ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is an ailment that does not only concern children. Although signs of ADD are commonly manifested during childhood, it could also affect teenagers and adults. Symptoms would include hyperactivity, forgetfulness and lack of focus.

Individuals who are showing the symptoms of ADD should immediately consult their physicians. Doctors would immediately prescribed medication that can help control these symptoms. Study shows that ADD is attributed to the dysfunction of brain chemicals and prescribed medicines can help with such condition. Specific medicines can influence the make up of natural brain chemicals.

Here are some of the most common types of medical treatments for individuals who suffer from ADD:

• Dexamfetamine (Dexedrine)
• Atomoxetine (Strattera)
• Methylphenidate (Equasym, Concerta and Ritalin)

The above medicines basically affect the brain’s noradrenaline and dopamine. These parts of the brain are responsible for the behavior and attention span of an individual. If an individual suffer from ADD, chances are these parts of the brain remain inactive. Medicines made for ADD could rouse activity in these areas.

Most of these medicines, particularly dexamfetamine and methylphenidate, are actually therapeutic stimulant medicines. These can improve an individual’s sympathetic nervous system and are designed to improve alertness. Stimulants medicines have been used to treat ADD for more than three decades. For children one to six years old, atomoxetine is highly recommended.

ADD patients who take these medicines show less violent behaviour and a more controlled temperament. They are observed to have better concentration and listening skills. They begin to be less impulsive and think clearly before taking actions.

These behaviors when maintained would cause dramatic improvements after several months. ADD sufferers can be more effective in school. They can build more stable social relationships with their schoolmates, friends and family members. In the long run, these improvements would instill in them self-assurance to help them go on with their lives.

It is important to note that medicines don’t guarantee a cure for ADD. They simply help reduce the symptoms. Although there are certain prescribed medicines to treat ADD, its effectiveness still largely depends on the individual who takes them. For prescribed medicines to be efficient, it should always be coupled with proper support and encouragement from the people that surrounds them.

Jason Rickard is the owner of Your Favourite Shop - Offering yourfavouriteshop.com White Noise and Relaxation CDs - Visit hapahapa.com Hapa Health for more articles

Of the nearly fifty million Americans who take vitamin supplements on a regular basis less than ten percent consult a physician or other health care professional for advice on what to take and how much. So, if these people aren’t consulting a professional where are they getting this crucial information?

Sadly, many of these people are getting advice from the makers of the vitamins they consume, magazines that cater to the vitamin industry, or from friends who also have no formal training or knowledge of supplements.

If you want to be sure that the information you are getting is correct you need get it from independent third party sources that have nothing to gain from your consumption of vitamin supplements.

One of the best sources available is the USDA, which has a website containing a large variety of nutritional information as well as an illustration of the famous food pyramid. The American Cancer Society maintains a vast database of information also and is especially valuable for checking the validity of some of the health claims made by supplement makers which are sometimes totally false.

The United States Food and Drug Administration is another good source of information on health food supplements. They consider supplements to be food as opposed to classifying them as drugs and they do not evaluate the claims made by the manufacturers. They do keep a list of reports on companies that have been found to be making false claims about the benefits of their products.

The FTC is the big consumer watchdog organization for the United States. Not only do they maintain a huge library of information on vitamin supplements but they also take action against the people who over hype their products to get people to buy them. You can find reports on the companies and individuals who have be found guilty of fraudulent claims as well as those under investigation at the FTC website.

Another great non-biased source in the National Institutes of Health, on their website you can find a wealth of information on vitamin supplements.

As a longtime health nut and bodybuilder for over thirty years I believe that it is vital to take supplements to be sure we are getting the vitamins and minerals our bodies need, but I also believe it to be important to be well informed about the supplements you are considering taking. In many cases some supplements may interact with medications you are taken and can cause dangerous and sometimes deadly side effects. You cannot trust the sellers of the supplements to provide you with the correct information because they will always push the line as far as they can without getting busted by the FTC for false claims.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this and shop4betterhealth.com Shop4BetterHealth.com at shop4betterhealth.com shop4betterhealth.com