This week I came across yet another child recently prescribed with Ritalin for an apparent Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Whilst our incidence of ADHD and use of the drug Ritalin may not be as great as in the U.S., where pharmacists distribute five times more Ritalin than the rest of the world combined, my observation is that this situation is becoming more and more prevalent in the UK.
But I have a number of questions about this issue... Is ADHD really as prevalent as it appears? Is a powerful drug like Ritalin the answer? What are the alternatives?
The Potent Side Effects of Ritalin
Research indicates that Ritalin has the same pharmacological profile as cocaine, yet brain imaging demonstartes that its effects are even more potent.
Ritalin stimulates your central nervous system, leading to many potential side effects, such as:
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased body temperature
• Increased alertness
• Suppressed appetite
An additional concern is that Ritalin is often taken for over a period of year, when the drug may cause even more severe health problems such as cancer. A small University of Texas study conducted in 2005 showed damage to the chromosomes of 12 children who had taken Ritalin for just three months.
The potential of Ritalin to cause cancer has long been known, as back in 1993 The National Toxicology Program released results that showed feeding mice Ritalin at levels close to those routinely prescribed to children induced liver tumors, including rare and highly malignant cancers.
Researchers used to believe that Ritalin was a short-acting drug, but studies have shown it has the potential for causing long-lasting changes in brain cell structure and function and may lead to stunted growth.
Ritalin is the drug prescribed most often to kids with ADHD, but there are others, with equally disturbing risks. ADHD drugs other than Ritalin have been linked to hallucinations, heart attack, stroke, increased aggressive behavior, suicide, and even sudden death!
Helping Kids Does Not Mean Giving Them Mind-Altering Drugs
Sadly, it seems that Ritalin and other drugs are the go-to treatment for behavioral issues like ADHD because it’s easy. Popping a pill takes just a few seconds a day, whereas the other treatments to help kids with symptoms of ADHD -- things like inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity -- take many weeks or months, since they address the underlying causes, not alter the child chemically.
Behavioral interventions using positive reinforcement are one of the best options for helping children with ADHD, especially if they're used alongside nutritional changes.
One study found that such interventions, which included individualized programs that emphasized positive support to reinforce behavior at home and school, were highly effective, even in young children aged 3 to 5. Specifically, children who received the intervention techniques had:
• A 17-percent decrease in aggression and a 21-percent improvement in social skills at home
• A 28-percent improvement in both categories at school
• Improvements in early literacy skills of up to three times over their baseline status
Natural Lifestyle Changes
This condition can often improve dramatically with some natural lifestyle changes.
1) Increase your intake of omega-3 fat from krill oil. Dr Joseph Mercola believes this to be the single most important nutrient for ADHD children and adults.
2) Drink only water. Take care to avoid fruit juices, soda, and pasteurized milk.
3) Restrict or eliminate all processed foods, sugars and most grains from your diet.
4) Avoid processed foods, especially those containing artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which may aggravate or cause ADHD symptoms.
5) Spend more time in nature.
6) Consult a Chiropractor to determine if the child has nerve dysfunction (particularly in the neck region) resulting form spinal misalignments.
7) Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) may also be effective. This is a form of psychological acupressure that you can perform anywhere (it involves only tapping with your fingertips and repeating some positive phrases), and would make an excellent addition to any type of behavioral therapy your child is receiving.
Dr Mercola states that many cases of ADHD can resolve naturally when you strictly follow these recommendations. So rather than relying on a dangerous quick-fix like Ritalin, teach your child that they can excel in life, and overcome their symptoms, by taking control of their health.
"To repeat what others have said requires education; to challenge it requires brains" Mary Pettibone
Many thanks to www.mercola.com for source material
