Adhd

Chemical Treatments Medication Medication is often part of a total treatment plan for ADHD. But because ADHD can affect each child differently, treatment approaches vary from child to child. For some children, medication and behavioral therapy together may be effective. ADHD medication falls into 2 categories: nonstimulants and stimulants. Nonstimulants INTUNIV is a treatment option for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 with ADHD. It is a nonstimulant medication. Although it is not known exactly how INTUNIV works, guanfacine, the active ingredient in INTUNIV, is thought to assist in the flow of information within the brain. Learn more about INTUNIV. Atomoxetine is another type of nonstimulant prescribed for ADHD. Although it is not known exactly how atomoxetine works, it is thought to work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine (NE), a chemical in the brain. Stimulants Amphetamine and methylphenidate are stimulants. Although it is not known exactly how these stimulant medications work, it is thought that they work to increase the amounts of the chemicals dopamine (DA) and NE in the brain. DA and NE are chemicals that help send information throughout the brain. http://www.intuniv.com/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/adhd-medication.aspx Dec.29, 2010 Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs in both children and adults. ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants, such as: * Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Daytrana) * Amphetamine (Adderall) * Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat). In 2002, the FDA approved the nonstimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera) for use as a treatment for ADHD. In February 2007, the FDA approved the use of the stimulant lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) for the treatment of ADHD in children ages 6 to 12 years. What are the side effects' Most side effects are minor and disappear when dosage levels are lowered. The most common side effects include: * Decreased appetite. Children seem to be less hungry during the middle of the day, but they are often hungry by dinnertime as the medication wears off. * Sleep problems. If a child cannot fall asleep, the doctor may prescribe a lower dose. The doctor might also suggest that parents give the medication to their child earlier in the day, or stop the afternoon or evening dose. To help ease sleeping problems, a doctor may add a prescription for a low dose of an antidepressant or a medication called clonidine. * Stomachaches and headaches. * Less common side effects. A few children develop sudden, repetitive movements or sounds called tics. These tics may or may not be noticeable. Changing the medication dosage may make tics go away. Some children also may appear to have a personality change, such as appearing "flat" or without emotion. Talk with your child's doctor if you see any of these side effects. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/what-medications-are-used-to-treat-adhd.shtml Dec.29, 2010 Natural Treatment For ADHD Diet Feingold Diet. The most well-known diet for ADHD is the Feingold diet, a salicylate- and additive-free diet, which requires rigorous vigilance over a child's eating habits. This diet also prohibits aspirin, which contains salicylates. Some parents report great success with this diet, although it may be difficult to impose. It is certainly wise, in any case, to avoid food with artificial colors and flavors and to provide a healthy balance of fresh, natural foods. Essential Fatty Acids. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and certain vegetable oils, are important for normal brain function and may have some benefits for people with ADHD. It is not clear if supplements of fatty acid compounds, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaneoic acid (EPA), provide any advantages. Zinc. Zinc is important for the metabolism of certain neurotransmitters that play a role in ADHD, and deficiencies have been associated with some cases of ADHD. Long-term use of zinc, however, can cause anemia and other side effects in people without deficiencies and it has no effect on ADHD in these patients. In any case, testing for trace minerals, such as zinc, is not standard procedure when evaluating children suspected to have ADHD. Sugar. Although parents often blame sugar for causing children to become impulsive or hyperactive, a number of studies strongly indicate that sugar plays no role in hyperactivity. http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/some_alternative_approaches_attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_000030_10.htm `Dec. 29,2010 Feedback Approaches Techniques that use biologic or auditory feedback are proving to be effective tools for increasing children's attention -- a primary factor in low academic performance. Neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is an approach that uses electronic devices to help the child control their own brain wave activity. Electrodes are pasted to the child's head and pick up signals from the brain. The child watches images, such as moving graphs, on a computer monitor that reflect the child's brain wave activity. Children are then taught certain high-level mental activities at the point when feedback information on the screen indicates that they are fully concentrating. Children usually attend forty 50-minute sessions, usually twice a week. Small studies have reported significant improvement in inattention, impulsivity, and response time. Interactive Metronome and Musical Therapy. Interactive metronome uses feedback from sound to improve attention, motor control, and certain academic skills. In this technique study, children wear headphones and sensors on their hands and feet. They perform a number of exercises to a rhythmic computer-beat. Training sessions are completed in 3 - 5 weeks. Some small studies have reported improvement in attention, motor control, language processing, and behavior. (In support of this, some parents report that learning a musical instrument helped their children significantly.) http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/some_alternative_approaches_attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_000030_10.htm Dec. 29, 2010 Statistics By: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) *  Approximately 9.5% or 5.4 million children 4-17 years of age have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, as of 2007.
 The percentage of children with a parent-reported ADHD diagnosis increased by 22% between 2003 and 2007. 
 Rates of ADHD diagnosis increased an average of 3% per year from 1997 to 2006 and an average of 5.5% per year from 2003 to 2007. Boys (13.2%) were more likely than girls (5.6%) to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. 
 Prevalence of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis varied substantially by state, from a low of 5.6% in Nevada to a high of 15.6% in North Carolina. State-based Prevalence Data of ADHD Diagnosis (2007-2008) http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html Dec. 29, 2010 Medicated Treatment As of 2007, 2.7 million youth ages 4-17 years (66.3% of those with a current diagnosis) were receiving medication treatment for the disorder. [Read article] 
 Rates of medication treatment for ADHD varied by age and sex; children aged 11-17 years of age were more likely than those 4-10 years of age to take medication, and boys are 2.8 times more likely to take medication than girls [Read article]
 * In 2003, geographic variability in prevalence of medication treatment ranged from a low of 2.1% in California to a high of 6.5% in Arkansas. [Read article] State-based Prevalence Data of ADHD Medication Treatment (2003 http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html Dec. 29, 2010 Russell Barkley, PhD has done extensive research on ADHD and ADD.  Below please find a summary of some of his findings: ·         Boys are most likely to be diagnosed ADHD.  ·         75% of boys with ADD are also hyperactive while 60% of girls with ADD are also hyperactive. ·         40 % of children with ADHD have a parent with ADHD. ·         50% of children with ADHD also have trouble sleeping. ·         Children with ADHD develop 30% slower than non ADHD children. ·         65 % of children with ADHD have discipline problems. ·         25% of children with ADHD have a serious learning disability. ·         One half of ADHD children have poor listening comprehension. ·         Parents of a child with ADHD are three times as likely to divorce. ·         Teens with ADHD have four times as many car accidents and have seven times as many second accidents. http://www.adhdchild.org/articles1.html Dec. 29, 2010