ADHD Syndrome

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a relatively common condition that tends to emerge in school age children.
The most common signs of ADHD are, but not limited to:

• Hyperactivity
• Inattention
• Impulsive Behavior
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Physical Aggression

More prevalent in boys than girls, it is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent (approximately 2 million children) have been diagnosed with ADHD. However, because many normal children may show some of these same behaviors as well, it is important that a child receive a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis before any treatment is considered.

Although many things can be linked to ADHD it is not entirely certain what causes ADHD, thought is that it is a combination of environmental toxins, food additives, an overactive nervous system, coupled with a decrease in the brain's ability to filter out extraneous sights, sounds, thoughts and emotions may be to blame. Although chiropractors at Abundant Life Chiropractic don't directly treat ADHD, there are a number of things that we can do to help eliminate things that stress you or your child's nervous system and decrease the symptoms of ADHD, such as:

• Alleviate spinal subluxations that may cause interference to the nervous system.
• Discuss dietary changes and nutritional support.
• Allergy testing.
• Educate parents on how to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

The most common medical treatment is the use of the drug methylphenidate (Ritalin). Ritalin is a stimulant drug excites the activity of the brain/nervous system. But for unknown reasons, it tends to have a calming or inhibitory effect on individuals who suffer from ADHD; however taking Ritalin only covers up the problem and does not resolve the true cause of ADHD, it only masks the symptoms. Continued use of Ritalin over long periods of time has also been shown to have detrimental effects on the brain itself. Whether for you or your child it is important to look at all treatment options before taking Ritalin and chiropractic care is a great place to start. Contact us at 239-772-2266 today!