ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is a disorder in which catecholaminergic neurotransmitters (dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline) work in low activity, which leads to difficulties in maintaining attention in prolonged, repetitive activities or activities that are not interesting to them. They are easily distracted by stimuli from the external environment. They tend to be impulsive and have difficulty organizing and planning. ADHD can lead the individual to emotional and consequently relationship difficulties, in addition to poor school performance, even if they have normal intelligence and creativity.

Parents' perception

ADHD is a difficult disorder to identify correctly just by its symptoms, being more noticeable in boys, and more discreet in girls. Due to learning and emotional damage, the correct diagnosis is essential to separate the case of children who are simply acting according to their age from those who really need help and eventually even medication.

There are no laboratory tests to diagnose the disorder. The diagnosis must be made by a group of professionals trained in neuropediatrics, psychopedagogy, psychology, speech therapy and ophthalmology.

The diagnosis

According to scientific studies, people with ADHD have alterations in the frontal region and its connections with the rest of the brain. The orbital frontal region is responsible for behavior inhibition (controls or inhibits inappropriate behavior), responsible for attention, memory, self-control, organization and planning.
What seems to be altered in this brain region is the functioning of a system of chemical substances called neurotransmitters (mainly dopamine and noradrenaline), which pass information between neurons.

by neuroscience

A)Heredity:

Genes seem to be responsible not for the disorder itself, but for a predisposition to ADHD.

B)Substances ingested during pregnancy:

Studies show an association between nicotine and alcohol consumption and a higher incidence of cases, although they do not show a direct cause and effect relationship.

W)fetal distress:

Studies show that women who went through problems during childbirth, which caused fetal distress, were more likely to have children with ADHD, but without a clear causal relationship.

D)lead exposure:

Young children who have experienced lead poisoning may have ADHD-like symptoms.

AND)Family problems:

Some controversial studies suggest that family problems (marital discord, absence of a parent, chaotic home environment) could be one of the causes of ADHD.

Possible causes

Conventional treatments

The most indicated treatment for ADHD is multimodal, that is, the combination of drugs such as Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) and Concerta and psychotherapy (CBT - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy).

There is medical consensus that these substances are very safe and well tolerated. Side effects reported with the use of Ritalin are:

Lack of appetite;
Headache;
Chest tightness;
Tachycardias;
Insomnia;
Increased blood pressure;
Tremors;
Excessive sweating;
Dry mouth;
Anxiety, panic attacks or psychotic episodes.

Serious complications such as seizures and cardiac arrhythmias are unlikely at recommended doses and the patient's history.

But due to the possible side effects of medication, many people seek natural and effective alternatives, as well as associate them with natural treatments, seeking to strengthen the body and use smaller dosages of medication.

It is very important that there is medical follow-up, even with the use of complementary medicines.

Complementary treatments

To know how Reflexology can help, it is necessary to understand more about this disorder and its consequences.

Our Central Nervous System (CNS) is made up of interconnected functional compartments. Through our five senses, we receive innumerable information from the external environment and through filters we can select what is important and urgent to be treated, and this information is conducted to the cerebral cortex. In this way we receive stimuli, establish connections with their characteristics, keep the information as memories to reuse it when we need to interpret and decode new facts and events. Attention is fundamental to the learning process and depends on an area of the brainstem called the reticular formation that is involved in actions such as sleep cycles, waking up and waking up.filtering of sensory stimuli, to distinguish relevant stimuli from irrelevant stimuli. After this filter, relevant stimuli are sent tocortex, becoming aware.

Through Reflexology the therapist will stimulate the reflex areas:

hypothalamus;
thalamus, filters stimuli from the senses such as touch, vision and hearing and interferes with emotional behavior;
Hallux Therapy, corresponding to the entire reflex area of the brainstem;
Hippocampus, presents action potentials when visual, acoustic, gustatory and somatic-sensitive stimuli are applied, helping in associative (declarative) memory, attention, alertness, endocrine, visceral, behavioral and social functions.
Cerebellar Amygdala, is the center of aggression and fear. Strong indication for interactors who have ADHD related to Accelerated Thinking Syndrome.
Liver. The production of dopamine occurs in the brain by activating the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts the amino acid tyrosine into L-DOPA, which will subsequently be decarboxylated to form dopamine. Tyrosine is produced in the liver by phenylalanine hydroxylase.
VTA(Ventral Tegmental Area). This is the main producing area of the neurotransmitter Dopamine;
Brain.

Academic papers reporting the benefit of Reflexology in reducing ADHD symptoms:

A case study: Effects of foot reflex therapy on ADHD symptoms and enuresis nocturia in a child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia, Volume 33, 2018, Pages 139-141, ISSN 1744-3881,

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388118302834

Authors: Senol Dane, Menizibeya O. Welcome.

IT HURTS:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.10.003

The information given is informative in nature. The forms of use must always be obtained under the supervision of a Naturopath.

Clinical Aromatherapy uses medicinal essential oils in treatments that can positively affect physical, mental and emotional health.
A study done in 2001 by Dr. Terry Friedman compared the effectiveness of Lavender, Vetiver, and Cedarwood essential oils in treating children with ADHD. Of the three essential oils, the Vetiver inhalation has been shown to be the most effective in brain wave observations and scans.
To reinforce memory and concentration, Rosemary and Peppermint oils can be used.
For a calming effect, Ylang Ylang and Lavender are proven to be effective, while Frankincense brings emotional well-being, clarity and heightened cognitive function.

aromatherapy

Food and Supplements

The information given is informative in nature. Quantities and dosages should always be obtained under the supervision of a nutritionist or nutritionist.

Foods and dietary supplements that can help treat ADHD:

Fresh and whole foods- avoid the use of processed foods, canned foods, wheat derivatives, dairy products, sugars, additives (mainly monosodium glutamate) and dyes.
Foods rich in B vitamins, especially B6: they help maintain a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B-6 is necessary for the production and metabolism of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Foods Rich in Magnesium: Magnesium helps calm the nervous system, improves concentration and reduces anxiety and is vital for normal brain function.
omega-3 fatty acids: Some surveys suggest that marine lipid supplementation appears to provide some improvement in ADHD symptoms. The exact mechanisms involved are still unknown.
Consumption of L-Tryptophan. This supplement is the precursor to DOPA which is the precursor to Dopamine.
Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata): This flower helps calm feelings of anxiety. Used to treat insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, agitation, mental restlessness.
Melissa (Melissa officinalis)- soothing that can reduce feelings of anxiety.

Flower Therapy

According to the NaturopathicFernanda Ornelasfrom space Expand Well Living Center, a flower therapycan be indicated in treatments for children with ADHD because it helps to balance the emotions in a natural way, without contraindications. Flower essences do not contain drugs, they are not medicines.

Florals are essential extracted from flowers that act in the balance of the human being in the emotional, mental, physical aspects. They act in a subtle way, according to the personality of each human being, helping to treat issues such as low self-esteem, irritation, insomnia, excessive worries, fears, traumas and other issues, alleviating various anxieties because they act on the root cause of the issue._cc781905 -5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_

When we eliminate the cause of the complaint, the discomfort, the body also balances itself, bringing more lightness and harmony.