ADHD Medications

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD chances are your doctor will prescribe an ADHD medication to your child. Medications that are stimulants are commonly prescribed. The medication may not work at first. Either the medication has to be increased in milligrams or the medication may have to be changed altogether. There are possible side effects to these medications, too.

Popular stimulant medications prescribed to ADHD children are Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrin, Focalin, Metadate, and Methylin. Stattera is a non stimulant drug used to treat ADHD. You may want to consider other options before giving your child these medications. Each of these medications come with a caution that they may have side effects to the child's heart. Be sure to give your doctor detailed information about your family history especially heart problems and mental health problems.

As a parent you still may not feel comfortable giving your child any of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medications. There are other options to try before putting your child on ADHD medications.

The first method you may want to try is to change your child's diet. Have your child eat foods that are high in protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates. Avoid the simple carbohydrates in your child's diet. The diet change will benefit the entire family as it is quite healthy.

The suggested protein foods are nuts, peanut butter, meats, salmon, white fish, cheese and fruits with protein. Fruits that are high in protein are oranges, apples, kiwi, pears, tangerines and grapefruits.

Omega-3 fatty acid foods include tuna fish, salmon, white fish, walnuts and Brazil nuts. Some children may not be fond of these foods and you may speak to your doctor about having the child take a supplement. At snack time give your child nuts, cheese, and fruit with protein. Fruits that have protein are apples, kiwi, oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and pears. Eliminate candy, sugar cereals, corn syrup products, and honey. If your child has a craving for candy give them a small helping of sugar-free candy to satisfy their urge.

Eat the complex carbohydrates that the above fruits have. Vegetables with carbohydrates are highly recommended to eat, also.

Simple carbohydrates are foods that you want to try to eliminate in your child's diet such as the sugar cereals, honey, candy, and corn syrup. Other products are those such as white rice, potatoes without the skins on, and white flour products.

Get out and exercise twenty to thirty minutes a day. This rule is important for everyone. Toss the football around with your child, go for a bike ride, just get out and play.

Get organized. Help your child to be organized. He/she will grow up watching your actions and the more you are organized, the better off your child will be.

Speak to your doctor about trying the recommended diet and exercise for ADHD children. It is worth trying before you put your child on ADHD medications.