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.

Shashankashana-Yoga for Healthy Heart: Meditation Technique to deal with Cardiovascular disorders

As per the World Health Organization, cardiovascular ailments contribute to 17 million deaths annually of which about 80% deaths take place in the developing world. As per the British Heart Foundation, 34% of premature deaths in males and 25% of premature deaths in females are attributed to ischemic heart disease. Studies have reiterated the role of yoga and meditation therapy in combating anxiety and stress; however they play a crucial role in keeping the heart healthy.



A healthy Heart

Meditation and Yoga for a Healthy Heart  

The human heart is a wonderful organ, keeping us alive; and pumping day in and day out, relentlessly. This is how meditation and yoga may be beneficial,

• Paying attention to your heart beat will motivate you to take care of yourself better, and teach you to appreciate how important the heart is, and the significance of life. Meditating on subtle body sensations like the heart beat or the pulse increases the mindfulness about your body through the day.
• Yoga asanas dilate the blood vessels and thus help to lower the blood pressure. The postures improve circulation and overall vitality. If stress is responsible for the shooting blood pressure levels, then a regular and sustained yoga practice will definitely be fruitful. 
• Yoga postures and meditation are preventive therapy. Along with developing the physical body, yoga helps develop psychic spaciousness, and tunes you to the subtle energies. Stay mentally present while you practice yoga. Be reflective.

 Treat Ischemic Heart Disease with Yoga: Shashankasana or Rabbit Pose

Rabbit Pose for Healthy Heart

Shashankasana or rabbit pose is an essential yoga posture which improves circulation and stimulates the heart and is vital in management of cardiovascular ailments,

• Sit down on a yoga mat, in such a way that your buttocks rest on to your toes and the spine is erect
• Place your palms on your lap.
• Gently inhale, raise your arms in front of you, parallel to the floor. Then gradually bend forward, so that your forehead touches the floor, hands straight out in front of you.
• Stretch the body and relax in to the pose.
• Let the breathing be gentle and rhythmic. Hold the pose for some time. Then release.

This asana helps the body to become peaceful and serene, slowly down bodily activity. Additionally, it banishes mental clutter and excessive thinking, thus fighting fluctuating blood pressure levels.

A meditation technique to maintain optimum Cardiac Health

A meditation session will augment and deepen your mindfulness of your body sensations, thus making you more aware about your body’s needs and wants. It helps you to be grateful to your body, and teaches you the importance of being healthy.  

• Sit comfortably on a cushion or a straight backed chair. Sit in a quite place where you will have 20 minutes of uninterrupted time.
• Focus on your breath for a few moments, gently breathing in and breathing out. Let your body calm down and relax.
• Pick a spot on your body, where you can feel the heart beat – temples, wrist, or the chest. Touch the spot lightly, and close your eyes. Focus on the spot.
• Now gradually extend your awareness to the various arteries and veins in your body. Imagine the blood circulating through the body. Visualize the heart pumping blood. Concentrate on your body.
• Express your gratitude to your heart, resolve to care for it better, and slowly come out of the meditation.

Precaution to take while practicing Yoga for Cardiac Problems

Though yoga is considered to be one of the most safest therapies which attempts to tune the body, there are certain precautions that are needed.

• Start slowly and gradually. Don’t overdo yoga postures. A body which is not tuned to yoga postures may not be as agile and flexible and would take some time to adjust
• If the blood pressure is too high, it is best to keep the head above the body and not try any of the inversion poses
• Finally Yoga therapy when used in combination with dietary restrictions and life style modifications like reducing the consumption of alcohol and quitting smoking will have profound influence on your heart. 

Meditation Technique to Improve Breast Cancer Prognosis

As per estimates more than 50% of breast cancer patients are depressed and meditation helps relive emotional stress. As per a study conducted by University of Missouri School of Nursing, it was observed that meditation techniques can help improve not only physical but emotional wellbeing in women with carcinoma of the breast. Based on this report, the University School operates a 8-10 week, Mindfulness program which incorporates components of yoga, meditation and enhanced physical awareness.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis
is often very stressful

Meditation Research for Better Cancer Prognosis

As per the National Institute of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Survey, approximately 10% of US population (constituting of more than 20 million people) mediated in 2007 compared to 7.5% in 2002. The report also suggests that meditating regularly can be beneficial in improve a host of psychological and somatic disorders including anxiety, pain, depression, insomnia and other chronic ailments like hypertension and heart diseases.

Breast Carcinoma is a disease that can instill fear and negative emotions into the life of a women and her family. Various research studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between the emotional/psychological statuses and the patients physical status and a healthy mind can cope with a malignant condition better.

How to mediate to deal with Stress and Depression

Meditation is considered to be an integral part of complementary and alternative medicine which involves mind-body practice. It is associated with spiritual traditions including Buddhists and Hindu mythology. Meditating has three essential components which include a specific posture, focused attention and open attitude.

Any chronic disease, including breast cancer may result in fear in an individual and result in negative thoughts and emotions. These negative thoughts and emotions can result in signals which further hasten the progression of the disease. On the other hand, it is believed that meditating regularly can help block these negative emotions and thereby decelerates the progression of the disease and improves overall prognosis.

Studies have shown that meditation acts on the autonomic nervous system of the body which controls some of the essential functions like breathing, digestion and cardiac movements. Sympathetic nervous system usually responds in case of stress increase heart rates, breathing rates and causing vasodilatation while parasympathetic nervous system works in the exact opposite manner. Meditating helps tune the body to limit their response to stress and thereby doesn’t result in an overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and improves overall prognosis of any chronic condition.

 

Meditation often improves
Breast Cancer Prognosis

Technique to Meditate to deal with Breast Cancer

In Asian and European cultures meditating is a common practice to connect with the inner soul and often linked to religious spirituality. However, medicating technique provides profound benefits in management of chronic ailments like cancer as it enhances self confidence and provides mental strength to cope with the condition.

• Sit in a comfortable position. Watch your breath for a few minutes. Concentrate on your breathing and keep your mind calm and still.
• Then, think of the cancer that you are suffering from. See the ailment as a black spot in the chest region. Meditate on how the disease affects your life.
• Now, visualize a beautiful nectar waterfall. Imagine yourself under the flow of the nectar. Imagine the flow to be of heavenly nectar, which has the potential to cure.
• Picture your physical disorder, the psychological, and emotional turmoil being washed away and completely healed by the divine nectar. Visualize the nectar getting rid of the black spots that indicated poor health.
• Affirm to yourself, that your body is now free from all disease and sickness.
• Get up from the waterfall, feeling vibrant and energetic, and knowing that you can visit the waterfall, whenever you choose to.

Meditate to improve Cancer survival and Prognosis

Meditating not only install a sense of calmness which contribute significantly in improving longitivity but also improve the overall quality of life and improve cancer breast survival,

• It improves overall health condition by improving digestion, cardiovascular functions and respiratory functions
• The delays the process of aging naturally and improves the overall quality of life
• He helps overcome anxiety and fear by installing calmness and tranquility. This is turn is considered to improve the ability of an individual to cope with a stressor

Meditation plays a crucial role in improving breast cancer survival and enhances longevity and improves the overall quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach of anti cancer diet, meditation and yoga can improve the overall cancer survival and prognosis