| ADHD is short for attention deficit hyperactivity | | | | in turn alters normal behavior. |
| disorder. ADHD is a complicated condition that | | | | *Strep infections: Most children will have a painful |
| revolves around three primary symptoms; inattention, | | | | encounter with strep throat at some point. This |
| impulsivity, and hyperactivity along with a myriad of | | | | infection is caused by an opportunistic bacteria |
| secondary symptoms. One or more of these | | | | known as streptococcus. If left untreated the |
| symptoms can either be exasperated or mimicked by | | | | streptococcus bacteria can cause rheumatic fever |
| many different childhood diseases, conditions, or | | | | along with a movement disorder known as |
| behaviors. If you have few minutes to spare why | | | | Sydenham's chorea. Recurring infections can lead to a |
| don't we walk through nine of the most common | | | | group of symptoms known as PANDAS. Some |
| childhood illnesses, conditions, and behaviors that | | | | symptoms of PANDAS include hyperactivity, |
| have been shown to produce ADHD like symptoms. | | | | cognitive problems, fidgeting, and obsessive |
| *Head injuries: Thirty years ago it was thought that | | | | compulsive disorder (OCD). |
| ADHD (then know as ADD) was actually caused head | | | | *OTC or prescription drug use: Some drugs can |
| injuries. While we now know this is not the case, | | | | cause the brain to shrink leading to memory and |
| head injures do produce quite a few ADHD like | | | | behavioral issues. If a child routinely consumes |
| symptoms including memory problems, moodiness, | | | | prescriptions or over the counter medications for |
| irritability, insomnia, and depression. | | | | asthma, hay fever, allergies, headaches, or any other |
| *Blood sugar problems: Brain scans show that the | | | | condition, brain compression can lead to behavior |
| area of the brain that controls attention and self | | | | problems. |
| regulation is impacted by fluctuations in blood sugar | | | | *Sniffing glue: You probably think I must be sniffing |
| levels. | | | | glue in order to put sniffing glue in our serious list of |
| *Vision challenges: One recent study found that | | | | conditions and illnesses that may have an impact on |
| children who have trouble pointing both eyes in the | | | | ADHD. Nevertheless, you should know that getting a |
| same direction are three times more likely to be | | | | whiff of such common materials as modeling glue, |
| diagnosed with ADHD than children who are not | | | | bonding materials, and household cleaners can cause |
| challenged in this way. | | | | hyperactivity and inattention in both children and |
| *Spinal cord issues: If the spine is not connected to | | | | adults. |
| the brain properly, nerves from the spinal cord can | | | | What about treatment? |
| bombard the brain with signals which in turn leads to | | | | For those struggling with ADHD finding an effective |
| hyperactive behavior. | | | | treatment option is an important first step. The most |
| *Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD): This | | | | common form of treatment currently are prescription |
| condition will sometimes occur in children who have | | | | stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and Vyvanse. While |
| had a history of ear infections and/or PE tubes. | | | | effective, all stimulant medications come with a |
| Symptoms include distractibility, daydreaming, and | | | | number of serious label warnings. The risk of side |
| difficulty following verbal instructions. | | | | effects, or perhaps lack of success with stimulants, |
| *Yeast infection: Yeast infections cause hyperactive | | | | has prompted many to investigate other options. A |
| behavior in children. A high percentage of children | | | | couple examples of this are behavior modification |
| with yeast infections have some underlying problem | | | | therapy and/or natural remedies. Natural remedies for |
| which allows the infection to occur. Examples would | | | | ADHD are a side effect free way to address such |
| be a disorder affecting carbohydrate metabolism or | | | | problematic symptoms as inattention, distractibility, |
| an autoimmune disorder of some sort. The bottom | | | | impulsivity, erratic behavior and hyperactivity and can |
| line is that when a child has a yeast infection intestinal | | | | be used both as a standalone treatment or as a |
| parasites rob the body of important nutrients, which | | | | compliment to other nonprescription alternatives. |