Your ADHD Child May Just Be Tired

Children who have symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) actually may be sleep-deprived, according to researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Sleep Laboratory.

Doctors should consider that possibility before prescribing Ritalin and other ADHD drugs, they suggest.

An estimated 8 percent of US children suffer from ADHD, according to the US Centers for Disease Control, and more than half of them are being treated with drugs.

ADHD is characterized by overalertness and nervousness, with affected children being fidgety and overstimulated. Paradoxically, the use of stimulant medications like Ritalin seems to be the most effective method for treating ADHD symptoms in the majority of children.

Fighting to Stay Awake?

Dr. Giora Pillar wondered whether some children diagnosed with ADHD might simply be sleepy. Their excessive motor activity could be a tool to stay alert, he conjectured, which might explain the effectiveness of stimulants that increase activity in the central nervous system.

Sleepy children, unlike sleepy adults, may demonstrate hyperactivity and attention-deficit behavior rather than excessive daytime sleepiness, Pillar explained.

This theory is supported by parental reports that children, when extremely tired, tend to be cranky, overactive, angry and aggressive, he pointed out.

Sleep Apnea

Pillar and colleagues studied 66 children with an average age of 12. Of these, 34 already had been diagnosed with ADHD, and the rest served as a control group. The ADHD-diagnosed children had significantly higher levels of sleepiness during the day than those in the control group, the researchers found.

Half of the test subjects with ADHD (vs. 22 percent of the control group) suffered from some degree of sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea, which is characterized by interruptions in breathing that last 10 seconds or more, occurring at least five times per hour during sleep.

Limb Movement Disorder!

F ifteen percent (vs. none in the control group) had Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), which is relatively uncommon among children.

Studies have shown that treatment of these sleep disorders in children often leads to substantial improvements in behavior and cognitive achievements, Pillar said, as well as a significant reduction in irritability, bad moods, anger and fear.

For example, school performance, which is low in children with sleep apnea, has been found to improve markedly following the removal of adenoids and tonsils to correct the disorder.

Enforce Good Sleeping Habits

The researchers urge parents of hyperactive and attention-deficit children diagnosed with sleep disorders to have breathing irregularities and limb movements treated, to enforce good sleeping habits, and to avoid giving them caffeinated drinks at night.

Only if these steps do not work, they say, should parents consider medication for ADHD.

The researchers' findings originally were published in the February 2004 issue of the journal Sleep.

Copyright 2005 Daily News Central

Rita Jenkins is a health journalist for Daily News Central, an online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable health information to consumers, healthcare providers and industry professionals: http://www.dailynewscentral.com

Enhancing Health with a Multivitamin

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But then, you also need a banana, an orange, a pear, a handful of carrots, some avocado, a head of lettuce, some tomatoes? well, the list goes on. Did you make sure to get your 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables today? How about yesterday, and the day before that? Chances are, even if you are the most diligent of nutritional fiends, you still don?t get your daily requirement of vitamins and minerals.

Nowadays, it?s near impossible to find the necessary level of nutrients in our food alone. The mineral content in our soils has diminished over the years due to the increase in pollution and pesticides and the hormones in our meat and poultry supply lower the food?s overall nutritional value. Just a century ago our food contained all of the nutrients that our bodies required to perform at optimal level. But today, that is no longer a fact. Today it has become necessary to supplement your diet with a multivitamin.

The Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamins was first established during the first World War when food supplies were limited and concerns about vitamin deficiency- related diseases ran high. RDI?s were established to ensure that Americans received the minimum vitamins necessary to ward off diseases such as scurvy. Today, such diseases are relatively unheard of and medical researchers have begun to focus their attention on the role that vitamins play in preventing degenerative diseases.

Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer and Diabetes are serious diseases that thrive on our nation?s poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. A lack of the necessary vitamins and minerals triggers a cascade of events within the body that ultimately leads to these degenerative diseases. But with a multivitamin, your body is armed with the necessary weapons needed to fend off life threatening illness.

Lower Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Testing your blood for homocysteine and C-Reactive Protein levels can indicate your current he! alth sta tus. Elevated levels of either one is a red flag that something is not right within your body. Too much homocysteine in the blood stream can alter DNA, which can fuel the progression of heart disease, accelerate aging and increase your risk of developing cancer. But two studies recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid and B vitamins can lower homocysteine levels.

C-Reactive protein (CRP) is produced in the liver and helps the body to heal wounds and fight off infection. The presence of CRP in the blood is an indication of an underlying infection or inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and stroke.

CRP levels may be elevated many years prior to a coronary event and can be a significant predictor of new coronary events in apparently healthy men and women. Studies indicate that the higher the CRP level, the higher the risk of developing a heart attack. Elevated CRP levels present in the blood after a stroke or heart attack can be indicative of a repeated coronary event with a lower survival rate.

A study printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2003 found that multivitamins can significantly lower CRP levels, with an observed average drop of 14%.

As a matter of fact, authors of a similar study reported in the JAMA stated that the simple act of taking a daily multivitamin, ?could prevent tens of thousands of cases of cardiovascular disease each year at very low cost and with few (if any) adverse effects.?

Lower Your Risk of Cancer
A study published in 2003 in the Journal of Epidemiology found that people who took a multivitamin regularly for 10 years had a 30% lower risk of developing colon and rectal cancer. Multivitamins contain vitamin D, which has been found to keep cancer cells from multiplying and dividing in laboratory studies. Likewise, the vitamins D, E and folic acid have been linked to a! lower r isk of both colon and breast cancer.

Multivitamins also contain several antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, which serve to fight off potentially dangerous molecules in the body called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that search the body for healthy molecules to complete them. When a free radical encounters a healthy molecule, it takes what it needs from the healthy molecule to stabilize itself, rendering the formerly healthy molecule damaged. Free radicals leave behind them a wake of destruction, altering DNA and oxidizing the body from the inside out. Left unchecked, free radicals can cause cancer as well as heart disease and other degenerative diseases. Antioxidants seek out free radicals in order to neutralize them, stopping them before their damage leads to a deadly outcome.

Lower Your Risk of Diabetes
Insulin resistance is a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes. Normally, ordinary levels of insulin will escort glucose into your cells. With insulin resistance, your cell receptors do not recognize the insulin hormone and deny it access to deposit the glucose. With nowhere for the glucose to go, sugar begins to build up in your bloodstream. Your pancreas, unaware of the insulin resistance, steps up insulin production in an effort to pump out enough of the hormone to remedy the situation. The overproduction of insulin inundates your bloodstream. The chromium found in multivitamins can assist the body in maintaining normal blood sugar levels and can be an important measure towards preventing Type 2 Diabetes from taking hold.

Multivitamins level the playing field of good health. A food-based multivitamin will contain all of the vitamins and minerals that should be a part of your regular diet and fill in the gaps where your diet falls short. Multivitamins do not replace healthy eating, but rather they supplement an already healthy diet. As a matter of fact, the healthier your diet, the better your multivitamin will work for you!

LEIG H ERIN CONNEALY, M.D., M.P.H. received a Master?s in Public Health from the University of Texas and her M.D. from the University of Chicago. She did her postgraduate training in family practice at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Connealy began practicing medicine in 1986. More and more of her patients started asking about alternative treatments and this prompted her to learn everything she could about nontoxic protocols. In 1992, she founded the South Coast Medical Center for New Medicine in Tustin, California, where she serves as Medical Director. Her practice is firmly based in the belief that strictly treating health problems with medications does not find the root cause of the illness. Her goal is to empower and educate individuals and their families through her treatment plans, lectures, newsletters and articles. Visit http://www.perfectlyhealthy.net for more information.

Has Chemical Overload Got You Tired And Sick? Could The Solution Be In The Plants Flowers and Trees

Since the beginning of our creation, the plants, flowers and trees have been with us. Even at our most primitive, we relied on them for their profound healing abilities. What has changed? Mostly, our lack of personal relationship with them. Our highly technical, over busy, media-drenched lives have us relying on quick fixes with artificial chemicals and antibiotic super bugs. This unnatural reliance combined with the unhealthy air and highly processed foods are all resulting in far less than vibrant health.

So, naturally, we search for what we intuitively feel is missing! Could it be in the plants, flowers and trees? Could the solution be in the natural world around us, which has nurtured and sustained us throughout our evolution?

YES!!

After falling very ill in 1994, just walking down the detergent isle in the supermarket became a nightmare. Perfume sections and artificially scented candle isles, forget it! Confusion, severe debilitating pain, shortness of breath, nausea, headaches, and fatigue beyond belief became my constant companions. Searching for the cause and answers, my Dr. and several specialists put me through a battery of tests resulting in diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Mayo Facial Pain Syndrome, and Multi Chemical Sensitivities. I was so ill that I was pronounced permanently disabled and receive disability from my home in Canada.

My traditional doctor?s were unable to help me beyond giving me a prescription for a ?Natural? substance to help me sleep. Their other ?solutions? degraded my health further, rather than resolving any of my problems. Reading what Dr. Jean Valnet wrote, ?Essential oils are especially valuable as antiseptics because their aggression towards microbial germ is matched by their total harmlessness to tissue?one of the chief defects of chemical antiseptics is that they are likely to be as harmful to the cells of the organism as to the cause of the disease.?(Dr Jean Valnet, 1980), I began to think that; maybe, my body?s ?sen! sitivity ? was a reflection of my body?s inherent wisdom, rather than a reflection of its weakness.

Searching for some help and relief, I found an herbalist, who has been of great help to me. Still, pain was my constant companion. Unable to take any over-the-counter pain medication, let alone prescriptions, due to my chemical sensitivities, I tried essential oils. I had some minor success with headaches relief, until I tried Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. And FINALLY, I found products that are giving me profound relief, without triggering my body?s sensitivities to un-natural chemicals! No additives or fillers, just the pure, therapeutic-grade, essential oil of the plants, flowers and trees.

This company uses impeccable extraction methods. They help with exhaustive and ongoing research with top experts in the field of Essential Oil therapeutic uses! All of this knowledge, care and sensitivity have produced the largest variety of therapeutic-grade essential oils in the world. What a resource me, people like me and for human kind in general!

The more I learn about and use these oils, the more relief I am finding. The ?side effects? of the pain relief include increased energy and better quality sleep.

?Essential oils are 50 times more powerful than herbs.? (Dr. Gary Young N.D.).

?European scientists have studied the ability of essential oils to work as natural chelators, binding with heavy metals and petrochemicals and ferrying them out of the body? (Essential Oil Desk Reference, Compiled by Essential Science Publishing).

I have also seen some profound benefits for family and friends.

?While helping friends with house construction, I was suffering from a very debilitating sinus headache. My friend had me use her Myrtle oil on my forehead, temples, under my nose and the sinus sites on the back of my head. I went back to work and within 15 ? 20 minutes I happily realized that I was working as hard as ever and the headache and pressure was completely gone.? Char N.

?W! hile hel ping friends, wash windows in their newly built house, my roommate and I were concerned about our arms being very sore since we both suffer from severe tendonitis. By the end of the day, both of our arms had started to hurt and ache. Since I had just purchased Idaho Balsam Fir oil I suggested that we apply some. We did that and the next morning we had NO discomfort what so ever. We even decided to continue to wash windows the next day for a couple more hours. Again we applied the Idaho Balsam Fir on our arms and again did not suffer any discomfort.?

Sandra R.

The opportunities for profound health benefits are almost endless. What would your life look like if you benefited like I did? I have had PROFOUND pain relief, a renewed sense of emotional well being, VIBRANT health and increased ENERGY.

The more I learn about the frightening effects of our overly artificial lifestyles, the more I realize each of us must take personal responsibility for our health. We must learn all we can and use our great intelligence, make informed choices, take care of our bodies with integrity, and question the effects of everything we take in through our mouth, skin, mind and breath.

Discover these organic products that are produced with the greatest of integrity, and meticulous attention to quality.

I am very excited to open the door through which you can gain greater health, vitality and relief. Learn more about therapeutic-grade essential oils with a FREE report at www.vibrantoils.com Join the journey of discovery that has made such a difference to me!

About The Author

Sandra Richardson is a Reiki Master/Teacher who uses Thereapuetic-grade essential oils personally as well as in her practice. Website is www.vibrantoils.com and my e-mail is swandancer@mybluelight.com

Acne In Adults All You Need To Know About It!

It is a misconceived notion that acne is a skin condition that only affects teenagers. It is quite common for adults to suffer from acne at some point of time. While the condition is not that rampant in adults, as many as 5% of the adult population is affected by it.

The cause for acne both in teenagers and adults is the same- hormonal imbalance; stress and oily skin lead to this condition. A study shows that as many as 50% of women and 25% of men suffer from adult acne.

If left untreated, acne can cause as much damage in adults as in teenagers. The pimples lead to infections and this in turn can leave ugly and permanent scars on the skin. No amount of creams and other medications can rid you of these scars. Therefore it is very important to attend to acne promptly and get it treated.

The prime cause for adult acne is stress. Therefore it is essential to keep stress under control. A healthy and happy individual will rarely suffer from acne. In women, the problem of acne is seen to be aggravated during the menstrual cycle.

Treatment for adult acne is more or less similar to that of the teenagers. Clean the pores thoroughly. The pimples should not be picked or cut. Use external medications like ointments, gels and lotions. In case of severe acne consult your dermatologist.

The best treatment for any ailment including adult acne is prevention. Therefore pay a lot of attention towards hygiene and diet. Follow an active lifestyle free of stress and other worries. A balanced diet combined with an active lifestyle and clean habits will go a long way in preventing acne both in teenagers and adults.

The problem can be tackled by following a combination of good hygiene and simple treatment. Eat a balanced diet. Clean the pores with a mild antiseptic cream or lotion. Using a sulfur based soap will also bring in good results. Apply creams and ointments prescribed by your doctor. Do not let the acne spread and turn into pimples. While pimples are a normal occurrence in teenagers! who rea ch puberty, in adults it however is rare.

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Increase the intake of water; eat plenty of onions and garlic to keep adult acne at bay. In case of severe acne, a combination of both oral and external medicines will often bring in the best results.

Venkata Ramana is the writer of Adult Acne blog. Read his informative reports about Acne Medicine and get rid of acne forever!

Massage Therapy Basics

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is a manipulation of muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, fascia, and joints in the body. It is a practice that has been around since the beginning of peopledom. In fact, ancient techniques are still employed in today?s modern world.

The benefits of massage are extensive. Not only can it help alleviate pain and aid in physical maladies and day-to-day functioning, but it impacts mental and emotional wellbeing. Relaxation, awareness, anxiety, and depression can all be aided and eased with massage therapy.

Massage boosts the immune system, relaxes and reduces anxiety, alleviates pain, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, stimulates lesser used muscles, increases endorphins, aids physical rehabilitation, and improves circulation (blood and lymph).

There are many different techniques and therapies in the field of massage. Some of these may be familiar to you already, even if you do not know specifically what they entail.

Swedish: Probably the most well known technique, and for good reason; it?s quite popular.

Acupressure is like acupuncture without the needles. Specific points are targeted and pressure applied to create a therapeutic effect.

Aroma Therapy is often used in tandem with other techniques. It consists of using fragrant oils for healing benefits. These oils can be applied to the skin or simply allowed to perfume the air thus allowing those nearby to receive benefits nasally.

Canadian Deep Tissue Massage: A technique that focuses on a muscle group working with the fibers of the muscle tissue to rejuvenate each level of muscle including deep tissue.

Deep Tissue Massage works to invigorate and stimulate the muscle issue on a deep level. It involves more intense manipulation and can provide tremendous benefits on many levels. Not only does it help release toxins from the body, it helps

Hot Stone Massage: Warm stones are used on the body with gentle pressure to provide a soothing, therapeutic sensati! on.

< p>Infant Massage: Becoming more popular everyday, infant massage has been proven to help infants gain weight and speed development. It is taught to mothers as a way to bond with their new children.

Other techniques include Chi Nei Tsang, Reflexology, Shiatsu,Thai Massage, Amma Therapy, Alexander Technique, Aston Patterning, Bioenergetics, Bowen Technique, and Craniosacral Therapy.

Massage therapists are required to pass standardized tests in order to receive a license and become a registered massage therapist. Training is often completed at a trade, vocational, or career college and is usually completed in 2 years or less depending on the school and the program.

Massage therapy is considered a health field and massage therapy is often covered under many health plans because of its proven healing and beneficial results.

Massage is private and safe. Depending on the type of massage you receive, partial body, full body, 30 minute or longer, you may have to undress completely or not at all. The room should be warm and comfortable and there may be light music playing. If the environment makes you uneasy, do not hesitate to inform your therapist; a massage should be a relaxing and pleasant experience. This is true if you feel pain during any part of your massage experience. Some techniques are more intensive and may be a bit uncomfortable at times, but if you feel anything that makes you uneasy, do not hesitate to speak up.

Whether you are considering a career in massage therapy or if you are just interested in finding out more information about what it is and how it can benefit you cannot deny the value of a good massage.

Kate Leas is a freelance writer from Kansas City. Her current topics include education and the Internet. For more information on massage therapy education please visit: http://www.collegesearchengine.net/search.php?searchzip=&program=1

If Effective Drugfree Asthma and Allergy Treatments Really Exist Why Doesn't Your Doctor Know?

This is an excellent and important question that many people ask about natural asthma and allergy treatments. There are several reasons why doctors may not know or even if they do know, why they won't tell you.

One reason your doctor may be unaware of an effective, natural drug-free asthma and allergy treatment is that they generally are very busy and simply don't have the time to do the research about it. Keeping up with all the current medical publications can easily be a full time job in itself. Sadly, the main reason is that many traditional doctors don't believe in natural treatments and think that drugs are the only acceptable routes to take. The reality is drug companies often fund medical schools. These huge multi-national drug companies spend billions of dollars a year to develop and promote drugs that they want doctors to prescribe and you to keep using. They spend multi-millions on advertising and funding medical schools to convince doctors and the public that drugs are the best and only solution to asthma and allergies.

The bottom line is money: they would like you to continue to buy their expensive drugs and doctors want you to continue visiting them or they would both be out of business. The sad part is these drugs are expensive, usually don't work very well since they only mask the asthma or allergy symptoms. Even worse, many of them also have dangerous side effects. If you currently take asthma drugs, knowing what the side effects are is important.

For a listing and description of asthma drug side effects caused by the drugs you may be taking please see http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com/drugs.htm

Taking responsibility for your own health is the first major step and the fact that you are reading this indicates that you may be interested in investigating natural solutions for your asthma and allergy symptoms. If you are interested in learning more information about safe, effective drug-free solutions to your asthma and allergies please visit: www.dramatic-as! thma-rel ief.com

Susan Millar is a former asthma and allergy sufferer. She is a researcher and the author of The Dramatic Asthma Relief Report, based on extensive research from internationally respected medical publications about a genuinely effective drug-free treatment for asthma & allergies, which helped her to eliminate her asthma and allergies. This book has helped many other sufferers worldwide to do the same.

Please visit her website for more information about asthma, allergies and the Dramatic Asthma Relief Report: http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com/

An Introduction to Sunless Tanning

When the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, we are all drawn outdoors to enjoy the sun. Many will recall seemingly endless hours outdoors, soaking up the sun's rays without a care. Unfortunately, sunbathing isn't as carefree an activity as it used to be. These days, there's more to worry about, such as premature aging, scarring and blemishes, or even skin cancer.

Some people desire quicker results than what natural sunlight offers. For such people, sunless tanning is the route to take. Sunless tanning refers to the process of attaining a suntan by sunless means, as the term implies. Sunless tanning might take the form of lotions, sprays, powders, pills, tanning beds, or tanning booths. The efficacy and results of these methods vary. To understand how sunless tanners work, it's necessary to first know what a suntan is, however.

The sun emits three types of ultraviolet or UV radiation: UVC, at 100 to 290 nm, UVB, at 290 to 320 nm, and UVA, at 320 to 400 nm. It is the UVA and UVB rays that are the most harmful to our skin. UVB is easier to protect against than UVA, but both cause very real damage.

The body has its own defenses against UV radiation. Our skin protects us from UV damage by producing melanin, a substance that absorbs the harmful rays in order to protect our DNA. When the body produces melanin, our skin darkens, taking on a darker appearance. This is how we tan.

Most sunless tanning aids are harmless, but not all will prevent the skin damage caused by the sun and UV radiation. Furthermore, methods such as tanning beds and tanning pills are controversial and thought to be unsafe. The FDA, in fact, has not approved most tanning pills.

Staying out of the sun does not have to mean staying pale at all. There are numerous ways to get a tan without risking our health. The cost of sunless tanning options ranges from just a few dollars for cream, to $100 or more for a few sessions in a tanning salon. In an ideal situation, the result will be a great lookin! g withou t anyone knowing the difference!

Sunless Tanning Info provides detailed information about sunless tanning lotion, booths, sprays, salons, and pills, as well as reviews of best sunless tanning products and methods. Sunless Tanning Info is the sister site of Tanning Beds Web.