ADD Stimulant Medications: Are They the Best ADD Treatments?

Tess Thompson

by Tess Thompson



Although there is controversy surrounding them, stimulants are
still the most commonly prescribed type of medication for
children with ADD and ADHD. The Drug Enforcement Agency says
that stimulant drug production has increased 500 percent since
1991, and over half of the prescriptions for them are written by
pediatricians. Stimulants are often effective in treating many
of the symptoms of ADD -- but are they the best ADD treatment
for your child? Many parents are concerned about the side
effects stimulants can produce and choose to investigate other
options like behavioral therapy and herbal supplements as well.
When it comes to making a decision that affects your child's
health, having the facts is essential.



ADD stimulant medications work by increasing the levels of the
chemicals epinephrine and norepinephrine in the brain, which
helps the brain to transmit signals between nerves. This
improves a child's (or adult's) ability to pay attention for
extended periods of time. But these medications also come with a
risk of mild and serious side effects. Some of the most common
side effects include headaches, upset stomach and increased
blood pressure, all of which may diminish as the body adjusts
after the first few weeks of treatment. Other common side
effects include decreased appetite (80% of stimulant users
report this), nervousness and sleeplessness. Research has also
shown that stimulants can stunt growth during treatment, but
have not been proven to affect final height. Less common but
more serious side effects include hallucinations and feelings of
suspicion or paranoia, Tourette's Syndrome, and suicidal
thoughts.



Children on stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta are the
best-known brands) should be watched closely and their dosages
should be evaluated regularly. These medications are most
effective when they are administered in the correct dosage for
each individual and when they are combined with additional ADD
treatments like behavioral therapy and practical and emotional
support. Non-stimulant drugs, such as Strattera, can also be
effective, but carry a risk of similar side effects.



In light of the risks that prescription medications carry, many
parents are interested in exploring an herbal remedy for ADD.
There is more than one herb that has been shown to be an
effective ADD or ADHD child treatment, and there are a variety
of natural remedies on the market that combine many of them.
Ginko Biloba, Green Oats, Brahmi, Gotu Kola and Panax Ginseng
are some of the best ingredients, and the positive effects of
some of them (like Ginko) can become permanent even after
discontinuing use.



While stimulant medication is often successful in treating ADD,
it can sometimes cause its own set of problems. Weigh the risks
and the benefits carefully, and make the decision that is right
for your own child. Just as each child exhibits symptoms of ADD
differently, each child will react differently to medication and
treatment. Patience and thorough research should lead you to a
healthy solution for your child.



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Tess Thompson is a Master Herbalist who contributes to href="http://www.nativermedies.com/">Native Remedies - where
you can find Remedies for health conditions including natural href="http://www.nativeremedies.com/brightspark_for_add.shtml">AD
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rbal remedy for ADD.

Taking Great Pictures of your Kids. Make Money Taking Pictures of Other Peopl's Kids

Taking Great Pictures of Your Kids.
Save Time and Money! Plus, Make Money Taking Pictures of Other People’s Kids!

We all know how expensive family portraits can be. We also know how time consuming it is to find a photographer in your area, who is good at what they do. Once we get the money part and the time part figured out, the kids are sick or fussy on the day of the appointment!
So, what can you do? You can learn to take your own portraits at home. This might sound complicated at first, but really it is not that hard to learn. As long as you have a digital camera, you are off to a great start.
I’m sure you are thinking, what am I going to use as a background for the portraits? Almost anything will work for a background. A white wall, a sheet hung by tacks or a curtain rod, a room divider, a blanket, a large poster, an area rug, are all great to use as a background. Always place your child at least 4 to 5 feet in front of the background. This will keep unwanted shadows of the background and will make the child stand out.
Lighting is about the most difficult to learn, but I will show you simple ways to get it accomplished. First of all, turn off your camera flash. It creates to harsh of lighting, and makes for very unflattering photos.
If you have a large window that lets in a lot of sun, you can pose your child in front of it. Just be sure to turn the child only three-quarters of the way to face the window. This will light up most of his/her face and leave the other side in shadows. Doing this will make for a more flattering picture. However, only use window lighting on a cloudy day, early or late in the day. You do not want to use direct sunlight coming from the window, it is almost like using a flash! Of course if you have some sheers hung on the window to diffuse the sunlight, than you may use it at anytime of the day.
For those of you that do not have a good window to use, I recommend shop lights (unless you can afford strobe lights, but they are more for proffesional use). Halogen shop lights (the type with two lights on a stand) run about $20.00. They are excellent for portrait lighting. Set them up about 5 feet in front of where your child will be sitting, and slightly to the side and above your child. Then hang a white sheet about 1 foot in front of the lights. This will diffuse the lights and give them a soft glowing effect.
If you would rather take pictures outdoors, here are a few tips. Make sure that you find an uncluttered background. Grass, sky, hills all work well. You can even use trees, but pay attention that there is not going to be one that looks as though it is sticking out of your child’s head in the picture. As with photographing by the window, never take a portrait of your child in direct sunlight. It will create harsh shadows and make for a very unflattering picture. Overcast days, dawn or dusk are usually great times. If that is not possible, have your child stand in the shade of a few trees or a building. Just remember to make sure there are no strange shadows on their face.

(By the way, the shop lights get very hot, so keep little fingers away and don’t get your diffusing sheet too close.)

Author: Torie Mitchell

7 Secret Weapons to Win the War of Arthritis Inflammation and Pain

Rita Kennon

Arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in America today,
impacting approximately seven million people. It is now one of
the most prevalent chronic health problems.



The estimated annual costs of arthritis to Americans are $15
billion in direct medical costs and $49 billion in indirect
costs such as lost wages. Nearly 40 million Americans have
arthritis, with 24 million of them being under 65 years old.
Projected increase of arthritis by 2020 is 60 million in the
U.S. alone.



With over a hundred variations of arthritis, the most common one
is osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease which is
related to aging. The deteriorated cartilage that covered the
ends of the bone in the joint cause's loss of movement as the
bone rubs against bone. It causes the bones to change shape, the
muscles to weaken and the reflexes to slow.



Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in the weight-bearing
joints. Severe trauma to a joint can precipitate arthritis,
sometimes years after the initial injury. Painkillers are
effective for a while, but when the drugs no longer ease the
pain some physicians recommend surgery. Americans undergo lower
back surgery, and knee and hip replacement surgery mostly
because of osteoarthritis.



Another common arthritis known as rheumatoid arthritis is an
autoimmune disease. In autoimmune disease, the body's immune
system actually attacks its own tissue. The joints and cartilage
are normally surrounded by protective tissue called synovium
which produces a fluid that nourishes and lubricates the bones
and cartilage.



A rheumatoid arthritic patient's immune system produces white
blood cells that attack the synovium. This is what causes the
inflammation, and painful swollen joints. When the inflamed
synovium attacks the joint, bone, and cartilage it causes the
muscles around the joint to become too weak to support it
properly. Therefore chronic inflammation is the culprit that may
eventually cause damage to the cartilage and bone.



Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling
types of arthritis. Severe joint pain, fatigue fever, and
inflammation are the first symptoms most people notice. In more
serious cases, the autoimmune response involves other areas of
the body such as the heart, lungs, kidney or liver. Gout is
characterized by monosodium uric crystals in the joints or
tissue. It generally occurs in patients 30 to 50 years old after
many years of eating an over rich diet of purine foods. When the
kidneys can not eliminate the over production of uric acid from
the body, levels build up causing the needle like crystals to
form on the joints.



This painful disease mostly attacks small joints. The frequency
of subsequent acute attacks of gout usually increases over time.
A diet of fatty protein rich foods, excessive alcohol
consumption, and obesity are contributing factors of gout
attacks.



It is important that you take an active role in the prevention
and treatment of joint damage. There are many steps you can take
to lower your risk for developing arthritis, as well as natural
remedies to help reduce inflammation, and other symptoms.



The conventional treatment includes the use of painkillers, and
anti-inflammatory drugs. While these drugs are often helpful in
alleviating the pain, they may accelerate the degeneration of
articular surfaces thereby destroying the body's ability to
repair cartilage. Several thousand patients are admitted to
hospitals every year for complications associated with
anti-inflammatory medications.



Now that you understand that controlling inflammation is the
biggest step in combating arthritis- here are my secret
arthritis weapons:



1. Foods to avoid- eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, wheat,
corn, beef, pork, eggs, dairy, fried foods, sugar products,
refined carbohydrates and foods high in gluten which tends to
intensify inflammation.



2. Foods to eat- foods high in sulfur such as asparagus,
cabbage, garlic, and onions which may help repair cartilage and
bone. Also include fish, flax (omega-3 fatty acids), and borage
oil (omega-6 fatty acids) which can help decrease inflammation.



3. Multivitamin- including antioxidants such as vitamin E, C, A,
selenium, and zinc because we no longer get optimum amounts from
our daily diet to fight free radical attacks on the joints.



4. Exercise- beneficial in helping to reduce stiffness, and
maintain an optimum weight to help ease the pressure on those
weight bearing joints.



5. Celery seed- this wonderful natural spice contains nearly two
dozen anti-inflammatory compounds known for decreasing
inflammation.



6. Glucosamine supplement- the joints stop producing this
necessary substance that helps alleviate stiffness.



7. Chondroitin supplement- the body stops producing chrondocytes
which help maintain healthy joints.



Incorporate these 7 non-biochemical (natural) weapons into the
battlefield, and the war against arthritis will be much more
attainable- naturally.



About the author:


Rita Kennon http://www.AlternativeHealthReporter.com Natural
arthritis remedy with a 12 month guarantee
http://www.AlternativeHealthReporter.com/arthritest.html