Causes of ADD-ADHD
Since there are many factors that play an important part in the development of the Attention Deficit Disorder, the exact cause of ADD-ADHD is not known. Some aspects of a child’s environment may affect the aggravation of the symptom and severity of ADD-ADHD once it is proved. Some of the possible causes of the ADD-ADHD are:
- Genetics – Researchers believe that ADD-ADHD has a strong connection with genetics. People who have close relatives suffering from ADD-ADHD are more prone to this syndrome. It has been found that people with ADD-ADHD disorder appear to have lower levels of dopamine in their brain.
- Brain Injury – Brain injury can be a major cause for ADD-ADHD disorder. Any kind of brain injury before or after the birth can cause the syndrome. An injury on the brain damages the frontal lobe and thus causes the disorder.
- Nutrition and Food – Diet can cause the ADD-ADHD disorder. Food additives and sugar can have obvious effects on behavior. Refined sugar can be quite a threat. Lack of Omega 3 fatty acid can cause ADD-ADHD. These fatty acids are very important for the development of brain. Fish oil is essentially required for brain development.
- The Environment – If a child inhales smoke from cigarette continuously, it may have an effect, which can later lead to this disorder.
Risk Factors of ADD-ADHD
A stressful life or environment may lead to children developing the ADD-ADHD syndrome. Unhealthy environment always poses a risk for any child to develop the disorder. Other risk factors of ADD-ADHD are:
- Heredity - children with ADHD usually have at least one first-degree relative who also has ADHD and one-third of all fathers who had ADHD in their youth have children with ADHD.
- Gender - ADHD is four to nine times more common in boys than in girls (some experts believe that the disorder is under-diagnosed in girls.
- Prenatal and early postnatal health - maternal drug, alcohol, and cigarette use; exposure of the fetus to toxins, including lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); nutritional deficiencies and imbalances.
- Learning disabilities, communication disorders, and tic disorders such as Tourette's syndrome.
- Other behavioral disorders, particularly those that involve excessive aggression (such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorder).
- Nutritional factors - allergies or intolerances to food, food coloring, or additives.
Conventional Treatments for ADD-ADHD
Conventional treatments of ADD-ADHD include different kinds of behavioral therapies. It also includes social skills training, psychotherapy as well as parenting skills training. The drugs that are prescribed are generally stimulants or amphetamines.
Patients Medical’s ADD-ADHD Treatment
Allergies are not limited to the respiratory tract; other parts of the body can also react. The cells that react to allergens are called mast cells and they have been found in many areas of the body. They have been found in the stomach, on the skin, which can cause skin rashes, in the lungs and bronchial tract, which can cause asthma, and in the brain, which can cause difficulty concentrating. When there is an allergic reaction, there is a release of histamine, which is why we take an antihistamine to block the effects. Histamine is a neuro-chemical, which affects the nervous system. It can make the patient sleepy, it can make the patient hyperactive, or it can make the patient inattentive. In our view, allergies can impact how we think, feel and act which can explain why patients with allergies can have problems learning and concentrating.
Patients Medical has seen dramatic evidence of how allergies affect learning and concentrating. We use the patient's medical history and food preferences to help decide which substances to start performing allergy test. The patient is then given one drop of a food or inhalant allergen on the skin or by injection with a very small needle. These are given at intervals to observe the patient’s reaction. During each interval the patient is monitored for any changes in heart rate, breathing capacity, behavior, concentration and small motor skills, as well as the possibility of a skin reaction.
By testing the allergies one at a time, we can observe which allergens are underlying the attention or behavior symptoms. Typical allergic symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and headaches can also occur. To look for the different possible reactions to each specific antigen is, in our opinion, very important because each patient may react differently.
At Patients Medical we also provide both supplemental therapy and diet changes for the patient. Exercise can be incredibly helpful for the adult with Attention Deficit Disorder. Regular exercise is a great way to quiet the mind, decrease depression and release steam.
A diet packed with brain boosting essential fatty acids and amino acids keeps the brain functioning at top performance and is a must for the ADD adult. High-quality nutritional supplements like Attend also ensure that the brain has the fuel it needs to function properly.
Attend is highly effective for adults as a safe alternative to prescription ADD medications, which can have damaging side effects. Deprex, a natural depression supplement, is often used alongside Attend since depression and adult ADD often go hand-in-hand.
Environmental toxins have been linked to ADD and ADHD and are thought to exacerbate the symptoms of these conditions. Oxygen acts as a cleansing agent in the body, flushing out toxins and helping cells and tissues to heal from their harmful effects. In addition, increasing the availability of oxygen to the brain through mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances cognitive functioning. Brain scans have shown significantly increased brain function in subjects who have undergone hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Some parents of special-needs children who have undergone mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy have reported that their children are calmer, have fewer mood swings, have better bowel function, and sleep better, among other benefits. We have found that many children enjoy and look forward to their mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments. Our staff will provide calming support to you and your child throughout your visit with us so that your oxygen therapy experience is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Patients Medical Supplements used to Treat ADD-ADHD
Supplements which are used for ADD-ADHD include:
- Lumina – Fatty acid and amino acid formula to provide nutritional support in order to develop dopamine production.
- Trancor – The vitamin, amino acid and mineral enriched formula helps to balance the Glutamate to pertain to hyperactivity.
- Attend – provides effective and broad coverage for Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms. It has more than 70 natural Attention Deficit Disorder vitamin, nutritional, herbal and homeopathic ingredients. The specifically designed Attention Deficit Disorder vitamin and nutrient formula effectively improves ADHD symptoms in children and adults without side effects. Ingredients include essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamin, minerals, specially targeted nutritionals, an endo-membrane lipid complex and homeopathic remedies to provide a broad spectrum of Attention Deficit Disorder treatment to improve attention, impulsivity, and motor restlessness in children and adults.
- Memorin - is recommended for anyone who needs quick brain memory recall or improved brain memory retention. Memorin is a favorite among adults and college students, with or without Attention Deficit Disorder. Many parents purchase the Attend Strategy Pack, give the Attend and Extress to their Attention Deficit Disorder children and use the Memorin themselves.
Definitions of Various Terms
Next Steps:
While you may find this medical information useful, as the next step we strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see one of our physicians to ensure that your health issues are properly addressed.
To schedule an appointment with our physicians, please call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667, send the form below or an email to: info@patientsmedical.com. We are currently accepting new patients and look forward to being of assistance.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009