Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

What is ADHD?

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is defined as a neurological condition involving a failure in the cognitive functioning associated with inhibition and self-control. This condition is quickly becoming one of the most significant mental health issues, particularly in the US as well as many other parts of the world, and is now amongst the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorders in childhood. ADHD is found in all cultures, although its prevalence differs.

ADHD Symptoms

ADHD sufferers often cope better in one-to-one interactions and can even thrive in novel situations, especially where they are free to move around. However, they will usually find it difficult to stay focused in situations requiring planning and preparation or undertaking tasks requiring time-management, organization and self-restraint.

Symptoms of ADHD in Children

The most common ADHD symptoms in children include being restless, impulsive and easily distracted and they will often experience difficulties at  school as well as at home. ADHD symptoms are diagnosed in three times as many boys as girls, possibly because the behaviour in boys is more disruptive and noticable to adults such as frequent tantrums at home and disturbing work in the classroom. ADHD in girls is typically diagnosed much later; with their most common symptoms including inattention, poor school/academic performance and feelings of depression.

Unfortunately, ADHD has a strong hereditary component and a recent estimate concludes that currently around half of teenagers in juvenile facilities have ADHD. While ADHD is often identified in childhood, usually by around the age of 7, evidence suggests that in around 60% of ADHD cases, symptoms will persist into adolescence and can continue into adulthood.

Adult ADHD Symptoms

Although identification of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adults has improved significantly in recent years, ADHD diagnosis of adults can be challenging because there are a number of ADHD symptoms which resemble other conditions including anxiety and mood disorders.

ADHD diagnosis in adults follows a slightly different pattern compared to children. Practitioners will usually carry out a comprehensive assessment of childhood history, creating a thorough behavioral appraisal and evaluating educational and work performance. Symptoms of ADHD in adults may include difficulties following instructions or directions, trouble with concentration, and issues with organizing tasks or finishing work within time limits. Adult ADHD symptoms are more noticeable in the course of activities that need focused mental effort. By maturity, the main difficulties are with memory and focus, resulting in difficulties not just at work, but also with unstable personal relationships and finances. Left untreated, ADHD symptoms in adults can result in low self-esteem due to poor study and work performance and sometimes even criminal behaviour.

Dangerous ADHD Medications

Prescription stimulant medications that are conventionally used to deal with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder work with the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin to calm and control the patient. These amphetamine drug treatments raise synaptic levels of the brain chemicals but in doing so they can also permanently damage the brain by significantly lowering neurotransmitter levels. This can actually make the underlying cause of the condition much worse and creates a long-term dependancy on increasingly stronger and stronger stimulant pharmaceuticals.

As if that’s not bad enough, side effects of these ADHD medications include a significant decrease in growth rate in children and the development of a risk of suicide and even sudden death from cardiac failure.

One of the most popular and controversial ADHD drugs is Ritalin (methylphenidate derived from dexedrine) which effects youngsters in a similar manner to the way drugs such as cocaine effect adults. Side effects of Ritalin include headaches, stress and anxiety, drug dependency, insomnia, loss of hair, convulsions and death. Another common ADHD medicine is Adderall, which was initially developed over 20 years ago under the name “Obetrol” for weight reduction and diet control and consists of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Adderall is known to have side-effects including anorexia, changes in libido, dizziness, heart palpitations, tachycardia (racing heart) and sudden death (Adderall has even been withdrawn in many parts of the world due to these dangers). Yet another common ADHD drug is Concerta which contains methylphenidate and is actually a slower-release version of Ritalin with many of the same dangerous side-effects. Typical Concerta side effects also includes headaches, upper respiratory system illness, stomach aches, nausea & vomiting, reduction of appetite, sleeping disorders, a painful throat from frequent coughing, sinus problems, giddiness, tics, irritability, stunted growth and psychosis…

Effective Alternative ADHD Treatments

Although these ADHD drugs are still readily prescribed by doctors, there is now an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence proving that controlling diet and providing the correct nutritional balance is not only far safer but also more effective and will also have a better long-term impact on the condition and which completely replaces any requirement for these drugs.

Captain Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., the clinician in charge of a large NIH nutritional study in the US and Acting Chief on Nutritional Neurosciences said “changes in the Western diet over the last century have been a very large uncontrolled experiment that may have added to the burden of aggression, depression and cardiovascular death.”

Rather than simply managing the symptoms of ADHD, a holistic approach to treating the condition needs to look at a number of aspects of lifestyle including diet and exercise. While supplements, can help in many cases, they are not a substitute for making other appropriate lifestyle changes.

Active lifestyle: Of all of the ADHD natural treatments readily available, probably the most neglected is physical activity. Just as restlessness and hyperactivity induce difficulties, taking part in energetic physical exercise releases some of the surplus energy that creates the condition. This is true in grown-ups as well as youngsters. In addition to liberating surplus energy, physical exercise also produces natural endorphins within the brain, which can lead to a calmer and much more focused state of mind.

Vitamins for ADHD

You might wonder how it’s possible for something as simple as vitamins to treat ADHD? However, it’s important to remember that this is not just a “one size fits all” and involves much more than simply providing vitamin tablets – it’s actually an entire strategy by professionals who’ve dedicated years researching and developing the most effective approach to controlling the disease and managing its symptoms (and unfortunately, there are also a minefield of so called “alternative treatments” from those that simply don’t work to those that are downright dangerous). Fortunately, there are now some good comprehensive (and inexpensive), guides available that will walk you through an effective nutritional solution (such the ADD/ADHD Remedy Report by Dr Scott Saunders, available from e-resource.org/adhdreport).

However, here’s a very brief overview of how many of these ADHD supplements can make a big impact on the condiion:

Omega-3: After several decades of research, we now know that essential fatty acid deficiency is a substantial factor in many psychological disorders (such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Common signs and symptoms of fatty acid deficiencies include dry skin, eczema, asthma, frequent urination, feeling thirsty and a broad range of other allergy symptoms. But significantly, these are often also typical symptoms in ADHD sufferers. Omega 6 and Omega 3 are two fatty acids that cannot be produced by our body and need to be provided through our diet or taken in the form of supplements.

The reason that essential fatty acids are so important is because they make up the body’s nerve and brain tissue and are absolutely crucial for brain development and mental functioning. Most cells in the body contain Omega 6 fatty acids, which are essential for the body’s immune function as well as the brain’s development, but are also needed for growth and reproduction and even for healthy hair and skin. Omega 3 fatty acids, however, are concentrated in the brain and a deficiency of Omega 3 can be the cause of a lifetime of neurological problems such as depression, hyperactivity, learning and behavioural problems. This is also something which can be easily corrected with the right balance of supplements, however, it’s also extremely important to maintain the correct ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3. Unfortunately, the typical Western diet is often very high in Omega 6 but deficient in Omega 3. Experts now know that many ADHD problems, especially during childhood development, are caused by these Omega 3 deficiencies.

Zinc: There are many studies showing that lack of zinc is associated to difficulties in brain performance, especially in individuals with ADHD. Zinc supplementation can make a big difference and also brings other benefits including: improved energy levels, healthier skin, improved digestion, better night-vision and healthier hair and nails.

However, it’s important to note that there are also dangers of having too much Zinc. Whilst an appropriate level of zinc supports your metabolic process, too much zinc will prevent your metabolism from absorbing the other vitamins and minerals that your system requires. The most essential nutritional vitamins and minerals that will not metabolize if you take too much zinc include magnesium, copper and iron. Zinc toxic accumulation can also reduce the system’s immunity defenses and healthy levels of cholesterol.

Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is an organic compound which is not only important for the skin, bones and blood vessels, but also for optimal production of neurotransmitters and hormones such as Norepinephrine, Epinephrine (Adrenaline), Serotonin and Dopamine. The correct forms and levels of Vitamin C can play an important part in the regulation and management of mood and behaviour in ADHD sufferers.

Whilst the very best forms of vitamin C come from all-natural sources (see list below), it can also be given in the form of careful supplementation. Unfortunately, vitamin C is also commonly abused by a great many people who take mega-doses in the belief it will improve all-round health. Scientists recently found that very high dosage amounts of vitamin C can actually induce a biological process which damages the DNA (genetic code in cells) within the body, producing a possible risk of cancer and other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural sources of Vitamin C include: acerola cherries, asparagus, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupes, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cranberries, fish, garlic, grapefruits, green peppers, kale, kiwis, lemons, limes, mangos, melons, milk, onions, oranges, papayas, parsley, pears, peas, pineapples, potatoes, pumpkins, raspberries, red peppers, rose hips, sauerkraut, squash, strawberries, sweet potatoes, tangerines, turnips & turnip greens, watercress, watermelons and yams.

Vitamins B1 & B6: Thiamin (Vitamin B1) is an important enzyme activator which aids the metabolism of sugar to produce energy for the brain. It also helps to produce chemicals that help the natural synthesis of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. While the lack of dopamine from an insufficiency of vitamin B1 can result in ADD/ADHD symptoms; the resulting deficiency of norepinephrine can also bring about symptoms of depression. A Thiamin deficiency will also exacerbate ADD/ADHD conditions by inhibiting the production of Myelin (the protective cover around the nerves), making nerves hypersensitive and patients frequent irritable, as well as fatigued, forgetful and often impairing their ability to work due to a reduced attention span.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder sufferers can respond in different ways to these different forms of vitamin B. While some will become calmer when given Thiamine (vitamin B1) supplements and hyperactive with Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), others will actually improve instead with B6 and their condition deteriorate when given vitamin B1 supplements.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Currently diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease is a far from straightforward process as there is no conclusive diagnostic test to confirm it. Instead the diagnosis is based at looking at symptoms and trying to identify any other possible cause for those symptoms.

Loss of memory is the symptom that is most commonly associates with Alzheimer’s, but occasional memory lapses happen to everyone and it is only when memory problems become significant, with perhaps the inability to remember names of well known people or objects, difficulty in performing familiar tasks and other changes in cognitive ability and behaviour that a significant problem may be suspected. Even then, problems commonly associated with Alzheimer’s Disease may be symptoms of a number of different conditions such as:

• central nervous system and other degenerative disorders: such as stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s Disease;
• metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism, malnutrition, kidney or liver failure;
• medication induced problems such as drug interactions or side effects;
• psychological conditions such as depression, chronic stress and chronic sleep deprivation;
• infections such as meningitis and encephalitis

Some of the causes of Alzheimer’s-like symptoms are treatable and reversible and ruling out all other possible causes of symptoms is therefore the first step in making a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Once all other likely causes of symptoms have been excluded, a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s is likely to be given.

Tests and evaluations commonly performed to establish a probable diagnoses of Alzheimer’s Disease:

• Medical history
• Physical examination
• Neuropsychological testing
• Brain-imaging scan

Although there are a number of tests that may point to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, currently the only absolutely conclusive way of making diagnosis is by autopsying the brain after death. Brain autopsy can show the presence of amyloid plaques which are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

Advances in Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

Eli Lilley has a new imaging agent called Florbetapir (awaiting FDA and other approval) which, when injected into suspected Alzheimer’s sufferers allows amyloid plaques to be detected during a brain scan. If approved, this imaging agent may allow a more certain diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease to be made at an earlier stage.

Another recent breakthrough may make it possible to identify people at risk of Alzheimer’s by using a simple blood test to measure the levels of apolipoprotein E (ApoE). ApoE protein is produced by the ApoE gene, the most important genetic risk factor known for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Scientists found that people with high blood levels of ApoE had significantly greater beta amyloid deposits in the part of the brain associated with memory function. Further research will examine how changes in levels of this protein relate to injuries to the brain.

A pilot study undertaken by researchers at University College London, which looked at healthy 70 and 80 year olds, indicated that combining two different tests could help to diagnose Alzheimer’s even before symptoms occur.

Levels of a protein called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid were measured in participants, who were then given MRI scans over the following year, to measure brain shrinkage rates. The brains of individuals with low levels of CSF shrank twice as fast as the brains of those people with higher levels. Those with lower CSF levels were also five times more likely to have the ApoE gene, a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

Early detection and treatment for people with Alzheimer’s Disease may help to slow the progress of the disease and, scientists hope, eventually be able to prevent it from causing symptoms.

Stained Amyloid Plaques: Amyloid Plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease]

Antenatal Testing for Down’s Syndrome

Down’s Syndrome (also referred to as Trisomy 21) occurs when there is a change in one of the genes in the egg before prior to fertilisation. The change, which results in the embryo developing with 3 copies of chromosome 21, instead of the normal 2, is a random event which occurs with greater frequency as the age of the mother increases. For example, a woman of 40 is 10 times more likely to have a Down’s Syndrome pregnancy than a 23 year old and by the time a woman is 45 she has a 1 in 40 risk of bearing a baby with Down’s Syndrome.

The New Downs Syndrome Screening Test

Current Down’s Syndrome Screening Test

Amniocentesis and Chronic Villus Sampling (CVS) in Testing for Down’s Syndrome

Why lower high cholesterol?

Heart disease is one of the major causes of death for both men and women in the Western world. There are a number of factors that are associated with an increased risk of heart disease such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. High cholesterol levels are also commonly believed to be associated with increased risk and there has therefore been a huge amount of focus on lowering cholesterol levels, especially in those individuals who have multiple risk factors.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is actually vital to the body in numerous ways. It is an essential part of cell walls; it is needed in high concentrations in the brain, where it plays a major structural role; it forms part of the protective myelin sheath covering the nerves and is needed for nerve transmission; it protects skin against water soluble toxins and holds water to prevent desiccation; without cholesterol our bones would be hollow. Cholesterol is also used by the body to repair damage; it is a major component of scar tissue.

In addition to all this, cholesterol is the precursor to many other substances required by the body. It plays a role in the production of bile (which, among other things, is essential in processing the fat in our diets); in the production of steroid hormones, such as testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen; in the creation of vitamin D and the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and K).

Cholesterol is known to directly affect the activity of serotonin (which affects mood, sense of wellbeing, etc), with low cholesterol levels being associated with depression. It should also be noted that cholesterol is an antioxidant, which protects us against cancer, aging, and disease.

In short, cholesterol is absolutely vital to the functioning of the body and the body therefore needs an adequate supply of it.

Where does cholesterol come from?

Most of the cholesterol in our body is not obtained directly from cholesterol in foods (although it is probably best to limit your intake of high cholesterol foods, such as eggs and cheese) but is manufactured by the body, in particular in the liver but also in areas such as the intestines, adrenal glands, and reproductive organs.

Cholesterol is manufactured from the carbohydrates and fats in the foods that we eat. It is believed that processed carbohydrates (especially refined sugars) and excessive non-essential fatty acids are particularly likely to result in high LDL cholesterol levels. However the body does have the ability to regulate the amount of cholesterol it produces, depending on its needs and the availability of dietary cholesterol.

Types of Cholesterol

If you read about cholesterol, or talk to your doctor about it, you will probably find out that there are different types of cholesterol, which are commonly referred to as “good” and “bad” cholesterol.

“Good” & “Bad” Cholesterol

“Good” cholesterol is also known as HDL cholesterol (High Density Lipoproteins), while “bad” cholesterol is also known as LDL cholesterol (Low Density Lipoproteins). You may also hear about triglycerides, another type of fat molecule found in the blood.

Lipoproteins are classified according to the proportion of fat to protein that they carry. Very low density lipoproteins (referred to as VLDL) contain the highest proportion of fat to protein (the greater the amount of fat, the lower the density of the lipoprotein). High density lipoproteins contain more protein than fat.  As the body releases the content of the particles into the cells of every organ, some VLDLs are converted into LDLs, which contain the most cholesterol. It is generally the levels of LDL and HDL that are referred to when cholesterol is talked about.

Triglycerides are a non-cholesterol fat which forms most of the dietary fat that we consume and most of the fat in the bloodstream. Although triglycerides are also essential for health (the tissues of the body depend on them for energy) many scientist believe that high levels of triglycerides may also be a risk factor for heart disease.

Although HDL and LDL are both forms of cholesterol, they play quite different roles within the body. The LDL carries cholesterol from where it is manufactured (mainly in the liver) and circulates it around the body to the cells that require it. The HDL carries cholesterol that is not being used from the arteries back to the liver where it can be excreted. This process is sometimes referred to as reverse cholesterol transport.

In another article I will explain why it is believed that high levels of LDL cholesterol contribute to the risk of heart disease, the evidence that exists to support these views and alternative theories and evidence that suggest that the presence of cholesterol is a result of certain problems and not the cause of them. I will also be looking at the implications of trying to reduce LDL cholesterol levels (and/or increase HDL cholesterol levels) with drugs such as Statins.

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DISCLAIMERS:

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, competent clinical examination or a healthcare professional’s knowledge. Please seek professional medical advice when considering any new course of treatment. Be aware that different treatments may affect individuals in a variety of ways and that what works for one person may not work for another. Likewise a medicine that causes problems for one person may produce good results for another and remember that some medications may interact with other drugs and even food stuffs. The comments posted on this site represent the views of individuals and do not constitute our endorsement of any product or service. Whilst we have made every effort to ensure that the articles published on this site are accurate and supported by clinical research, they are for information purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation and should not be relied upon when making desicions about your health care.

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