Archive for February, 2010

Is the Common Drug For ADHD Over Prescribed?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Obviously there are two answers to the question of, “Is the Common Drug for ADHD over prescribed?” There is a yes and a no. First off you need to know that Ritalin is the most widely spread drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Narcolepsy. The government gives it a class of II (amphetamine).

Some estimates have schools with children on Ritalin up to 40 percent. More boys than girls take Ritalin. It is given to children to cure or “fix” short attention spans, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors.

Because of the increase in the use of Ritalin on school age children, you have now broken the world into two camps. One feels the drug is wildly over prescribed to treat behavior problems that naturally occur and the diagnosis do not really exist. Then you have the other side that simply believes that the increase in the drugs usage means that it is safe and effective and more people are being reached by it.

First, let us just say that medical authorities agree that there is a problem and that ADHD (ADD/ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a distinct health issue that affects some children. It is also widely believed that these same children diagnosed correctly can and will be helped by taking Ritalin.

Unfortunately they also believe that the drug is over prescribed, over promoted, over marketed and over sold to the tune of $500 million dollars annually. Because of all this it has created more health issues in that people that do not need the drug are taking it, some illegally. This drug Ritalin has become one of the top street drugs in America.

Ritalin is not a quick fix, but it being used by many for just that reason. Johnny or Bobby are misbehaving, let us get them on some Ritalin so they will learn. If your child truly needed in then there needs to be hands on work done with the child, the parents, the teacher, the counselors and the doctors. It is then your responsibility to administer and properly control the drug.

Now, read the following and answer the question is Ritalin being over prescribed. Some schools now medicate up to fifty percent of their students with Ritalin or another ADD drug. The normal seems to be 15 to 20 percent of the children are taking and ADD or ADHD drug. This alone far exceeds any professional estimates of actual need.

It is very important that parents learn and understand that when we are talking about Ritalin or any other stimulant used, we are talking about a very potent, addictive and highly abused substance; the potency of the drug can help in the right need and destroy if given for the wrong one.

It seems to be that the surge in both diagnosing ADHD and prescribing Ritalin prescriptions is yet another sign of a society suffering from a great lack of boundaries and responsibility. When we as parents teach our children that their misbehaving is due to disorders, we then show them that there actions are beyond their control and therefore beyond any self motivation to change. Thus a whole portion of our future is stagnant.

In the many cases where ADHD is misdiagnosed well then we are allowing parents to believe that whatever problems their children’s have, they have nothing to do with. We in essence take away our own liability. They never have to take responsibility for what is happening in their home, with them as the parents. How sad is that?

The answer to the question “Is the Common Drug for ADHD over prescribed?” for me is a resounding yes. We don’t have enough long term testing to answer the validity of this drug and more and more people are taking it. As a country, as a community as a family we need to look within our own hearts and figure out if we are looking for an easy way to train behavior in our children or what. I would like to urge parents to educate themselves and above all be a protector of your children.

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Kids With ADHD – Developing a Successful Classroom

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The level of kids with ADHD has risen drastically in the last several years. It is currently reported that over 5% of kids between ages 6-17 in the U.S. have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-ADHD. So, if you are a teacher or work with kids, at least one in every 25 kids in your class will have ADHD. There are some things that can be done in teaching style and classroom set up that will aid in successfully teaching this type of child.

The first thing you will want to do is gather information. Talk to their parents, previous teachers, read their school records, etc. to find out their typical behavior, ways they learn best, things that distract them and so on. Keep communication lines with the parents open using frequent communication in person, email, notes, and phone calls. It may be helpful to email the child’s assignments to the parents each week so that instructions will be clear.

As far as instructions, give them in short, easy-to-understand statements and have the student repeat the instruction back to you. Non-verbal clues such as raising your hand, blinking the light off and on or a quick tap with a pencil on the desk can be used to quiet students. You can use private clues for specific children, like a hand on the shoulder to show they are off task and need to refocus. Eye contact is very important when giving instructions.

Other methods to attain success are rewards such as stickers, charting points, smile and verbal praise. The child may find it helpful to have an organizational method, such as a checklist in order of priority, labeling their things as to what stays at school and what goes home, and have a certain routine that is followed every day so they know what comes next.

Other suggestions include seating the child next to the teacher to keep the child on task. Also sitting next to a child role model can help the ADHD child stay better focused. It is important to have a non-distracting classroom, especially during tests and other high focus activities. Be sure not to have them in a location that would seem to show punishment, but allows for them to focus with little distraction.

Some teachers find it helpful to use an egg timer to show the time available for certain activities and the child can see how much time is left for a certain project. Playing music during some class time may be a good indicator of the level of activity and noise that should be present in the class. For example, if it is a quiet, individual activity the teacher may play soft, quiet music. Also make sure that an ADHD child is comfortable in their desk space. If the furniture is too big or too small, it will make the child more likely to squirm.

Even though these ideas are helpful to kids with ADHD, they can be used to help any class of children. Most students do work better when following guidelines such as these listed.

Rich has been writing articles for nearly 8 years. Come visit his latest website over at Organic Oolong which offers reviews of the best Organic Oolong Tea for not only tea lovers, but to promote good health.

How to Cope With Alzheimer’s Disease in a Loved One

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Coping with Alzheimer’s disease in a loved one is a taxing thing to do, but it must be faced with as much courage and strength as you are able to muster. My own grandmother has the condition, and it has been a most troubling thing to see the lively, determined and precise woman that I knew in my childhood fade away into a nervous, scared person who can seldom remember who I am.

There is a great deal of advice out there on Alzheimer’s treatments that are available and research being done into the condition, but there isn’t all that much advice on what to do when you need to deal with a family member who has been struck with the affliction.

Alzheimer’s disease is a terrible, terrible condition that robs families of much loved personalities and people of their dignity once it has really taken hold. This is very hard indeed to deal with for the families off these sufferers, but the main issue to remember is that no matter how upsetting it is for you, it is a great deal more distressing for the Alzheimer’s disease sufferer themselves.

Your own feelings need to come second, to be frank. The matter of the utmost importance is that you care for your loved one and help them live with Alzheimer’s disease in as positive a manner as possible.

My grandmother has found that making lists of tasks, visitors, phone calls and so on helps a great deal. She carries a piece of paper and a pencil around with her at all times, and is reminded to keep them with her if ever she is without them. This allows her to note down things that she has done, people she has talked to and things that she needs to do throughout the day. It does go some way to helping her retain some level of independence while dealing with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

There is no cure for the condition yet, but research into the origins of Alzheimer’s disease and ways to combat it are continuing all the time. When coping with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, you must always put their safety, wellbeing and quality of life first above everything else. Visit regularly.

Talk to them, and be patient when they are unable to remember simple facts such as names and occupations. Alzheimer’s disease may rob your family of a much cherished personality, but you are able to combat it in your own way by not letting it win. Care for your loved one, be there for them no matter what. Now that’s an Alzheimer’s Disease treatment that money can’t buy.

Martha is a health expert who wants to help people come to terms with this condition. For more information on care and the latest Alzheimer’s Disease Treatments, there is a wealth of information available for you.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Childhood

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

ADHD is a relatively new mental health problem. The term was first applied to children exhibiting certain behaviour traits in the 1980s and the number of people diagnosed with the problem has been slowly increasing ever since. It is estimated around 5 percent of under 18 year olds are suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Nearly three times as many males as females receive a diagnosis for ADHD. This makes the condition slightly controversial as some critics claim ADHD is labelling boisterous children as having a mental health problem unnecessarily. It is certainly true that there are parallels between normal boisterous behaviour and the symptoms of ADHD, which include being continuously disruptive in school, being unable to concentrate for a reasonable period of time, persistent agitation and being difficult to control.

As is the case for many disorders, there seems to be a genetic element to ADHD. There is a theory that some children with the disorder have abnormally formed or too few dopamine transporter proteins, which could be an inherited trait. Low levels of dopamine mean the brain will not function in an entirely normal manner, and higher functions such as concentration and reasoning skills can be impaired.

There has also been scientific research which links the use of particular food colourings and preservatives to the disorder. It could be that factors such as diet, lifestyle and life events can combine to trigger ADHD in someone with a genetic predispostion.

If drug treatment is recommended, it is usual to be prescribed Ritalin (methylphendinidate). This is an amphetamine and was originally synthesized as an antidepressant to be used in adult patients. It acts on the reuptake of dopamine, which means the levels of the neurotransmitter will rise to the levels seen in a ‘normal’ brain. A doctor can give advice about whether drug treatment is a necessary course of action and advise if alternative non-medicinal treatments can be tried first instead.

Lily’s recent writing includes articles about girl’s fancy dress, such as how to make a girl’s pirate costume at home.

Alzheimer’s Prevention – Is it Possible?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the scariest diseases of our generation. Many people are worried about getting it. Especially if a parent had the disease. Truth is, everyone will get Alzheimer’s disease. If they live long enough. The chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease doubles every 5 years after 65. By 85, there is a 50% chance you will get it. Is there anything you can do for Alzheimer’s prevention?

When you think about Alzheimer’s prevention, the goal is to delay the onset. You want to out live the appearance of Alzheimer’s disease. If you can out live it, you may never show any signs. This strategy is helpful with many aspects of aging.

Symptoms start when the brain cannot repair itself. When neurons die faster than they are being replaced. Alzheimer’s disease begins in the area of the brain that creates new memories.

When any part of the brain can’t keep up with dying cells, it will show signs of decline.

Any plan for Alzheimer’s prevention includes exercise. Exercise boosts brain nerve growth factors. Exercise helps new brain cells to develop. It also makes the links between brain cells stronger. Deep areas of the brain get better blood flow. The deep areas are more prone to cell damage. The risk of dementia can be cut by 50% with regular physical exercise.

Antioxidants help keep cells from getting damaged. You can take vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, and ginkgo biloba. These all protect different parts of cells. These supplements are great for Alzheimer’s prevention – you can help existing cells stay free from damage.

Over the counter medications, like aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs can help a lot. These “arthritis” drugs can cut your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 50%.

There are all the usual suspects as well. Hypertension, stress, alcohol, tobacco, etc. All of these factors can be changed for Alzheimer’s prevention.

Mental arousal and exercise is just as important as physical exercise. It isn’t enough just to work your brain every day. You must take in new information. Look at it like this: mental exercise means gaining new knowledge.

When you do the same thing every day, your brain learns to do it with less energy. When you learn a new game or hobby, it creates new pathways. This improves and maintains less used areas of your brain. Social activities are great for waking up the brain. Studies show mentally active people can reduce decline in overall mental abilities due to age by 50%.

Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating. But if you catch it early and treat it properly, you and your family may be able to avoid the full effects. Make sure you share all concerns with your doctor for the best treatment schedule. If you haven’t been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, make changes now. Your Alzheimer’s prevention plan may be able to delay cognitive decay for your lifetime.

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