Naturopathic Medicine Week Lunch and Learn Lecture Series

Naturopathic Medicine Week Lunch and Learn Lecture Series ADHD www. ndontario. com

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder www. ndontario. com

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 3 symptom categories: • Inattention • Hyperactivity • Impulsivity www. ndontario. com

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 to details • Easily distracted • Difficulty organizing tasks and activities www. ndontario. com

Hyperactivity • Cannot sit still • Difficulty playing quietly • Excessive talking www. ndontario. com

Impulsivity • Blurts out answers before question • Difficulty waiting till turn • Interrupts www. ndontario. com

Incidence: Children Incidence: • 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 • 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 term complications • • • Addiction: Drug and alcohol abuse Failure in school: Underachievement Problems maintaining a job Trouble with the law Rejection from peers: rejection, low selfesteem, anxiety, depression www. ndontario. com

Possible Causes: 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 Stimulant drugs to increase dopamine in the brain: • Methylphenidate ( Ritalin, Concerta) • Amphetamines ( Dexedrine, Adderall) www. ndontario. com

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 • 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 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 • • EFA’s Magnesium B Vitamins: Anxiety, Depression, Mood B 6 www. ndontario. com

Antioxidants • Antioxidants (beets, celery, carrots, blueberries, greens) to protect oxidation of dopamine • Apples contain quercetin: protect dopamine breakdown/oxidation • Bananas contain building blocks for dopamine www. ndontario. com

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 • Prenatal and postnatal care • Stress reducing treatments to mother and child which are safe • Underlying food intolerances/ allergies www. ndontario. com

Other Treatments • • • Elimination Diet Feingold Diet Homeopathy Counseling Stress reduction www. ndontario. com

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 • Pub Med Online: http: //www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH 0002518 / • National Institute for Mental Health: http: //www. nimh. nih. gov/health/publications/attentiondeficit-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/

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