What are the pharmaceutical Companies giving to your children?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity 

Disorder: Clinical Review

What is ADHD?

• Most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder in children, affecting 3–5% of all American children
• Child can be inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive-also restless and fidgety, talking too much and interrupting conversations, easily distracted
• In school, has trouble completing assignments, does not listen well, disorganized, disruptive in class
• Feels isolated from peers
• Behavoir can persist into adolescence and adulthood; these individuals may be antisocial, impulsive and have problems in school
• Symptoms must persist for at least 6 months to a significant degree that is maladaptive for the diagnosis to be made

Etiology

• Not completely known, but strongly suspected to be related to a neurochemical imbalance in the brain
• Dietary factors such as amino acid deficiency, vitamin deficiency, blood sugar swings from too much simple sugars, food allergy, exposure to dyes and other food additives are often associated with ADHD, and studies are suggestive (Kaplan et al, 1989), but not conclusive; data and studies are controversial and contradictory; Feingold diet is not now widely accepted as valid
• Hyperkinetic boys showed markedly different protein metaboism than normal boys—weight and height inversely proportional to hyperactivity
• Some children have lower essential fatty acid concentrations in blood (Stevens et al, 1995)
• Food allergies remain a popular assumption with practitioners, but data is inconclusive
• The central nervous system is almost entirely regulated by amino acids and peptides-protein deficiency is possible with junk food diet high in fats and sugar
• Studies show lower that normal levels of dopamine in animal models
• Effective medications influence levels of several brain neurotransmitters
• Low metabolic levels in regions of the brain controlling attention, social judgement, using PET imaging
• Risk factors include low birth weight, hypoxia at birth, exposure to alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine

Modern Medical Treatment

• A high success rate with comprehensive program of drugs, counseling, increased attention from parents, dietary intervention (up to 67%); most practitioners, researchers agree that treatment should not focus on drugs alone, yet counseling time is often limited
• Pharmaceutical drug therapy includes methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and pemoline (Cylert), along with antidepressants like imipramine (tricyclic); inhibits reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, has sedative action
• Drugs can improve attention, reduce restlessness, impulsiveness, improve performance in school, decrease aggression
• Behavioral therapy includes work with psychologist and in groups; behavior modification is one method (rewards and incentives for changing behavior)
• Parent education is important

Outcome/Prognosis

• Children seldom completely outgrow the behavior, but they can either adapt or even turn the emotional and mental predisposition to their advantage-adults are often passionate, emotional, intense, highly energetic

Ritalin is the most commonly-prescribed medication. Its affects on children with attention and other behavioral problems were first mentioned in 1937, first published study was in 1948 by Meier. Many psychiatrists agree with more multifaceted approach in theory, but most tend to only prescribe Ritalin.

Adverse Effects (Short and Long Term) of Ritalin and Methedrine

ORGANIC SYSTEM AFFECTED

• Cardiovascular
  • Palpitation
  • Tachycardia
  • Increased blood pressure
• Central nervous system
  • Excessive CNS stimulation
  • Psychosis
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Nervousness
  • Irritability
  • Attacks of Gilles de la Tourette or other tic syndromes
• Gastrointestinal
  • Anorexia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Dry mouth
• Endocrine/metabolic
  • Weight loss
  • Growth suppression
• Other
  • Leukopenia
  • Hypersensitivity reaction
  • Anemia
  • Blurred vision

Summary of Studies on Ritalin

STUDY TYPEPATIENT NO./AGEOUTCOMEREFERENCE Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled234 children, 5–15 years oldinsomnia, decreased appetite, stomachache, headache, dizziness increased during therapy even at low doses (0.3 mg/kg); consistent with other studies; irritability and sadness reported in up to 22% of children receiving stimulant medsAhmann et al, 1993Open trial—Up to 9% of children studied developed tics which worsened on stimulant medicationStevenson & Wolraich, 1989; Lipkin et al, 1994Open trial—Growth retardation; can be more severe with longer treatment; drug “holidays” in summer and on weekends may compensateSafer et al, 197215 separate controlled studies—significant elevation of resting heart rate was found in previously unmedicated children; reduced with continued txSafer, 1992Open trial—May reduce cerebral blood flow; shown when delivered i.v.Wang et al, 1994Literature review—No evidence to suggest stimulant medication increases likelihood of drug or alcohol use in adolescentsHechtman, 1985New studies—Ritalin may be a risk factor for substance abuse; 17–45% of ADHD adults had alcohol abuse problems; increases cocaine use in rats; needs further studyStevenson & Wolraich, 1989; Lipkin et al, 1994

Risks of Abuse of Stimulant Medications with Aging Treatment Population

• Internationally, Ritalin is considered to have a high potential for abuse
• Sharp increase of availability for children and their parents; production has increased from 1,361 kg in 1985 to 10,410 kg in 1995, most in last 5 years; 85–90% of prescriptions written for children and adolescents
• The United States now consumes more than 80 percent of the total world supply of methylphenidate or five times more that the rest of the world combined; United Nations Narcotics Control Division has written letters to U.S. officials expressing concern about increased use of Ritalin
• More patients are staying on the medications longer-even into adulthood
• More accessibility for older adults

“In addition, ADHD adults have a high incidence of substance abuse disorders. With three to five percent or more of today’s youth being administered methylphenidate on a chronic basis, these issues are of great concern.”

“Methylphenidate is available (as Ritalin and in the generic form) in 5, 10 and 20 mg tablets for oral consumption. Ritalin SR and a generic version are available as sustained release tablets of 20 mg for oral use.”

Contraindications

• Glaucoma
• Motor tics
• Family history or diagnosis of Tourette’s Syndrome
• Under six years of age
• Cardiovascular problems
• Emotional instability?

Natural Medicine Protocols: TCM and Phytotherapy

Most Important Risk factors

• Diet
• Parent-child interaction (success of other relationships start here)
• Electromagnetic radiation

Treatment Can Focus On:

• Diet
• Parent Counseling (to encourage more attention to children, more touching, positive feedback); up to 50–70% may be psychogenic in origin
• Herbal treatment

Diet

FOODS TO CHECK, ELIMINATE FROM THE DIET ON A TRIAL BASIS:

(Parents can adopt diet for best effect)

• Dairy, especially factory-farmed cow dairy products (growth hormones, steroids, antibiotics)
• Wheat
• Processed foods (dyes, preservatives, other additives)
• Refined sugar products (including fruit juice, rice milks, honey, dried fruits); fresh fruit in season ideal sweet
• Red meat, except organic or wild meat 1–2 times a week in small amounts
• Experimental Diet: In one study, artificial flavors, colors, chocolate, monosodium glutamate, preservatives, caffeine, specific problem foods for individual child, simple sugars, dairy was all eliminated; more than half of the subjects exhibited a marked improvement in behavoir; bad breath, night awakenings and trouble falling asleep was also helped (Kaplan et al, 1989)
• Double blind cross-over study showed relationship of food color intake in 220 children to extreme irritability, restlessness and sleep disturbance (Rowe, 1988) [children were given Feingold diet-food additive-free]
• A review of several well-designed studies refute a causal relationship between food additives and ADHD [Feingold diet] (Wender, 1986)
• Sugar intake was related to hyperactivity in one study-researchers said it was likely idiosyncratic, based on genetic presdisposition (Kaplan et al, 1989)

FOODS TO CONSIDER ADDING

• More fresh fruits, vegetables
• More soy products (unless allergic)
• Almond milk (high in L-tryptophan)
• More fish, turkey* (high in L-tryptophan)
• Amino acid supplements, especially L-tryptophan, GABA, taurine, glycine
  *Glycine (wheat germ, turkey, wild game)
  *Taurine (MSG can reduce levels; fish) [
  *GABA (lysine may potentiate, in wheat germ, oats, egg; B6 is necessary for production of; manganese, taurine and lysine increases synthesis of) [therapeutic dose: up to 200 mg, t.i.d. to q.i.d.]
  *Tryptophan is often deficient in vegetable foods, except almonds, wheat germ, soy (corn and rice are especially so) [therapeutic dose: 200-1000 mg]
• B-vitamin supplements, especially vitamin pyridoxine (B6, most important vitamin for amino acid metabolism), riboflavin, niacin (can spare tryptophan);
• Note: blood plasma test is most accurate for amino acid status**

NUTRIENTAFFECTFOODREFERENCESPhosphatidyl cholinesupports nerve functionsoy, lecithin supplements—GLA, linolenic, linoleic acidsinsures proper essential fatty acid statusborage seed oil, evening primrose oil, flax seeds1 study showed significantly lower essential fatty acid levels in 54 children with ADHD (Stevens et al, 1995) Pycnogenol, catechins, leucoanthocyanidinsantioxidantgrape seeds, extract—Calcium, magnesium supplements“sedates heart fire” promotes nerve functionoyster shell flour; supplements—

Herbal Strategies

Treating the Branch (Phytotherapy)

SUMMARY

• Calmatives (relax CNS, promote sleep, reduce hyperactivity)
• Antispasmodics (reduce tics, intestinal spasms, promote digestion, relax muscles)
• Aperient/Bitters (reduce food allergies; more complete digestion, eliminate mucus)
• Regulate hormones (thyroid, adrenals, sexual hormones)

Action TypeHerbPrep- arationDoseEnergyContraNotes CalmativesEschscholtzia rx1:3 tincture2–4 ml q.i.d.cool, bitteryin xu wi/o yin tonicsweak benzodiazepine activity but non-addictive; commonly prescribed in Europe; generally safePassiflora hb1:4 tincture3–5 ml q.i.d.coolnone knownmild calmative for worriers, paranoiaHumulus flinfusion; 1:5 tincture2–4 ml q.i.d.warmdiuretic; not just before bed; dryingphytoestrogenicValeriana rz1:3 fresh tincture2–4 ml t.i.d.spicy warmyin xu; drying, can stimulate children who are very yin and blood deficientsedates, central nervous systemLactuccadried juice1–2 grams b.i.d.cool, bitterstomach firejuice whole fresh plant, dry in food dehydrator; official in U.S.P as “lactucarium”Scutellaria hb1:4 tincture2–4 ml t.i.d.cool, bitternone knownespecially calming to tics, twitches, “restless leg syndrome,” or “happy legs”Nepeta hbinfusion_ to 1 cup b.i.d. or before bedspicy-cooldislike of catsmild sleep-inducing herbTilia hbinfusion_ to 1 cup b.i.d.coolnone knowntastes good, mildly relaxingAnti- spasmodicsPiper meth. rx1:2 tincture, commercial extract1–3 ml t.i.d.; 100-300 mg of powdered extractwarmalcohol potentiates; bradychardiaonly significant western herbal skeletal muscle relaxant; can interfere with muscle coordination; mildly euphoricChamomilla1:4 tincture; infusion1–3 ml t.i.d.; _ to 1 cup t.i.d.coolnone knownmildly calming, good before bed, relaxes intestinal spasms (colic)Dioscorea vil.1:2 tincture2–4 ml t.i.d.neutralnone knownrelaxes bowelsEschscholtzia1:3 tincture2–4 ml t.i.d.cool, dryyin xu-use yin tonicsCool liver fireGentiana1:3 tincture1–2 ml t.i.d.coolstomach fireTaraxacum1:3 tincture3–5 ml t.i.d.coolnone knownRegulate brain metabolismGinkgo1:4 tincture, standard extr.2–5 ml t.i.d.
40 mg t.i.d.coolcaution with 24% SEalso reduces action of PAFSupport adrenalsadaptogens: eleuthero, Panax q., Ligustrum l.1:3 tincturevariouscool; variousPanax q.-not with yang xuRegulate hormones: Calm thyroidLycopus (calm thyroid)
bladderwrack1:5 tincture2–4 ml t.i.d.cool
blwrk neutralnot with hypothyroidismbladderwrack regulates hormonesVitex (regulate sex hormones)1:4 tincture, capsules PH1–2 ml b.i.d.warmnot with birth control pillsStrengthen digestion, eliminate phlegmArtemisia abs.1:5 tincture1-2 ml t.i.d.Coolstomach fireCentaurium1:4 tincture2–3 ml t.i.d.coolstomach fireSupport liverSilybumstandard extr.120 mg b.i.d.coolnone knownprotects liver with pharmaceutical drugs

Action TypeHerbPrep- arationDoseEnergyContraNotes

TCM

• Spleen tonics (Panax g.-sometimes paradoxical effect, calms hyperactive kids), jujube, Glycyrrhiza, etc.)
• Remove food stagnation (Crataegus, sprouted barley, rice, wild radish seed)
• KI yin tonics (Ligustrum, rehmannia, Panax q.)
• Liver yang rising: liver yin tonics (Ligustrum l., anemarrhena), also calm liver yang
• Drain liver fire: xia ku cao (Prunella); huand qin (Scute); Long dan cao (Gentian); Mi Meng hua (Buddleia flowers); Zhi zi (gardenia fr.)

Calming formulas in TCM

• Nourish Yin, clear heart heat (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan)
  [Sedative Cinnabar bolus (flaring up of pathogenic fire of the heart due to insufficiency of vital essence of the heart-calms nerves, clears pathogenic heat, nourishes blood]
  Decoction of Glycyrrhizae, wheat and jujube (for yin xu with visceral disturbance, Nourishing the heart and claming nerves-fidgeting, anxiety)
• Calm Liver Wind; Nourish Liver, Calm Spirit
  Tian Ma Mi Huan Su (Gastrodia and Honey mushroom extract) [mention Armilariella extract]
  Decoction of Ziziphi Spinosae (calms restlessness and insomnia due to insufficient liver blood, giving rise to endogenous pathogenic heat)

Where can I find more information?

These articles, available from a medical library, may provide more in-depth information on ADD:

• “Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Recent Literature.” Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 40:7; 699–707 (July 1989).
• “Attention Deficit Disorder: Current Perspectives.” Pediatric Neurology, 3:3; 129–135 (1987).
• “Attention-Deficit Disorder in Adults.” Clinical Therapeutics, 14:2; 138–147 (1992).
• “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—Residual Type.” Journal of Child Neurology, 6; S44–S50 (1991).
• “Diagnosis and Management of Attention Deficit Disorder: A Pediatric Perspective.” Pediatric Clinics of North America, 31:2; 429–457 (April 1984).

Information may also be available from the following organizations:

• Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD)
  499 NW 70th Avenue
  Suite 109
  Plantation, FL 33317
  (305) 587-3700
• Challenge, Inc.
  P.O. Box 488
  West Newbury, MA 01985
  (508) 462 -0495
• National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc.
  281 Park Avenue South
  Suite 1420
  New York, NY 10016
  (212) 545-7510
• Learning Disabilites Association of America
  4156 Library Road
  Pittsburgh, PA 15234
  (412) 341-1515
  (412) 341-8077
• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
  Building 31, Room 2A32
  Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
  (301) 496-5133
• National Institute of Mental Health
  Parklawn Bldg, Room 7C02
  5600 Fishers Lane
  Rockville, MD 20857-8030
  (301) 443-4515

Further Reading

• “Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Recent Literature.” Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 40:7; 699-707 (July 1989).
• “Attention Deficit Disorder: Current Perspectives.” Pediatric Neurology, 3:3; 129–135 (1987).
• “Attention-Deficit Disorder in Adults.” Clinical Therapeutics, 14:2; 138–147 (1992).
• “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder–Residual Type.” Journal of Child Neurology, 6; S44–S50 (1991).
• “Diagnosis and Management of Attention Deficit Disorder: A Pediatric Perspective.” Pediatric Clinics of North America, 31:2; 429–457 (April 1984).

Information drawn from:

• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Helpline Fact Sheet: Attention Deficit Disorder
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH: Attention Deficit Disorder

References

• Burgess JR. Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995 Oct, 62(4):761–8. [Food additives and hyperactive behavior in children (letter)].
• Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, 1991 Apr 20, 135(16):725–6.
• Kaplan B.J. et al. 1989a. Dietary replacement in preschool-aged hyperactive boys. Pediatrics 83(1):7–17.
• Kaplan, B.J. et al. 1989b. Overall nutrient intake of preschool hyperactive and normal boys. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 17(2):127–32.
• Rowe KS. 1989. Synthetic food colourings and ‘hyperactivity’: a double-blind crossover study. Australian Paediatric Journal, 1988 Apr, 24(2):143–7.
• Wender EH. 1986. The food additive-free diet in the treatment of behavior disorders: a review. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 1986 Feb, 7(1):35–42.
• Stein TP; Sammaritano AM. Nitrogen metabolism in normal and hyperkinetic boys. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1984 Apr, 39(4):520–4.