But if you want to determine, what medicines or their combinations will be good for you, it is better to go to clinic. Doctors will choose it not only to your age, but also to your stage of hair loss. Quite probably, bad work of inner organs causes your problems. And it is somewhat ironic that your jealousy or envy can be the reason of alopecia.

I am certain that problem of bald spot is farfetched. If somebody is unsure of himself, if various fears rule his behavior over, if he is terrified of the opposite sex, he will find one million reasons, which prevent him from being happy, or successful in business. It is much easier to accuse of your failures some physical defect, than to find and solve some internal problem.

And on the other hand, I ask myself, why the bald head is considered a physical defect? You say that this is because not everyone is bald-headed? You might just as well say that any discrepancy with characteristics of an average person (which are the phantom, by the way), as small stature or freckles are defects. However, frequently even a very beautiful man or woman considers himself or herself ugly, not understanding, that his or her successes or failures in life are formed by self-concept, not a rig. So the question is not in fact how somebody looks, but in fact, how they feel.

I know some reasons for being proud of a bald head:
1. Nobody can age you.
2. You have real economies on shampoos, which will positively affect the family budget.
3. Sleek bald head inspire respect.
4. Of two the same way clever people, bald man has more sense.
5. It is not necessary to waste time on talkative barbers.
6. Nobody envies you.
7. Nobody will accuse you of leaving a hair in their bowlful of soup.
8. You will not become infested with any parasites.

Now I will give you six exercises against alopecia.

These exercises are not panacea, but they will help you to avoid alopecia, stimulating blood supply to hair roots. If you do them at least two-three times a week after a few months you will feel marked improvement.

Exercise 1: slowly bend your head down, squatting with straight back and taking a deep breath. Massage your neck and back of the head with fingers during 25 seconds.

Exercise 2: massage back of the head with thumbs by circular movements during 25 seconds.

Exercise 3: massage a forehead with fingers in that place, where hair begins growing.

Exercise 4: massage frons with fingers over eyebrows.

Exercise 5: seize strands of hair and pull it forward, back and upwards slightly, but resolutely. Continue until you feel some burning pain near the roots of hair.

Exercise 6: slightly drum your fingers on surface of a head during 25 seconds.

Your hair requires care, as well as any other “part” of your organism. Please check out this review of provillus (hair loss treatment product).

And do not rush to hair regrowth treatment. Please never forget that today the online technologies give you a truly unique chance to choose what you require at the best terms which are available on the market. Funny, but most of the people don’t use this opportunity. In real life it means that you must use all the tools of today to get the info about any product.

Search Google and other engines for “purchase provillus“. Visit social networks and have a look on the accounts that are relevant to your topic. Go to the niche forums and participate in the discussion. All this will help you to build up a true vision of this market. Thus, giving you a real opportunity to make a smart and nicely balanced decision.

And also sign up to the RSS on this blog, because we will do the best to keep updating this blog with new publications about hair loss treatments.

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, hair regrow, hairloss, hairloss treatment, Provillus

The second technique is rubbing some ointment into a skin of a head, hoping, that this will save remains and multiply the number of new hairs. But grandmother’s recipes are not panacea, and it is difficult to imagine, that a person being in their right brain will do a mask from bur oil and tea leaves (or something like this) three times a day.

Pharmacological medicines are usually a ground for crying abuse of marketing from pharmaceutical campaigns. The problem of alopecia is a tasty morsel: you know there are heaps of medicines, thanks to which it is possible not only to get rid of alopecia, but also to grow pigtails to the waist. However, what result do you have indeed?

Especially, if on a box it is beautifully written that this medicine is prepared making up the Maya’s order, do not trust, producers try double-crossing you.

Do not try to find a treatment yourself: consult a doctor. He will estimate a condition of hair, type of skin and some other factors and will prescribe you medicine.

The third way is the most radical, but effective, this is hair transplantation.

It is possible to implant the so-called «synthetic hair», but this method is not used in the majority of decent clinics during a long time. The reason of such decision is simple: there are too many aftereffects of implanting a foreign body in a head skin: nearly one third of all synthetic hairs “comes out” during the first year. Synthetic transplantation is proved to be the best choice, when a person has no their own hair, which can be good for transplantation.

Transplantation of your own hair is called autotransplantation and is considered one of the most effective and progressive methods to get rid of alopecia. Japanese Okuda described this method in 1939. Medics returned to these researches only in the fifties. Now, this method is so perfected, that hair can replaced one by one. And it grows at a new place as well as at the old.

There are a lot of methods of autotransplantation, but the whole point is that doctor replaces hair from donor area (as a rule from back of the head) to a problem zone. By the way, there is a special name of these transplants, this is graft. Graft is prepared for transplantation part of a skin with hair follicles. During one operation, as a rule, doctor replaces from 200 to 2000 grafts.

The most difficult stage of operation is not the transplantation itself, but preparation of the material for it. So, be sure that your doctor knows what he does.

Your hair need care, as well as any other “part” of your organism. Please read this review of provillus (hair loss treatment product).

And do not rush to buy provillus. Please keep in mind that today the online technologies give you a really unique chance to choose exactly what you require at the best terms which are available on the market. Strange, but most of the people don’t use this chance. In real practice it means that you must use all the tools of today to get the information about any product.

Search Google or other engines for “hair regrowth treatment“. Visit social networks and have a look on the accounts that are relevant to your topic. Go to the niche forums and participate in the discussion. All this will help you to create a true vision of this market. Thus, giving you a real opportunity to make a wise and nicely balanced decision.

And also sign up to the RSS on this blog, because we will everything possible to keep this blog tuned up to the day with new publications about hair loss treatments.

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, hair regrow, hairloss, hairloss treatment, Provillus

Thinning of elderly patient’s hair is natural, because this is one of the symptoms of decay.
Premature alopecia occurs at any age; it can often be a symptom of some disease.

There are a few types of alopecia.

1. Congenital alopecia. It means total absence of hair or its thinning. Sometimes this pathology has familial character.
2. Premature alopecia develops on a scalp of young and middle-aged men. Women usually do not have such a problem, or have it on a smaller scale, because ovarian hormones have a great influence on growth of hair. Loss of hair begins gradually, usually from frontal and parietal areas, and then is passed on other. As a result, man has hair only on the edges of scalp. The reasons of this disease are not studied enough. Treatment boils down to delaying of a hair loss process.
3. Seborrheic alopecia is characterized by diffuse thinning of hair. If you have this form of alopecia, it is very important to treat seborrhea opportunely, than it is possible to suspend or stop hair loss.
4. Symptomatic alopecia develops as a result of having an acute infectious illness, childbirth, operations, or if you have endocrine disturbance, anaemia, cachexia, tuberculosis, syphilis, radiation disease, etc.
Generally, if you have this type of alopecia scalp will be completely restored in a little while.
5. Cicatrix alopecia develops on scared skin after burns, traumas and abscesses.
6. Circumscribed alopecia is characterized by total hair loss on limited areas of a skin.

Disease may arise after psychological trauma, as a result of nervous wreck, insomnia, hormonal disfunctions, noxious agents, chronic infectious niduses (highmoritis, caries, tonsillitis), avitaminosis.

Treatment of alopecia, firstly, comes to elimination of reasons and to treatment of diseases, which caused hair loss. Secondly, it is necessary to organize normal working and rest conditions. Thirdly, exclude from a diet all spicy and fatty food and add more vitamins, especially of groups A, B and E. Do not wear too warm and tight hats and do not walk uncovered on cold mornings, because hair, chilled with the weather, becomes fragile and dull.

Among medical prescriptions it is possible to mark out ultraviolet irradiation of scalp, vitamin therapy and also different sedative medicines.

Your hair need care, as much as any other “part” of your body. Please check out this review of provillus (hair regrowth treatment product).

And do not rush to hair regrowth treatment. Please never forget that today the Internet technologies give you a really unique chance to choose what you require for the best price on the market. Funny, but most of the people don’t use this opportunity. In real practice it means that you should use all the tools of today to get the info about any product.

Search Google or other search engines for “buy provillus“. Visit social networks and check the accounts that are relevant to your topic. Go to the niche forums and participate in the online discussion. All this will help you to create a true vision of this market. Thus, giving you a real chance to make a smart and nicely balanced decision.

And also sign up to the RSS on this blog, because we will do the best to keep updating this blog with new publications about hair loss treatments.

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, hair regrow, hairloss, hairloss treatment, Provillus

There are many folk remedies which are used against alopecia. There are various decoctions, ointments and creams. All of them are popular among such people who trust folk medicine. They can also be used as preventive measures against this disease. If you feel that hair on a head become thinner, do not wait and begin to do something.

We hold a brief for official medicine, and that’s why we do not recommend using these remedies for treatment of alopecia, it can be an additional hair care measures.

We advise to rub in hair roots onion juice with cognac and broth of burdock’s roots. The second advice is a rubbing in hair roots large cooking salt for the night. Hair gains beautiful glitter, stops coming out, returns to life and starts to grow.

Root of a common burdock as potion or ointments is used for lotions, compresses or rubbing into a skin of a head as a good remedy for hair growth and for hair loss preventions.

You will need 2-3 tablespoonfuls of granular roots, let it draw during 2-3 hours or even whole night in 0,5 of boiled water, use a warm liquid.

Drugs of birch leaves have antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and wound healing capabilities. Decoction of leaves, if you wash your head with it, will intensify growth of hair.

The nettle, like a birch, also has many useful properties. Tincture from leaves of a nettle is used for protecting and intensifying growth of hair. Pay attention: do not confuse a dioecious nettle with a small nettle which is also often met and is also used in medicine.

A small nettle is more stunted monoecious plant, characterized by great pungency, its leaves are coarse-serrate.

If alopecia begins in the young age, the best method of treatment is general health-improving therapy. Doctor prescribes vitamin A, polyvitamins, massage, adequate ration, hair growth stimulants. If there is an extreme alopecia doctor will prescribe you some medicine or transplantation of hair, if there are aeries on which hair grows thickly enough. There are no universal recipes according to which everyone can do away with alopecia, doctor trichologist establishes the reason which led to baldness and prescribes a course of medical treatment.

Your hair need care, as much as any other “part” of your body. Please check out this review of provillus (hair regrowth treatment product).

And do not dash to buy provillus. Please never forget that today the web technologies give you a truly unique chance to choose what you need for the best price on the market. Strange, but most of the people don’t use this opportunity. In real practice it means that you must use all the tools of today to get the information about any product.

Search Google and other engines for “hair regrowth treatment“. Visit social networks and check the accounts that are relevant to your topic. Go to the niche forums and participate in the discussion. All this will help you to build up a true vision of this market. Thus, giving you a real chance to make a smart and nicely balanced decision.

And also sign up to the RSS on this blog, because we will do the best to keep this blog tuned up to the day with new publications about hair loss treatments.

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, hair regrow, hairloss, hairloss treatment, Provillus

Natural hair loss treatments

There are a few natural things you can do to help keep your hair from falling out. You can sleep every night with Olive oil spread out over your head. I would recommend wearing a plastic head covering if you do this. It also does not do a lot for your spousal relationship if you know what I mean?

You should also get yourself on a good balanced diet. Proper nutrition is essential for good healthy hair. Drinking plenty of water every day is vitally important in keeping your self hydrated and healthy. Make sure you cut back or even eliminate your caffeine intake as this will hamper your hair growth as will smoking.

It will also not hurt you at all to give yourself a good scalp massage three to four times a week to keep your blood actively flowing through your scalp.

Surgical Procedures for thinning hair treatments.

Yes this is a valid thing to do if your hair is falling out although I do not consider it the best hair loss product. Anytime you have to do surgery it is a major step. You know what they say, “It is always a minor surgery until it is on you then it becomes major surgery.” A more recent model of hair transplant surgery takes the hair form an active growing spot and transplants it to the areas that are losing the hair. This type of treatment can be a permanent solution to hair loss but it is very costly in terms of money and pain associated with it.

The many commercial hair loss products

There are so many different commercial products available for hair loss problems that I could not possibly list them all on this article. The major question with them is which one is the best hair loss product? Suffice it to say that you need to do your research on which ones to use. Make sure that you check out the side effects and that the main ingredients are FDA approved. There are some that work but the side effects are way out of line. There are others that work and the side effects are very negligible and worth a look see.

You can find the one that I think is the best product to stop thinning hair on my website http://nomore-hair-loss.com There is also a great free e-book available there that will give you 3 key secrets to stop hair loss.

Check out helpful info about the topic of lose weight fast – go through this publication. The times have come when concise info is truly at your fingertips, use this possibility.

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Concussions Cause Short Term Memory Loss

Concussions are only closed head injuries. You do not label all inter cranial bleeding as concussions. They are cerebral injuries. All kinds of concussions and memory loss are from injuries to the head but the opposite is not true.
TYPES OF CONCUSSIONS: it can range from mild concussions entailing no loss of consciousness to severe concussions that lead to prolonged blackouts.
CAUSES: A direct hit to the skull by a foreign object can cause trauma to the brain leading to a concussion. Concussions occur when direct impact is pushing the brain into trauma and can be caused by car wrecks, and other headlong attacks from foreign objects.
SYMPTOMS: Nausea, vomiting, and even unconsciousness are all symptoms of a concussion. Blurring of vision may also occur. Because of this disarray and confusion follow. Short term memory loss occurs when the incident occurs there will be a time frame that the individual who is traumatized will not be able to recall. Additionally, the victim may experience persevering where he/she continually asks the same question even if it has already been answered.
Medical help, is it always necessary? Some doctors say not always. When such an even occurs a trained medical professional should be consulted though. The doctor makes the diagnosis afterwards and will recommend immediate hospitalization, bed rest, or simply homecare.
SITUATIONS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THE ICU: Situations, when ever after impact with something hard like the bathtub or tile or the floor, the patient remains conscious with no loss in vision clarity and suffers only from mild bouts of dizziness and nausea. Even if they suffer from a short round of memory loss, there is no reason to panic. The worst they will suffer is a mild headache for a few days.
SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE AMBULANCE: memory loss from concussions can be irreversible if they are not take care of quickly. Special cases where an ambulance is needed are when the victim remains unconscious for over 2 minutes. The victim falls from a great height. The victim has severe physical weakness and bouts of vomiting.

By: Arthur Arturien

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Learn all the causes and symptoms of memory loss here.Find out What Causes Memory Loss and learn how to cure it.

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Technorati Tags: stem cell hair loss cure, treatment for short term memory loss

Are there any know side affects to using Propecia to treat hair loss?
One of the major reasons why some men are affected by male pattern baldness or hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia in medical terms, is excessive levels of a chemical called DHT in their scalp. DHT makes the hair follicle shrink, so that you can no longer see them. Propecia is designed to inhibit the formation of DHT and greatly reduces its levels. The main component part of Propecia is Finisteride, which was a drug originally used in the treatment of prostate cancer. The drug is generally prescribed in doses of 5mg and is particularly successful in combating male hair loss in the crown of the head.

Propecia causing erectile dysfunction?
It is slightly contentious, but some men have claimed erectile dysfunction and poor libido on this hair loss products. Is this likely to be true? According to specialists, less than 1% of users of the drug have reported problems in this area/[spin]. [spin]By are these ‘specialists’ truly impartial or is in their interests to make this claim? Skimming around some Internet forums I have noticed plenty of men complaining of suffering some sort of sexual failure whilst on the drug.

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, male hair loss, Propecia

Hair loss is very widespread problem. The avs say that more than 80 % of all adults suffer from this problem. For most of them it continues during long years. Alopecia, hair loss starts, when development cycle is disturbed. This can be a result of physiological changes caused, for example, by protein malnutrition, intoxication with a heat or some diseases of a skin. Endocrine diseases can also cause abnormalities in hair cycle. In this case hair comes out earlier, than duration of its life comes to the end. If you eliminate the reason of these malfunctions, alopecia will stop, and development cycle will renew.

The reasons of hair loss:
1. hormonal disfunction,
2. hereditary taint
3. passive immunity, lack or excess of microelements,
4. diseases (hepatopathy, asiderotic anemia, pancreatic diabetes),
5. stresses and toxic factors of an environment,
6. taking of some medicines.

If your hair comes out, become thin, it does not mean that you grow bald. Simply separate hair can become thinner, because of this its total amount decreases. What is the thickness of one separate hair? According to one research there are from 50 to 100 micron. Hair becomes thinner as man older. But if you think, that such a difference is insignificant, do not forget that there are 100 000 hairs on a typical head. That’s why, if every hair becomes thinner, total amount of hair will decrease.

For finding-out the reason of hair loss (alopecia) doctor- tricholog do such examinations:

1. blood analysis of reproductive and thyroid hormones,
2. biochemical analysis of blood,
3. ultrasonic scanning of thyroid and liver
4. spectral analysis of hair (for identification a structure of minerals and the microelements, which are necessary for hair),
5. microscopic research of hair (trichogram).

In ancient Egypt remedies containing a fat of a lion, hippopotamus, cat, snake and goose were used against alopecia. Today market is flooded with a great many of hair-care and skin-care products against alopecia. These remedies are widely advertised, every year large sums of money are spent for them.

Treatment of hair loss must be integrated, because only this treatment presupposes fast getting steady and long-term results, which are very encouraging. Except treatment of basic disease which caused a hair loss, restoring external procedures are used: therapeutic massage of scalp, mesotherapy, ozonetherapy, some health and beauty aids.

Your hair need care, as much as any other “part” of your body. Please check out this review of provillus (hair loss treatment product).

And do not dash to buy provillus. Please keep in mind that today the Internet technologies give you a really unique chance to choose exactly what you want at the best terms which are available on the market. Funny, but most of the people don’t use this opportunity. In real practice it means that you should use all the tools of today to get the information about any product.

Search Google or other engines for “hair regrowth“. Visit social networks and check the accounts that are relevant to your topic. Go to the niche forums and join the online discussion. All this will help you to create a true vision of this market. Thus, giving you a real chance to make a smart and nicely balanced decision.

P.S. And also sign up to the RSS feed on this blog, because we will do the best to keep this blog tuned up to the day with new publications about hair loss treatments.

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, hair regrow, hairloss, hairloss treatment, Provillus

The reasons and development mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia are at gene level, and modern medicine with its scientifically-technological support did not find effective remedy not even for treatments, but for control of androgenetic alopecia. What’s the use of folk remedies as onion sap, salt, bur and castor oils rubbing in scalp?

Failure in an organism can be the reason of diffuse alopecia, which can be caused by variety of different reasons from taking bed medicine to nervous stress. For curing diffuse alopecia, first of all, it is necessary to find and liquidate its reasons, instead of rubbing a head by different nasties. If the reason, which caused diffuse alopecia, is liquidated, hair usually restores. In this case some irritating skin and intensifying local blood circulation folk remedies probably can favor hair reconstruction process, but it will be an optional, not the basic treatment.

Nevertheless, most people, who start to lose their hair, try to save it by folk remedies. We say this, because in statistic of Internet inquiries themes «alopecia» and «folk remedies against alopecia» are in the top. The majority of growing bald passes this stage without reflecting about such information: if people know so much simple and effective remedies, why there are so many bald-headed around?

Experts remind that the earlier you will treatment of the hair, the more chances you have to save this. Especially it is an urgent problem in a case of androgenetic alopecia, when follicles producing hair, degrade irreversibly. That’s why, save your time and hair, and take medical advice.

Unfortunately, there are not enough experts in treatment of hair illnesses. Trichology (hair science) is rather young, and now it has more questions, than answers.

Transplantations of hair become more and more socially acceptable. Surgeons- transplantologists say about fast growth of number addressing to them, and there are some explanations.
If results of first operations were far from perfect and sometimes looked ridiculous, now improvement of transplantation technics in the most cases hair looks quite adequately.

Other factor of rising hair transplantation popularity is the fact, that now many known people make such operations, and make no secret of this.

And also thanks to increasing of number of such operations it became cheaper: after all, the more operations are performed in clinic, the less it costs. Now standard operation in England costs about 5000 euros, and this is much cheaper, than ten years ago.

Nevertheless, experts say that hair transplantation should be the last resort in struggle against alopecia, because in some cases, especially at a young age, nonsurgical methods can be not only cheaper, but also more effective.

Your hair need care, as much as any other “part” of your organism. Please read this review of provillus (hair loss treatment product).

And do not dash to hair regrowth. Please keep in mind that today the online technologies give you a truly unique chance to choose exactly what you need for the best price on the market. Strange, but most of the people don’t use this chance. In real life it means that you must use all the tools of today to get the info about any product.

Search Google and other search engines for “purchase provillus“. Visit social networks and check the accounts that are relevant to your topic. Go to the niche forums and participate in the discussion. All this will help you to create a true vision of this market. Thus, giving you a real chance to make a smart and nicely balanced decision.

P.S. And also sign up to the RSS on this blog, because we will do the best to keep this blog tuned up to the day with new publications about hair regrowth treatments.

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, hair regrow, hairloss, hairloss treatment, Provillus

ADHD / Hyperactivity
 by: Jan Greeff

SCRUTINIZING HYPERACTIVITY

Introduction

In past centuries the health of children was mainly threatened by ignorance of basic hygiene, inadequate sanitation, contaminated water, poor nutrition and infectious diseases. Epidemics of cholera and other water borne diseases contributed to the death of thousands of children. Scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and typhoid did the same. Identification of harmful bacteria and development of methods of immunisation resulted to a large extent in the eradication of infectious diseases. With the advent of modernisation conditions such as hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder and other learning disabilities as well as an increase in chronic illnesses such as asthma, eczema, etc. have been seen. This brochure attempts to summarise observations concerning hyperactivity, and its treatment from a dietetic viewpoint. The information, advice and recommendations are of a general nature and are not specific to the particular circumstances of an individual.

Hyperactivity in history

The hyperactive child and adult have probably been around since the emergence of modern man. Descriptions of clinical patterns as early as 400 BC appear similar to those currently labelled as hyperactive. Heinrich Hoffman, a German physician, first described hyperactivity in 1845. Since then, the hyperkinetic syndrome, commonly labelled as hyperactivity has captured public attention in practically every developed country in the world as increasingly more children have been and are diagnosed as hyperactive. Hyperactive characters abound in literature and cartoons, the main characters in the popular cartoons, Dennis the Menace and Bart Simpson being classic examples.

Hyperactivity defined

Hyperactive children usually have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), leading experts to classify the malady together as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). In the USA many children are labelled hyperactive or as suffering with ADD when they attend school. There is some concern about “labelling” children when they do not respond in an acceptable way to the school, perhaps reflecting an inadequacy in the teachers rather than the pupils. Medication to suppress hyperactive children is often prescribed with side-effects such as dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, gastrointestinal problems and depression.

Incidence of hyperactivity

The incidence varies from country to country depending on the criteria used for diagnosis. In the USA the rate ranges from 5 to 22%. In Australia the rate of incidence ranges from 8 to 12%.1 In the United Kingdom a small number of children are diagnosed as hyperactive although referrals to child guidance clinics have increased.2 Hyperactivity is believed to affect 10% of the South African population and is found in every ethnic and socio-economic group.13

Characteristics of hyperactive children

Describing the characteristics of hyperactive children is daunting because many of the symptoms are present in all children to some degree at some time. Hyperactivity has been found to be between four and nine times more common in boys.2,3

The hyperactive baby is restless, has feeding problems and colic (intermittent and unexplained crying) and often has sleeping problems. Some fall asleep late and with difficulty while others wake up frequently or early. The baby often cries incessantly and parents find that no amount of comforting, nursing or cuddling pacifies the child.

The hyperactive toddler lives in a constant state of overstimulation, is constantly moving, unable to sit still, always into everything and touching every object in sight. As the child becomes older the description changes. They are always in motion, constantly fidgeting or shuffling their feet, can not stay at an activity long and can not read without quickly losing interest. A large percentage of hyperactive children have an abnormal thirst with a normal urine output. Other symptoms are lack of concentration, temper tantrums, impatience, quick frustration, clumsiness and sleep disturbances. Hyperactive infants and adolescents usually have a depressed immune system. Asthma, hay fever, otitis, eczema and other atopic conditions are common.

Most authorities agree that the major features of hyperactivity can be categorized as academic difficulties and behavioural abnormalities. Impulsiveness, low frustration tolerance, short attention span, aggressiveness and low self-esteem are some of the symptoms exhibited. Almost all hyperactive children have a high IQ, but poor concentration means they perform less well than they should in school and often complain of headaches, asthma, hayfever and other respiratory disorders.

The characteristics of the hyperactive child tend to intensify from birth to about 3 to 4 years of age, but may have subsided by the time the child reaches 10 to 12 years of age. The child becomes more controlled and the hyperactivity could to some extent be outgrown.4

Hyperactivity and allergies

Allergies to cereals and milk, even mother’s milk is often commonplace. For many years paediatricians and paediatric allergists have reported that a higher percentage of children with allergies have learning disabilities and/or hyperactivity compared with those children who do not have allergies.9 It has been estimated that up to 10% of primary school children suffer from allergic reactions which exhibit in the classroom as behaviour and concentration problems.14

An allergy is an abnormal body reaction resulting from sensitivity to certain substances. The most common types of allergies are asthma, eczema and hay fever. Often symptoms are not recognised as resulting from an allergy and will be treated over and over with medications which may help superficially. As soon as the medication is stopped, the symptoms flare up again.

Causes of hyperactivity

Data pertaining to the cause of hyperactivity is incomplete, but various factors have been linked to hyperactivity. These include among others genetic factors, smoking during pregnancy, artificial additives in food, refined dietary sugar and environmental pollutants. Inborn temperamental variations with chemical differences in the brain are thought by some physicians to be the cause. The reason for these differences is unknown, but may be due to genetic differences or anomalies in the development of the baby before birth.

1. Prenatal influences

Very little is known about prenatal influences but there is a possibility that small birth size may sometimes lead to hyperactivity. Other variations in the mother’s biological processes during pregnancy may contribute to the development of hyperactivity.5 It is well documented that the use of alcohol during pregnancy may result in mental retardation (foetal alcohol syndrome) and hyperactivity. The amount of alcohol, if any, that can be safely taken during pregnancy is unknown.6

2. Inborn temperamental differences

Although uncertain, many child psychiatrists reason that inborn temperamental differences caused by chemical differences in the brain may result in hyperactivity.5

The brain is an extraordinary complex interconnection of nerve cells. It receives information from inside the body via nerve impulses, collates this information and responds by initiating nerve impulses and secreting chemical substances or neurotransmitters (dopamine and noradrenaline). When released, neurotransmitters, transmit signals across synapses to other neurons in the brain. These pass from the brain to other parts of the body to stimulate, regulate and co-ordinate activities in other organs and systems.

When there is a deficiency of a particular neurotransmitter, the nerve cells can not function effectively and the portion of the brain that it “operates” will not function correctly. Successful functioning of the nervous system depends on the release of sufficient quantities of neurotransmitters. Hyperactive children are probably deficient in some neurotransmitters.5 In many hyperactive children the quantity of these transmitters probably increases with age, explaining why hyperactive children improve as they grow older.

3. Heavy metal poisoning

Heavy metals such as lead, copper, cadmium and aluminium are thought to be a cause for hyperactivity, especially where children live in industrialised areas. These metals all affect the nervous system. The lead content of environmental air has risen due to the higher lead content of petrol and increased car ownership. Cadmium from parental cigarette smoke and aluminium from food cooked in aluminium foil containers also affect the nervous system.4,6

4. Food preservatives, additives, flavorants and colorants

An allergist, Dr Benjamin Feingold,7 has proposed that hyperactivity is caused by artificial food preservatives, flavors, colorants and natural salicylates. He reported that 30 to 50% of hyperactive children could improve if these were omitted from the diet. His hypothesis stemmed from his observations that in some people salicylates cause allergic reactions such as asthma and eczema. When treating the asthma by removing salicylates from the diet, he noted a behaviour change as well as the disappearance of the asthma symptoms.

Since many patients who are allergic to salicylates also react to artificial colors and flavors, Dr Feingold further postulated that food colors and flavors may also have a behavioural effect similar to that of salicylates in those people who are sensitive to them.

The food colorant tartrazine increases the urinary excretion of zinc. Food colors and flavors are found in foods such as luncheon meats, sausages, hot dogs, jams, sweets, cake mixes and flavored cold drinks. Dietary sources of salicylates are found in apples, peaches, oranges, tea and worcester sauce.

Most dietary-crossover studies eliminating foods containing salicylates, food colors and flavors by a number of researchers have not been able to substantiate Dr Feingold’s theories. Some studies, on the other hand, have provided data in support of the Feingold diet. The final answers are not yet in as there is insufficient evidence on whether the Feingold diet genuinely works.

5. Deficiency of nutrients

5.1. Essential fatty acids

Research4,8 concludes that hyperactive children have a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) either due to an inability to absorb EFAs adequately from the gastrointestinal tract or because their EFA requirements are higher. A deficiency of EFA in animals causes a constant thirst which is one of the symptoms of numerous hyperactive children.

EFAs are needed to form Prostaglandins (PGE) which are vital regulators in the body. They participate in the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, blood clotting and the central nervous system. They are essential because the body cannot manufacture them and has to obtain them from dietary sources. There are two EFAs essential to man – linoleic acid and cis alpha linolenic acid.

EFAs are converted by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase to gammalinoleic acid (GLA) which is then converted to another substance called dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid. This in turn is converted to hormone-like substances called eicosanoids of which there are two groups – prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Cis alpha linolenic acid is converted to a substance termed eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which is in turn also converted to prostaglandin.

The source of the problem is that the enzyme necessary for the conversion process does not seem to work efficiently in the hyperactive child and adult, with a resultant deficiency of PGE and leukotrienes. The enzyme deficiency or inhibition could be attributed to among others elevated blood glucose levels, a diet consisting of too much saturated fat, refined sugar, the intake of alcohol and deficiencies of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6.4

Preliminary studies on the effects of supplementation with essential fatty acids in Canada, USA, United Kingdom and South Africa have reported some degree of improvement.2,4

5.2 Other Nutrients

Two-thirds of hyperactive children studied were deficient in zinc.2 A deficiency of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 blocks the formation of GLA.

A number of nutrients are essential to the proper functioning of the nervous system and these are discussed under the heading – treatment of hyperactivity.

6. Sugar

Clinical observations and parent reports suggest that refined sugars especially cane sugar triggers hyperactive behaviour. Two theories have been proposed for this reaction. One is that a diet consisting of refined carbohydrates influences the level of EFA. Another possibility is that certain sugars (glucose) influence brain neurotransmitter levels and therefore the activity levels in hyperactive children.

Researchers designed a study where children were given one of three different breakfasts; one high in carbohydrates, especially refined sugar; the second high in protein and the third high in fat. After each meal children were challenged with fructose, glucose and placebos. Children reported by their parents as hyperactive after eating sugar did indeed show an increase in activity level when challenged with glucose after eating a high carbohydrate meal.9

Normal children challenged with sucrose had more problems with attention after a high carbohydrate breakfast than after a high protein breakfast. The reverse was true for children with hyperactivity.12

Another study showed that of 261 hyperactive children who had five hour glucose tolerance tests performed on them, 74% had abnormal glucose tolerance curves. The predominant abnormality accounting for 50% of these results was a low, flat curve similar to that seen in hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia is a potent stimulus for the production of epinephrine which could affect behaviour.10

Sugar may on occasion aggravate existing behaviour disorders. Reducing the intake of sugar should be encouraged. Rigid sugar free diets can be burdensome and socially inhibiting for the hyperactive child. The area of sugar intake and behaviour requires much more research before any recommendations can be made.

A study on the use of artificial sweeteners suggests that some hyperactive children become non-compliant and more aggressive when given large doses of aspartame.9

Treatment of hyperactivity

It is important to rectify the essential fatty acid deficiency. The enzyme necessary for the conversion process of essential fatty acids does not seem to work efficiently in the hyperactive child and adult. Essential fatty acids need to be provided in a form which can be readily utilized. Human breast milk contains relatively large amounts of GLA. Another important source of GLA is the oil of the evening primrose flower which contains 9% gammalinoleic acid (GLA) while fish oil contains 20% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These oils which are commercially available should be provided in a ratio of 2 GLA to 1 EPA (e.g. 500 mg Evening Primrose Oil to 250 mg Fish Oil).4

Zinc, vitamins B6, C and E are catalysts necessary to metabolize the essential fatty acids.6 Since most hyperactive children appear to be deficient in these nutrients supplementation with them makes good sense.

The B-group vitamins are particularly vital to the hyperactive child as one of their main functions is to regulate the central nervous system. Vitamin B1, thiamin, is involved in the maintenance of the central nervous system. A deficiency of Vitamin B2, riboflavin, may lead to central nervous system symptoms such as headache, irritability and fatigue. Vitamins B6 and C are involved in neurotransmitter synthesis.

Calcium acts as a co-factor in biochemical reactions in the body and takes part in the generation of nerve impulses throughout the nervous system. Magnesium which is necessary for the growth and repair of body cells also assists the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles and acts together with calcium. Vitamin D aids the absorption and utilization of calcium and magnesium.

Zinc and chromium play a role in sugar balance by enhancing the action of insulin in promoting uptake of glucose. A glucose tolerance factor has been identified as a natural form of chromium which seems to potentiate the action of insulin. Supplementation with chromium has been shown to reduce glucose levels and to improve glucose tolerance.11 Since abnormal glucose tolerance levels have been seen in some hyperactive children supplementing with chromium and zinc may help.

Although all the amino acids have certain unique functions in the body a few are worth singling out. Four primary amines, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine are synthesised from amino acid precursors and appear to be under dietary control. Dopamine and norepinephrine are synthesised from tyrosine and phenylalanine (phenylalanine is metabolized to tyrosine), serotonin is synthesised from tryptophan and acetylcholine is synthesised from choline. Deficiencies of L-Taurine and glycine which both aid the regulation of the nervous system are possibly liked to hyperactivity, epilepsy and anxiety.

The beneficial effects of large doses of vitamin C to alleviate common symptoms of allergy have been described, but not substantiated in controlled studies. Anecdotal reports suggesting that lysine tablets relieve the symptoms of food allergy in some individuals are also undocumented.11 Methyl Sulphine Methane and calcium assist in allergic sensitivities.

Although Feingold’s hypothesis has not been experimentally confirmed, elimination of food additives, colors, flavors and salicylates may be of benefit and is worth a try. Exclusion of sugar and refined carbohydrates is also recommended. If such a diet is to be followed, attention should be paid to its possible nutritional inadequacies and there should be some nutritional counselling and vitamin supplementation. Small, frequent meals consisting of protein and unrefined carbohydrates should be emphasized.

In Conclusion

There appears to be a relationship between brain function and nutrition. Studies on the effect of evening primrose oil and fish oil on hyperactivity have shown improvement in behaviour patterns and learning ability. The diet of the hyperactive child should be supplemented with these oils as well as magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins.

The keys to managing the hyperactive child are dietary control, discipline and lots of tender loving care. All children have strengths and weaknesses. By recognising and accepting the diversity of human personalities and abilities a foundation will be laid for all hyperactive children to achieve their scholastic and developmental potential.

Research activity has increased and it is hoped that future research and clinical findings will lead to better treatment and understanding of hyperactivity.

For access to correct combinations of specialised nutrients, see “ADHD / Hyperactivity” under “Children’s Needs” on http://wellness.oppiweb.com

REFERENCES

1. Serfontein G. Add in adults – help for adults who suffer from attention deficit disorder. Simon and Schuster, Australia. 1994: 9

2. Matthews P. Fast Food. Nursing Times. March 1986.

3. Colten H.R; Food Hypersensitivity, food allergies and hyperkinesis. Suskind R.M; Textbook of Pediatric Nutrition. Raven Press, New York, 1981: 553-562.

4. Van der Merwe C.F. Hyperactivity, Medunsa. August 1992.

5. Wender P.H; Wender E. The Hyperactive Child and the Learning Disabled Child – a Handbook for Parents. Crown Publishers, 1978: 22.

6. Barnes B; Colquhoun I. The Hyperactive Child – what the family can do. Thorsons Publishers, Northamptonshire. 1984: 19, 77.

7. Feingold B. Why your child is hyperactive. New York: Random House, 1985.

8. The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group. Information sheet – Health Visitor, 1980, 57;1: 87-93

9. Silver L.B. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. Clinical guide to diagnosis and treatment. Washington: American Psychiatric Press Inc, 1992: 129-134.

10. Langseth L; Dowd J. Glucose tolerance and hyperkinesis. Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 16:129. 1978.

11. Krause M.V; Mahan L.K. Food Nutrition and Diet Therapy. A textbook of nutritional care. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1984: 633-668.

12. Kinsbourne M. Sugar and the hyperactive child. New England Journal of Medicine. Feb 3, 1994: 355-356.

13. Edmonds T.L. Hyperactivity, following a special diet could help. Longevity. July 1995: 88-89.

14. Ryan B.J. Cerebral Hazards in relation to food and environmental chemicals. The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group of Southern Africa. Newsletter 25, Fourth quarter 1995.

Glossary

ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder. Developmental dysfunction of the central nervous system.

Allergy – Unusual sensitiveness to the action of particular foods, pollens, dust, etc.

Amino acid – Organic acid containing the group nitrogen, especially as a constituent of protein.

Asthma – Disease especially allergic of respiration.

Diphtheria – Acute infectious bacterial disease with inflammation of mucous membranes, especially throat.

Eczema – Inflammation of skin.

Enzyme – Any of a unique class of proteins which accelerate a broad spectrum of biochemical reactions.

Food Additives – Added to food to color, preserve or flavor.

Hay Fever Summer disorder caused by allergy to pollen or dust often with asthmatic symptoms.

Neurotransmitter – Chemical substances when released, transmit signals across synapses to other neurons in the brain to stimulate, regulate and co-ordinate activities in other organs and systems of the body.

Otitis – Inflammation of the ear.

Salicylate – Salt of salicylic acid. Found in almonds, apples, apple cider, apricots, blackberries, cherries, cloves, cucumbers, currants, gooseberries, grapes, nectarines, oil of wintergreen, oranges, peaches, pickles, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes. Food with added salicylates for flavoring may be ice-cream, bakery goods (except bread), candy, chewing gum, soft drinks, jam, cake mixes.

Typhoid – Infectious bacterial fever with eruption of red spots on chest and abdomen with severe intestinal irritation.

Worcester – Pungent sauce first made in Worcester (United Kingdom).

About The Author

I’m Jan Greeff, married to Juanita since 1973. We have four children, four grandchildren, and are known as the wellness family.

I have been a Lifestyle Consultant for more than twelve years. It has been my privilege to be instrumental in safe, natural intervention to improve the quality of life of countless persons.

My intervention strategy is aimed at achieving optimum wellness via balanced nutrition, moderate exercise and fulfilling relationships.

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