Dealing With ADHD and the Different Natural Remedies
Every year, there is an increase in the number of people diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in kids. There is a study showing that there has been a 41% increase in the number of children with this condition in the past few years.
Although there are already various medications to help deal with ADHD, many are still not comfortable using it because of its effects. Let us look at some reasons why taking medications for ADHD may not be a good option.
ADHD Medication: Its Action and Possible Side Effects
Medications deal with ADHD by controlling and maintaining the levels of neurotransmitters in the body. The neurotransmitters, known as the chemical messengers, are substances that convey signals all over the body from one neuron to another. When the levels of these chemicals are controlled, symptoms of ADHD can be managed.
There are two basic categories of ADHD medications: stimulants and non-stimulants.
Stimulants are those which contain amphetamines and help in eliminating distractions. As a result, the person is able to focus more.
Non-stimulants are utilized when the individual can’t tolerate the side effects of stimulants.
Side effects of ADHD medication include:
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Cardiac problems
- Suicidal tendencies
- Decrease in appetite
Treat ADHD With Natural Remedies to Reduce Side-Effects
To avoid having with to deal with the side effects, we can consider ADHD alternatives to medication. With an ADHD natural remedy, you can still effectively manage the symptoms of the condition without putting the patient at risk for drug dependence and other possible untoward reactions.
1. Avoid food with coloring and additives.
Food with sugar, additives and trans fats contain substances that will encourage the hyperactive behavior of people with ADHD. These processed foods don’t only affect those with ADHD but it’s also connected to the obesity epidemic that we are experiencing today.
2. Encourage relaxation time.
An effective ADHD natural remedy is to advocate a relaxation time. You can simply let the person lay comfortably on the floor with his head slightly elevated. Encourage him to do deep breathing for about 10-15 minutes.
This activity will help his central nervous system to adjust from sympathetic mode or alert mode to parasympathetic mode which is a relaxing and uplifting state.
3. Eliminate electronic devices.
With electronic stimulation comes the exposure to electromagnetic radiation. This exposure can lead to agitated behavior which then results to attention problems, sleep disturbance, and the like.
Make sure that you limit the use of electronic gadgets to just an hour or even less in a day.
4. Set aside time for exercise and outdoor activities.
During exercise, the brain releases essential chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals are responsible for increasing the ability of the person to focus and be attentive. With ADHD, these chemicals are low and the imbalance can be corrected even without taking any medications by exercising.
5. Address nutrient deficiency.
All these ADHD alternatives to medication won’t be as effective if the nutrient deficiencies are not addressed properly.
Any person who is not getting enough nutrients from food would typically experience negative health effects. This is especially true for those with ADHD. The most common nutrient deficiencies include magnesium, essential fatty acids, vitamin B complex, amino acid, and vitamin D.
Some of these nutrients are found in food while others can be obtained by taking supplements such as Organic and Kosher Certified PURE Freeze Dried Açai Berry Powder Scoop. With proper nutrition and natural ADHD remedies, those affected by this condition no longer have to take harmful medications.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any diseases.