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Naturopathic Doctors Ontario. ADHD. www.ndontario.com. ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. www.ndontario.com. History. History. 1970's - Attention deficit disorder (ADD) 1980's - Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADD / ADHD)
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Naturopathic Doctors Ontario ADHD www.ndontario.com
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder www.ndontario.com
History History • 1970's - Attention deficit disorder (ADD) • 1980's - Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADD / ADHD) • 1990's - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) further defined www.ndontario.com
Symptoms Symptoms 3 symptom categories: • Inattention • Hyperactivity • Impulsivity www.ndontario.com
Diagnosis Diagnosis Otherwise Normal Behaviour except frequency and severity of symptoms increases to the point that: • It occurs in most situations • Has a negative impact on the child’s life www.ndontario.com
Inattention Inattention • Inattention to details • Easily distracted • Difficulty organizing tasks and activities www.ndontario.com
Hyperactivity Hyperactivity • Cannot sit still • Difficulty playing quietly • Excessive talking www.ndontario.com
Impulsivity Impulsivity • Blurts out answers before question • Difficulty waiting till turn • Interrupts www.ndontario.com
Incidence: Children Incidence: Children • ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood. • It affects about 3 - 5% of school aged children. • ADHD is diagnosed much more often in boys than in girls. www.ndontario.com
Incidence: Adults Incidence: Adults • It is now known that ADHD symptoms continue into adulthood for about 60% of children with ADHD. • That translates into 4% of the US adult population, or 8 million adults. • Few adult cases are identified or treated leads to complications www.ndontario.com
Long Term Complications Long term complications • Addiction: Drug and alcohol abuse • Failure in school: Underachievement • Problems maintaining a job • Trouble with the law • Rejection from peers: rejection, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression www.ndontario.com
Possible Causes: Possible causes: • Inherited? • Genetics? • Stressful early childhood experience • Trauma /PTSD Currently accepted mechanism: Lowered Dopamine levels, under-stimulation of reward center of the brain www.ndontario.com
Current Medical Treatment Current Medical Treatment Stimulant drugs to increase dopamine in the brain: • Methylphenidate ( Ritalin, Concerta) • Amphetamines ( Dexedrine, Adderall) www.ndontario.com
Outcomes Outcomes As long as treatment is on-going and consistent, it: • Is effective - Reduces and controls symptoms • Lessens likelihood of complications However, it is not a cure for ADHD and side effects are many www.ndontario.com
Side Effects Side Effects • Cardiovascular: rapid heart beat, palpitation, stroke, hypertension • Nervous system: depression, seizures, insomnia, headache, Tourette’s syndrome, psychotic episodes • Gastrointestinal: dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia • Skin: hives, rash • Endocrine: impotence, decreased libido www.ndontario.com
Nutritional Support Nutritional Support Boost Dopamine levels with nutrition Increase intake of dopamine building blocks: • l-phenylalanine (essential amino acid) • Wheat germ • Eggs, Soy, Cheese, Dairy, Meat www.ndontario.com
Specific Nutrients Specific Nutrients • EFA’s • Magnesium • B Vitamins: Anxiety, Depression, Mood • B6 www.ndontario.com
Antioxidants Antioxidants • Antioxidants (beets, celery, carrots, blue-berries, greens) to protect oxidation of dopamine • Apples contain quercetin: protect dopamine breakdown/oxidation • Bananas contain building blocks for dopamine www.ndontario.com
Botanical Medicine Botanical Medicine Nerve Tonics: • Chamomile • Avena • Hops • Melissa • Are gentle and safe for children and calm hyperactivity by acting on the nervous system www.ndontario.com
Lifestyle Lifestyle • Prenatal and postnatal care • Stress reducing treatments to mother and child which are safe • Underlying food intolerances/ allergies www.ndontario.com
Other Treatments Other Treatments • Elimination Diet • Feingold Diet • Homeopathy • Counseling • Stress reduction www.ndontario.com
Maintenance Maintenance • Strategies: daily, weekly, monthly and annual to remain healthy • How to listen to your symptoms • How to take care of your health www.ndontario.com
References References • Pub Med Online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/ • National Institute for Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml • ADHD Canada: www.adhdcanada.com/ • Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance: http://www.caddra.ca • Ritalin-free Kids: Robert Ullman N.D. and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D. http://www.ritalinfreekids.com/
For more information call 416-233-2001 or info@ndontario.com
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