| Parents often ask themselves and the experts about | | | | warning on the packaging? There is also the social |
| the causes of ADHD in their children. They are often | | | | impact to consider - children may well suffer if they |
| worried that watching too much TV might be the | | | | cannot share their food with other kids. It must be |
| cause or they blame themselves for what they see | | | | pointed out that this research is in the early stages and |
| as bad parenting. They sometimes think that bad | | | | therefore no firm conclusions can be drawn yet. |
| schooling, lack of vitamins may well be the cause. | | | | How safe are the drugs which are used to treat |
| However, research shows that genetic factors and | | | | children with ADHD? The most popular drugs are :- |
| biological causes are much more likely to blame. | | | | Concerta, Adderall and Ritalin. A popular non-stimulant |
| The hereditary factor in ADHD has now been | | | | drug on the market now is called Strattera. |
| established. About 25% of close relatives in families | | | | What side effects are reported in children taking these |
| with ADHD are more likely to suffer from the same | | | | drugs? Recently there has been a lot of attention in |
| conditon. The figures for the general population are | | | | the press about this and there are concerns that |
| much lower, only about 5%. | | | | children who already might have heart condition need |
| The British Food Agency has published its findings in | | | | to be monitored carefully. The drug called Adderall |
| the Lancet and its research points the finger at certain | | | | was withdrawn from the Canadian market because |
| food colourings and additives (E102, E104 and E110) | | | | of this risk. Whatever drug is taken, children's heart |
| which is found in fiizy drinks and snacks which are | | | | conditon, blood pressure and blood tests need to be |
| normally eaten by children. Their research showed that | | | | carried out on a regular basis. |
| these foods certainly increased the levels of | | | | Apart from drugs, what alternatives are available to |
| hyperactivity in the children they were studying. | | | | parents? Sometimes, changes in diet, sleep and routine |
| The neurotransmitters which help the brain's nerve | | | | can be a great help. Another thing parents can |
| cells communicate with each other may well be | | | | consider are herbal and homeopathic remedies which |
| affected by a chemical imbalance and thereby not | | | | can help to restore the balance in the child's nervous |
| function at maximum capacity. When this happens, the | | | | system. The great advantage is that there are no side |
| child with ADHD will show impulsiveness, lack of | | | | effects or sedation and they can be beneficial in |
| attention and concentration. | | | | restoring good health and harmony within the family. |
| If children's food is at fault, should there not be a | | | | |