Each year in the United States, doctors write and parents fill more than 10 million prescriptions for ADHD/ADD drugs, more than 90% of all prescriptions written worldwide for this disorder. In the 1990s, sales of the pharmaceuticals used to treat the condition grew by more than 500%. However, for the past several years, psychologists, teachers, and parents have been taking a closer look at the big picture of what Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is and what the best ways to treat it really are. Supplement manufacturer MicroNutra Health has developed and now provides the supplement "Synaptol" as a treatment for the symptoms of ADHD/ADD.
ADHD/ADD is a neurobiological disorder, with behavioral symptoms such as poor concentration, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. It affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-aged children, with approximately three times more boys being diagnosed with it than girls. According to MicroNutra Health, the supplement Synaptol targets all of the primary symptoms of this disorder simultaneously. By effectively addressing all the symptoms together, Synaptol enables children to get back on target quickly and safely.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is essentially the result of a brain being overwhelmed by the stimuli around it. This feeling of being overwhelmed manifests itself in someone who simply has to relieve the feeling of being overstimulated and does so by moving around, fidgeting, and generally letting out bursts of physical and emotional energy.
Prescription drugs attempt to help people with this condition by chemically blocking some of the external and internal stimuli from reaching the brain. Unfortunately, this means that the drugs may also reduce exploration, curiosity, socializing, and playing. Nearly all of the pharmaceutical drugs have the potential for negative side effects, including diminished brain function and a narrowed range of mental capacity or emotional expression. Though generally prescribed by doctors and administered by parents with the best of intentions, these drugs reduce the overwhelming stimuli by reducing the patient's experience of the world at large.
Synaptol appears to take the opposite approach in treating ADHD/ADD's symptoms. Based on its ingredients and the information provided by the research-and-developer, Synaptol is intended to enhance the brain's neurobiological abilities, to enable a child's (or an adult's) brain to handle greater levels of stimuli without becoming overwhelmed. They state that Synaptol is designed at the molecular level to target and feed a child's young mind and body at the nutritional level and that it aids the body to:
* Reduce hyperactivity and restlessness
* Calm, soothe and reduce mood swings
* Improve concentration, memory and attention span
* Improve alertness and mental focus
* Calm over-active minds
* Reduce impulsiveness and aggression
According to the MicroNutra, Synaptol attacks the symptoms of ADHD/ADD by nurturing and balancing cellular metabolism, restoring optimum synaptic production, and eliminating the stress factors that exhaust physical energy resources. This restores synaptic energy, which allows brain cell activity to quicken, allowing central processing and increasing cellular communication throughout the body.
In this way, the herbal supplement takes the opposite approach in treating unwanted ADHD/ADD symptoms, compared to the approach taken by the prescription drugs meant to address the same issues. Whether you're a patient, parent, or psychologist dealing with ADHD/ADD, it's up to you to decide which approach to Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder you prefer.
Treating Adhd Without Medication
ADHD medications are commonly used in ADHD treatments for adults and children. There are several medications on the market that are used extensively to treat children and adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD. However, there is no one medication for all ADHD sufferers. Many of these medications are subject to the individual's reaction to them. This means you will have to try several medications before finding the right one. Nevertheless, the right medication can help manage ADHD symptoms so that sufferers can lead more satisfying lives.
Stimulants are the first line of ADHD drug treatment. They work by stimulating and increasing brain activity in specific areas for focus, attention, and impulse control. Although stimulants help ADHD sufferers to have better self control and focus on completing tasks, they do not improve academic achievement and social skills. ADHD medications alleviate symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.
Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, the second line of ADHD drug treatments, are used if stimulants do not work for an ADHD sufferer.
Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant medication that is used after two failed treatments with stimulants.
One thing that needs to be considered is that there are side effects to many of the medications used to treat ADHD. Most drugs do have some side effects, but some are much worse than others. The possible side effects of ADHD medications are serious if you have a personal or family history of heart problems. ADHD medications such as Dexedrine, Adderall and Concerta feature strong warnings about potential heart attacks and other cardiovascular risks. Common side effects in children are loss of appetite, sleep disturbances and nervousness. In rare cases, some stimulants can lead to tics, psychosis and moodiness.
ADHD stimulant medications contain either methylphenidate or amphetamines.
Methylphenidate is the first choice of stimulant as it has fewer side effects. It is available in short (Ritalin, Focalin), medium (Ritalin SR, Metadate ER, Methylin ER) and long acting durations (Concerta, Rilatin LA, Metadate C).
Amphetamines are the second choice of stimulants if an ADHD sufferer does not respond to Methylphenidate. Dexedrine and Dextrostat have a short acting duration of up to 6 hours. Adderall is available in both medium and long acting durations.
Although there is no cure for ADHD, the right medication can help manage the symptoms in the short term. Before prescribing ADHD medications, doctors should weigh the side effects against the benefits. It must be stressed that ADHD medications do not treat the causes of this disorder. The underlying causes of ADHD should be determined and dealt with behavioral therapy or counseling before resorting to medications.
Both Lila Montgomery & Alvin Toh are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lila Montgomery has sinced written about articles on various topics from ADHD, Medical Condition. Lila Montgomery writes about treating ADHD. Discover the facts about the many symptoms and situations that doctors and teachers routinely misdiagnose as ADHD. Learn more about coping with ADHD symptoms and the natural, side-effect-free alternative o. Lila Montgomery's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.
Alvin Toh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bull Terrier Dogs, Fitness and ADHD. Learning about ADHD enables you to provide the necessary support for your child or family member who is suffering from this condition. Although medications are commonly used to control ADHD symptoms, there are other treatments available. An accurate medic. Alvin Toh's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
Book Expo America 2010 If the bookstore is your lab, the BEA is the PhD program for students of the business. There is a lot to learn and much you can gather at a BEA.