are more likely than fraternal twins to both suffer from ADHD. Since identical twins share genetic material, this leads some to believe that ADHD may have a genetic component.
About seventy percent of ADHD children continue having ADHD when they are adults.
Another interesting line of research is in the cells of the brain. The ends of nerve cells do not touch one another, so messages must jump across a microscopic gulf called a synapse. Though the process is not completely understood, researchers believe brain chemicals, notably serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, help those messages build that synapse. When those chemicals are low or are not function properly, some messages jump, but fall short of crossing the synapse, meaning messages don't get transmitted, or at least, don't get fully transmitted.
The most commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD is medication. Ritalin, the brand name for the stimulant methylphenidate, is the most often prescribed. Ritalin is a stimulant that helps to enhance the effect of the brain chemicals that help nerve and brain cells receive messages from each other. Why exactly a stimulant like Ritalin should calm someone down remains a mystery, because common sense tells us it should make you more energetic. There is clear evidence Ritalin can help ease the suffering of a child with ADHD. The child can be more attentive and less aggressive. The problem with Ritalin is not its ability to successfully help the seventy percent of patients whom it can help, but the misdiagnosis by many physicians on children that should not take this powerful drug. Physicians are diagnosing children with ADD often in less than half an hour. A proper ADHD/ADD diagnosis process also requires a substantial diagnostic analysis, something not possible in an hour. Since 1981, use of the controlled drug has jumped 700% in the United States. Since 1990, Ritalin's usage has risen dramatically in the U.S. while remaining constant in other countries. Other countries' consumption of the drug is only about 15 percent of what it is in this country. If your child is on Ritalin, or you are considering Ritalin, consider these facts:
Ritalin is becoming a popular drug to abuse. Its emergency room visits from overdoses has more than doubled in recent years.
The studies on Ritalin are 96% performed on boys, with very few studying long-term effects of the drug therapy and ADHD.
Adderall and Strattera are two new drugs to treat ADD. Adderall is a time-released mixture of amphetamine salts for patients who do not respond to Ritalin. It has also been found to have many of the side effects and abuse potential of Ritalin. Strattera is a non-stimulant medication that works as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. This approach is quite different than any other ADHD treatment. It should not have many of the side effects of the other treatments nor should it have much abuse potential. It was approved in 2002 and the jury is still out on its safety and efficacy.
So, what are some natural supplements to be considered? The following are introductory descriptions of herbs, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements that could aid sufferers of ADHD.
This amazing compound has always been the darling of the pharmacologist in that it is structurally clean, it is naturally present in human fluids and tissues, and because it does not cause nervousness or jitters, although categorized as a stimulant. Phenylethylamine is found in chocolate, and is responsible for its effects on mood, appetite, and sense of well-being. Phenylethylamine is a catecholamine precursor and intrinsically probably the cleanest stimulant known to man. Until recent discoveries, PEA or phenylethylamine was rapidly destroyed within the body. If included with novel delivery systems, phenylethylamine HCL is provided "safe transport" and this metabolic fate is avoided and pharmacological activity becomes extremely apparent.
Neurochemical imbalances in the brain are the focus of many drugs being developed. Offering nutrient precursors of neurotransmitters can increase production of signaling compounds, thereby minimizing imbalances and dysfunction of the message sending systems in the brain. The most important nutrient- DMAE, or Dimethylaminoethanol, is a free radical chain transfer agent used as a "smart drug". DMAE can be interpreted to induce a psychophysiological state of well-being on both levels of analysis- mood and electrical pattern of activity- in subjects suffering from emotional disturbances. DMAE allows people to remain alert and focused by decreasing Alpha 1 power in the cortex of the brain. L-Tyrosine is also very vital as a precursor for biosynthesis of neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This is similar to the mode of the new non-stimulant prescription drug Strattera.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been implicated in mental performance. Several studies have shown the importance of B-Vitamins (folic acid, B-6, and B-12) for behavioral changes, and personality disorders. Scientists at Baylor University Medical Center reported that B-12 and folic acid deficiencies could alter neurotransmitter function and contribute to neurological and psychiatric conditions. Vitamin B-6, an important coenzyme for the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, is required for optimal brain function.
Many herbs have active constituents that are very vital to someone suffering from ADHD. An example is Gingko Biloba, which is often referred to as a "brain food". Gingko is a powerful anti-oxidant, which helps take out free radicals that cause deterioration of cells. Gingko has been found to help alertness, attention, and memory. Griffonia seed is a powerful herb that converts to serotonin in the body. This is one of the nerve chemicals that jump the spaces between the brain?s nerve cells. Lastly, and most importantly in the herbal category, is Citrus Aurantium. Research done by Pharmatech, Ltd. on the active substance, synephrine, derived from Citrus Aurantium, has been exciting. Scientists have observed how this natural stimulant more closely mimics the structure of the brain's chemical transmitters than do manufactured stimulants, such as Ritalin.
Many parents are looking for natural remedies to replace the potentially dangerous drugs. The compounds described above have shown to offer promise for enhancing neurological function and improving behavior. These natural compounds can address the symptoms associated with ADD. A product recently introduced by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has been shown to be very promising in treating ADD in both children and adults. Hi-Tech's product, Attention-Link is based upon three years of research and development by a top research firm in Belize, Pharmatech Limited. The success Pharmatech, Ltd. had on the proprietary formula licensed to Hi-Tech is amazing. Studies on Attention-Link have documented the impact on specific brain neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These studies showed consistent improvement in behavior, concentration, and attention, when patients are supplemented with Attention-Link. Parents should not feel alone since teachers, school administrators, as well as public health officials, and even politicians are looking for natural alternatives to this biological problem.
Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals finally introduces Attention Link, an ADHD Natural Remedy recently that has been shown to be incredibly promising in treating ADD in both children and adults. Hi-Tech's product, Attention-Link is completely based upon three years of research and development by a incredible top research firm in Belize, Pharmatech Limited. Pharmatech, Ltd. had simply amazing success on the proprietary formula completely licensed to Hi-Tech. Studies on Attention-Link have actually documented the impact on specific brain neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These studies showed consistent improvement in actual behavior, concentration, and attention, when patients are actually supplemented with Attention-Link. Parents should not feel completely alone since teachers, school administrators, as well as public health officials, and even politicians are looking for completely natural alternatives to this biological problem.
If ADD troubles you or someone you are incredibly close to, Hi-Tech Attention Link might be the definate answer you need, without all of the negative side effects that are often associated with prescription medications.
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