The moment your child was diagnosed with ADHD, your family doctor probably began insisting that your child be put on prescription medication to help relieve the symptoms of this condition. However, due to the severity of potential side effects some parents simply don't want to treat their children's ADHD with prescription drugs and in other cases prescription medications simply don't work and can make some symptoms of ADHD worse in some children.
Common Side Effects Of Prescription ADHD Medications For Children
Side effects of Prescription ADHD medications can run the gambit from very minor side effects to those that can actually interfere with a child's daily life and in the worst case scenarios even result in permanent health problems. The most common side effects for these prescription medications in children are:
- Loss of appetite. Many of the medication used to treat ADHD in children causes them to lose their appetite which if not carefully monitored can result in poor growth and even malnutrition. Parents often become so worried about their child's lack of appetite that they will give the child whatever they want to eat simply to tempt them into eating something. This can lead to poor nutrition and excess weight in some cases.
- The Zombie Effect. Many parents feel as though the prescription medications for ADHD leave their child in a perpetual drugged state. While this may keep them quiet and well behaved in the classroom it can also impair their ability to function well on assignments and leave parents feeling as though their child is only a shell of their normal self.
- Headaches and upset stomachs. A large number of children on prescription ADHD medications suffer from almost daily headaches and upset stomachs due to the drugs they are taking. While these side effects are seldom life threatening they can interfere with the child living a comfortable and constructive life.
ADHD Symptoms That May Increase When Taking Prescription ADHD Medications
Some children may actually suffer an increase in some ADHD symptoms when taking the prescribed medications for this condition. In other cases, the medication can cause changes in mood and behavior that appear to be symptoms of ADHD that the child never experienced before. Some of these symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- aggression
- Anger
To make matter worse, once a child has been on prescription medications for ADHD for a period of time, they need ever increasing doses of the medication in order for it to effectively decrease their ADHD symptoms. Some of these medications may be habit forming and in almost all cases the increase in dosage can increase the negative side effects that these drugs may have.
So What Happens If That ADHD Medication Is Not Helping Your Child?
The good news is that there are many natural therapies, supplements and homeopathic remedies that can help reduce your child's ADHD symptoms without the dangers of those prescription drugs. Changes in diet, behavior modification, role playing and variety of other treatments are available and one of these in combination with other natural treatments may be just what "the doctor ordered" if he only would.
Studies on fish oil supplements and omega 3 fatty acids have shown themselves to be effective in the treatment of ADHD in children and even adults. These supplements may help to improve focus and concentration, increase feelings of well being, and decrease irritability and aggressive tendencies.
Studies have shown that children with ADHD often have deficiencies in basic minerals such as Zinc and magnesium which is necessary for brain health. Natural vitamins that contain these minerals or homeopathic remedies that use plants that have high does of zinc and magnesium may also reduce symptoms of ADHD in some children.
There are also homeopathic supplements that can help increase memory and concentration as well as supplements that contain herbs that help to calm your child without leaving them feeling drugged or like a zombie.
In short, if that ADHD prescription medication is not right for your child, then perhaps it is time that you decided to learn more about alternative treatments and natural supplements that can help your child control some of those symptoms of ADHD.
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