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Category: Naturopathic Medicine
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It's Naturopathic Medicine Week! (In Canada)
©
2011-05-09
How a Naturopathic Doctor can Help Children with ADHD
©
2010-03-16
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not a new disease. The symptoms of ADHD were first documented in 1902. (1) However in the last 20 years the frequency that this disease has appeared in children has steadily climbed. The CDC reports that since 1997 the rate of ADHD diagnosis in children has increased 3% a year. (2)
The medical community typically treats children with ADHD with prescription pyschostimulants such as Ritalin. In the 1990's alone this had lead to a 700% increase in use of pyschostimulants in children. Doctors and parents naturally have grown concerned over the possibility of over medication. (3)
Naturopathic Doctors work with a variety of tools to seek alternative ways of helping children with this disease. A Naturopathic doctor practices medicine with the belief that the human body has a deep-rooted healing ability. A licensed Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) is trained as a primary care general practitioner and an expert in natural medicine. An ND will blend effective non-toxic therapies, patient education, and diet & lifestyle suggestions to enhance the body's vitality and healing capabilities.
A Naturopathic doctor will perform an in depth interview with both the child and the parent to determine all the factors contributing to this condition. There are two major themes that NDs use to control ADHD: 1) Diet and, 2) Environmental Influences.
Diet: There can be a variety of dietary factors that can lead to a child to experience symptoms. Too much of certain foods or too little can affect the delicate system of a child. There is no "one-size fits all" solution to diet modification. A qualified Naturopathic Doctor will review the food intake of a child and be able to develop a plan with the parents of what to add and what to limit or eliminate.
Environment: The environment around a child can have as big an affect as the food inside. A wide variety of external influence can affect a child. Physical stimulants such as: soaps, carpets, mold, dust, etc. Or neurological stimulants as well: noise, visuals, etc. Again, a Naturopathic Doctor will take the time go over all of these possible influences with the parent and suggest solutions.
Naturopathic Doctors can fill a void left by some medical practitioners and explore the very real influences food and environment can have on a child's health. For more information about Naturopathic Doctors in general please see The American Association of Naturopathic Doctors at: http://www.naturopathic.org/
Footnotes:
1. Understanding ADHD
2. CDC Data
3. The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice
Naturopathic Doctors work with a variety of tools to seek alternative ways of helping children with this disease. A Naturopathic doctor practices medicine with the belief that the human body has a deep-rooted healing ability. A licensed Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) is trained as a primary care general practitioner and an expert in natural medicine. An ND will blend effective non-toxic therapies, patient education, and diet & lifestyle suggestions to enhance the body's vitality and healing capabilities.
A Naturopathic doctor will perform an in depth interview with both the child and the parent to determine all the factors contributing to this condition. There are two major themes that NDs use to control ADHD: 1) Diet and, 2) Environmental Influences.
Diet: There can be a variety of dietary factors that can lead to a child to experience symptoms. Too much of certain foods or too little can affect the delicate system of a child. There is no "one-size fits all" solution to diet modification. A qualified Naturopathic Doctor will review the food intake of a child and be able to develop a plan with the parents of what to add and what to limit or eliminate.
Environment: The environment around a child can have as big an affect as the food inside. A wide variety of external influence can affect a child. Physical stimulants such as: soaps, carpets, mold, dust, etc. Or neurological stimulants as well: noise, visuals, etc. Again, a Naturopathic Doctor will take the time go over all of these possible influences with the parent and suggest solutions.
Naturopathic Doctors can fill a void left by some medical practitioners and explore the very real influences food and environment can have on a child's health. For more information about Naturopathic Doctors in general please see The American Association of Naturopathic Doctors at: http://www.naturopathic.org/
Footnotes:
1. Understanding ADHD
2. CDC Data
3. The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice
For more information feel free to contact Courtney or Albert at Healing Village Collective