By Researchopia
Natural remedies for ADHD can help relax an overly active child. Children who have attention deficit hyper activity disorder, or ADHD, can have a hard time staying focused and often lack self control. As a result, children who have attention deficit disorder symptoms may perform poorly in school, have a hard time getting along with peers, and have difficulties at home. These symptoms can be controlled using various treatments. ADHD should officially be diagnosed before treatment begins.
There are several treatment options available for children who have ADHD. Some are more effective than others. It all depends on the child. Some parents are reluctant to put their children on medication because of the potential for side effects. Although many children do benefit from taking medication, ADHD natural remedies also help children stay calm and focused as well.
Diet and ADHD
One way to effectively manage attention deficit disorder symptoms is through a proper diet. ADHD can be controlled by making sure a child has a protein rich diet. A study conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests that protein helps the brain produce dopamine and norephrine. Dopamine and norephrine are natural chemicals that allow a person to concentrate and stay focused.
Therefore, foods that are high in protein can be effective remedies for ADHD. In order to get the maximum benefits, children need 30 grams of protein a day. Protein rich foods such as eggs, poultry, soy milk, and dairy products should be included in a child's diet. ADHD can also be minimized by eating fish because it contains omega-3 fatty acids which can help improve a child's ability to stay focused.
Ease Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms by Eliminating Food Allergy Triggers
In some cases an effective ADHD natural remedy can involve simply changing a child's diet. Food allergies can worsen the behavioral problems in children who have ADHD. Parents can determine if their child has food allergies by removing foods from their child's diet that they suspect may be the source of the problem. They should then observe the child's behavior for about two weeks and see if there are any changes.
This is perhaps one of the easiest treatments. ADHD symptoms will subside gradually after allergy causing foods are removed from the child's diet. The process of eliminating certain foods and watching for behavioral changes should be repeated until the parents are satisfied that they have checked all foods that may be affecting their child's behavior. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, foods that are most likely to trigger an allergic reaction in children include peanuts, eggs, and milk.
ADHD Natural Remedy: Meditation
Numerous studies indicate that transcendental meditation is a powerful ADHD natural remedy. This form of meditation can help children cope better with stress, remain calm and think more clearly. The great thing about meditation is that a person can do it anywhere. According to researchers, if children meditate twice a day for 10 minutes, changes will occur in their brain that will lessen the symptoms of ADHD.
The Institute for Community Enrichment and Abramson Family provided the funding for a study on the effects of transcendental meditation on children with ADHD and concluded that transcendental meditation is one of the most effective remedies for ADHD. Researchers found that children with ADHD who did transcendental meditation daily for six months, had the same ability to concentrate as their peers who did not have this condition.
wrriten by Jennifer Graham.
By Researchopia
What Is ADD/ADHD And What Causes It?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder--more commonly referred to as ADHD--is a developmental disorder that affects approximately 5% of children worldwide . . . and that continues to affect many, many adults throughout the entirely of their lives.
While it’s often treated and medicated as a disease (such as diabetes,) ADD/ADHD is actually what we in the medical field call a “spectrum disorder.”
What that means is that the symptoms and the causes of ADD/ADHD range wildly from child to child . . .
While some children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD show just a subtle inability to pay attention, others fidget madly, bounce off the walls and experience bouts of terrible, terrible hyperactivity.
For some children ADD/ADHD is caused primarily by inherited genetic factors . . .
While other kids experience ADD/ADHD symptoms due to diet, hormonal imbalances or even allergies.
Yet our schools and our medical culture lump all of these children together into a “one size fits all” treatment . . . and literally dope any kid who shows ADD/ADHD symptoms until they act like a compliant, docile and easy to deal with zombie. . . filling our schools with unnaturally “calm” kids who are being raised to find the solution to all their problems in a pill bottle--and who grow up to be adults who have had all their personality and spark sucked out of them by dangerous drugs.
But I can tell you right now after years of hands-on experience that when it comes to addressing the cause of ADD/ADHD, actually curing this disorder and giving your children a shot at a normal and successful life . . .
By Researchopia
Pros and Cons of Different Contraceptive Methods
Here's a list of the many available types of contraception, and the pros and cons of using each.
Birth Control Pills Minimum
effectiveness: 95%
PROS:
Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly
Makes menstrual periods more regular and lighter
Decreases menstrual cramps and acne
Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia
Doesn't interrupt lovemaking
CONS:
Doesn't protect against STDs
Cost or co-pays between $15-$50 per month
Need to remember to take every day at the same time
Can't be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications
Can occasionally cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches, and, very rarely, blood clots
Need a prescription
Should use condoms to lower the risk of STDs
Vaginal Hormonal Ring (Nuva-Ring)
Minimum effectiveness: 98%
Pros:
Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly
Makes menstrual periods more regular and lighter
Decreases menstrual cramps and acne
Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia
Doesn't interrupt lovemaking
CONS:
Doesn't protect against STDs
Should use condoms to lower the risk of STDs
Can't be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications
Can occasionally cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches
Higher risk of blood clots
Need a prescription
Hormone Patch (Ortho-Evra)
Minimum effectiveness: 99%
Pros:
Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly
Makes menstrual periods more regular and lighter
Decreases menstrual cramps and acne
Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia
Doesn't interrupt lovemaking
CONS:
Doesn't protect against STDs
Should use condoms to lower the risk of STDs
Can't be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications
Can occasionally cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches
Higher risk of blood clots
Need a prescription
Depo-Provera Hormonal Injection
Minimum effectiveness: 99%
Pros:
Cons Each injection provides 3 months of protection against pregnancy
Very effective against pregnancy
Many women stop getting their menstrual period while getting injections. (This is not a medical problem and menstrual periods usually return 6-18 months after you stop taking injections)
Helps protect against uterine cancer
CONS:
Doesn't protect against STDs
Need to see your health care provider every 3 months for an injection
Costs $30-$75 every 3 months for 1 injection
May have side effects such as weight gain, tiredness, and possibly a decrease in bone density
Many women have very irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting for the first 3 to 6 months and sometimes longer
Male Condom
Minimum effectiveness: 86%
Pros:
Lowers risk of STDs
Effective against pregnancy
Contraception that provides the most protection against sexually transmitted diseases (latex condoms are best)
Don't cost much (50 cents each), can buy at almost any drug store (don't need a prescription)
"Last longer" when using a condom
Allow men to have an active part in preventing pregnancy
CONS:
Have to use a new one every time you have sexual intercourse (can only be used once)
May disrupt/interrupt lovemaking
Can break
Women may be allergic to latex
Female Condom Minimum effectiveness: 79% Pros: Provide protection against STDs (new product, so not clear how much protection given) and pregnancy
Can be inserted well before intercourse
Male does not need to withdraw right after ejaculation, as he does with a male condom
CONS:May move, be noisy, or uncomfortable
Can only use for one act of sexual intercourse
Cost about $2.50 each
Hormonal Implants
Minimum effectiveness: 99%
Pros:
Long-term method of birth control (protects against pregnancy from 24 hours to 3 years (or even 5 years) after insertion- can remove whenever you want to or can wait until time for a change of implant
Very effective against pregnancy
May cause light or no menstrual periods
CONS:
No protection against sexually transmitted diseases
Requires minor surgery and insertion of the tiny rod(s) underneath the skin
Requires minor surgery to remove capsules
Can cause side effects such as irregular menstrual periods, depression, nervousness, hair loss, and weight gain
Could have infection at area where capsules implanted
Can't be used by women with certain medical conditions and by women who use certain medications
Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)
Minimum effectiveness: 99%
Pros: Very effective against pregnancy
Provide protection against pregnancy as long as in place in your uterus- protects as soon as inserted (so don't need to remember to use contraception if you have sexual intercourse)
Doesn't need daily attention- just need to check to make sure in place at least once a month at time of menstrual period
Comfortable- you and your partner cannot feel the IUD, although you partner may feel the string
The levonorgestrel IUD (Mirena) lessens menstrual flow and can be used to treat heavy periods
Can be removed at any time
CONS:Doesn't protect against STDs
Needs to be inserted by a health care provider
Should not be used by women who have a high risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease. It is best for women who have already had children and are in a steady relationship with one partner.
Can fall out or can rarely puncture the uterus
The copper IUD can have side effects such as menstrual cramping, longer and/or heavier menstrual periods, and spotting between menstrual periods
Slightly higher risk for infection in the few weeks after insertion
Contraceptive Sponge
Minimum effectiveness: 87%
Pros: Can insert right before or several hours before sexual intercourse and will provide protection against pregnancy for a total of 24 hours
Don't need a prescription
CONS:
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases and may increase the risk of HIV infection with multiple daily acts of sexual intercourse
Can't take out until 6 hours after sexual intercourse
Can't be used by women who are allergic to nonoxynol-9 (in the spermicides)
Can cause increased urinary tract infections
Cervical Cap
Minimum effectiveness: 80%
Pros:Can insert several hours before sexual intercourse
Can leave in place 24-48 hours, will give protected sex for up to 48 hours
Use less spermicide with the cap than with the diaphragm, no need to apply more spermicide with each act of intercourse
CONS:
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases
Cost $30-$50, plus the cost of spermicidal gel
Need to be fitted by a health care provider and need a prescription
Limited sizes available
Can't take out until 6-8 hours after intercourse
May get moved out of place
Some women may be allergic to material of cap or to spermicide
Need to get a new one every so often
Can't be used by women with a history of abnormal Pap tests
Can cause increased urinary tract infections
Spermicide
Minimum effectiveness: 74%
PROS:Doesn't cost much, available at many drug stores, don't need a prescription
CONS:Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and may increase the risk of HIV infection in women who have sex multiple times daily because of irritation from the spermicide
Effectiveness usually lasts only one hour (need to reapply each time have sexual intercourse)
Some women and men may be allergic to spermicides
May interrupt lovemaking (some forms need to be inserted at 10-20 minutes before intercourse)
Has a lower effectiveness against pregnancy than many other types of contraception- should use with another form of contraception to increase effectiveness
May change bacteria living in vagina and increase urinary tract infections
Diaphragm
Minimum effectiveness: 80%
Pros: Can be put in place right before intercourse or 2-3 hours before intercourse
Don't need to take out between acts of sexual intercourse (protects against pregnancy for about 6 hours, but need to reapply spermicide)
CONS:
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases
Need to get fitted by a health care provider and need a prescription
Can't take out until 6 hours after intercourse
Cost $25-$45, plus the cost of spermicidal gel
May get moved out of place during sexual intercourse
Some women may be allergic to the diaphragm or to the spermicide
Need to get a new one every so often (need to re-fitted after a 10 pound weight gain or loss and after pregnancy)
Can be messy
Need to reapply spermicide with each act of sexual intercourse
Can cause an increase in urinary tract infections
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) for Women Who are Breastfeeding Minimum
effectiveness: 98%
Pros: Natural
Costs nothing
No side effects
Effective against pregnancy during the first 6 months after childbirth in women who have not had their menstrual period after childbirth and are feeding their babies only breast milk
CONS:
Only can be used by women who have given birth in last 6 months, fully breast feeding, and have not had menstrual period after childbirth
Doesn't protect against STDs
Only effective until menstrual period returns
May need to use a lubricant with sexual intercourse because of vaginal dryness
Natural Family Planning
Minimum effectiveness: 76%
Pros: Natural
Approved by many religions
Woman gets to know her body and menstrual cycles
Can be helpful for partners who are very careful and don't have sex during ovulation period and several days before and after
CONS:
No protection against STDs
Need to figure out when ovulating for each month, since different from one month to the next and young women often have irregular periods
Requires a lot of work- need careful instruction and the woman needs to figure out when ovulating
Can't have sexual intercourse for at least a week each month (during ovulation and several days before and after)
Teens and women with irregular periods should not use- failure rate is high
Tubal Ligation
Minimum effectiveness: 99%
Pros: Very effective against pregnancy
One time decision that will provide protection against pregnancy forever
CONS:Need to have minor surgery
Permanent (although it is possible to undo sterilization with major surgery, it is not always successful)
Only should be used by women who are absolutely sure that they do not want any or any more children
Expensive- ranges from $1000-$2500- but cost for contraception spread over rest of life
No protection against STDs
Withdrawal
Minimum effectiveness: 72%
Pros: Natural, so no side effects
Doesn't cost anything
Allows men to be an active part of preventing pregnancy
CONS:Not very effective method of contraception
Doesn't protect against STDs
Difficult for male to always predict ejaculation
May decrease sexual pleasure of woman since need to always be thinking about what is happening during sexual intercourse
No control by women- need to rely completely on men to prevent pregnancy
Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston
By Researchopia
Hows about Birth Control Patch?
The birth control patch is a thin, beige, 1¾-inch (4½-centimeter) square patch that sticks to the skin. It releases hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body's organs.
How Does It Work?
The combination of the hormones progesterone and estrogen in the patch prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries during a girl's monthly cycle). If an egg isn't released, a girl can't get pregnant because there's nothing for a guy's sperm to fertilize.
The hormones in the patch also thicken the mucus produced in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to enter and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus so that if the egg is fertilized it will have a hard time attaching to the wall of the uterus.
Like other birth control methods that use hormones, such as the birth control pill or ring, a girl uses the birth control patch based on her monthly menstrual cycle. She puts on the patch on the first day of her menstrual cycle or the first Sunday after her menstrual cycle begins. She will change the patch on her skin once a week for 3 weeks in a row. (The patch should be applied to one of four areas: the abdomen, buttocks, upper arm, or upper torso — except for the breasts.) On the fourth week, no patch is worn, and a girl's period should start during this time.
Using The Patch
It's important to apply a new patch on the same day every week to ensure that it keeps working effectively. For example, a girl who applies her first patch on a Monday should always apply her patches on a Monday. When it's time to change the patch, pull the old one off first, before applying a new patch. Place the new patch on a different area from the old patch (but still on one of the four recommended areas listed above) to avoid skin irritation. Don't apply the patch to skin that is red, irritated, or cut.
For the first 7 days on the patch, use an additional form of contraception as well to prevent pregnancy.
If you forget to apply a new patch on the right day, or if the patch becomes loose and falls off, read the instructions that come in the package or call your doctor. If this happens you may need to use a backup method of birth control (such as condoms) or stop having sex for a while to protect against pregnancy. Also, if you stop using the patch for any reason, you will need to begin using another method of birth control, usually after 24 hours of removing your last patch.
It's OK to participate in normal activities like swimming and exercise while wearing the patch. You can also get it wet in the shower or in the bath. However, the patch should not be moved or removed until the week is up (pulling the patch off to reposition or move it may cause it to lose some of its stickiness and it might fall off easily). Don't try to decorate the patch, change the size of a patch by trimming it, or try to attach it with tape. Talk to your doctor if the patch falls off.
The patch should not be applied over makeup, creams, lotions, powder, or other skin products as these may prevent it from sticking well. (Skin products may also affect how hormones are absorbed by the skin.)
How Well Does It Work?Ongoing studies suggest the birth control patch is as effective as the birth control pill. That means that about 8 out of 100 couples will have an unintended pregnancy during the first year of use. Of course, the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether you use the patch correctly. Delaying or missing a weekly application or removing a patch too early reduces its effectiveness and increases the chance a girl will become pregnant.
For girls who weigh more than 198 pounds (90 kilograms), the contraceptive patch may be less effective in preventing pregnancy.
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medications that might interfere with the patch. How effective the patch is at preventing pregnancy also depends on whether the method chosen is convenient — and whether the person remembers to use it correctly all the time.
Protection Against STDsThe birth control patch does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Couples having sex must always use condoms along with the birth control patch to protect against STDs.
Abstinence (the decision to not have sex) is the only method that always prevents pregnancy and STDs.
Possible Side Effects
The birth control patch is a safe and effective method of birth control. Most young women who use the patch have no side effects. Smoking cigarettes while using the patch can increase a girl's risk of certain side effects, which is why health professionals advise women who use the patch not to smoke.
The side effects that some women have while using the patch are similar to those experienced with the birth control pill. These may include:
irregular menstrual bleeding nausea, headaches, dizziness, and breast tenderness mood changes blood clots (these are rare in women under 35 who do not smoke, but there may be a higher risk with the patch than with the Pill) Other possible side effects seen in patch users include:
skin reactions at the site of application of the patch problems with contact lens use — a change in vision or inability to wear the lenses menstrual cramps Many of these side effects are mild and tend to disappear after 2 or 3 months.
Who Uses It?
The birth control patch may be a good choice for sexually active young women who weigh less than 198 pounds (90 kilograms) and find it difficult to remember to take a pill every day or who have difficulty swallowing pills.
Not all women can — or should — use the birth control patch. In some cases, medical or other conditions make the use of the patch less effective or more risky. For example, it is not recommended for women who have had blood clots, severe high blood pressure, certain types of cancers, certain types of migraine headaches, or diabetes with certain problems. It's recommended that girls who have had unexplained vaginal bleeding (bleeding that is not during their periods) or who suspect they may be pregnant should talk to their doctors, discontinue using the patch, and use another form of birth control in the meantime.
Girls who are interested in learning more about the possible health benefits and risks of different types of birth control, including the patch, should talk to a doctor or other health professional.
How Do You Get It?A doctor or a nurse practitioner must prescribe the patch. He or she will ask questions about health and family medical history, and may also do a complete physical exam, including a blood pressure measurement and a pelvic exam. If recommending the patch, the doctor or nurse practitioner will write a prescription and provide instructions on how to use it.
Those who start using the patch may be asked to return within a few months for a blood pressure measurement and to ensure that there are no problems. After that, a doctor may recommend routine exams once or twice a year or as needed.
How Much Does It Cost?
The patch usually costs between $15 and $50 a month, although health and family planning clinics (such as Planned Parenthood) might sell them for less. In addition, the birth control patch and doctor's visits are covered by many health insurance plans