What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a Developmental Disorder which is most common amongst children. This disorder involves; Concentration/Attention Problems, Hyperactivity and Impulsiveness. According to the journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry ADHD is two to four times more occurring in boys than girls. Children who are diagnosed with this disorder usually have symptoms of this even when they grow up. However, the severity of the disease differs and can be measured. Researches showed that 3-9 percent of school aged kids of the world suffer from this disorder. There are some causes and symptoms that are associated with this attention deficit disorder.

Causes

Researchers are still trying to determine the exact cause of ADHD; the exact causes of ADHD remain largely unknown. There are certain risk factors which are linked to ADHD nonetheless, which include;

• A study has shown that in 75 percent of the cases, genetics is a common factor. Researchers believe that different genes can be the cause of attention deficit disorder.
• Environmental factors are also another triggering factor of ADHD, children whose mothers smoke or drink during pregnancy can suffer from this disorder. Another study showed that exposure to pesticides can also increase the chances of ADHD.
• A study published in The Lancet showed that artificial food colors can also be the cause of ADHD.
• Premature delivery can be yet another cause of attention deficit disorder.

Symptoms

The symptoms of attention deficit disorder are usually divided in to three parts; attention problems, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Symptoms pertaining to attention problems can include - difficulty in carrying out tasks; easily distracted; forgetting about daily schedule; difficulty in organizing and also managing tasks. Symptoms of hyperactivity involves running around at inappropriate times; difficulty staying quiet and extremely talkative. Impulsiveness can include interrupting and speaking out of turn.

Treatment

The exact cure for this disorder has still not been found, but patients are usually prescribed a variety of medicines such as Focalin, Ritalin, Metadate and Adderall. The patient also goes through various forms treatment. However, it is important to take your doctor’s advice before consuming any medicine.

ADHD Diet

A proper diet will not eliminate the disorder altogether but it would help reduce the symptoms of the disorder. It is important to maintain a healthy diet that can help fulfill the daily nutrient requirement. Deficiency of a nutrient can be the cause of a symptom, hence it is important to eliminate anything unhealthy from your diet and follow a proper diet plan.
In order to improve the concentration, an individual should make sure he consumes proteins. Foods that are rich in proteins include cheese, eggs, beans and meat. It is also important to reduce the consumption of foods like candy, white rice and potatoes without the skins. You should also increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, some complex carbohydrates aid in sleeping. Pregnant women should also include food items with omega-3 content, this may help avoid the development of this disorder in their newborn, foods such as tuna, salmon and canola oil are rich in Omega 3.

Prevention

ADHD cannot be prevented; however, diagnosing this disorder in early stages can help  reduce many symptoms.