ADHD Symptoms

ADHD The Easier Solution

2009-05-28T23:18:00.000-07:00

ADHD is a very rapidly growing part of the health care industry. The symptoms are varied, including: irritability, hyperactivity and behavioral problems. Many kids are so affected that they require some pretty hefty drugs to control them.

I spoke at a medical conference in Denver in 2004. One of the other speakers was a pharmacology researcher. He brought up a statistic that indicated that kids on Ritalin [one of the prevailing drugs for ADHD] tend to become addicted to methamphetamines.

On the radio the other day, NPR was talking about giving these kids marijuana for the symptoms.

What are we doing to our kids?

According to the Psychology Department @ the University of Tennessee, kids with TRUE ADHD average about 5-7% of a normal classroom. However, somewhere between 50% of kids in school today are diagnosed and treated for ADHD.

http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/news/add_educators.asp
http://www.4-adhd.com/other-conditions.html
http://www.4-adhd.com/greentimeadhd.html

What does this tell us? There aren't as many kids with ADHD as we are led to believe. Why are we drugging the kids without true ADHD? Because these kids are a behavioral problem.

Surprisingly, we find that when we get rid of mold and toxic chemicals in a house, kids with ADHD in the home tend to get better. Almost immediately they have to go off their drugs.

Case file: We consulted with a school on the east coast. The school had sick kids [sinus infections and ADHD] and teachers [sinus infections and cancer]. The school board chose to do nothing. The people on the school board had an agenda that didn't include the health of the kids.

Many of the parents took their kids out of school to home-school.

Guess what?

The kids with ADHD who were now being home schooled, had to go off their Ritalin.

The logic behind this is easy to follow.

When mold grows in the house, car or school, chemicals are given off. These chemicals are known as mycotoxins. These mycotoxins cause many different problems from cancer to dandruff.

One class of mycotoxins is called neurotoxins. These toxins affect the nervous system. They can cause hyperactivity, confusion and even hallucinations. We had one home where the family saw rats. The pest control company said they had never had rats. We removed the mold and the rats went away. Hallucinations caused by neurotoxins.

http://www.childenvironment.org/factsheets/neurotoxins.htm
http://www.nutrition4health.org/NOHAnews/NNW00ADHD.htm

It is these mold toxins that can cause symptoms that can lead to misdiagnosis. These toxins get into the body and mimic normal chemicals that have specific functions. These normal chemicals may tell the legs to move or tell the body when to calm down. If these normal chemicals are bypassed or blocked by the toxins, then weird things begin to happen in the child's world.

If your legs moved when you didn't want them to, wouldn't you be a little hard to get along with?

What is the cure?

[Let's get one thing cleared up first. Getting rid of mold will not change kids with real ADHD.] Although, it may help.

Too much moisture or too little ventilation in the building causes mold.

1. So dry out the house. Make sure the vents in your attic and crawlspace are open and working.

2. Fix leaks in bathrooms and kitchens.

3. Insulate A/C ducts and water pipes.

4. Get and use dehumidifiers to dry the air.

5. Leave washer and dryers open when not in use.

6. Make the yard drain away from the house.

Don't drug your kids. Cure their ADHD the natural way. Clean up your environment.

: For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat andprevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean environment.http://tennesseemold.com/ebooks.shtmlDrGraham@themoldlab.com

Melatonin, Sleep Enhancement, and ADHD - Auto Recovery

2009-04-25T01:01:00.000-07:00

Overview

Melatonin is a natural hormone, which is produced and secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of many hormones in the body. Among its key roles, melatonin controls the body's circadian rhythm, an internal 24-hour time-keeping system that controls when we fall asleep and when we wake up.

Melatonin is also a very powerful antioxidant. In one study, melatonin was 60 times more effective than Vitamin C or water-soluble Vitamin E in protecting DNA from damage. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may help strengthen the immune system.

There are numerous claims and theories concerning all the things that melatonin may do and as a result it has become one of the popular life extension and life enhancing supplements that are currently available on the market today.

Uses

The most accepted function of Melatonin is it role in sleep regulation. Melatonin supplements help induce sleep in people with disrupted circadian rhythms. Melatonin is significantly more effective in decreasing the amount of time required to fall asleep, increasing the number of sleeping hours, and boosting daytime alertness.

Melatonin is purported to be one of those miracle substances that has a hand in everything. This may be due to the fact that during the height of the antioxidant craze, Melatonin was found to be a more powerful and more universal antioxidant than both vitamin C and vitamin E. Whatever the reason, Melatonin ostensibly plays a role in numerous health conditions.

Here is a partial list:

Insomnia
Osteoporosis
Menopause
Depression
Eating Disorders
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Cancer-related Weight Loss
Sarcoidosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Epilepsy
Sunburn
Viral Encephalitis
Heart Disease

Since a lot of evidence for many of these claims is rather light and since I am not trying to sell you melatonin supplements, I am going to focus only on its role in sleep enhancement.

Insomnia

As many parents realize, drugs like Ritalin are not without side effects. One of the major complaints that parents have is that their children who take Ritalin can't fall asleep at night. Many parents report that their children, who may be only five or six years old, are wide awake until 11 pm or later.

Melatonin may be able to help these children. Since it is the primary chemical in the body that helps to induce sleep, children who suffer from insomnia often find that Melatonin restores their normal sleep cycle and helps them to be more awake and alert during the day.

How to Take It

There are currently no guidelines as to how to take Melatonin. Sensitivity to Melatonin is an individual thing and doses that are ineffective in one person may be too much for someone else.

The best approach for any condition is to begin with very low doses and slowly add more until you get the effect that you are seeking.

In children, it is best to start with a dose of about 0.3 mg/day or less. Although current research suggests that even doses as high as 10 mg are perfectly safe, it is best to proceed with caution.

In adults, 3 mg is usually a safe starting dose and you can increase it or decrease it as you see fit.

Availability

Melatonin is readily available in most health food stores in the United States and it is very cheap. In Europe it is a controlled substance. Most Europeans who wish to use Melatonin find it cheaper and easier to have it shipped from the US.

Adverse Effects

Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. In one extensive clinical trial, a high dose of 75 milligrams of melatonin per day was given to 1400 women in the Netherlands for up to four years with no ill effects.

The only consistent side effect of high doses has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time.

Other common complaints include:

Vivid dreams or nightmares
Stomach cramps
Dizziness
Headache
Irritability
Decreased libido
Breast enlargement in men
Decreased sperm count.

These side effects were in healthy people. We also don't know how melatonin may affect people suffering from disease.

Possible Drug Interactions

Melatonin may interact or interfere with other drugs.

These include:

Antidepressant Medications
Antipsychotic Medications: many of these medications are now being used in treating children with ADHD and Bipolar disorder
Benzodiazepines
Blood Pressure Medications
Blood-thinning Medications, Anticoagulants
Interleukin-2
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Steroids and Immunosuppressant Medications
Tamoxifen

If your child is taking any of these things, you should consult with his doctor before giving Melatonin.

Also, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can all diminish levels of melatonin in the body while cocaine and amphetamines may increase melatonin production.

Conclusion

Often children with ADHD have a great deal of difficulty falling asleep. This can be due to the medications that they are taking or just be one component in the spectrum of their problems. When used properly, melatonin may be a safe and effective way to handle sleep problems in ADHD children.

Anthony Kane, MD
ADD ADHD Advances
http://addadhdadvances.com

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Anthony Kane, MD is a physician and international lecturer. To get step-by-step help with your ADHD/ODD child, including behavior and treatment advice, come to http://addadhdadvances.com. There you will find help, information, and lots of resources.

Beyond ADHD... The Real Child

2009-04-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

Beyond ADHD... The Real Child

by: News Canada

(NC)Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder that affects three to seven per cent of children. The disorder causes difficulties concentrating, sitting still, controlling emotions and listening. ADHD is one of the best-researched psychological disorders and the overall data on its validity are far more compelling than for most mental disorders. It is officially recognized by the World Health Organization.

Children with ADHD are not problem children, but children who have difficulty functioning. These difficulties can be addressed. These children often have special characteristics, such as being energetic, adventurous, intelligent, having a great sense of humor and the ability to throw themselves into their goals. Unfortunately, these characteristics sometimes go unnoted strictly because the difficulties caused by ADHD always seem to be front and centre.

The tendency of children with ADHD to be disorganized, forgetful and easily distracted sometimes makes it hard for their true colours to shine, but the potential is there and often just needs a helping hand.

Physicians, parents and educators routinely offer guidance by teaching children with ADHD that the disorder is a challenge, not an excuse. With the help of medication, which can correct the underlying chemical imbalance, along with appropriate counseling, they have a fair chance of reaching their full potential.

All medications currently approved to treat ADHD belong to a class called stimulants. A number of new investigational ADHD treatments offer great promise and in the future Canadians will have more choice in ADHD treatment.

Research has shown that up to 60 per cent of children continue to have symptoms into adulthood and this can cause career difficulties due to disorganization and attention deficiencies, but those who adapt to their condition as children can thrive personally and professionally.

For more information on ADHD, please visit your doctor.

- News Canada

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

ADHD and Food Allergies

2009-03-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

ADHD and Food Allergies

by: Anthony Kane, MD

Introduction

There are a number of controversial areas in medicine when it comes to ADHD. Food allergy is certainly one of them.

The classic allergic reaction, which is classified as the type-1 hypersensitivity reaction, can be elicited by food, but this is fairly uncommon. When we discuss food sensitivities in ADHD we are discussing a different, not well-defined, mechanism.

One of the main progenitors of the food allergy/ADHD connection is Dr. Doris Rapp. Dr. Rapp was a pediatric allergist who noticed that many children in her practice had significant physical and behavioral changes when exposed to certain foods. They may have red ear lobes, dark circles under their eyes, or glazed eyes after eating certain foods. These children could have tremendous swings in behavior. They can be calm one minute and wildly hyperactive a few minutes later.

To make it more interesting, children with food allergies usually crave the food that affects them negatively. That means a child who is allergic to peanuts will demand peanut butter and jelly for lunch everyday, and for the rest of the afternoon you have to peel him off of the ceiling.

What is Food Allergy?

The classic allergic reaction operates through a very specific mechanism. The reaction is caused when a specific type of antibody, called IgE, reacts with a specific provoking substance called an allergen. The result of this interaction is an allergic response and the person is deemed allergic to that allergen.

The specific type of antibody involved in classic allergy is called IgE. The proposed antibody mechanism for this type of food allergy does not involve IgE, but a different antibody called IgG. This is significant because standard allergy testing tests only for IgE antibodies. If your child has IgG mediated sensitivity, his allergy test is going to miss it. That means that your child may have a severe allergy to a specific food, but your allergist will tell you he is not allergic to it.

Why the Controversy?

Reason 1: Diagnosis

I said this was a very controversial area of medicine and here is one of the reasons why. Food allergies are very difficult to diagnose. One reason is that the symptoms wax and wane. When a child has a classic allergy, for example to bee stings, then every time a bee stings him, he will have a reaction. Food allergies dont work that way. There seems to be a threshold that must be exceeded before there are any symptoms. In addition, this threshold seems to vary from day to day. On some days a food will affect the child, and on other days it wont. Dr. Rapp explains this phenomenon using the analogy of a barrel.

We can view each allergic child as if he has a barrel. As long as the barrel is empty or only partially full, your child will have no problems. Your child wont become hyperactive until his barrel is overflowing.

Various things will fill your childs barrel. Lets say your child is sensitive to chocolate, cats, and peanut butter. Each of these things all can partially fill his barrel. As long as he only has peanut butter or only plays with the cat, his barrel is only partially full. That means that there are no symptoms and that his behavior is fine. Then, one day he has a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, has chocolate ice cream for dessert and plays with the cat all afternoon. These things in combination make his barrel overflow, and by evening he is out of control. Your child has food allergies, but sometimes they affect him and sometimes they dont.

The barrel can change sizes. If your child has a cold or is upset his barrel gets smaller. It takes less to make it overflow. If he is happy his barrel is bigger. It takes more to make it overflow. If he isnt eating well and that day he is low on certain nutrients his barrel gets smaller.

Many traditional allergists find this barrel concept ludicrous. It doesnt fit into the pattern of how other allergies work.

Reason 2: Method of Diagnosis

The next problem is the way in which you test for food allergies. Dr. Rapp describes a technique called provocation-neutralization testing. This method works as follows: Say that a child frequently has headaches after eating eggs. The practitioner will give an intradermal injection of egg extract. If this elicits the childs headache, then the child tests positive for egg allergy. Other signs of a positive test include an increase in pulse rate of 20 points, a large skin reaction (this indicates a classic IgE reaction), a change in the childs handwriting, or some other physical or emotional complaint. This last criterion some other physical or emotional complaint is problematic. It is too vague. The result is that when studies compared how several physicians evaluated the same group of patients, their results didnt agree. For each patient if there were twenty different doctors with twenty different sets of findings. None of their diagnoses matched.

Reason 3: The Mechanism

As I mentioned before, the proposed mechanism is an IgG mediated response. Some food allergists diagnose specific food allergies by measuring IgG levels. This runs counter to all of modern allergy practice.

Allergists give allergy shots to treat allergy. The way this works is they give a low level of allergen, which is not enough to elicit an IgE reaction. The dose is slowly increased until eventually the patient can tolerate a significant exposure to the allergen.

This is how it works. The repeated low-level exposure to the allergen induces the body to make a different antibody to the substance. This antibody attaches to the allergen and deactivates it before IgE can cause the allergy reaction. What is this antibody that allergists try to induce to cure their patients of their allergies? You guessed it, IgG. So the very antibody the traditional allergists have been inducing for decades to successfully treat allergies, the food allergy people claim is the antibody guilty of causing allergies.

For a traditional allergist this is nothing short of heresy. IgG has been used for decades to treat allergies successfully. Comes along Rapp and her friends and they claim that IgG causes allergy? This is a little hard for some people to accept.

Just how strongly do allergists reject this idea? I once tried to contact an Israeli physician who was a food allergy specialist to discuss with him provocation-neutralization testing. I called the hospital where he is on staff and asked to speak with him. For some reason the operator instead put me through to the head of the Department of Allergy.

I began discussing with him the theory of food allergies, provocation-neutralization testing and IgG testing. He told me that he was the head of a committee of allergists who were in the process of testifying before the Israeli Knesset to get legislation passed to make IgG testing illegal in Israel.

Can you imagine? You visit a prison in Israel. In one cell there is car thief. In the next cell there is a mass murderer. And in the next cell there is a guy who tested someone for food allergies. Now thats pretty strong opposition!

Do Food Allergies Really Exist?

The formal medical societies like the AMA claim there is no such thing as food allergies. Rapp and her friends have been screaming for decades that they do exist. So, what is the bottom line? Does it really make sense that what a child eats can affect him so strongly that experts will diagnose him as having ADHD?

We know that the brain is a highly complicated and sensitive organ. We know that many foods have a physiological effect on the body without inducing a classic allergic response. For example, people who are sensitive to monosodium glutamate can have a severe reaction to eating it. The chemicals in red wine affect certain people. We also know that ingesting certain foods alters brain function. Diet has been proven to influence neurotransmitter function. Components of foods can also be used as drugs. For example, tryptophan, tyrosine, and choline have been used in the treatment of sleep disorders, pain, depression, mania, hypertension, shock, or dyskinesias.

The logic of Rapps argument is so strong and there is enough circumstantial evidence, that I feel that the question is really the other way around. We know that the brain is intricate and has tremendous metabolic requirements. We know that some people have very strong reactions, including behavioral changes, to certain foods. These things are undisputed. If it turns out that foods do not elicit significant problems in sensitive children, in my opinion, we would need to explain why not!

Are we really seeing an allergy mechanism to food? I prefer to stay out of that debate. Rather than be ostracized by the doctors who specialize in allergy, I feel it is safer to call them food sensitivities. There are no doctors who specialize in sensitivity.

Does Your Child Have Food Sensitivities?

A large number of ADHD children may be having a negative response to food, and this response may be the primary cause of their ADHD. In what type of child should you suspect food allergies?

The following is a list of symptoms that resulted from food allergies in certain children:

Hyperactivity
Changes in mood
Halitosis
Sleep disturbances
Delay in sleep onset
Migraines
Other headaches
Abdominal pain
Bedwetting
Tantrums
Eczema
Asthma
Seizures

Research shows that by treating the food allergies all of these symptoms can be relieved.

If you see your childs symptoms in this list it is possible that food allergies may be contributing to his problem. If your child also has other allergic problems, such as allergy or asthma, then food allergies are almost certainly contributing to his problems.

What Should You Do?

As I wrote in How to Help the Child You Love, there are a number of approaches to diagnosing food allergies. None of them are well substantiated and all of them have difficulties. Yet, many people find that these diagnostic techniques worked for them. Therefore, Id suggest you could use them provided you have it on good authority that the person administering them has a strong record of success. In my experience, these techniques are more of an art than a science. They really depend upon the talent of the diagnostician.

As I said last time, the best approach to finding food allergies in your child is an elimination diet. It doesnt really matter which one you choose. I prefer the three that I outline in How to Help the Child You Love. (see http://addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html)

Conclusion

Researchers claim that the percentage of ADHD children whose behavioral symptoms are affected by foods ranges from 60% to 75%. This, however, is probably not an accurate number. Parents who consent to have their children participate in diet studies usually believe they have observed food-induced problems in their children. Therefore, children who participate in these studies are more likely to respond to foods than the general population. The truth is we do not know what percentage of ADHD children will respond to dietary changes, but it seems that the number is significant.

Treating the food sensitivities in ADHD children has a number of advantages over using medication. One major advantage all the current methods of treatment can be used to treat pre-school children. Most clinicians do not use medication on pre-school children. A more significant advantage of treating food allergy is that when it works, it works all day. In contrast, Ritalin wears off in about 4 hours.

All this, of course, is providing that food allergies really do exist.

The main thing to remember is that if you think your child has food allergies, then the biggest mistake you can make is to go to an allergist. They dont believe in food allergies. And whatever you do, do not go to an allergist and ask to have your child provocation-neutralization tested for food allergies. He is going to laugh at you.

Food allergy is an alternative medicine diagnosis. Still, there are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating these sensitivities, but they no longer call themselves allergists. Rapp and her group were so ostracized by the formal allergy societies that they eventually broke off and formed a new field called Environmental Medicine.

Therefore, if you want a physician to treat your child you need to find an Environmental Medicine specialist. They are not so common, but they are around.

As I mentioned before, there are a number of approaches to treating food sensitivities. The one you can do yourself is to use an elimination diet. I devoted a large section of How to Help the Child You Love describing exactly how to use elimination diets to diagnose and treat food sensitivities.

In the final analysis, I feel it is fair to say that many ADHD children have sensitivities to the foods they eat. These sensitivities may exacerbate their ADHD symptoms. I wont go so far as to say that food allergies cause ADHD. That means that if your ADHD child has severe food sensitivity, treating that sensitivity may not get rid of his ADHD. However, until you treat his food allergy, nothing else you do will really help your childs ADHD, either.

Anthony Kane, MD is a physician, an international lecturer, and director of special education. He is the author of a book, numerous articles, and a number of online programs dealing with ADHD (addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html) treatment, ODD, parenting issues (addadhdadvances.com/betterbehavior.html), and education. You may visit his website at http://addadhdadvances.com. To sign up for the free ADD ADHD Advances online journal send a blank email to: subscribe@addadhdadvances.com?subject=subscribeartcity

ADHD and Iron Deficiency

2009-03-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

ADHD and Iron Deficiency

by: Anthony Kane, MD

About 8% of children, ages 4 years and under, are deficient in iron. Between the ages of 5 and 12, the percentage rises to 13%, and then settles back to 8% in people above the age of 15. Anemia is the best-known repercussion of iron deficiency. However, even minor deficiencies in iron may weaken the immune system, affect the thyroid, and impair general physical performance. Iron deficiency has also been implicated in a number of psychiatric and neurological conditions, including learning disabilities and ADHD.

Iron is a co-enzyme in the anabolism of catecholamines. That means it is essential for the creation of certain neurotransmitters. It helps to regulate the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which probably accounts for the association of iron deficiency with neurological problems. It makes sense that supplementing ADHD children, who have some level of iron deficiency, might have some effect on their ADHD. However, what makes sense in theory, does not always work in practice. Unfortunately, there have been very few studies done testing the effects of iron supplementation on ADHD.

One study, done in Israel, evaluated 14 ADHD boys for the effect of short-term iron administration on behavior. Each boy received iron daily for 30 days. Both parents and teachers assessed the behavior of the children. The parents found significant improvement in the behavior of the children. However, the teachers noticed no improvement.

In a second study, 33 iron-deficient, but otherwise normal, children were given an iron supplement. The children became less hyperactive. This study suggests that iron deficiency may cause hyperactive behavior in some children and that hyperactive behavior is reversible when the deficiency is treated.

A third study tested the affects of iron supplementation on a group of teen-aged high school girls who were determined to be iron deficient. At the end of the 8-week study, the researchers found that girls who received iron supplementation performed better on verbal learning and memory tests than those who did not.

This is about all the evidence we have. Its not a lot and its not very impressive. None of the studies were double-blind studies, which means we cannot really rely on them all that much.

If this were the only consideration, I would say you should definitely try to treat your child for iron deficiency. The reason is that hyperactive children are more likely to be iron deficient than other children. Also, there is a possibility that your child has a higher than average iron requirement. That means that he might test normal on all the iron blood tests and still be iron deficient because he requires more than the average amount of iron.

So why not just give your child iron supplements and see what happens? Because iron functions in the body like a two edged sword.

Iron exists in the body in two chemical forms. There is the ferrous form, where the iron atom will bond to two electrons and the ferric form where the atom will bond to three electrons. Iron can go back and forth between these two forms. This is the property of iron that allows it to play a role in carrying oxygen as part of hemoglobin. However, it also makes iron an active player in oxidation-reduction reactions. What that means is that iron has the ability to act like a free radical and cause significant damage to tissues. Whenever iron is not bound to hemoglobin or to some other carrier protein, it travels around the body as free iron and can cause damage anywhere it goes. To further exacerbate the problem, excess iron is not eliminated well by the body. Most of the iron in the body gets recycled. Therefore, not only is excess iron toxic, but also once you have excess iron in your body, it is going to stick around for a long time. High amounts of iron have been ! found in the brains of people with Parkinsons disease. It is very likely that excess iron can aggravate, if not cause, other neurological problems as well.

With that in mind we have to approach iron supplementation with caution. My feeling is that if your child turns out to be one of the 8-13% that is deficient in iron, it is worth giving iron supplements. I doubt that it will help much with his ADHD, but it should help with his general health. This advice applies to your non-ADHD children, also.

How should you test iron deficiency? The hemoglobin and hematocrit counts that come as part of the standard complete blood count (CBC) are good for diagnosing anemia. They do not really give you accurate information about the bodys iron status. The best test for iron status is the serum ferritin test, which measures how much iron is stored in your body. It will be low if you are deficient and high if you are overloaded.

If you find your child has an iron deficiency problem, there are several approaches to treat it. Probably the safest is by giving him more iron-containing foods. You can serve him red meat several times a week. Liver is an excellent source, if you can get him to eat it. You can enhance dietary absorption by supplementing with vitamin A (about 10,000 IU) and vitamin C (about 500mg) with the meals.

The most likely the reason that your child is deficient is because he is a poor eater; so, dietary intervention may not be practical. A second and far inferior source of iron is through supplements. The primary difficulty of iron supplements is that they do not get into the body. Fortifying foods with iron in general does not work. Many foods bind iron and, as a result, the iron is excreted rather than absorbed. The best form of supplemental iron is Ferrochel. Ferrochel is an amino acid chelated iron, which is highly bio-available and is not affected by foods that bind iron.

Most iron supplements have a ten percent absorption rate. That means if you take 10 mg of the supplement, your body absorbs 1 mg. Ferrochel is different. Ferrochel has a 75% absorption rate. That means 1.5 mg of Ferrochel provides more iron to your body than 10 mg of other supplements.

That is an interesting fact, but it is not why I am recommending it. The more important property of Ferrochel is that since it is already amino acid bound, it does not become free iron in the body. That means it does not have the dangers and side effects of other iron supplements. The FDA has given Ferrochel the designation of GRAS, (generally regarded as safe). No other iron supplement has this designation.

The take home message is that iron deficiency may be the cause of hyperactivity in some children. It is worth your while to have your child tested. If for some reason you suspect your child is iron deficient, the best approach is to increase your childs iron intake through his diet. If that doesnt work and you need to use supplements, the best supplemental iron is Ferrochel.

Tips On Coping With A Child With ADHD

2009-03-20T04:32:00.000-07:00

Tips On Coping With A Child With ADHD

by: Tina Barraclough

I am a mother of a 6 year old son who was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I am by no means a expert on this subject - I am only a mom who struggles to help my ADHD child.

Listed below are some tips I have learned from experience along the way.

1. Life with a child who has ADHD has its challenges, but remember that your child is not acting up because they want to be difficult - they can't help it . So it 's up to you to stay calm and avoid arguing with your child. It helps to keep the daily routine and home life as calm, predictable and stress-free as possible.

2. Accept that there is a problem, whether or not you accept the diagnosis. Denial will not help you or your child.

3. Be prepared to feel guilty about the time you spend with your ADHD child compared to the time you spend with your other children. Other family members may start to feel like your are neglecting them.

4. Take care of yourself - it is often challenging to raise a child with ADHD. Caring for your own physical and mental health is an important part of helping your child, and will provide you with the necessary energy when you need it the most.

5. The most important thing is NEVER punish your child while you are angry. Take a breather away from the child before you hand out any punishment to your child. Disicipline that belittles or shames a child can truly be harmful.

6. Start rewarding instead of punishing. You've probably already discovered how useless it is to try to punish your child when he 's running around or tuning you out. What I have found with my child is how well he responds to simple rewards. Praise good behavior immediately ("You brushed your teeth, just like I asked you to! Thanks so much!") and give your child a reward that pleases him such as a special snack or extra time to watch TV, for example. The reward should be something he can enjoy right away; kids with ADHD don 't like to wait.

7. Realize you are not alone. There are many parents out there who have a child with ADHD. If you need to talk to someone, you can find support groups out there. Talk to your Doctor or Therapist. They can point you in the right direction to find support.

Tina Barraclough is a stay at home mom and owner of http://best-home-based-business-idea.com Visit her website for Business Opportunities, free e-books,Business Articles,etc.
tinabarr4@msn.com

Tips On Coping With A Child With ADHD

2009-03-12T00:31:00.000-07:00

Tips On Coping With A Child With ADHD

by: Tina Barraclough

Listed below are some tips I have learned from experience along the way.

2. Accept that there is a problem, whether or not you accept the diagnosis. Denial will not help you or your child.

Tina Barraclough is a stay at home mom and owner of http://best-home-based-business-idea.com Visit her website for Business Opportunities, free e-books,Business Articles,etc.

Nature, An ADHD Natural Treatment

2009-03-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

Nature, An ADHD Natural Treatment

by: Jeannine Virtue

My mothers warning; You are going to rot your brain out... still rings through my mind whenever I spend too much time in front of the television set.

I grew up in a time when mothers shooed their children out - rain, snow or shine - to get a breath of fresh air. Our television set tuned in to only four or five channels and those channels signed off at midnight. It would be years before cable television, satellite dish, VCRs and Nintendo would debut. Lazy summer days were spent riding bicycles for hours because there wasnt much of anything better to do.

This period of time was also a few decades before Ritalin and Attention Deficit would become commonplace terms.

I have long believed that inactive hours spent indoors has contributed to the increased incidence of Attention Deficit Disorder. A recent study, published in the September 2004 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, validates that believe.

University of Illinois researchers studied nature as an ADHD natural treatment. This study showed that children with ADHD benefit from time outdoors enjoying nature with a significant reduction of ADHD symptoms.

Researchers of this nationwide recruited the parents of 322 boys and 84 girls, all diagnosed with ADHD, through ads in major newspapers and the Internet. Participants, ages 5 to18, spent time in a variety of settings which varied from big cities to rural settings. Some activities were conducted indoors, others in outdoor places without much greenery such as parking lots and downtown areas and other activities were in "green" areas such as a tree-lined street, back yards or parks. The parents were interviewed and asked to report how their children performed after participating in a wide range of activities.

The researchers found that symptoms were reduced most in green outdoor settings, even when the same activities were compared across different settings. Researchers believe that simply incorporating nature into a childs day could be widely effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.

Based on the results of this ADHD natural treatment study, researchers recommend that children with ADHD spend quality after-school hours and weekend time outdoors enjoying nature.

Study authors Frances E. Kuo and Andrea Faber Taylor suggested that daily doses of ''green time'' might supplement medications and behavioral approaches to ADHD if clinical trials and additional research confirm the value of nature as a natural treatment for ADHD.

The study findings indicate that exposure to ordinary natural settings in the course of common after-school and weekend activities may be widely effective in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children.

In each comparison (there were 56 in all), green outdoor activities received more positive ratings over the activities taking place in other settings. In 54 of the 56, the difference was significant, signaling that the findings were consistent.

Researchers said that exposing ADHD children to nature is an affordable, healthy method of controlling symptoms. Researchers also suggested that daily doses of "green time" can supplement medications and other traditional treatments of ADHD.

Simply using nature may offer a way to help manage ADHD symptoms that is readily available, doesn't have any stigma associated with it, doesn't cost anything, and doesn't have any side effects.

ADHD natural green treatment has endless possibilities, many of which might closely resemble childhoods from years long past.

Here are just a few ideas for increasing "green time":

_ Play in a green yard or ball field at recess and after school.

_ Take after-dinner walks.

_ Make a scarecrow.

_ Doing class work or homework outside or at a window with a relatively green view.

_ Build a birdhouse.

_ Grow an outdoor garden.

_ Bike, ski, sled, inline skate...

_ Visit a nature center.

_ Choose a greener route for the walk to school.

_ Participate in local nature clean-ups.

_ Take up bird watching.

_ Star gaze.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance writer with a focus on issues relating to Attention Deficit Disorder. For research-based information about Attention Deficit Disorder, practical tips to help parents survive the task of raising Attention Deficit children and information about effective Ritalin alternatives, please visit www.add-adhd-help-center.com.

5 Ways to Deal With ADHD

2009-03-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

5 Ways to Deal With ADHD

by: Glenn Murray

With an increasing number of our youths suffering ADHD, stress syndromes, unemployment, depression, drug use, crime and higher rates of youth suicide than ever before, todays parents and teachers are finding their roles more and more difficult.

According to renowned family relationships specialist, Marguerite Clancy, there are no overnight solutions for issues such as ADHD, but there are a few quick things struggling parents can do now to start dealing with it:

1) Get into a routine and stick to it (try to include fun times and laughter)

2) Set up a punching bag or get your child playing a sport

3) Be consistent with discipline and offer rewards where appropriate

4) Use positive language, keep directions short, maintain calm

5) Agree on consequences for behaviour together

There are many options available to parents and carers. It is important to show love and respect, and to lead by example, says Marguerite. There are also many forms of therapy available to help that dont rely on medication. For example, she recommends Sandplay Therapy, which is a well established technique for enhancing emotional growth through play. She suggests parents encourage their child to use toys to represent things that are bothering them. Dolls, action figurines, cars, balls, and even blocks can all be used to represent people, objects, and everyday situations that may be very hard for the child to put into words. Youd be surprised what problems your child is experiencing many of them would be things youd never have even dreamt of, says Marguerite. By recognising the significance of imaginary play, you give your child a way to express themselves using a language theyre fluent in.

According to Marguerite, parents can then talk about these problems with their child. Then if theyre still experiencing problems, they may want to try a punching bag or a sport. With an easier way to communicate and an outlet for your childs frustrations, you should find it far easier to figure out how to improve your situation.

Glenn Murray heads advertising copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit http://www.divinewrite.com for further details or more FREE articles.

ADHD at Home with Mom

2009-03-02T22:17:00.000-08:00

As a Mom at home, do you feel overwhelmed by all the little tasks you have to manage: house, children, social schedules and so many more? Read on to find a possible answer to your problems.

Michelle's friends called her lunatique. "Mom, isn't my lunch ready yet? I have to go back to school!" "Michelle, did you get my suits from the dry cleaners? You are at home all day and I still have to do everything!"

Michelle had no idea where the day went. She'd start the housework, but nothing ever seemed to be finished. Life passed her by, unrecorded in memory, while her mind floated on the wings of dreams. Unbeknownst to Michelle and her husband, she had an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) without hyperactivity. ADD-inattentive type (without hyperactivity) affects women more than men, and it appears very different to the hyperactive type. It is characterized by low energy, slowness, dreaminess, and difficulty focusing and following through on tasks.

Michelle had difficulty connecting and functioning effectively in the world around her because her brain functions differently from "normal" brains. She had a problem organizing stuff like daily tasks and papers, managing time and getting to the end of whatever she started.

ADHD is a neurological difference in the brain. The ADHD brain can be very effective when following a passion but shuts down when doing the daily grind. Medication is helpful for some but often not sufficient. Coaching provides positive support and guidance for anyone with ADHD but especially for those who don't want to take medication.

For Michelle, housework seemed like a mountain of quick sand. Like many people with ADHD who are faced with a multitude of tasks, she didn't know where to start or how to continue. She would start here, go there, but at the end of the day nothing was finished, and Michelle was exhausted.

With coaching, she created a list of needed supplies and stored them where they would be used. She also made and prioritized a list of tasks for each room and posted it in a discreet corner. With the help of the lists she was able to do the housework efficiently. She could go to the starting point without having to make a plan or decide what to do first. Once she was able to cope with the housework, she discovered more energy and was able to move on to other aspects of her life.

In her daydreams, Michelle was creating a world of her own; she vaguely thought she would like to write, but she had no idea how to start. With coaching Michelle tried to write down her stories, but she had difficulty capturing her thoughts with a pencil. She tried using a tape recorder and found that she could "dream" out loud.

She revised her weekly schedule to make time to take a creative writing course. The support and encouragement she got from other creative writers gave her energy to soar. Her first short story was soon published and many more followed.

To most people the tasks which caused Michelle so much grief seem trivial and obvious, but they are typical of what makes life so difficult for people with ADHD.

So Mom, if life is a nightmare instead of a dream because you can't keep up with the piles of stuff and the busy schedules, start here.

1. Acknowledge the problem. This can be difficult for people with ADHD.

2. Get help.

3. Prepare to change your thoughts and your habits.

Don't let the ADHD monkey distract you. Act Today!

Sarah Jane Keyser worked for many years with computers as programmer, analyst, and user trainer, but her struggle with inattentive ADD kept getting in the way of her plans and dreams. Once ADD was identified and the great need that coaching filled, she added ADD Coach training (ADDCoach Academy) to complete her preparation for a new career as ADD Coach.

Learn more about ADHD at http://www.CoachingKeytoADD.com or sign up for Zebra Stripes, a free E-zine for ADHD at http://www.coachingkeytoadd.com/newsletter/newsarchive.html

6 Tips for ADHD Self-Awareness (and Everybody Else Too)

2009-02-22T22:38:00.000-08:00

People with ADHD, (Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder) are often unaware of how others see them. They may appear angry when they are only struggling to do a menu for tonight's dinner, or they seem to be laughing when the boss is chewing on them. Here are some ideas to help you become more conscious of what your body is saying to you and to the outside world.

1. Smile!

The body and mind are linked in both directions. If you are mad, your shoulders are probably tight and lifted. If you are sad, your shoulders are probably slumped. But the body also affects the mind. Try a relaxed smile (not a taut grimace), notice how the muscles of the jaw and the neck, and shoulders soften. This is a physical exercise; you don't need to be listening to jokes to smile. Try it when you are waiting in a long supermarket line.

Trainers advise telephonists to smile, not because they are on video phones, but because smiling relaxes the throat muscles and improves the quality of your voice.

2. Learn to recognize signs of restlessness in yourself.

What does your body feel like when you are becoming bored? Does your foot start to bounce? Do you feel compelled to make remarks? Do you keep shifting around in your chair? Does your head feel scrambled? Are your nerves jigging across your shoulders? How can you relieve this feeling? What works for you?

My own coach recognizes when things are getting out of hand because she starts yelling at other drivers in traffic.

3. Study yourself in the mirror.

You may feel that studying your face in the mirror is narcissistic, or you just don't like your face. But it helps to know what other people are seeing. Try thinking sad thoughts, happy thoughts, angry thoughts. Does your face express your feeling or does it seem out of sync with your emotion? If so this may explain why others seem to misunderstand you. Practice walking in front of a full length mirror. Try walking tall like a warrior, relaxed and jaunty like a school kid, or slow and down like a wimp. Once you have explored your body language in the mirror, observe yourself mentally in public.

Many years ago, when I was in sixth grade, I had a friend who had to wear braces. She practiced smiling in the mirror so that her braces didn't show. To me it seemed some how dishonest to manage her appearance in that way. Now many years and not a few misunderstandings and disappointments later, I can see that it is important to know that what the world is seing is the you you want them to see.

4. What was your favorite pass-time or game as a child?

Social and family demands often push us far from our internal instincts. What you did as a child is a clue to your personal interests. With ADHD, success often comes from your passion.

I just read about a woman who lost her job in Silicon Valley and couldn't find anything else went back to her child hood love of art and now runs an art gallery in San Francisco.

5. Feel the joy when you smell a rose or look at the moon

Learn to breathe deeply and slowly to the abdomen when you smell a rose or see the moon. As you exhale slowly feel the energy which rises from the center of the earth like sap flowing to the leafy top of the trees. Watch your thoughts drift away on an outgoing tide. When you become anxious or blue switch your mood to joy by breathing deeply and remember the rose or the moon.

When I was learning to scuba dive, I had difficulty breathing through the mask. In a yoga class I learned that deep breathing could reduce anxiety. And wow! It worked! I never had trouble breathing with the scuba mask again.

6. Do what you love to do

Follow your passion. With ADHD your personal interest provides energy to achieve your goals

Sarah Jane Keyser worked for many years with computers as programmer, analyst, and user trainer, but her struggle with inattentive ADD kept getting in the way of her plans and dreams. Once ADD was identified and the great need that coaching filled, she added ADD Coach training (ADDCoach Academy) to complete her preparation for a new career as ADD Coach.

Learn more about ADHD at http://www.CoachingKeytoADD.com or sign up for Zebra Stripes, a free E-zine for ADHD at http://www.coachingkeytoadd.com/newsletter/newsarchive.html

The What and Hows of ADD/ADHD in Children

2009-02-17T22:33:00.000-08:00

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and unfortunately most of its causes are unknown. It can persist through adolescence and into adulthood. According to the estimation of American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV-TR) 3%-7% of children suffer from ADHD. Some studies have estimated higher rates in community samples. Surprisingly, ADHD is diagnosed approximately three times more often in boys than in girls.

ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common core features include:

Distractibility (less concentration and poor sustained attention to tasks)

Impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)

Hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)

ADHD does not often come alone and there are many other conditions that are commonly associated with ADHD like depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders and learning disabilities. These are just some of the conditions that can appear with ADHD. Some studies have indicated that between 50% and 70% of individuals with ADHD also have some other conditions.

Early diagnosis and treatment can often times prevent problems later. According to studies, anywhere from 24% to 30% of patients with ADHD also suffer from depression. In the past it was thought that depression might have been the result of constant failures due to ADHD symptoms. Therefore, if ADHD was successfully treated, the depression should disappear. Based on this assumption, ADHD was considered to be the primary diagnosis and the depression was ignored. However, a study by the Pediatric Pharmacology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston indicated that depression and ADHD are separate and both should be treated one after the other or sometimes simultaneously (depending upon the individual case).

Clinical experience has shown that the most effective treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication (when necessary), therapy or counseling to learn coping skills and adaptive behaviors, and ADD coaching for adults.

Indeed, diagnosis can be very difficult. Stimulant medications, commonly used to treat ADHD, can sometimes cause side effects that mimic depressive symptoms. These medications can also increase symptoms of depression and bipolar disorders, making it hard to distinquish what are the true symptoms and which are caused from medication. Many physicians will, therefore, treat the depression first, and, once that has been controlled will begin to treat ADHD.

So in that case pepression becomes the primary diagnosis and ADHD becomes the secondary diagnosis. Other physicians will argue that treatment must be simultaneous, with treatment occurring at the same time. Arguments for this method of treatment say that in order to have either condition under control, both must be under control.

We should also understand that medication is often used to help normalize brain activity, as prescribed by a physician. Stimulant medications, like Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall are commonly used because they have been shown to be most effective for most people with ADHD. However, many other medications may also be used at the discretion of the physician.

Not just the medication, but behavior therapy and cognitive therapy are also often helpful to modify certain behaviors and to deal with the emotional effects of ADHD. Many adults also benefit from working with an ADHD coach to help manage problem behaviors and develop coping skills, such as improving organizational skills and improving productivity. Moreover, the role of parents cannot be underestimated in either case.

As it is one of the most common and deadly diseases, so it is recognized as a disability under federal legislation (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans With Disabilities Act; and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act). Appropriate and reasonable accommodations are sometimes made at school for children with ADHD, and in the workplace for adults with ADHD, which help the individual to work more efficiently and productively. The idea is to make them feel comfortable as they are already challenged as a human being we should help and respect them.

It is also believed that psychology does nothing to treat or even to address the real ADHD symptoms. Usually psychologist and counselor help you and your child live with and accept the condition. So everybody, including the doctors, agree that the current state-of-the-art treatment for ADHD does nothing really to treat the actual disorder. Some experts recommend that all individuals receiving a diagnosis of ADHD should also have a complete and thorough psychological evaluation to determine the presence (or absence) of any co-existing disorders. Once this has been completed, a treatment team, sometimes consisting of family physician, psychologist and psychiatrist, can work together to create a treatment plan geared specifically for that individual.

Update: New research is appearing now that's showing the link between the consumption of food additives by children -- especially food colorings -- and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Read more about this at addgabriele.com/newresearch.html

ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common core features include:

Distractibility (less concentration and poor sustained attention to tasks)

Impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)

Hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)

ADHD does not often come alone and there are many other conditions that are commonly associated with ADHD like depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders and learning disabilities. These are just some of the conditions that can appear with ADHD. Some studies have indicated that between 50% and 70% of individuals with ADHD also have some other conditions.

Early diagnosis and treatment can often times prevent problems later. According to studies, anywhere from 24% to 30% of patients with ADHD also suffer from depression. In the past it was thought that depression might have been the result of constant failures due to ADHD symptoms. Therefore, if ADHD was successfully treated, the depression should disappear. Based on this assumption, ADHD was considered to be the primary diagnosis and the depression was ignored. However, a study by the Pediatric Pharmacology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston indicated that depression and ADHD are separate and both should be treated one after the other or sometimes simultaneously (depending upon the individual case).

Clinical experience has shown that the most effective treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication (when necessary), therapy or counseling to learn coping skills and adaptive behaviors, and ADD coaching for adults.

Indeed, diagnosis can be very difficult. Stimulant medications, commonly used to treat ADHD, can sometimes cause side effects that mimic depressive symptoms. These medications can also increase symptoms of depression and bipolar disorders, making it hard to distinquish what are the true symptoms and which are caused from medication. Many physicians will, therefore, treat the depression first, and, once that has been controlled will begin to treat ADHD.

So in that case pepression becomes the primary diagnosis and ADHD becomes the secondary diagnosis. Other physicians will argue that treatment must be simultaneous, with treatment occurring at the same time. Arguments for this method of treatment say that in order to have either condition under control, both must be under control.

We should also understand that medication is often used to help normalize brain activity, as prescribed by a physician. Stimulant medications, like Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall are commonly used because they have been shown to be most effective for most people with ADHD. However, many other medications may also be used at the discretion of the physician.

Not just the medication, but behavior therapy and cognitive therapy are also often helpful to modify certain behaviors and to deal with the emotional effects of ADHD. Many adults also benefit from working with an ADHD coach to help manage problem behaviors and develop coping skills, such as improving organizational skills and improving productivity. Moreover, the role of parents cannot be underestimated in either case.

As it is one of the most common and deadly diseases, so it is recognized as a disability under federal legislation (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans With Disabilities Act; and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act). Appropriate and reasonable accommodations are sometimes made at school for children with ADHD, and in the workplace for adults with ADHD, which help the individual to work more efficiently and productively. The idea is to make them feel comfortable as they are already challenged as a human being we should help and respect them.

It is also believed that psychology does nothing to treat or even to address the real ADHD symptoms. Usually psychologist and counselor help you and your child live with and accept the condition. So everybody, including the doctors, agree that the current state-of-the-art treatment for ADHD does nothing really to treat the actual disorder. Some experts recommend that all individuals receiving a diagnosis of ADHD should also have a complete and thorough psychological evaluation to determine the presence (or absence) of any co-existing disorders. Once this has been completed, a treatment team, sometimes consisting of family physician, psychologist and psychiatrist, can work together to create a treatment plan geared specifically for that individual.

Update: New research is appearing now that's showing the link between the consumption of food additives by children -- especially food colorings -- and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Read more about this at addgabriele.com/newresearch.html

Jaynne is an instructor and former skipatroller. Because of her past, she is very interested in health issues.

ADHD The Easy Way

2009-02-14T04:12:00.000-08:00

I spoke at a medical conference in Denver in 2004. One of the other speakers was a pharmacology researcher. He brought up a statistic that indicated that kids on Ritalin [one of the prevailing drugs for ADHD] tend to become addicted to methamphetamines.

On the radio the other day, NPR was talking about giving these kids marijuana for the symptoms.

What are we doing to our kids?

According to the Psychology Department @ the University of Tennessee, kids with TRUE ADHD average about 5-7% of a normal classroom. However, somewhere between 50% of kids in school today are diagnosed and treated for ADHD.

http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/news/add_educators.asp
http://www.4-adhd.com/other-conditions.html
http://www.4-adhd.com/greentimeadhd.html

What does this tell us? There aren't as many kids with ADHD as we are led to believe. Why are we drugging the kids without true ADHD? Because these kids are a behavioral problem.

Surprisingly, we find that when we get rid of mold and toxic chemicals in a house, kids with ADHD in the home tend to get better. Almost immediately they have to go off their drugs.

Case file: We consulted with a school on the east coast. The school had sick kids [sinus infections and ADHD] and teachers [sinus infections and cancer]. The school board chose to do nothing. The people on the school board had an agenda that didn't include the health of the kids.

Many of the parents took their kids out of school to home-school.

Guess what?

The kids with ADHD who were now being home schooled, had to go off their Ritalin.

The logic behind this is easy to follow.

When mold grows in the house, car or school, chemicals are given off. These chemicals are known as mycotoxins. These mycotoxins cause many different problems from cancer to dandruff.

One class of mycotoxins is called neurotoxins. These toxins affect the nervous system. They can cause hyperactivity, confusion and even allucinations. We had one home where the family saw rats. The pest control company said they had never had rats. We removed the mold and the rats went away. Hallucinations caused by neurotoxins.

http://www.childenvironment.org/factsheets/neurotoxins.htm
http://www.nutrition4health.org/NOHAnews/NNW00ADHD.htm

It is these mold toxins that can cause symptoms that can lead to misdiagnosis. These toxins get into the body and mimic normal chemicals that have specific functions. These normal chemicals may tell the legs to move or tell the body when to calm down. If these normal chemicals are bypassed or blocked by the toxins, then weird things begin to happen in the child's world.

If your legs moved when you didn't want them to, wouldn't you be a little hard to get along with?

What is the cure?

[Let's get one thing cleared up first. Getting rid of mold will not change kids with real ADHD.] Although, it may help.

Too much moisture or too little ventilation in the building causes mold.

1. So dry out the house. Make sure the vents in your attic and
crawlspace are open and working.

2. Fix leaks in bathrooms and kitchens.

3. Insulate A/C ducts and water pipes.

4. Get and use dehumidifiers to dry the air.

5. Leave washer and dryers open when not in use.

6. Make the yard drain away from the house.

Don't drug your kids. Cure their ADHD the natural way. Clean up your
environment.

For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat and prevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean environment.
DrGraham@themoldlab.com

ADHD-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2009-02-10T22:51:00.000-08:00

Every time you turn on your TV lately you see adverts featuring adults who cant concentrate images jumping across the screen and phasing in and out of view.
But what is it? Do you have it? Is it a new disease? How would you know if you did have it?

What is ADHD and what is ADD?
Well ADHD and ADD is basically one and the same thing. They are genetic disorders that affect portions of your brain including the portion that controls executive functions.
Executive functions include the ability to organize, to remember what you were asked to do and to finish a task. If a person is also fidgety then they most likely have Attention Deficit Hyperativity Disorder (ADHD).

Why are we hearing so much about ADHD now?
Children are being diagnosed much earlier now than ever before and since it is rare to find just one person in a family with the disorder, parents are realizing that they may be suffering with ADHD.

How common are ADD and ADHD?
Experts put the figure at approximately 4% of the population -- Thats 14 million people in the USA and nearly 3 million in the UK. Most of these sufferers are undiagnosed, and will remain so until a better understanding of the symptoms reach the general public.
It affects men and women equally, even though it has always been considered a boys disease. This is mainly because disruptive behavior at school is usually associated with boys. However, as children get to the teenage years and early adulthood, just as many girls report symptoms of ADD.

What are the symptoms?
Disorganization
Procrastination
Easily distracted
Poor time management
Forgetful
Difficulty multi-tasking

Some of these symptoms may be more pronounced than others. If you are trying to cope with many things in your daily life (such as bringing up children with ADD as well as working) these symptoms may become worse.
Just because your house is messy or your desk isnt always clear, it doesnt mean that you have ADD.

If my children have ADD are they doomed to under achieving?
In fact high achievers can also have ADD. They will just have to work harder than others to get the same results. You can help them by removing distractions from around them, especially when they are doing homework.

I think I may have ADD or ADHD -- What do I do?
Find a therapist, a psychologist or a psychiatrist who has expertise in this area; try http://www.chadd.org for a list of these.
A combination of counseling, coaching and drugs can help you learn to cope with this condition.

Agony Aunt http://www.myagonyaunt.co.uk

The agony aunt team have experience in helping people with Money problems, health issues and relationship worrys.

The Cost of ADHD - Treatment a Must for Mental, Physical and Financial Health

2009-02-07T01:05:00.000-08:00

According to recent studies ADHD is one of the most costly health conditions in the U.S. - topped only by alcohol abuse and clearly ahead of drug abuse in terms of cost.

Annually, alcohol abuse costs American families $86 billion in lost household income. The annual cost for ADHD is $77 billion and the annual cost for drug abuse is $58 billion.

Hard costs, like out-of-pocket medical treatment, are only one aspect of lost income. ADHD high school graduates and college graduates make considerably less money annually than their non-ADHD counterparts.

Research indicates that it doesnt matter if the person with ADHD has the same level of education as someone who does not have ADHD, the person with ADHD will make less money than the person without ADHD. The numbers are between $4500.00 and $10,000.00 annually. People with ADHD suffer from symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity - which are not always conducive to the work environment.

Although about half the children with ADHD learn to adequately manage their symptoms into adulthood, the other half continue to struggle as they transition from school to work. If ADHD goes untreated into adulthood, the symptoms can affect their financial health by making it harder to hold down a job, making it harder to obtain the education needed to land high-paying jobs and it can cause more lost work days.

Many psychiatrists that treat adults with ADHD ask their clients to bring in their employee evaluations, most of the evaluations brought in read like a textbook case. The ADHD adult will talk out of turn, have difficulty following through with instructions, show lack of focus, have difficulty finishing projects and complain of being disorganized.

Symptoms like these make it very hard for an adult with ADHD to maintain a successful work environment. More often than not, these are the employees that get passed up for a promotion or are under-employed according to their abilities.

Not only does the adult with ADHD have more problems at work, without successful treatment the ADHD adult typically also has:

Higher Divorce rates.
Lower levels of satisfaction with all aspects of their lives.
Less likely to have a positive self- image or be optimistic.
More likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.
More driving accidents.

Most experts agree that if ADHD is detected and treated at a young age, the ADHD adult will be less likely to struggle with work and their everyday duties. The key is in finding successful and healthful treatment for the ADHD adult.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance writer who focuses on health related issues. For information about effective and healthy treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder in adults and children, visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com

ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Child's Best Friend

2009-01-31T04:47:00.000-08:00

Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If so-- my hat is off to you!

ADD / ADHD children are brilliant, full of energy, smart as a whip (as grandma says),

and tons of work. They are also the rising sun and the setting star: meaning much of

life revolves around them in one way or another. One tactic you might employ is to: be

your child's best friend.

Hear me out just a bit. I am not promoting parents in "jammies" all day-- everyday,

messy homes filled with increasing whirlwind clutter that no-one attends to, nor hot

dogs and pizza nightly just to avoid more arguing with an ADD / ADHD child.

I am suggesting the reminder we all need with these special needs children: keep

perspective.
And yes-- try thinking along the lines of being best friends with your child.

Best friends are people who look out for the best interest of another.

Best friends have a special tolerance for each other.

Best friends set aside time to truly know each other and how each other thinks and

feels.

Best friends stand up for one-another, for their rights, their feelings, their health, and

their needs.

Best friends look forward to more time together.

Best friends cherish each other dearly.

Best friends also speak the truth and help guide each other along the journey of life

together.

Here are more simple reminders that we easily forget when caught up in our daily

grind. I hope they will help from time to time with your ADD / ADHD parenting:

* Remember to keep the rules-- but not TOO many rules all at once... all the time!
* Schedule FUN
* Stop being organized now and then to ad-lib and make delight shine for you both

again!
* Yes-- even with medicated kids some days are suddenly going to be worse than

others.
* This is physiological-- remember?
* You are the expert in his/her eyes. Provide correction and consequences accordingly.
* Use notebooks, or better yet email, to communicate with the teacher daily.
* It is no fun for the ADD / ADHD child to be "wrong" or in trouble so much of the day--

catch him/her being good!!
* With young ADD / ADHD children try picture charts on the wall for daily routines to

follow.
* Your child needs extra reminders, extra chances, extra love, and extra

encouragement (so do you!!)
* Read The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell.
* Know the educational rights in your school district and utilize each and every one of

them :-)
* Be patient with the child, your mate, and especially yourself.
* Tenderness and politeness goes a long way with these precious ones.
* These kids love to be helpful-- utilize it, just don't seek perfection :-)

and finally:

** DON'T go It ALONE! Enlist the help of extended family, friends, neighbors,

associates, playmate families, medical professionals, and perhaps a coach for sanity.

Two myths that existed when I was a child:
The first was that the parents were always right and had all the answers.
The second one was that "You can have it all, baby".

Well, as a parent-- I know the first is NOT true. And as a working mom-- the second is

out the door as well (or at least the romanticized fantasy version of it is).

* You are a parent-- do your best.
* Learn every day.
* Ask for forgiveness.
* And cherish this relationship.

You can design your life-- You are a parent, and an individual.You have to pick and

choose which elements will be incorporated within it, and, how you want it to run.

Your child needs love, fun, consideration, truth, honesty, openness, and the gentle/firm

guidance that best friend's can give without damaging or straining the relationship. You

already have so many different hats to wear all day for your various roles. Being your

child's best friend might simplify some of that. Give it a try.

Enjoy these years and enjoy your ADD / ADHD child !!!!

Until next time--- all the best,
Kate

ADD / ADHD children are brilliant, full of energy, smart as a whip (as grandma says),

and tons of work. They are also the rising sun and the setting star: meaning much of

life revolves around them in one way or another. One tactic you might employ is to: be

your child's best friend.

Hear me out just a bit. I am not promoting parents in "jammies" all day-- everyday,

messy homes filled with increasing whirlwind clutter that no-one attends to, nor hot

dogs and pizza nightly just to avoid more arguing with an ADD / ADHD child.

I am suggesting the reminder we all need with these special needs children: keep

perspective.
And yes-- try thinking along the lines of being best friends with your child.

Best friends are people who look out for the best interest of another.

Best friends have a special tolerance for each other.

Best friends set aside time to truly know each other and how each other thinks and

feels.

Best friends stand up for one-another, for their rights, their feelings, their health, and

their needs.

Best friends look forward to more time together.

Best friends cherish each other dearly.

Best friends also speak the truth and help guide each other along the journey of life

together.

Here are more simple reminders that we easily forget when caught up in our daily

grind. I hope they will help from time to time with your ADD / ADHD parenting:

* Remember to keep the rules-- but not TOO many rules all at once... all the time!
* Schedule FUN
* Stop being organized now and then to ad-lib and make delight shine for you both

again!
* Yes-- even with medicated kids some days are suddenly going to be worse than

others.
* This is physiological-- remember?
* You are the expert in his/her eyes. Provide correction and consequences accordingly.
* Use notebooks, or better yet email, to communicate with the teacher daily.
* It is no fun for the ADD / ADHD child to be "wrong" or in trouble so much of the day--

catch him/her being good!!
* With young ADD / ADHD children try picture charts on the wall for daily routines to

follow.
* Your child needs extra reminders, extra chances, extra love, and extra

encouragement (so do you!!)
* Read The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell.
* Know the educational rights in your school district and utilize each and every one of

them :-)
* Be patient with the child, your mate, and especially yourself.
* Tenderness and politeness goes a long way with these precious ones.
* These kids love to be helpful-- utilize it, just don't seek perfection :-)

and finally:

** DON'T go It ALONE! Enlist the help of extended family, friends, neighbors,

associates, playmate families, medical professionals, and perhaps a coach for sanity.

Two myths that existed when I was a child:
The first was that the parents were always right and had all the answers.
The second one was that "You can have it all, baby".

Well, as a parent-- I know the first is NOT true. And as a working mom-- the second is

out the door as well (or at least the romanticized fantasy version of it is).

* You are a parent-- do your best.
* Learn every day.
* Ask for forgiveness.
* And cherish this relationship.

You can design your life-- You are a parent, and an individual.You have to pick and

choose which elements will be incorporated within it, and, how you want it to run.

Your child needs love, fun, consideration, truth, honesty, openness, and the gentle/firm

guidance that best friend's can give without damaging or straining the relationship. You

already have so many different hats to wear all day for your various roles. Being your

child's best friend might simplify some of that. Give it a try.

Enjoy these years and enjoy your ADD / ADHD child !!!!

Until next time--- all the best,
Kate

Kate Hufstetler is a well established business & personal coach who has helped
many individuals like yourself to beat "the blues" and gain control over their lives.
Through personal and business mentorship, she could help you!Visit more of Kate's
articles here: http://www.comedreamwithme.com &http://mindpower.smartads.info

Medical Association Names Coaching as One of Treatments for Adult ADHD Sufferers

2009-01-27T02:13:00.000-08:00

The Canadian Medical Association lists psychosocial treatments for adult ADHD sufferers: education about the disorder, involvement in support groups, skills training (such as vocational, organizational, time management) and coaching.
Alonso calls me every week, Wednesday at 10 am. Well, actually I call him most of the time, because he forgets. And the reason hes home at 10 am is because he cant hold a job. He couldnt show up on time, remember what he was supposed to do, or finish a task without supervision. He and I are working on strategies to help him self-organize which bring success, and then better self-esteem and more confidence. Alonso (not his real name) is 26 years old, has ADHD, and Im his coach.

Coaching is the most effective tool today in the management of ADD, says Ed Hallowell, author of "Driven to Distraction," who, having ADD himself, is quick to point out the positive side of ADD. I also coach Janessa, who has ADD. I always look forward to talking with her, and if I werent her coach, and didnt hear the problems she has keeping appointments, meeting deadlines, maintaining relationships, and negotiating highways, it would just be fun to talk with her. Shes got the high energy, intuitiveness, creativity and enthusiasm, Hallowell attributes to such possible ADD sufferers as Mozart and Einstein. Janessas a painter and her work is beautiful.

Gerry, one of the best therapists here in town is also ADHD. (That H indicates hyperactivity.) We were doing some research together and I kept sending him reading material. He told me he hated reading; understandably, I thought he just didnt like to. To get the job done, I started calling his answering machine and dictating from articles. When I began to resent it, and spoke up, he told me hes ADHD and in order to read he has to take a Ritalin, but he doesnt like the side effects. Hes an excellent clinician with a full practice and a waiting list. I imagine the intuitiveness listed above, and the creativeness allow him to zero in on whats going on with his patients and generate solutions. Also hes the sort of real-life example we all need that most of us have some limitation, some cross to bear. I call this, in coaching, the trump card. Imagine telling your therapist How would you know how hard it is? and finding out hes ADHD.

ADD sufferers can learn to function well. Hallowell is a physician.

ADULT DISORDER

Its estimated that about 2-6% of adults have ADHD, and yes, is can be a life-long disorder which can disrupt the quality of your life. It has the same symptoms in adults as it does in kids -- hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsiveness. In adults, these behaviors can cause significant difficulties with work and relationships.

THE CAUSE

There are distinct neurobiological features, such as activity in the frontal striatal networks of the brain, and decreased frontal cortical activity, which can only be diagnosed with sophisticated instruments. If you wonder if you have it, or someone you love, please see your physician.

About 80% of children who show symptoms of ADHD in childhood continue on into adulthood. According to the Canadian Medical Association, adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer being fired from a job, marital problems, poor medical health, serious motor accidents, cigarette smoking, drug abuse and poor social skills.

TREATMENT

Various treatments are available, including, of course, medication.

Also recommended by the CMA is whats called psychosocial treatment: education about the disorder, involvement in support groups, skills training (such as vocational, organizational, time management) and what I do, coaching.

Janessas family called her space queen, ditz, and lazy. Whatever medication is able to do, there are still residuals from a lifetime of behavior that tends to bump up against society, and a lot of negative self-talk.

ADD is, according to Dr. Russell Barkley, a deficit in self-regulation or of executive functionsthe ability to inhibit impulses, control moods, use flexible problem-solving and effective self-directed speech. Individuals with ADD, he says, have trouble deferring gratification, persevering, and waiting. Nor do they plan ahead and use self-discipline.

I dont study the causesthats up to the doctorsbut you can see the fit with emotional intelligence coaching. Among other things, I provide a support system and accountabilityplus lots of encouragement and down-to-earth management techniques.

For the time being, Alonso takes his cell phone with him when he heads out for an interview, and calls me as a check-in. I remind him of thingsDo you remember where youre going? Look for the name of the street. He brings a message with him when he gets in the cara sticky with the name of the street on it. As he learns ways to manage that bring success, his anxiety about never remembering will go down.

A coach can model rational problem-solving and positive self-talk, and also give a host of management and accountability techniques.

According to the CMA,the benefits of psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD havent been scientifically studied extensively, and new psychotherapeutic approaches are being developed.

When I peruse the Request for Proposal section on one of the major coaching websites, I see many individuals requesting coaching for ADD. Apparently the word is getting around that it helps.

About the Author

Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, GLOBAL EQ. Emotional intelligence coaching to enhance all areas of your life - career, relationships, midlife transition, resilience, self-esteem, parenting. EQ Alive! - excellent, accelerated, affordable EQ coach certification. Susan is the author of numerous ebooks, is widely published on the Internet, and a regular speaker for cruise lines. For marketing services go here.

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION NAMES COACHING AS ONE REMEDY FOR ADULT ADHD SUFFERERSSusan Dunn, The EQ Coach

Alonso calls me every week, Wednesday at 10 am. Well, actually I call him most of the time, because he forgets. And the reason hes home at 10 am is because he cant hold a job. He couldnt show up on time, remember what he was supposed to do, or finish a task without supervision. He and I are working on strategies to help him self-organize which bring success, and then better self-esteem and more confidence. Alonso (not his real name) is 26 years old, has ADHD, and Im his coach.

Coaching is the most effective tool today in the management of ADD, says Ed Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction, ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684801280/susandunnmome-20 ) who, having ADD himself, is quick to point out the positive side of ADD.

I also coach Janessa, who has ADD. I always look forward to talking with her, and if I werent her coach, and didnt hear the problems she has keeping appointments, meeting deadlines, maintaining relationships, and negotiating highways, it would just be fun to talk with her. Shes got the high energy, intuitiveness, creativity and enthusiasm, Hallowell attributes to such possible ADD sufferers as Mozart and Einstein. Janessas a painter and her work is beautiful.

I imagine the intuitiveness listed above, and the creativeness allow him to zero in on whats going on with his patients and generate solutions. Also hes the sort of real-life example we all need that most of us have some limitation, some cross to bear. I call this, in coaching, the trump card. Imagine telling your therapist How would you know how hard it is? and finding out hes ADHD.

ADD sufferers can learn to function well. Hallowell is a physician.

ADULT DISORDER

THE CAUSE

TREATMENT

Various treatments are available, including, of course, medication.

A coach can model rational problem-solving and positive self-talk, and also give a host of management and accountability techniques.

According to the CMA,the benefits of psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD hasnt been scientifically studied extensively, and new psychotherapeutic approaches are being developed.

When I peruse the Request for Proposal section on one of the major coaching websites, I see many individuals requesting coaching for ADD. Apparently the word is getting around that it helps.

Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc. Coaching, Internet courses, ebooks, EQ coach training, http://www.eqcoach.net. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine.

ADHD Holiday Help Tips

2009-01-14T23:04:00.000-08:00

Quote of the Day:
"The most important thing in any relationship is not what you get but what you give." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Holiday ADHD Help Tips:
Ahhh, the holidays - happiness, warmth, family togetherness, peace, joyThat is the goal, but try matching that with the reality of holidays with an Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child.
The holidays can be especially taxing on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity child. There are too many sweets, broken routines and over-stimulation, disarray and excess at every turn of the bend. This, in turn, can make the holidays especially taxing on the parents of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity children.
Today marks the final countdown to Christmas, with only 10 days to go. There is much to do, not enough time and children are bursting with anticipation.
Below are a number of quick holiday ADHD help tips to help take the edge off holiday stress and chaos. Use these holiday ADHD help tips to better your chances of surviving and enjoying this holiday season with your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #1: Set realistic goals for this holiday.
This holiday season is not going to be your "Best Christmas Ever." In fact, it won't elevate to that status until a few years has passed! Take plenty of pictures so that you can remember this "Best Christmas Ever" when it becomes just that.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #2: Prioritize the "To Do" list.
Make a list of everything that still needs to get done and prioritize the most important. Start with the most important and work your way down the list. Wrapping presents is high on the list so do that now instead of waiting until the wee hours of Christmas Eve. What does not get done by the morning Dec. 24 does not get done.
Place taking care of yourself as a high priority on that list. An overtired and stressed parent produces anxiety in the household. Getting enough sleep, watching your diet, taking time to exercise and spending a few extra minutes in a hot shower will make for a more calm household, which will in turn take stress off your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #3: Avoid last-minute shopping trips with your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child, if possible.
Crowded malls and harried shoppers can tax even the most patient of adults. It can be disastrous for the Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child. If you must take your child along, get in and get out as quickly as possible. Go over the expected rules before you find your parking space and have a reward established beforehand to encourage cooperation and suitable behavior from your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child.
Think about buying gift cards that you can order online for the people that you still need to buy presents for.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #4: Stick as close to your regular routine as possible.
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder children thrive on schedules and routines. December is not a month known for schedules and routines. That said, make an extra effort to tuck your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child in at the same time every night. Make sure meals are eaten at the same time. Avoid last-minute changes that could knock your child off kilter.
Routine changes are inevitable in December. To help your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child adjust to this flurry of extra activities, write down a holiday schedule for your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child that includes school parties, family get-togethers and any other activities outside the normal routine. On this schedule, remember to write in family time.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #5: Involve your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child in preparations.
If you still have baking to do, hand your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child the cookie press and watch him go. Give your child the job of addressing the last minute holiday cards. Let your children help wrap presents for others. The presents may not look perfect but few people would mind the tape encrusted packages, nor will you need to tell them you received help!
Though these activities will likely go quicker without the "help," the help create time for the family to spend together. And, it will help your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child burn off extra energy.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #6: Maintain a healthy diet and limit sugar consumption throughout the holidays.
Start each day with a healthy and solid breakfast, with healthy snacks in between meals. Offer celery sticks with peanut butter, carrots, crackers and cheese or fresh fruits to curb hunger and keep your child from filling up on unhealthy snacks and sweets.
Parents may find difficulty keeping all sweets away from their Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child during the holiday season. If your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child does overdo it on the sweets, make sure you balance the splurge with solid, whole foods to take the edge off the sugar.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #7: Give a brush up lesson of rules and expectations when attending holiday functions.
If you plan to attend or host a party or holiday get together, spend time beforehand reminding your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child of appropriate behavior. Remind them to say their "Please" and "Thank yous," explain that roughhousing and wildness will take away from everyones enjoyment.
Outline rewards for positive behavior and the consequences of infractions but do not make hollow threats of Santa withholding presents. Establish a fallback plan for when or if your child becomes over-stimulated. You might have a sitter on standby, or a quiet place in the house for retreat.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #8: Expect the worst and hope to be pleasantly surprised.
In this hectic rush of free-fall flurry, much can go wrong. Expect it. After a day of unwrapping presents and eating cookies, your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child may wallop his cousin or throw the temper tantrum of the century.
Know that this is a possibility and cross your fingers but do not be terrible surprised if your child acts up. Be prepared to make a quick exit if your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child cannot get himself under control.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #9: Take time unwrapping presents.
Unwrapping a pile of presents in one setting can over-stimulate your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child. Encourage your child to slow down and play with a few toys in between presents. Withhold a couple big presents for after breakfast to keep the thrill alive.
Extending the unwrapping will not only help with over-stimulation, but it will also help with holiday letdown. Many children feel disappointment after waiting so long for this special day, only to have it finish in a matter of minutes.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #10: Prepare well for the extended family get-together.
Most people love their siblings and parents dearly but let's face it, throwing everyone together for this once or twice yearly gather can cause stress. Parenting insecurities (and what parent of an Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child doesn't have them from time to time?) only compound, especially if your always-hyper child gets in a fray with the "perfect" cousin.
The commotion and noise level of so many people in one place added with a wild mix of foods and beverages only add to the havoc. Prepare well for this event. Map out a place for your child to escape if he becomes over stimulated. Be ready to leave early if your child cannot settle down. Bring books, movies and a crafts to occupy your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child.
While together with your family, remember to brag up your child while he is within earshot. This self-esteem booster that will help your child behave better in the present.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #11: Prepare well for travel as well.
If travel plans are on your holiday schedule, consider giving a few travel-related gifts to your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child. A VCR that plugs into the car is probably one of the best gift ideas for saving parent sanity if your budget can afford. New books, crossword puzzles, books on cassette tape, travel games and coloring books are also good ideas for your travel pack. Remember to schedule frequent breaks for your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child to get up and move around.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #12: Remember to set aside quiet time.
In a season marked with high energy and many activities, scheduling quiet time becomes absolutely necessary. Spending time curled up reading a book after a hectic day or simply sitting in a darkened room listening to holiday music can effectively calm your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child.
_ Holiday ADHD Help Tip #13: Remember the "Reason for the Season."
The holiday season is about giving but children, by nature, often focus only on the gimmee, gimmee aspect of the season. Set a giving example by donating to a homeless shelter, by dropping a few dollars in the Salvation Army buckets, by "adopting" a family in need, by picking up extra dry goods for the local food pantry or any number of worthy ways of showing care for others.
The holiday season is also about family, warm feelings, caring and love. Do not forget to have fun in the midst of rushing about trying to finish off the last-minute details. Remember your children will quickly forget the presents received this year but will long remember quality time spent together.

Kids Crafts: Holiday Glitter Ornaments
Your child can make these ornaments as gifts for their teachers, friends, grandparents and other relatives. Handmade presents have a special way of saying, "I care" and are often the best gift that a child can give.
For this simple and inexpensive holiday craft you will need clear glass ball ornaments, a variety of holiday colored glitter and glue.
_ Remove the ornament cap and clean the ball using glass cleaner.
_ Mix one part glue with two parts water.
_ Using a small funnel, pour a small amount of the glue mixture into the glass ornament, coating the entire inside area and pouring out the excess.
_ Using a different funnel, pour glitter into the ball, coating all inside areas and pouring the excess out onto a sheet of paper.
_ Allow the ornament to dry overnight. Viola, you have beautiful ornaments to hang on the tree!

ADHD RECIPES: Frozen Yogurt with an Omega 3 boost
4 eggs
2 cups plain yogurt
2 boxes sugar-free pudding
1 cup frozen fruit (strawberries, blueberries, bananas)
2 Tbsp. flaxseed oil
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups skim milk
Blend all ingredients except milk in a food processor or blender. Gradually add milk. Place in freezer until soft frozen. Enjoy!

For more information about the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center, visit us at www.add-adhd-help-center.com.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an Attention Deifict son. Visit her web site to find drug-free alternatives to Ritalin and other ADHD medications.

The New ADHD Medications

2008-11-02T23:47:00.000-08:00

Pharmaceutical companies vying for Ritalins hefty market share are coming up with new formulas and aggressive campaign ads to compete in this $1 billion per year ADHD drug industry.
Pharmaceutical companies introduced five new drugs to treat ADHD in the past five years, with another ADHD drug expected on the market in early 2003 and more are being developed.
The relative newcomers Adderall and the drug Concerta are now joined by Metadate CD, Ritalin LA and Focalin. Another formula, Atomoxetine, should hit the market in just a few months.
The new ADHD drugs give people choosing drug therapy wider options. Yet, parents, doctors, the FDA and the DEA alike worry that the unprecedented marketing tactics will further drive up demand for ADHD medications, as well as increase drug abuse for these high powered drugs.
Ritalin enjoyed the ADHD corner market for decades. Adderall, with its longer acting formula, jumped in for its share in 1996 and quickly began chiseling at Ritalins market share. The drug Concerta, a reformulation of Ritalin, followed in 2000. Then, Metadate CD and Focalin appeared. Not willing to lose its share in the market, Ritalin makers began developing new formulas, the first - Ritalin LA - reaching FDA approval in June. In late November the FDA approved Eli Lilly and Companys new ADHD formulation, Strattera (atomoxetine).
New ADHD formulas hitting the market is not all that surprising. After all, the market is wide open and growing. New prescriptions for Attention Deficit Disorder increased almost 40 percent over the past five years. Last year doctors wrote 20 million prescriptions for ADHD medications. More American children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit than in any other country in the world.
Concerta, Adderall, Metadate CD, Ritalin LA, Focalin all high potential for side effects, drug dependency and abuse and are closely related to illegal street drugs. Strattera is different in that this is the first non-stimulant medication.
It is ironic though that every day millions of children line up to the counter for their dose of meds while the person caught in possession of these drugs without a prescription face felony charges. These drugs cannot be good for young minds and young bodies.
Of the less severe side effects, children might lose weight, have problems falling asleep, have decreased appetite, and temporarily grow more slowly while taking ADHD medications.
Other side effects can include cardiac arrhythmia, depression, psychosis, facial tics, liver damage, abuse and addiction. Some doctors also believe that some ADHD medications may also worsen the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome.
What's worse, ADHD medications do not always work, do not treat the core cause of Attention Deficit Disorder and could have long-term negative effects. Parents need to be clear about the benefits, as well as the potential side effects of ADHD medications.
Still, more than enough doctors willingly diagnose children as Attention Deficit and cut a prescription. More than enough parents willingly place their children on psychotropic drugs. More than enough teachers and school administrators encourage parents to "do the right thing for their child" to make their child more complaint in school.
The more surprising aspect of this wave of new ADHD medications is the aggressive marketing of narcotics straight to the consumer. ADHD drug makers stepped over a 30-year international treaty agreement not to advertise controlled substances that have high potential for abuse last year when they began marketing their magic pills.
These Schedule II controlled substances are of the most addictive and abused drugs that are still legal.
Full-page color advertisement for ADHD medications began splashing across the pages of women's magazines. Metadate CD, Adderall and Concerta ads show smiling children and their proud mothers touting the wonders of such ADHD medications.
Metadate CD, introduced in April, launched ads in nearly a dozen women's magazines this year. The Drug Enforcement Agency sent a cease-and-desist letter to the makers of Metadate CD after the ads appeared yet the pharmaceutical company insisted that it did no wrong.
The DEA closely watches ADHD medication prescriptions and its advertising. ADHD medications are most-stolen prescriptions and the most-abused legal drugs. According to the DEA, the drug thieves, drug dealers and drug abusers are almost always children.
Adderall and Concerta advertisements appeared in September, just in time for the back-to-school children. These companies did not name the product in the ad but listed a toll free number for parents to call if they wanted more information.
Concerta manufacturers also began airing 60-second ads on cable TV channels. For the first time ever, Schedule II drugs found their way to mainstream television marketing.
The public can expect continued advertising as drug makers attempt to convince the public that their medications are better than the rest. Thus far, the makers of Ritalin have not marketed directly to consumers.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an Attention Deficit Disorder son. Visit Virtue's web site at www.add-adhd-help-center.com to learn about effective drug-free alternatives to ADHD medications.

ADHD - Politics, Money, or Science?

2008-10-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

As a medicinal chemist I've had the opportunity to see a shockingly different side of Ritalin (methylphenidate) and ADHD than the media exposes.

The Experimental Pharmacology Department of the American Cyanamid Company and the Merck Index report that Ritalin is no less toxic or safer than amphetamine and methamphetamine. They continue, by stating that upon administration of these drugs, motor activity decreases. Often time's tremors and convulsions occur. Further studies on these amphetamine derivatives show that short-term clinical doses produce brain cell death. Long-lasting and sometimes permanent changes in the biochemistry of the brain are also a result. Toxicological studies cited by the Merck Index showed that Ritalin was more toxic when administered to grouped mice. Moreover, researchers showed that increased excitement observed by maintaining mice in groups while under the influence of Ritalin and other methamphetamines was the cause of death, but the exact mechanism of lethality was unknown. Lastly, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classify commonly prescribed drug such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine in the same Schedule II category as methamphetamine and cocaine.

Logic says, end of story regarding Ritalin use. Unfortunately, the most typical response from parents when confronted with toxicity facts is as follows:

“I'm sure that Ritalin is prescribed improperly in many cases. But, my son definitely has a chemical imbalance. Without Ritalin he is a total mess and it has made his life so much easier! Without it he can't focus, he talks out of turn, he's moody, and he won't listen to anybody. So don't tell me ADHD doesn't exist and that my kid doesn't need Ritalin."

My fist question is what chemical imbalance?

To date, no medical or scientific paper or research group has elucidated the cause of ADHD! With our expensive and all-important college and medical degrees professionals have ostensibly hypothesized a cause (brain chemicals) and advocated a cure (stimulants) for ADHD. To back it up we have listed dozens of symptoms of ADHD while at the same time sacrificing a few billion brain cells. How can we administer a toxic stimulant to treat a “disorder" that doesn't exist according to a 100 years of research?

Daily, schoolteachers tell us “yes, Ritalin is a great drug".

School nurses assure us that, “Ritalin would be great for little Johnny!"

And doctors assert, “yes, ADHD is a real disease".

When we trace back the history of Ritalin (say 40-60 years) we see that medicinal chemists originally derived this synthetic stimulant from natural stimulants, most notably caffeine (isolated from guarana) and ephedrine (isolated from Ma Haung). Scientists found that when given stimulants, rats were more focused, calm, attentive and manageable when large groups were crowded into small cages.

Ma Huang and caffeine however, are not good stimulants due to their very short half-lives and inability to “patent". To remedy this, scientists experimented, and still are, with longer lasting synthetic stimulants. To date, a conglomeration of long lasting synthetic stimulants like Ritalin (methylphenidate), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), Desoxyn (methamphetamine), and Adderal (a mixture of Ritalin, Dexedrine, and amphetamine) have been encapsulated and administered to millions of children. Perhaps one day they will simply infuse a Ritalin gas into classrooms.

Obviously, the goal is to get kids more focused, calm, attentive and manageable when in large groups. The federal govt. wants to aid in this endeavor. Jon Rappaport, writing for Stratiawire.com, shows that in 1991, federal rules were adopted which granted US schools $400 for each child diagnosed with ADHD. Furthermore, in 1991, the US Dept. of Education issued a formal recognition of ADHD as a debilitating condition and ordered state education departments to screen students and give ADHD cases special treatment. Guaranteed, if the govt. offered increased funding for every redheaded student, your student teachers would soon be convincing you that Johnny has red hair, not brown.

No doubt, ADHD symptoms exist. I could walk into any classroom in America and find a hypothecated victim. And yes, there is a spectrum as to the suffering of the aforementioned symptoms. For those rare cases on the extreme end, here is a partial list of factors that can cause a child to have these “ADHD symptoms": chemicals and dyes in food, excess sugar intake, vaccines, FDA approved drugs, heavy metals, poor teaching, failure to grasp basic subjects (e,g., reading), head injuries, parents who aren't home, parents who don't care, unsafe schools, street drugs, poor nutrition.

This list is a result of the profound discoveries that have been made about the benefits of proper diet and natural supplements. It is also the result of the horrific discoveries that have been made by intelligent and truth-seeking parents and professionals regarding the use of FDA approved drugs and vaccines. To date, it is possible for anyone to live a happy normal life FREE of toxic drugs. As knowledge of health, nutrition and the effectiveness of natural supplements moves forward our own attitudes and ways of thinking must do the same.

Be warned however, accurate information regarding the use of natural supplements will be hard to come by from medical doctors. The scientific study of medicinal uses of plants has not been part of the American medical curriculum for at least 75 years! Conversely, medicinal chemists have derived almost every synthetic drug from nature. The only difference between the two is life-threatening toxicity.

This is not an attack on western medicine. In fact, the latest technology in emergency medicine has been an asset to the longevity of human life. Endeavors made by emergency room doctors are admirable to say the least. This is an attack on the ignorance and greed of the American people, including doctors, patients, and pharmaceutical companies. The reliance of drugs, surgery, and high-tech equipment for healthy living is killing us and according to the latest statistics, most of us will be overdosed on FDA approved drugs before we will ever need the expertise of an emergency room doctor. Take the power back! Start with a war on FDA approved drugs by learning about natural alternatives and proper diet.

Shane holds a Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand industry experience with drug research, design and synthesis. His website exposes the shocking and sometimes-frightening truth behind FDA approved drugs, sports supplements, and natural medicine. Learn more by visiting http://www.health-fx.net

Strattera, the New ADHD Medication

2008-10-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

The newest ADHD medication Strattera (atomoxetine) is expected to hit the pharmacy shelves this month to much ado. What separates Strattera (atomoxetine) from the rest of the ADHD medications pack is that Strattera (atomoxetine) is the first non-stimulant medication FDA-approved for Attention Deficit Disorder.
Strattera (atomoxetine) is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act, which translates to the convenience of phone-in refills and less prescription hassles at the pharmacy.
Strattera (atomoxetine) is an oral capsule prescribed in a once or twice daily dose, which also eliminates the need for school children to medicate during the school day. And, Strattera (atomoxetine) is the only ADHD medication FDA-approved for adults.
But before you knock on your doctor's door asking for a prescription, there are a few things you should know about this new ADHD medication.
Although Strattera (atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication, it still poses many side effects consistent with the side effects of other ADHD medications - and a few new ones that adults might find less than pleasant.

Common Strattera (atomoxetine) Side Effects include (but not limited to):
_ Problems sleeping/Insomnia
_ Dry mouth
_ Decreased appetite
_ Weight loss
_ Upset stomach
_ Constipation
_ Nausea and/or vomiting
_ Dizziness
_ Tiredness
_ Mood swings
_ Ear infection
_ Influenza
_ Irritability

Sexual side effects (in adults studied):
_ Decreased libido
_ Ejaculatory problems
_ Impotence
_ Urination problems
_ Painful menstrual periods

The following, though rare, have also been reported:
_ Strattera (atomoxetine) can cause potentially serious allergic reactions.

Strattera (atomoxetine) can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Strattera (atomoxetine) can also worsen the conditions of high blood pressure and heart disease. Strattera (atomoxetine) should not be taken at the same time as, or within two weeks of taking, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Patients with narrow angle glaucoma should not take Strattera (atomoxetine).

You should alert the prescribing physician of the following condition before beginning Strattera (atomoxetine);
_ Current or past depression, psychosis or other mental conditions
_ Alcohol or drug abuse
_ Heart disease
_ High blood pressure
_ Epilepsy or seizure disorders
_ Liver disease or kidney disease
_ Pregnancy, nursing or plans to become pregnant

Strattera (atomoxetine) makers Eli Lilly and Company conducted six placebo-controlled studies in children, adolescents and adults for FDA submission. Early studies suggest that the potential of abuse is lower with Strattera (atomoxetine) and side effects may not be as pronounced as with other ADHD medications.
Two of the trials also tested Strattera's effectiveness against methylphenidate and stated that preliminary evidence indicates comparable effects between atomoxetine (Strattera) and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Researchers did, however, state that larger, double-blind studies are needed to better compare the drugs against each other.
We do expect Strattera (atomoxetine) to become one of the forerunners in ADHD medication, with millions of children on this new drug in a short amount of time. Although Strattera (atomoxetine) sounds like a good choice - as ADHD medications go - the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center takes a wary position until further testing is completed and analyzed. It is important to note that this new ADHD medication is new, with the tests for effectiveness lasting between six and 10 weeks and the safety of this drug only tested for about one year.
The short-term studies showed that Strattera (atomoxetine) increased the heart rate and blood pressure in children. The long-term effects of increased heart rate and blood pressure are still unknown.
Children fell below their height and weight growth curves on the longer-term study and again, it is still unknown whether this will have an affect on adult height.
Also of concern are the side effects to sexual functioning reported in adult and how that will affect children whose sexual organs are still developing.
In all fairness, this side effect likely would not surface for Ritalin, Adderall or other ADHD medications since those are for children. Since Strattera (atomoxetine) will also be marketed as an adult prescription, clinical tests were done on adults, which then unearthed sexual side effects.
Our last concern deals with verbiage on the Strattera (atomoxetine) web site. The following is an excerpt from the www.strattera.com FAQ page;
"15. Is there a cure for ADHD?
Like other chronic disorders, ADHD is not curable. Some patients have a remission of the disease, and may lead productive adolescent and adult lives...."

Eli Lilly and Company knows better and we question why the web site classified Attention Deficit Disorder as a "disease," and one that people "have a remission" from.
Attention Deficit Disorder is NOT a "disease." In fact, Attention Deficit Disorder was not even a "disorder" until 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association classified it as such.
Furthermore, people do not "have a remission" from Attention Deficit Disorder, though many children with Attention Deficit Disorder lead productive adolescent and adult lives.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an Attention Deficit Disorder son. Visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at www.add-adhd-help-center.com to learn about effective, drug-free alternatives to Ritalin and other ADHD medications.

Autism, ADD, ADHD - Vaccine Related

2008-10-14T01:06:00.000-07:00

Autism, ADD, ADHA - Vaccine Related

According to the most recent estimates by the CDC, about 1 in 150 children in the US suffers from an autistic disorder. Recent studies have shown that exposure to mercury in childhood vaccines, not only causes autism but can also result in immune, sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioral dysfunctions similar to traits associated with autism.

Thimerosal is a vaccine preservative that was developed in the 1930s by Eli Lilly, and has been regularly used in vaccines ever since. It contains 49.5% mercury. The amount of mercury considered safe for adults, by the EPA is 0.1 microgram per kilogram of weight.

As a neurotoxin, thimerosal, has been linked to the depletion of the protective anti-oxidant, glutathione, which helps rid the body of mercury. People with autism seem to be more susceptible to this effect and most have low levels of glutathione. Therefore, their bodies have difficulty excreting mercury.

In 1999, many drug companies claimed they were reducing the amount of thimerosal in vaccines. Some companies even provided product inserts that claimed that only a trace amount of mercury still existed in the final product. Others claimed to be producing vaccines that were completely mercury-free.

A few months ago the group, Health Advocacy in the Public Interest (HAPI), sent four separate vials of different vaccines to be tested for mercury content by Doctor's Data, an independent lab, which specializes in heavy metal testing.

The testing revealed that all four of the vials contained mercury, despite the claim by 2 companies that their vaccines were completely mercury-free. According to HAPI, all four vaccines also contained aluminum which greatly increases the toxicity of mercury in causing neuronal death in the brain.

In fact, during further investigation of the matter, HAPI discovered that mercury-based thimerosal was still being used to produce most vaccines. The drug makers claimed that after production, they use a process to filter the preservative out of the final vaccines.

However, Scientist, Boyd Haley, Phd, who is the Chemistry Department Chair at the University of Kentucky, told HAPI that its not possible to filter out all of the thimerosal because mercury binds to the antigenic protein in the vaccine and therefore, cannot be completely filtered out 100%.

We are not going to see a drastic decline in autism due to the fact that we have been misled about when thimerosal was actually eliminated from vaccines. Because the FDA has never ordered drug makers to recall all the vaccines previously manufactured and shipped to health care providers, to this very day, several different mercury-containing vaccines remain in the inventories of health care facilities, and some have an expiration date as late as September, 2005.

In addition, pregnant women and their unborn infants, are still being injected with thimerosal in flu vaccines, and a shot to combat the RH negative factor. The FDA and CDC have ignored the tremendous amount of scientific evidence of injury from these vaccines discovered by all the various studies, and have continued to recommend flu vaccines for pregnant women and certain children.

Most flu vaccines recommended for pregnant women contain 25 micrograms of mercury. Which means a fetus, through the vaccination of its mother, receives a dose of mercury that exceeds the Federal guidelines by several hundred-fold.

Experts Weigh In

To what degree of scientific certainty can the epidemic of autism be blamed on mercury in childhood vaccines? David Ayoub, MD, answered this question for Independent Media TV, I can state that the certainty of the science supporting mercury as a major cause of autism is probably more overpowering than the science behind any other disease process that I studied dating back to medical school, he said.

In 2002, the research team of David and Mark Geier, released a study based on tens of millions of doses of vaccines given to children in the US during the 1990s, that presented the first epidemiologic evidence that associated the increase in thimerosal from vaccines with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Specifically, the Geiers analysis of the Federal government's Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database showed statistical increases in the incidence rate of autism, mental retardation, and speech disorders in children receiving thimerosal-containing diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines, when compared with those who received thimerosal-free DTaP vaccines. The VAERS database has only been maintained by the CDC since 1990.

According to the Geiers, the usual course of DTaP vaccine consists of primary immunizations administered at 2, 4, and 6 months, followed up by booster doses at 18 months and at 5 years.

Using the database, the Geiers determined that there were a total of 6575 adverse reaction reports after thimerosal-vaccines, compared to only 1516 adverse reactions reported after thimerosal-free vaccines.

Lisa Blakemore-Brown, a Psychologist in the UK, also maintains that thimerosal is the cause of autism, and suspects it is also the culprit involved in a wide variety of other health problems showing up in children these days.

"The epidemic of health and developmental problems in so called advanced countries is now undeniable," Blakemore reports, "1 in 10 children suffer from gastrointestinal disorders, 1 in 4 have asthma."

According to Blakemore, the current autism epidemic did not occur earlier because children "were given single vaccines with single amounts of mercury, she says, but with the introduction of triple vaccines the amount of mercury contained within the preservative was multiplied and the cumulative effects are only just now being discovered by the public," she adds.

Thimerosal is now also being blamed for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD), which affect millions of children and their families. Currently statistics suggest that as many as 10% of the school-aged children have ADD and another 20% exhibit symptoms of ADHD.

Since they believe vaccines may have caused these disorders, many parents have come to resent the fact that the pharmaceutical industry is now raking in huge profits from the sale of drugs to treat these disorders by the same drug companies that caused the injury in the first place.

Number Of Vaccines Too High

The number of vaccinations given to children before the age 2, has nearly tripled since 1988, according the CDC, which currently recommends vaccination against 12 diseases. Because some vaccines must be given more than once, children get as many as 23 shots by the age of 2.

Under the CDC immunization schedule, here are the vaccines recommended for children before two years of age.

Birth-6 months: Hepatitis B: 2 doses; Diphtheria, Pertussis (DPT), Tetanus: 3 doses; Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib): 3 doses; Inactivated poliovirus: 2 doses; Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): not recommended; Varicella: not recommended; Pneumococcal conjugate: 3 doses. Total 13 doses

12-24 months: Hepatitis B: 1 dose; Diphtheria, Pertussis (DPT), Tetanus: 1 dose; Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib): 1 dose; Inactivated poliovirus: 1 dose; Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): 1 dose; Varicella: 1 dose; Pneumococcal conjugate: 1 dose; Pneumococcal polysaccharide*: 1 dose; and Influenza: 1 dose

Hepatitis A*: 1 dose; Total 10 doses

* Vaccines recommended in selected states and regions and for certain high-risk groups.

The worst example of an unnecessary vaccine being sold to boost drug company profits, is the injection of Hepatitis B into newborns to an adult lifestyle disease contracted through sex and sharing needles with drug addicts. Plain and simple, the industory needed a market for a new vaccine so they got together with their cronies in the FDA and CDC and hatched a scheme to target nations infants using the Federal immunization program.

Prior to the introduction of the vaccine, Hepatitis B among children was almost unheard of. According to the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, in 1986, there were only 279 cases reported in children under the age of 14.

Even in adults, the incidence rate of Hepatitis B has always been low. In 1991, for instance, there were only 18,003 cases within a total population of approximately 248 million people.

Dr Jay Gordon is a pediatrician who was named CBS TV's Medical Consultant for Children's programming and also worked for 5 years on ABC, as the on-air medical correspondent. He has appeared on "Good Morning America" to discuss vaccinations.

On his website, Gordon says, "I also don't like the financial ties that vaccine researchers have to the manufacturers because some of these same experts help make the official decisions about which shots will be approved and/or required."

He is concerned about the needless vaccines being given to children. The diseases against which we vaccinate used to be much more common, Gordon says, but we are now down to an average of one case of diphtheria (the "D" of the DPT) per year in the US, a few thousand cases of Pertussis ("P"), and 30 or so cases of Tetanus each year, he explains.

We have not had a case of "wild" polio in America since 1979 and the entire Western Hemisphere has been free of the disease for some years, Gordon adds. He claims it's highly unlikely that a young child would contract hepatitis B; there are only a few dozen cases of tetanus in this country each year.

"In my opinion, we vaccinate in an unscientific and potentially dangerous way," Gordon says. He believes it would be better to vaccinate children later and slower, The expedient and economically superior method, doesn't serve our babies well, he warns.

In my day, we got a few vaccines. And my children (now 33 & 36) got a few during their school years. Due to the fact that no one from those two generations ever got the 3 dozen vaccines currently mandated, one question keep rolling around in my mind. If three dozen vaccines are really necessary to fight off these highly-contagious diseases, in the 54 years that Ive been on this earth, why have I never met a single unvaccinated person who caught one?

Evelyn Pringle
e.pringle@sbcglobal.net
Miamisburg OH

(Evelyn Pringle is a columnist for Independent Media TV and an investigative journalist focused on exposing government corruption)

Strattera - The New ADHD Medication

2008-07-24T23:30:00.000-07:00

Strattera, the first non-stimulant ADHD medication, hit the shelves in January to much ado. Although Strattera does offer an alternate treatment of Attention Deficit, it still poses similar side effects to other ADHD medication.
The newest ADHD medication Strattera (atomoxetine) is expected to hit the pharmacy shelves this month to much ado. What separates Strattera (atomoxetine) from the rest of the ADHD medications pack is that Strattera (atomoxetine) is the first non-stimulant medication FDA-approved for Attention Deficit Disorder. Strattera (atomoxetine) is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act, which translates to the convenience of phone-in refills and less prescription hassles at the pharmacy. Strattera (atomoxetine) is an oral capsule prescribed in a once or twice daily dose, which also eliminates the need for school children to medicate during the school day. And, Strattera (atomoxetine) is the only ADHD medication FDA-approved for adults. But before you knock on your doctor's door asking for a prescription, there are a few things you should know about this new ADHD medication. Although Strattera (atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication, it still poses many side effects consistent with the side effects of other ADHD medications - and a few new ones that adults might find less than pleasant.

Common Strattera (atomoxetine) Side Effects include (but not limited to): _ Problems sleeping/Insomnia _ Dry mouth _ Decreased appetite _ Weight loss _ Upset stomach _ Constipation _ Nausea and/or vomiting _ Dizziness _ Tiredness _ Mood swings _ Ear infection _ Influenza _ Irritability

Sexual side effects (in adults studied): _ Decreased libido _ Ejaculatory problems _ Impotence _ Urination problems _ Painful menstrual periods

The following, though rare, have also been reported: _ Strattera (atomoxetine) can cause potentially serious allergic reactions.

You should alert the prescribing physician of the following condition before beginning Strattera (atomoxetine); _ Current or past depression, psychosis or other mental conditions _ Alcohol or drug abuse _ Heart disease _ High blood pressure _ Epilepsy or seizure disorders _ Liver disease or kidney disease _ Pregnancy, nursing or plans to become pregnant

Strattera (atomoxetine) makers Eli Lilly and Company conducted six placebo-controlled studies in children, adolescents and adults for FDA submission. Early studies suggest that the potential of abuse is lower with Strattera (atomoxetine) and side effects may not be as pronounced as with other ADHD medications. Two of the trials also tested Strattera's effectiveness against methylphenidate and stated that preliminary evidence indicates comparable effects between atomoxetine (Strattera) and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Researchers did, however, state that larger, double-blind studies are needed to better compare the drugs against each other. We do expect Strattera (atomoxetine) to become one of the forerunners in ADHD medication, with millions of children on this new drug in a short amount of time. Although Strattera (atomoxetine) sounds like a good choice - as ADHD medications go - the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center takes a wary position until further testing is completed and analyzed. It is important to note that this new ADHD medication is new, with the tests for effectiveness lasting between six and 10 weeks and the safety of this drug only tested for about one year. The short-term studies showed that Strattera (atomoxetine) increased the heart rate and blood pressure in children. The long-term effects of increased heart rate and blood pressure are still unknown. Children fell below their height and weight growth curves on the longer-term study and again, it is still unknown whether this will have an affect on adult height. Also of concern are the side effects to sexual functioning reported in adult and how that will affect children whose sexual organs are still developing. In all fairness, this side effect likely would not surface for Ritalin, Adderall or other ADHD medications since those are for children. Since Strattera (atomoxetine) will also be marketed as an adult prescription, clinical tests were done on adults, which then unearthed sexual side effects. Our last concern deals with verbiage on the Strattera (atomoxetine) web site. The following is an excerpt from the www.strattera.com FAQ page; "15. Is there a cure for ADHD? Like other chronic disorders, ADHD is not curable. Some patients have a remission of the disease, and may lead productive adolescent and adult lives...."

Eli Lilly and Company knows better and we question why the web site classified Attention Deficit Disorder as a "disease," and one that people "have a remission" from. Attention Deficit Disorder is NOT a "disease." In fact, Attention Deficit Disorder was not even a "disorder" until 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association classified it as such. Furthermore, people do not "have a remission" from Attention Deficit Disorder, though many children with Attention Deficit Disorder lead productive adolescent and adult lives.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an Attention Deficit Disorder son. Visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com for effective drug-free alternatives to ADHD medications. To subscribe to the Help Center's free newsletter, email info@add-adhd-help-center.com.

San Francisco Giants Pitcher Reveals ADHD Diagnosis and Dramatic Life Changes . . . On and Off the Field

2008-07-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - For most of his life, San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Scott Eyre could not understand why it was so difficult to pay attention at school, concentrate while trying to do homework or play ball, or why he seemed to get easily frustrated with his family and friends. At age 30, he found the answer when he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a common neurobehavioral disorder affecting millions of children, adolescents and adults.

In 2002, while Eyre was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, a team psychologist recognized the characteristics of ADHD and urged him to undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a doctor. After being diagnosed with ADHD, I understood that my constant hyperactivity and inability to focus on activities are symptoms of a common and treatable medical condition, says Eyre. And, more importantly, by developing a personal ADHD game plan with the help of my doctor and my wife, I found that I could gain better control of my life at home and at the ballpark.

A total treatment plan consisting of management strategies and medication are the most effective tools physicians have to help patients manage symptoms of ADHD to reach their full potential in home, school, social and work settings, notes David Goodman, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. As children transition from unstructured summer time to a more regimented school year, it is critical for parents to discuss their childs ADHD with a doctor and develop their own ADHD game plan or strategy to manage it effectively.

Signs of ADHD Followed Eyre from Childhood to Adulthood

Growing up, there were many tell-tale signs of ADHD in Eyres life. He struggled in school because he was easily distracted and hyperactive. One of five siblings, including a brother who has also been diagnosed with ADHD, Eyre says he acted like he was driven by a motor at all times. He would become easily frustrated with his family, and could not block out the activities of his household when he tried to do homework. I often wonder what my life would have been like had I been diagnosed and treated when I was younger, says Eyre.

When a child is struggling in school, the symptoms of ADHD are often overlooked, explains Dr. Goodman. The child might feel stupid or inadequate after continual failure, which can greatly affect self-esteem and relationships with peers and family. Left unmanaged, children with ADHD often suffer academically and can experience behavioral and emotional problems into adulthood.

Eyres organizational problems, impulsivity and distractibility followed him through to adulthood. Throughout a successful baseball career at the high school, college and professional levels, Eyre found himself continually fighting to stay focused. While on the mound he would find himself drifting off and listening to the crowd instead of bearing down on the batter. His teammates noticed his impulsive behavior and noted that it was nearly impossible for Scott to sit still in the bullpen and concentrate on the game.

Eyres wife, Laura, noticed that he had extreme difficulty waiting his turn to speak, would often interrupt people, and could rarely carry on a conversation with her without doing something else at the same time. Because of his struggle with ADHD symptoms, Eyre exhibited little patience with his two young sons.

ADHD Game Plan Helps Pitcher Deal With Lifes Curveballs

Working with his physician and wife Laura, Eyre developed a personal ADHD game plan which now includes behavioral management strategies like keeping a running to-do list, establishing parameters for unstructured time or days off, and organizing his schedule with an electronic pocket calendar. He also takes CONCERTA (methylphenidate HCl) CII, a long-acting medication for ADHD. Now that Scott has been diagnosed and is managing his ADHD, he spends less time feeling frustrated and overwhelmed with the tasks he has to complete, says Laura Eyre.

Sticking with a treatment program that includes focus techniques and medication is the right ADHD game plan for me, says Eyre. Parents should talk with their childs physician, teachers, and others to help determine the best ADHD game plan for their child.

Scott Eyres personal ADHD game plan, along with some ADHD management strategies from Dr. Goodman can be found on www.focusonadhd.com, a new educational resource for people with ADHD and parents of children with ADHD. The site also includes information about ADHD and how to manage the condition and an Ask the Expert section.

Focusonadhd.com is supported by McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, marketers of CONCERTA, a once-daily extended-release formulation of methylphenidate approved to treat ADHD. The efficacy of CONCERTA has been confirmed in studies conducted in children and adolescents between 6 to18 years of age. Only a doctor can determine if medication is the right treatment for individuals with ADHD.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Courtesy of ARA Content

New ADHD Educational Resource Now Available

2008-07-13T23:12:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Millions of children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) themselves, or know a family member, friend, student or co-worker affected by this common neurobehavioral disorder, now have a new informative resource, www.focusonadhd.com, to help them better understand and manage the condition. The comprehensive Web site offers up-to-date information, resources and encouragement to educate people about the impact of ADHD across different life stages.

The site includes a wealth of information about ADHD diagnosis and management, dispels common myths about the condition, and offers information about currently available treatment options that can be discussed with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Not having enough information about ADHD and how to manage it or knowing where to go for help can be major barriers to diagnosis and treatment, says Peggy DeFelice, M.D., a clinical care physician in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Kids First Flourtown -- The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphias Primary Care Network. Left untreated, children with ADHD can suffer academically and experience behavioral, social, and emotional problems through adulthood. FocusonADHD.com is an informative and helpful resource for individuals with ADHD as well as those who take care of, teach, and work with people who have the disorder.

Among the sites features:

* Interactive ADHD Awareness Quiz: Visitors can test their ADHD AQ (Awareness Quotient) by separating fact from fiction to see how much they know about ADHD.

* Ask the Expert: A panel of experts answers a new ADHD-related question each week; visitors can submit questions and review answers to other previously featured questions.

* Latest ADHD Treatments: Up-to-date information about a variety of currently available treatment options, including behavioral therapy and medication, which can be discussed with a doctor or other healthcare professional. The site also includes descriptions of different types of healthcare professionals and what each specialist can do to help individuals with ADHD, as well as helpful links to how to find these specialists.

* ADHD Library: Helpful materials including a symptoms checklist, educational tip sheets for teenagers with ADHD and their parents and teachers, and a glossary of common terms that people may come across as they explore ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

* The Faces of ADHD: Short stories about children, adolescents and adults with ADHD, offering visitors to the site a glimpse into the worlds of these individuals.

FocusonADHD.com is sponsored by McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, makers of CONCERTA (methylphenidate HCl) CII, a prescription medication that is part of a total treatment program for managing ADHD. The Web site is not intended to substitute for a clinical and psychological evaluation by qualified medical professionals with experience in the diagnosis and/or treatment of ADHD.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Courtesy of ARA Content

The Cost of ADHD - Treatment a Must for Emotional, Physical and Financial Health

2008-07-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

According to recent studies, ADHD is one of the most costly health conditions in the U.S. - topped only by alcohol abuse and clearly ahead of drug abuse in terms of cost.

Annually, alcohol abuse costs American families $86 billion in lost household income. The annual cost for ADHD is $77 billion and the annual cost for drug abuse is $58 billion.

Hard costs, like out-of-pocket medical treatment, are only one aspect of lost income. ADHD high school graduates and college graduates make considerably less money annually than their non-ADHD counterparts.

Research indicates that it doesnt matter if the person with ADHD has the same level of education as someone who does not have ADHD, the person with ADHD will make less money than the person without ADHD. The numbers are between $4500.00 and $10,000.00 annually. People with ADHD suffer from symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity - which are not always conducive to the work environment.

Although about half the children with ADHD learn to adequately manage their symptoms into adulthood, the other half continue to struggle as they transition from school to work. If ADHD goes untreated into adulthood, the symptoms can affect their financial health by making it harder to hold down a job, making it harder to obtain the education needed to land high-paying jobs and it can cause more lost work days.

Many psychiatrists that treat adults with ADHD ask their clients to bring in their employee evaluations, most of the evaluations brought in read like a textbook case. The ADHD adult will talk out of turn, have difficulty following through with instructions, show lack of focus, have difficulty finishing projects and complain of being disorganized.

Symptoms like these make it very hard for an adult with ADHD to maintain a successful work environment. More often than not, these are the employees that get passed up for a promotion or are under-employed according to their abilities.

Not only does the adult with ADHD have more problems at work, without successful treatment the ADHD adult typically also has:

_ Higher Divorce rates.
_ Lower levels of satisfaction with all aspects of their lives.
_ Less likely to have a positive self- image or be optimistic.
_ More likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.
_ More driving accidents.
Most experts agree that if ADHD is detected and treated at a young age, the ADHD adult will be less likely to struggle with work and their everyday duties.

The key is in finding successful and healthful treatment for the ADHD adult.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance writer who focuses on health related issues. For information about effective and healthy treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder in adults and children, visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at

ADHD The Easier Solution

2008-07-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat andprevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean environment.http://tennesseemold.com/ebooks.shtmlDrGraham@themoldlab.com

Melatonin, Sleep Enhancement, and ADHD - Auto Recovery

2008-07-05T02:40:00.000-07:00

Overview

Uses

Here is a partial list:

Insomnia
Osteoporosis
Menopause
Depression
Eating Disorders
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Cancer-related Weight Loss
Sarcoidosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Epilepsy
Sunburn
Viral Encephalitis
Heart Disease

Since a lot of evidence for many of these claims is rather light and since I am not trying to sell you melatonin supplements, I am going to focus only on its role in sleep enhancement.

Insomnia

How to Take It

There are currently no guidelines as to how to take Melatonin. Sensitivity to Melatonin is an individual thing and doses that are ineffective in one person may be too much for someone else.

The best approach for any condition is to begin with very low doses and slowly add more until you get the effect that you are seeking.

In children, it is best to start with a dose of about 0.3 mg/day or less. Although current research suggests that even doses as high as 10 mg are perfectly safe, it is best to proceed with caution.

In adults, 3 mg is usually a safe starting dose and you can increase it or decrease it as you see fit.

Availability

Adverse Effects

The only consistent side effect of high doses has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time.

Other common complaints include:

Vivid dreams or nightmares
Stomach cramps
Dizziness
Headache
Irritability
Decreased libido
Breast enlargement in men
Decreased sperm count.

These side effects were in healthy people. We also don't know how melatonin may affect people suffering from disease.

Possible Drug Interactions

Melatonin may interact or interfere with other drugs.

These include:

Antidepressant Medications
Antipsychotic Medications: many of these medications are now being used in treating children with ADHD and Bipolar disorder
Benzodiazepines
Blood Pressure Medications
Blood-thinning Medications, Anticoagulants
Interleukin-2
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Steroids and Immunosuppressant Medications
Tamoxifen

If your child is taking any of these things, you should consult with his doctor before giving Melatonin.

Also, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can all diminish levels of melatonin in the body while cocaine and amphetamines may increase melatonin production.

Conclusion

Anthony Kane, MD
ADD ADHD Advances
http://addadhdadvances.com

ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Child's Best Friend

2008-06-30T03:22:00.000-07:00

Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If so-- my hat is off to you! ADD / ADHD children are brilliant, full of energy, smart as a whip (as grandma says), and tons of work. They are also the rising sun and the setting star: meaning much of life revolves around them in one way or another. One tactic you might employ is to: be your child's best friend.

Hear me out just a bit. I am not promoting parents in "jammies" all day-- everyday, messy homes filled with increasing whirlwind clutter that no-one attends to, nor hot dogs and pizza nightly just to avoid more arguing with an ADD / ADHD child. I am suggesting the reminder we all need with these special needs children: keep perspective.

And yes-- try thinking along the lines of being best friends with your child.

Best friends are people who look out for the best interest of another.

Best friends have a special tolerance for each other.

Best friends set aside time to truly know each other and how each other thinks and feels.

Best friends stand up for one-another, for their rights, their feelings, their health, and their needs.

Best friends look forward to more time together.

Best friends cherish each other dearly.

Best friends also speak the truth and help guide each other along the journey of life together.

Here are more simple reminders that we easily forget when caught up in our daily grind. I hope they will help from time to time with your ADD / ADHD parenting:

Remember to keep the rules-- but not TOO many rules all at once... all the time!
Schedule FUN
Stop being organized now and then to ad-lib and make delight shine for you both again!
Yes-- even with medicated kids some days are suddenly going to be worse than others.
This is physiological-- remember?
You are the expert in his/her eyes. Provide correction and consequences accordingly.
Use notebooks, or better yet email, to communicate with the teacher daily.
It is no fun for the ADD / ADHD child to be "wrong" or in trouble so much of the day-- catch him/her being good!!
With young ADD / ADHD children try picture charts on the wall for daily routines to follow.
Your child needs extra reminders, extra chances, extra love, and extra encouragement (so do you!!)
Read The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell.
Know the educational rights in your school district and utilize each and every one of them :-)
Be patient with the child, your mate, and especially yourself.
Tenderness and politeness goes a long way with these precious ones.
These kids love to be helpful-- utilize it, just don't seek perfection :-)
and finally:
* DON'T go It ALONE! Enlist the help of extended family, friends, neighbors, associates, playmate families, medical professionals, and perhaps a coach for sanity.

Two myths that existed when I was a child:

The first was that the parents were always right and had all the answers.
The second one was that "You can have it all, baby".

Well, as a parent-- I know the first is NOT true. And as a working mom-- the second is out the door as well (or at least the romanticized fantasy version of it is).

You are a parent-- do your best.
Learn every day.
Ask for forgiveness.
And cherish this relationship.

You can design your life-- You are a parent, and an individual.You have to pick and choose which elements will be incorporated within it, and, how you want it to run.

Your child needs love, fun, consideration, truth, honesty, openness, and the gentle/firm guidance that best friend's can give without damaging or straining the relationship. You already have so many different hats to wear all day for your various roles. Being your child's best friend might simplify some of that. Give it a try.

Enjoy these years and enjoy your ADD / ADHD child !!!!

Until next time--- all the best,

Kate