Many less severe cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, have more treatment options than doctors typically discuss.

By Dr. Thomas Polucki

In the past 25 years have we seen an explosion of diagnosed and medically managed cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

Did you know that schools get extra funding for every diagnosis of ADHD?

It’s something to think about, considering that for more than a hundred years, we have known that some boys are more hyperactive and less focused than others.

And while it’s true severe cases are challenging for everyone involved, many of the mild to moderate cases of ADHD might have more treatment options than your doctor may have discussed with you.

ADHD is characterized by the following behavior:

• difficulty paying attention
• easily distracted
• inability to sustain attention
• difficult  concentration
• frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another
• procrastination
• disorganized work habits
• forgetfulness
• failure to complete tasks
• frequent shifts in conversation

Conventional medicine uses stimulants in the same category as methamphetamine to treat ADHD.

RELATED: Read more Dr. Polucki Family Health Hour news articles on KHTS’s website

Before you fill that prescription for your child, you may want to consider the following
partial list of known side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
• feeling light-headed, faint, like might pass out
• fever
• sore throat
• aggression
• restlessness
• hallucinations
• unusual behavior
• twitches
• easy bruising
• dangerously high blood pressure
• severe headache
• blurred vision
• buzzing in the ears
• anxiety
• confusion
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• uneven heartbeats
• seizure
• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• vision problems
• dizziness
• sweating
• skin rash
• numbness/tingling
• cold feeling in hands or feet
• nervous feeling
• sleep problems

Here are some drug-free options for improving attention and behavior.

Order out of Chaos. What we can all learn from the clinically distracted mind

Schedule. Most of us could use a little help with time management. Routines help but can take a while to become habit. In the meantime it helps to keep a checklist, in sight, of everything that needs to happen from wake-up to sleep.

Organize. Keeping track of everyday objects is much less distracting when they are always in the same place.

Write. Writing anything down makes it much more likely to happen.

Consistency. Consistent rules with clearly understood consequences improve follow-through.

Reward. Be on the lookout for good and immediately and enthusiastically praise it.

Living with ADHD and/or living with a child with ADHD is indeed stressful.

Appropriate nutrition, exercise and gentle-specific-chiropractic to reduce physical stress on the nerve system may not treat ADHD, but supporting a healthier, less stressful routine can’t hurt.

Take my confidential survey HERE to see how we can help to reduce the damage chronic stress causes.

About Santa Clarita Chiropractor Dr. Thomas Polucki

Dr. Thomas Polucki is a Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor and Certified Upper Cervical Chiropractor.

Dr. Polucki provides Functional Medicine services in most cities via remote labs and Internet consultations. He sees patients by appointment at 25050 Peachland Ave., Suite 105, Newhall, Calif., 91321. Visit http://www.drpolucki.com for more information or call 661-753-9340 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Polucki also hosts the “Dr. Polucki Family Health Hour” on AM 1220 KHTS radio in Santa Clarita
Mondays from 11 a.m. to noon. Click here to listen to the podcasts.

The information in this article is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease.