ADHD Treatment Options - Drugs or Native Remedies?
ADHD Treatment Options - Drugs or Native Remedies
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ADHD has been diagnosed more and more often in the recent past. To some, it has become the diagnosis of choice for any child with learning challenges and behavioral issues. While it is certain that not all of the individuals diagnosed with the condition actually have it, for those that do, ADHD treatment options extend well beyond just popping pills.
There is no doubt that the medications used in the treatment of ADHD can help some individuals, especially those with intractable behavioral issues. However, before turning to powerful psychostimulants, there are other options that should be considered. Dietary changes, homeopathic remedies, and behavioral plans all help individuals get a better handle on their condition. Let's look at the different options available.
Pharmaceutical Treatments
Treatment options that utilize pharmaceuticals involve using a variety of stimulants that work directly on the central nervous system. These classes of drugs are related to amphetamines and cocaine and are short acting, about three hours per dose, although newer formulations last longer.
It is important to note that these ADHD treatment options are believed to alter biochemical pathways in the brain that screen irrelevant stimuli while increasing the activity of catecholamines, a specific set of neurotransmitters.
Ritalin and other such psychostimulants can be addictive and should only be used by those to whom it is prescribed. Side effects include, but are not limited to, rapid heartbeat, loss of appetite, tics, sleep disturbances, weight loss, and irritability.
Alternative Treatments... Native Remedies
Needless to say, not everybody wants to treat symptoms of ADHD with pharmaceuticals. Fortunately, there are a number of alternative ADHD treatment options available, from dietary changes to biofeedback routines to herbal and homeopathic remedies.
Dietary changes include exclusion of specific foods such as chocolate, wheat, dairy, sugar, and caffeine. Increasing protein intake while decreasing the intake of simple carbohydrates and adding an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement may produce good results as well.
Supplements that have shown varying degrees of promise include St. John's Wort, ginko biloba, zinc, and ginseng, although some of the results are controversial.
On the other hand, the homeopathic route should also be considered when choosing ADHD treatment options. There are products that contain a number of ingredients that are said to provide relief from the symptoms of ADHD, and testimonials of parents who have gone the homeopathic route are generally positive.
One Or The Other
Perhaps the hardest decision to make is which path to choose. There is no doubt that supplements can have as much of an effect upon an individual with ADHD as pharmaceuticals, and that using them in tandem can be "too much of a good thing." In fact, many medications react poorly with herbal supplements and vice versa.
No matter which of the ADHD treatment options you choose for your child, make sure that you inform the doctor of all medications and supplements you are giving to him. Some interactions can be dangerous, and overdoses of some can even be toxic.
Treating ADHD is a complex issue; it involves more than just one solution or one idea. Looking at the whole picture is necessary in order to achieve an outcome that everyone can live with. If you like to learn about homeopathic formulas (created by native remedies) for ADHD that have shown to work, visit now help with ADHD.
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