ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioural disorder. It usually begins in childhood, although there have been recorded instances of it in adults as well. There are three main sub-types of ADHD. These include ADHD mainly inattentive, people with a short attention span; ADHD mainly hyperactive-impulsive, people who are restless; and ADHD combined, people who suffer from both conditions. Although there is no cure for ADHD, early diagnosis and appropriate help and support at home can make a huge difference. This is a chronic condition, but with care, some of the symptoms can be controlled over time. There are various natural remedies you can try for this purpose.
Your diet can be regulated to combat the condition. The most well-known diet for ADHD is the Feingold diet. The Feingold Diet proposed the elimination of artificial preservatives and additives to food to reduce impulsiveness and inattentiveness. If the Feingold diet proves to be unsuccessful, you could try eliminating those food types that tend to aggravate ADHD.
It is advisable to have a low-sugar, high-fibre and high-protein diet for those affected with ADHD. Sugars quickly enter the bloodstream and they can produce a rapid increase in blood glucose levels and thereby adrenalin levels. This can increase hyperactivity levels. High- fiber foods such as whole meals, fruits, and vegetables help manage adrenaline levels and keep them even. High-protein foods help improve memory and concentration levels. There has also been some evidence to suggest that fish oil can help improve ADHD symptoms. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, essential for brain functioning. In some cases, fish oil supplementation has been shown to improve the mental skills of an ADHD child. Another natural supplement, the Ginkgo leaf, has shown significant promise in easing its symptoms.
Chinese herbal medicine has recently been found to be useful against ADHD. Tiaoshen Liquor is a blend of Chinese herbs designed to help control hyperactivity and has proven to be successful initially. Yizhi syrup, another blend of herbs, has shown a significant elevation in brain chemicals leading to better mental activity and more attentiveness.
In order to keep the mind alert, mental exercises involving numerical and analytical reasoning can be carried out. This can help you focus for extended time periods and filter out distractions. Sometimes, ADHD also brings with it a motor planning and timing deficit. Thus, exercises to stimulate motor function and co-ordinate motor skills can be practised. It is extremely important to get enough sleep if you have ADHD.