Clinical observation reports a substantially greater incidence of hyperactivity in boys than girls, by a ratio of 10:1. Onset is usually by the age of three, although diagnosis is not generally made until the child is in school. Hyperactivity may be seen in adults as well. The treatment of this condition is the same for both children and adults.
Hyperactivity is characterized by poor concentration, short attention span, an inability to sit still, impulsiveness, self-destructiveness, temper tantrums, clumsiness, sleep disturbances, disorders in memory, speech, hearing, and learning, and failure in school though IQ is normal.
Factors that have been linked to hyperactivity include food additives, food sensitivities, and sugar consumption. Other factors that may be involved include smoking during pregnancy, oxygen deprivation at birth, environmental pollutants, and prenatal trauma. Excessive amounts of lead, as well as other heavy metals such as copper, have also been linked to behavioral problems.
Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment
1. Avoid food additives. This covers a wide range of over 5000 chemicals used in the USA alone. The late Dr. Benjamin Feingold, noted allergist and pediatrician, discovered that hyperactive children are often sensitive to items containing salicylates and phenolic compounds such as artificial colorings, flavorings, additives, and preservatives. While economic interests in the U.S. food industry perpetuate their use, other countries have significantly restricted the use of artificial food additives due to the possible harmful effects. Salicylates can also be found in aspirin and certain natural foods such as apples, oranges, and tomatoes, which should be avoided. For more information, you can contact the Feingold Association of the United States located in Alexandria, VA at (703) 768-3287.
2. A large percentage of hyperactive children have hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia stimulates the adrenal glands in an attempt to raise blood sugar level. Refined carbohydrates, such as white sugar and white flour promote this reaction and should be avoided. (See “Hypoglycemia.”)
3. Check your food allergies. (See “Allergy—Food.”) Since food sensitivities provoke psychological symptoms, mere elimination of food additives from the diet is inadequate. All sugars should definitely be eliminated. Further, chronic ear infections may result from food allergies and exacerbate learning disorders.
4. A low phosphate diet is important. This means avoiding carbonated soda beverages and limiting animal meats. High phosphorus levels have been associated with hyperkinesis or exaggerated muscle activity.
5. Have your levels of heavy metals assessed. (See “Chelation Therapy.”) Hyperactive children often have increased lead levels. However, elevated aluminum, cadmium, copper, and mercury are associated with learning disabilities (as well as criminal behavior). Poor nutrition will worsen this condition.
6. Heart Rate Variability testing and non-cognitive biofeedback (e.g., recycling of the patient’s own heart rate variations) are new technological developments. They assess and treat the Autonomic Nervous System from which hyperactivity often originates. This approach, when used alone, has been found to be successful in over 60% of hyperactive cases treated in Israel.
7. Supplements that may be of benefit include vitamin C, B-complex, and minerals calcium, magnesium and zinc. Glutamic acid, a non-essential amino acid, increases the production of GABA, a brain neurotransmitter, which has a calming effect. Vitamin B6, manganese, taurine and lysine can all help to increase GABA production.
8. The herb valerian root can be used for its calming action without the side effects of associated medicines.
9. Finding the constitutional remedy for the patient is most important. Some homeopathic suggestions include: Belladonna (extreme sensitivity and is changeable), Medorrhinum (if bed-wetting and/or insomnia are involved), Sulphur (warm-natured with a tendency to be messy and unconcerned about appearances), Tarentula (if child is sensitive to music and/or has destructive impulses), and Tuberculinum (when allergies and/or asthma are involved). In these cases, the remedy should begin as a mid-potency (e.g., 30C), 10 drops or 6-10 pellets or 1-2 tablets), daily for one month. After one month, if little or no improvement is noted, the remedy should either be changed or increased to a higher potency (e.g., 200C) and taken one to three times weekly for one month.
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