-IBIS-1.7.6-
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mental/emotional
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/ADD
Integrative Therapies
Home Care
Hyperactivity is a childhood disorder characterized by inability to concentrate, impulsiveness, and the need for constant movement. It is frequently accompanied by learning and behavioral problems in school.
Other symptoms of hyperactivity may include poor memory, lack of coordination, inability to finish projects, speech or hearing problems, headaches, stomach aches, and frequent temper tantrums.
The major causes of hyperactivity are often traced to food additives, food allergies, and sugar in the diet. Nutritional deficiencies, middle ear infections, and heavy metal contamination, such as lead poisoning, can also be the cause.
Since emotional problems, family stress, and learning disabilities usually accompany hyperactivity, it is important to seek the help of a counseling professional and to involve the whole family in the treatment. Consult a physician if there are symptoms that indicate a possible ear infection, such as hearing loss, fevers, and swollen and aching ears.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED FOR HYPERACTIVITY AND CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:
1. Daily multivitamin and mineral supplement consult the product label for age-appropriate dosage. Be sure to use a brand free of sugar and artificial additives. It should include chromium, vitamin B6, and magnesium to help prevent sugar cravings.
2. Daily iron supplement liquid varieties usually work best for children. See the product label for age-appropriate dosage.
3. Vitamin C 100 milligrams times the age of the child per day, given in divided doses.
REGARDING THE PROPER DIET FOR HYPERACTIVITY:
1. Food allergies may be causing or adding to the problem. Certain foods seem to be more likely to cause hyperactivity. Eliminating these foods from the diet is a good way to determine if one or several of them are responsible for the problem. The main problem foods are dairy products (including milk, cheese, ice cream) and eggs, wheat, corn, and sugar.
After eliminating all of those foods from your child's diet, and the symptoms have gone away, one food at a time can be reintroduced to see if the symptoms reoccur. A new food would be introduced each week. For more information about the elimination diet and food allergies, refer to the article on Food sensitivities.
2. Eliminate or greatly reduce sugar foods such as candy, cake, cookies, soda pop, and refined carbohydrates, including white flour products and white rice.
3. Maintain an overall healthy diet. A healthy diet includes daily servings of leafy green vegetables, whole grains, fruit, and proteins with a minimum of animal fat.
Use as many fresh, whole foods as possible. Avoid processed and prepackaged foods. It
is essential to read product labels to rule out allergic food ingredients as well as artificial colorings, bleaching agents, preservatives, and other additives. A rule of thumb is that if you don't recognize a listed additive, don't use the product until you find out more about the additive's possible effects.
HERBS USED FOR HYPERACTIVITY:
1. Add oatstraw to the child's bath water. Heat 2 pounds of oatstraw in 3 quarts of water. Boil for 30 minutes. Cool, strain, and pour the liquid into the bath water. Remember to readjust the temperature for comfort.
2. Oatstraw tea 1 cup before or with breakfast and 1 warm cup before bedtime. Use 2 teaspoons of the dried herb per cup.
3. Herbs for sugar cravings Devils Club and Gymnema are 2 herbs that decrease craving for sweets. Add 15 drops of the tincture, which is a liquid herbal extract, to a small amount of water or juice twice daily. Or, 1 capsule 3 times a day can be taken if the child can swallow it.
ANOTHER CONSIDERATION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
Hair analysis is a way to detect heavy metal toxicity. If implicated, make an effort to reduce exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and aluminum. Sources of these metals include eating from soldered tin cans, pesticides, cooking utensils, cigarette smoke, and industrial waste and pollutants.
Consult a health care practitioner to have a hair analysis done.
HOMEOPATHY:
From the following homeopathic medicines chose the one that best matches the symptoms. Dissolve 2 pellets under the tongue twice a day.
Tarentula 12c: For the child who can't sit still and must keep in constant motion.
Chamomile 12c: For the irritable child who wants constant attention or to be constantly held.
Note: A wide range of homeopathic medicines can be helpful for individuals with this condition. Consultation with a health care professional trained in homeopathic prescribing will usually be the best way to select the correct medicine.
Clinic
Footnotes
BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.