March 2014 Newsletter - ADHD, Healthy Recipes & Anti Aging Products

What You Should Know About ADHD

ADHD is the abbreviation for a challenging condition often discussed with children as it relates to behavior or concentration struggles. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder seemingly becomes noticeable for younger children as they struggle to pay attention and control various impulses as they mature. Experts estimate that this challenge affects around 4% of children – or nearly 2 million youngsters in the United States. Broken down further into a classroom size of 30 students, this could mean that there could be an average of one or two such students in every classroom.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is believed to have first been noted by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman around 1845. It’s believed his 3-year struggled with the condition. Later, in 1902, Sir George F. Still published a lecture series discussing cases where children were struggling with impulsive tendencies and behavior problems. Today, numerous guidance counselors and education experts continue to evaluate how to properly address ADHD in an effort to help these youngsters cope with their challenges.

Generally speaking, most medical professionals agree that the three key characteristics of ADHD are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Of course, all children (and some adults, too!) have these issues. But while many people have these challenges on a low level, ADHD sufferers have these issues with an intensity consistently disruptive and seemingly at a rank where the behavior can’t be controlled despite valiant efforts to do so.

Hyperactive people may have the urge to be perpetually “on the move” and demonstrate the urge to race around, touching things in a room that capture their attention. Talking continually or squirming even through a short meal while sitting at table are other common clues one might have this condition. Adults and teems with ADHD sometimes describe feeling constantly restless and may complain of an intense desire to do numerous things at once.

Homework and emotional restraint can be especially difficult for anyone with ADHD. Irrelevant sounds or visual distractions can cause children to skip from one unfinished activity or project to another one, and then back again. Over and over, again.

Diagnosis of ADHD can be difficult because, of course, not everyone who is impulsive, inattentive or hyperactive has this challenge. But as children age, certain levels of concentration naturally evolve – and a lack of concentration ability can make daily stability an enormous challenge for everyone in a family or classroom.

If you feel you or someone you love may have ADHD, there are a few points to note. An ADHD diagnosis should be made by a medical profession or clinical social worker with specific training in this area of study and/or in the study of mental disorders. Often the evaluator will discuss any sudden changes -- such as a death or divorce -- in a patient’s life. Is an undiagnosed learning disability causing the behavior challenge? Could there be an ear infection causing a hearing issue? Or a vision problem that’s developed? Answers like these are paired with other evaluation factors to help the diagnosing specialist hopefully create a profile of behavior and apply clarity to behavior challenges.

There are many theories as to what causes ADHD. Some scientists believe that ADHD is genetically-based. Indeed, certain research may indicate that up to 25% of ADHD-diagnosed patients have a close relative also dealing with the issue. Others experts feel that brain injuries, food additives, preservatives and/or pre-natal alcohol usage may be key factors.

While researchers continue their quest to find exact answers, the more pressing question for many parents and family members is how they help their loved one be productive and how they can learn to successfully manage their ADHD within their home and school lifestyle.

A health care provider familiar with a patient’s certain circumstances may recommend certain medications to aid with ADHD symptoms. A particular medicine chosen will often be selected specifically to best suit age and other individual patient needs. Behavior therapy efforts, social skills training and parental skills activities may also be recommended as part of any plan to varying degrees.

In addition to medications and therapies, many experts also will strongly encourage parents to help ADHD children to do the following:

1. Create and post a detailed daily schedule everyone in a household can refer to easily at any given time. Anticipating what is coming next in the plan for the next several hours may help some children transition to new activities more easily.
2. Have ordinary items placed in specific places. If school papers, backpacks and jackets are in a designated spot – it may be easier for individuals to remember to place these items in their appropriate areas, be organized and curb frustrations when items can’t be found easily.
3. Encourage students to carry a notebook organizer so notes can be promptly written down. Homework assignments, phone numbers and other details recorded can to be addressed later with adult assistance easily if there is a list to review.
4. Agree on a meal plan for the week so everyone is aware on upcoming culinary choices and associated preparation time efforts that may be required. Consider having two cookie or vegetable choices if that topic is a periodic issue

Each of these aforementioned approaches can be a tool to help a child or teen with ADHD achieve key goals in school and successfully create a life situation where they can be thrive.

Healthy Recipe for March

Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

Split peas are packed with all sorts of wonderful. This soup offers up a healthy serving of protein, potassium, and iron.

Ingredients:
1 Tb of canola or olive oil
1 small onion chopped
1 carrot chopped
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup rinsed split peas
4 cups vegetable broth or water
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tsp mint (optional - for garnish)

In a large soup pot saute onion over medium heat until translucent. Add carrots, celery and garlic. Stir in split peas, broth, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer until done, stir frequently to be sure peas don't stick to bottom. Puree with a blender (hand blender in pot works best). Return to pot (if mixed with blender), heat through.

To garnish with dry mint, warm 1 tbs butter with 1 tsp mint in pan (don't burn), then when butter has melted, drizzle mint and butter on top of soup once ladled in the bowl just before serving.

Staff Pick for March

Problem: Dry Cracked Feet

Did you know Unkers Salve is great on dry cracked feet too? Apply some to your feet in the morning and put your socks on. Not only will it help heal cracks, it puts a real zip in your step.

Anti Aging Products

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