Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is characterized by decreased attention span or inattention and/or hyperactivity. The disorder is quite common among children and adolescents, and may also manifest in adults.

ADHD symptoms

The symptoms are illustrated under 3 heads –

Inattention

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity

Inattention:

• The individual is easily distracted by trivial and inconsequential stimuli, which are usually ignored by others.

• Poor concentration and inadequate attention to details, results in messy and careless work.

• There is an inability to finish school work or college work or paper work

• He can not perform tasks that require attentiveness.

• Shows a strong tendency to procrastinate

• Shifts from one incomplete task to another.

• The individual is disorganized at work and home.

• Forgetfulness and memory lapses are common.

Hyperactivity:

• The child / adult is restless, unstill, fidgety, gets up repeatedly and walks around the room, squirms in the seat.

• Difficulty in being engaged in quiet activities.

• Talks excessively.

Impulsivity:

• Impatience is highly marked.

• He will intrude and interrupt others.

• Starts conversations at the wrong time, blurts out answers even before the question has been completed.

• Occasionally, some could engage in potentially dangerous activities or situations, without taking into account the consequences.

ADHD diagnosis:

A person suffering from ADHD, will show some or all of the above clinical features.

These symptoms may be apparent in other individuals too, but the intensity and frequency of symptoms, is a lot higher in ADHD people. Manifestations occur at school, college, work, home or when visiting friends. It affects their ability to function normally.

Diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is made when the symptoms manifest for a period of 6 months and more.

ADHD treatment:

Treating ADHD is a multi-disciplinary approach.

Management for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

• Educating the parent, the teacher, and the child about the disorder is very important. It makes understanding the symptoms and dealing with them a lot more easy. School teacher and counselor involvement and participation.
• Family support is a crucial aspect of the management of ADHD, especially for ADHD adults.
• Drug therapy is advocated by counselors, but the usage of the drugs is associated with certain side effects.
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy to battle ADHD:

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psycho-therapeutic approach that aims to solve problems concerning behavior, cognition, conduct, and dysfunctional emotion through a goal-oriented and systematic technique.

Behavior management focuses on accepting the patient’s behavior as a symptom of the disorder and not as a negative trait.

The therapy sessions are aimed at concentrating on the good behavior or appropriate behavior, while, ignoring minor inappropriate behavior.

Goal setting is an important element of the therapy. It is of essence that you set realistic and specific goals for the patient and help him accomplish them.

Rewards or consequences are also an integral part of the program. Appropriate behavior is rewarded whereas negative behavior bears the consequences.

Consistence and long-time therapy is needed for complete, effective, and lasting cure.

Meditation helps treat ADHD effectively:

• Meditation is a very strong and powerful tool that helps deal with all psychological issues. It is a wonderful way to support yourself during the healing process.
• Meditation will promote greater relaxation and peace.
• It will make you more mindful of your thought patterns, and help you identify and change negative thought patterns.
• It provides a more relaxed way to work, function and focus.
• Meditation helps prevent mistakes and accidents, and is highly useful to manage ADD (attention deficit disorder).
• It reduces mental chatter and aids in focusing at a task at hand.

 Homoeopathy helps fight attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

  

Homoeopathy is a highly composite and efficient system of medicine. The system aims at bringing about holistic cure. Homoeopathic medicines bring to equilibrium, the chaotic and deranged vital force of the patient, and thus, cause cure. Innumerable homoeopathic medicines have shown beneficial results in the management of ADHD. Homoeopathic remedies have a favorable influence on the brain and the nervous system. The remedies act as nerve tonics, especially, in cases where the individual has difficulty in keeping the mind fixed on one particular thing, is restless and wakeful, extremely sensitive to noise, and cannot keep still. The drugs soothe the nervous system and have a strengthening and beneficial effect.

Importantly, homoeopathic remedies are extracted from nature – flowers, fruits, animal extracts and products, and minerals, and are completely devoid of any unfavorable side effects. Homoeopathy, coupled with meditation, dietary corrections, aromatherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, counseling, and adequate family affection and support, will bring about extensive improvement in individuals suffering from ADHD. It is very important to bear in mind, that all disorders and medical conditions are treated well by a multi-disciplinary approach, and not one particular therapy in isolation.

 Homoeopathy management, requires the physician to take a detailed account of the symptoms before prescribing the optimum and most suited drug. Here are 2 drugs that have proved to be highly efficacious in the treatment of ADHD.

  

Passiflora

 • Passiflora has a strengthening and calming effect on the nervous system.

• It successfully treats insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns, associated with ADHD, and produces normal, restful sleep.

• It checks restlessness and wakefulness.

• The drug is especially beneficial in children and the aged.

 Argentum Nitricum

 • This is a wonderful remedy to treat and handle impulsiveness in those suffering from ADHD. The patient demonstrates an impulse to jump out of the window, to jump in to the water.

• There is extreme nervousness and restlessness, which is managed exceedingly well by Argentum Nitricum.

• The patient has irrational motives for his actions.

• Characteristically, he does everything in a rush and hurry.

• There is forgetfulness and the patient’s memory is very weak.

Mouth ulcers: Homoeopathy and Dietary Management

What are mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers or canker sores are single or clustered, shallow, painful ulcers that develop anywhere in the oral cavity.
These ulcers usually resolve in 7 to 21 days, but they have a tendency to recur in many people.

Clinical features of mouth ulcers

• Mouth ulcers or apthae are single or clustered ulcers in the oral cavity.
• They measure up to 1 centimeter in size.
• The mouth ulcers are extremely painful, and occasionally bleed.

Etiological factors responsible for mouth ulcers

• Recurrent trauma to the buccal mucosa (lining of the mouth) is a prominent causative factor for mouth sores.
• Food sensitivities are also important causes leading to ulcers.
• A nutrient deficiency, especially, that of vitamin B complex.
• Inadequate bowel movement.
• Stress poses as a significant precipitating cause.

Homoeopathic management of mouth ulcers

Nux Vomica

• Nux vomica is a potent remedy which cures small, aphthous ulcers, that are present on the sides of the tongue, and the mucous lining of the cheek.
• The ulcers are usually small, round, and bleed easily.
• Nux vomica treats inflammation of the gums, which occurs in association with mouth sores, very effectively.
• The remedy is particularly indicated when there are errors in the diet, dietary deficiencies, and lifestyle irregularities.
• The gastro-intestinal system is deranged. Digestive disturbances such as dyspepsia (indigestion), unsatisfactory bowel movement, and excessive flatulence (gas formation) occur.
• Stress wreaks havoc on the nervous and the gastro-intestinal systems resulting in the formation of canker sores. Nux vomica works best on psycho-somatic disorders, i.e. disorders which start due to a psychological or emotional cause, and then trigger off a physical manifestation (like aphthae). 
• A repeated dosage, frequent times a day is recommended to hasten cure.
• The medicine is completely natural and does not produce any adverse side effects.

Food prescriptions / dietary management for mouth ulcers

• Predominantly, a deficiency of vitamin B6, vitamin B 12, thiamine, iron, and folic acid is a contributing factor to the development of apthae. Thus, stepping up the intake of foods, which are rich sources of these nutrients, helps in the effective treatment of the aphthous ulcers. Brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds are excellent sources of vitamin B 6. Organ meat, oysters, trout, sardines, eggs, whey, and cheese are packed with vitamin B 12. (Caution: individuals suffering from hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disorders or gout should avoid consuming these foods. A vitamin B 12 supplement is recommended for them.) Brewer’s yeast, soy, wheat germ, peanuts, and pine nuts are exceptional sources of thiamine. Dates, tomatoes, beet, and raisins are loaded with iron. Excellent sources of folic acid are brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, wheat bran, soy, kidney beans, and dark green leafy vegetables. Complete remission is seen, once the intake of these foods is enhanced. 
• It is essential to identify and completely eliminate from the diet, certain foods which have a tendency to cause ulcerations. A trial and error method will help you recognize the offending food. Common foods that cause canker sores are milk and its products, gluten, and pungent foods.

Home remedies to treat mouth ulcers
Honey is an efficient home remedy to manage mouth sores. Apply a spoonful of honey over the ulcers, 2 to 3 times a day. In addition, consume 1 tablespoonful of honey after every meal. Honey soothes the buccal mucosa and the mucus membrane lining the stomach. It tones up the gastro-intestinal track and even improves bowel movement.

Health tip
Ensuring a daily intake of all the required vital minerals and vitamins, cures and prevents the recurrence of mouth ulcers. Supplements are advocated in cases of severe deficiencies, but gradually, opt of natural food sources of the nutrients. More over, these nutrients also help combat the deleterious effects of stress.

Treating Urinary Tract & Bladder Infection Effectively: Homeopathy and Home Treatment

As per the kidney and Urology Foundation of America, one in five women develop Urinary tract infection in their life time. Estimates suggest that approximately 38% of adults over the age of 20 years, in the United States, self reported of suffering from the condition. Due to difference in the anatomical structure, females are more prone to urinary tract infection and bladder infection compared to their male counterparts. Using homeopathic medicines has been found to be highly effective in the management of UTI and eliminates the need for antibiotics and other painkillers.

What is UTI? Urinary Tract and Bladder Infections

UTI is more frequent
in females compared to
males

Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria invade any part of the urinary tract, particularly, the urethra and the urinary bladder.Urinary tract infection (UTI) is commoner in women. This is because of the female anatomical structure. Females have a shorter urethra as compared to males. Additionally, the urethral opening is positioned close to the vaginal and anal opening, (both of which show profuse bacterial colonization) thus increasing the chances of developing an infection.
Recurrent UTI, causes considerable morbidity, if complicated, it can result in several severe urinary diseases.

UTI Symptoms: Symptoms of Urinary Tract and Bladder Infection
Some of the common symptoms associated with urinary tract infection include,

• Increased frequency of urination – day and night
• Dysuria (pain during urination). Occassionally the patient may complain of blood in urine.  
• Pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen. The pain is often typically stiching pain which may often radiate from the urethra to upwards towards the kidneys
• Offensive, and foul smelling urine, which is invariably dark yellow in color.  

In addition the individual may complain of flu like symptoms which include fever with chills, nausea and vomitting, gastrointestinal distress and headaches. These systemic symptoms may or may not be present and often depends upon the severity of the condition.

Homeopathy to treat Symptoms of UTI: Natural Treatment of Bladder Infection

Homoeopathy is a complex system of health care and treatment, which treats innumerable diseases competently. This system cures and heals the body holistically. The homoeopathic medicines restore the deranged and disturbed vital force, to its normal functioning, without having any adverse side effects. Numerous homoeopathic medicines have shown therapeutic results in the treatment of urinary tract infections. These remedies enhance the body’s defense mechanisms and reduce inflammatory processes and swelling. Homoeopathic drugs are manufactured from natural substances – flowers, fruits, animal extracts and products, and minerals, and thus have a gentle, yet effective and lasting result. It is necessary, that along with homoeopathic medication, the patient ought to follow certain dietary recommendations and hygiene guidelines to hasten cure.

• Cantharis: Cantharis, a strong homoeopathic remedy, is especially suitable for patients who demonstrate an intolerable and frequent urge to urinate. There is excruciating pain and burning in the urethra, every time he urinates. Burning and scalding with each drop. Urine flows in drops. Occasionally, there is blood in the urine and it appears jelly like. Cantharis, has a marked effect on the entire urinary system, and brings about a reduction in the pain and burning sensation almost instantaneously. It puts a stop to inflammation and irritation of the bladder. It is well indicated in urinary tract infections associated with pregnancy.
• Apis: Apis is another potent and powerful homoeopathic drug that has a striking effect on the urinary tract. Complaints such as intense burning and smarting while urinating, incontinence of urine (dribbling of urine or involuntary urination), and smelly and dark colored urine are cured swiftly. Fever associated with the infection is also handled effectively. The remedy has a direct action on the kidneys and the bladder, and checks inflammation, congestion, and swelling.

Home based Treatment for Urinary Tract Infection: Treating UTI Effectively
Here are some simple home based treatment options that can help in the management of urinary tract infections and bladder infections effectively,

Cranberry Juice is beneficial
for UTI

• Drink at least three to four liters of water each day. Water helps flush the kidneys and aids in the elimination of the bacteria that are responsible for the infection. Drink water or consume fresh fruit juices about three to four times in a day.
• Cranberry juice is also considered beneficial in the management of urinary tract infection. As per a study published in the Journal of Urology, Canda, consuming cranberry juice or extracts help reduce the risk of developing UTI in a sample of 150 high risk women.
• Aroma Oils are considered to be soothing and have beneficial properties, especially for the management of abdominal pain and colic caused due to the infection. A combination of various aroma oils like  tea tree,sandalwood,frankincense and juniper is considered to be highly beneficial.