the topic became political fodder for abortion debates, it heightened public awareness of Downs Syndrome and a child who has it. We thought this was a good time to provide more  information about the disorder.

Downs Syndrome Is Not Preventable

Couples who are thinking of starting a family are curious about Downs Syndrome. Everyone wants a healthy baby and there is quite a lot of information available to couples on the subject of prenatal health and the prevention of birth defects. Though many types of defects and abnormalities can be prevented, some can not, such as Down Syndrome. Something about Downs Syndrome that couples may not know is that it is not preventable and it is not inherited through family genetics. Children born with Down Syndrome do not have to have a lesser quality of life than children without the disorder, but they do require a higher degree of educational intervention, as well as guidance for behavior modification.

What Exactly Is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome occurs when extra genetic material is present on the 21st chromosome, and is represented through specific characteristics. According to various internet resources about Downs Syndrome, the chances of having a child born with the disorder increases with maternal age, especially age 35 and older. Screening for Down Syndrome is recommended for all women who have had a previous child born with the disorder, or a variation thereof, and for all women over the age of 35 years. Amniocentesis is the preferred method to sample fetal cells, and is the most definitive way to see if the fetus is affected with any disorder or abnormality. There are other aspects about Downs Syndrome that can also be detected if the disorder is present. If the fetus is found to have a more severe form, called Trisomy 21, the pregnancy usually will prove to not be viable and will miscarry. If carried to term, the fetus usually does not live, and if it does, it will have an array of debilitating physical and medical issues that will limit the life span of the infant.

Children With Down Syndrome Have Certain Physical Features

We have all seen children with the characteristic features of this disorder. Most children that have Down Syndrome have certain physical features such as, decreased muscle tone, a singular crease on each palm of the hand, flattened bridge of the nose, and epicanthal folds over each eye. Developmental delays and varying degrees of mental retardation are also present, requiring these children to have some type of special education if feasible, and physical therapy, in addition to prescribed medical treatments and intervention. There is much to learn about Downs Syndrome, and couples that are thinking about having children should be aware of all the risk factors, incidence rates, characteristics, and what is involved in caring for a child with Down Syndrome.  If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, learn all you can about Downs Syndrome.

In summary, if a woman is over 35 or has already has a child with Down Syndrome, she should have Amniocentesis testing. A child born with Downs Syndrome will have a normal quality of life but will require special care.

Technorati Tags: birth defects, down syndrome, downs syndrome, Family, family planning, Parenting, parents

use acronyms throughout this, so you should know that ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder, and ADHD for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Background

I am an ADHD expert…to ONLY myself, to only my particular disorder, also know.  So as I write, I do so from a place of 40 plus years of history of the disorder, of diagnosis in only the last four years, and of having self-medicated (with street drugs) and later having researched and engaged in therapy and medical treatment for my ADHD.

ADHD is thought by many to be a child's disorder, which of course it is, but many sufferers like me are never diagnosed so we carry ADHD into our adult lives. When ADD or ADHD first appears in a child's behavior, it is usually interpreted incorrectly by the parents. The child can't concentrate or focus on anything for very long, so he or she has difficulty taking tests or completing homework assignments and  has problems in school and is thought to be stupid and perhaps teased  by classmates. But the child is not stupid at all. In fact, the child might get A's in a couse he or she really likes but an F in one that doesn't really interest him. Or the child may be overly energetic and disruptive in class. Teachers are more knowledgeable about ADD these days, because for years the cause of the problematic behavior was not properly diagnosed.
Adults who have ADD or ADHD usually have had it since childhood, and their disorder remained undiagnosed until ironically their child was diagnosed with the problem. They recognize that they had the same symptoms as their child when they were young.
Alternative Treatment Options

But I would like to share with you the ADHD alternative treatment methods I have learned about along the forty-year journey of hell and heaven, too.
First, know that while street meth is not a legitimate ADHD alternative treatment, it is what one MD says clever of you to try.  That is, many intelligent, proactive individuals who have ADHD but have not been diagnosed and are at their wits’ end trying to “cure” themselves will do what is called self-medicating.  So don’t be ashamed or overly obsessed with the esteem issues that come with street drug use.  Just get to a doctor or psychiatrist for diagnosis and understanding of the disorder.
Then, weigh the options available to you by reading whatever you can: read magazines, books, on- and offline articles.  Find the works devoted strictly to ADHD and written by experts and professionals in the field, including the following (listed here in no particular order): David Sudderth, Joseph Kandel, Thom Hartmann, Sari Solden, Thomas Whiteman, Michelle Novotni, Kate Kelly, and Peggy Ramundo.
At this point you will have come across the “traditional” or most common treatments, such as psychotherapy and drug (Amphetamine, Ritalin, etc. Al.) therapy combined, and will have found some ADHD alternative treatments, as well.  These include such alternatives as the following:
HOMEOPATHIC/NONTRADITIONAL MEDICINES

Some turn away from western medicine to such alternatives as acupressure—a healing technique that has been successfully applied for smoking habits, weight problems, anxiety disorders, fertility issues, and even HDHD symptoms.  As of 1997, the Lincoln Hospital Recovery Center in Bronx, New York, for example, administers acupressure treatments to those with ADHD.  They have had remarkable results: kids have been positively impacted in regards to their sleep and hyperactivity patterns, blood pressure and depression problems, studying and participating, working, and just sitting…calmly and without the “mind spinning” so familiar to those with ADHD.
ENERGY HEALING

Reiki and Therapeutic Touch, for instance, are energy healing approaches that work on the premise that the human being is a dynamic being, connected by physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional components.  Energy healing methods seek to balance these components, so in the person with ADHD, the symmetry that results is said to be calming—slowing the activity down so the person can focus, is less anxious, and is less intrusive and defiant.
DIETARY CHANGES

A close investigation of foods that are or contain allergens and irritants to the nervous system has revealed the possibility of ADDers being especially negatively impacted.  ADD treatments in this area include eliminating or curbing intake of white flour, sugar, and/or additives/preservatives.  But the controversy still roars on this one, and FDA and other regulatory bodies have not acknowledged the veracity of gross dietary changes…yet.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Much attention has been paid to holistic treatment, other ADHD alternative treatment, and vitamin therapies.  And many vitamin sources claim to help alleviate such symptoms as inability to focus, edginess, and sleep problems.  But as with any ingesting therapies, inappropriate application can lead to damaging results on other parts of the body and brain.  So what most specialists will acknowledge as important is nutritional balance, antioxidant vitamin supplements (A, E, for example), and/or a multi-vitamin…though as with many alternatives they will not attest to any remarkable cures or absolute recovery, which has yet to be proved, documented, and announced…for now, anyway.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Alternative Treatment, children, Family, learning problems, Natural Traetment

Developing patterns of healthy eating for kids is not easy, but it is doable! I know kids like all sorts of junk food more than what's good for them,

but it's worth trying to develop these healthy patterns when they're young. Lifestyles have changed for children, and that's not necessarily a good thing. They spend more time watching TV or playing video games or sitting at the computer. Why when I was a boy (something my father said to me a million times), we spent a lot of our free time playing games outside, games like basketball, volleyball, etc. That was before the PC and the Internet came into our lives.

Obesity On The Rise

And the sad result of this is the incidence of obesity among children and teenagers, and,surprisingly , some are developing Type-2 diabetes. This is a real tragedy. These young diabetics will be battling this disease until they come to grips with it and lose all that extra weight and modify their lifestyles dramatically. It'll be a lot easier on them now if you can instill some modest changes in their diet and tried to get them up off the couch and pursue some physical "fun" thing like shooting baskets or throwing a Frisbee around, so they wouldn't end up with this more serious problem.

A Constant Struggle

Every parent knows what healthy foods for kids are, yet it's a constant struggle to convince them. There are a number of reasons. For example, during a visit to a friend's home, that Mom may offer sweet treats, which the kids interpret as something they don't get so frequently at home. Although the friend's Mom intends the goodie as, well, a treat, kids arrive home, telling their own Mom, “Wow, Mrs. Smith let us have a bunch of cookies! How come you don't?” You hear the accusation in the question.

Almost every kid has a sweet tooth and would rather have a candy bar than a healthy blueberry muffin. When kids go to school, there are sodas, chips and candy bars available in vending machines. Peer pressure is incredibly powerful. You become the odd person out, so boring and strict in your promotion of healthy eating for kids. You soon feel that your efforts are doomed to failure. Many a Mom eventually caves. Don't  make this mistake! This only contributes to a child becoming overweight and often, a lifelong struggle with weight control and a poor self image.

Subtlety Might Be The Answer

There are lots of ways to continue making healthy eating for kids your priority. You just need to be subtle, persuasive and consistent. You can win them over to your way of thinking. Here are some suggestions.

You know that a kid's favorite question is, “Why?”. Although this can drive you crazy after the 100th time you hear it today, this question can be a secret weapon in your battle to develop long term patterns of healthy eating for kids, which sticks with them long after they've left home. Remember, poor eating habits tend to stick just as tenaciously. Here's how to use the “Why?” to advantage.

Try Promoting Nutrition

Get an age-appropriate primer on nutrition, which gives information on the role that good nutrition plays in keeping a body healthy. When you hand your child an orange for an after school snack, chances are that you'll hear, “Aaaw, why can't I have a cookie instead?” You grab the book and turn to the section on vitamin C. Little kids can relate to the misery they endure with frequent colds, while teens respond to zit and skin blemish issues. The point is, you've given them a legitimate reason. They may still try for the cookie, but they'll settle for the orange. Don't force your program of healthy eating for kids down their throats, just subtly and gradually educate them on good nutrition.

Don't Go Overboard

No kid is going to go for a relentless parade of healthy food. You've got to let up once in a while, without overdoing it. For example, if you serve a fruit pie with ice cream, or even an over the top chocolate cake once a week, such treats will not make them fat or unhealthy. Instead, it changes their perspective on treats, as something terrific to look forward to at Sunday dinner. Surprise them with the giant pizza every now and then. This type of careful distribution of treats eliminates the 'forbidden' factor. They'll soon come to see for themselves that balance, moderation and healthy eating for kids, is a good thing.

Set A Good Example

You must also be setting a good example. If you choose to indulge in chips, candy or whatever your unhealthy pleasure may be, while they're stuck with a banana, your strategy won't work. They'll start using their lunch money at the vending machine.

Which brings us to our last point. How do you teach them that junk food should not be a staple of healthy eating? Show them how to read food labels and get one of those pocket books which list food additives. There are several which give the scoop on every additive used in processed foods and what it does inside your body. Some are enough to make your hair curl, or straighten as the case may be.

The bottom line in successfully promoting patterns of healthy eating for kids is to  give them reasons to want to eat healthy food. This strategy works!

Technorati Tags: Family, Health, healthy eating, junk food, Natural Foods

I realize that children love McDonald's and other fast-food restaurants. McDonald's even markets to children.

do you think there are playrooms there? One of the reasons they introduced a line of nutritious items like their expanded salad line was so that moms could eat healthy while their children gobbled down Big Macs and fries. Everybody's happy, most of all McDonald's. But parents should start thinking about the eating habits their children are developing, which might help explain why Type-2 diabetes is starting to become a health problem for some children and teenagers. I realize there probably isn't a child alive who would prefer something healthy instead of McDonald's fries. I understand perfectly since I've devoured a lot of them in my life. But I started later in life to develop this bad habit. Fortunately I broke it. I'm not moralizing here, just making some suggestions! My wife feels a little more strongly about it.

Break The Fast Food Habit!

Please don't tell me you had McDonalds for lunch. This is the prime reason our nation is in the bad shape they currently complain about. Fast food, fast food, fast food! We've got to learn to avoid all that fast food. Don't buy into the commercials that act like you will have a wonderful and healthy day if you scarf down a value meal. In reality this is completely bogus. The truth is in the fat and calories. When you consume that Big Mac and large fries, your body is overwhelmed with fat and cholesterol. Not only does this clog your arteries and cause you to pack on the pounds, but it also makes you fatigued. Have you noticed your lack of energy? Meals that are high in fat will have that effect on you. They basically weigh you down, and make you tired. This is not a good thing. What you want is to feel energetic and ready to go do anything. You want to tackle your life properly, but need healthy eating plans to do so.

Have you adopted healthy eating plans for you and your family? When I say healthy eating plans, I mean meals that lack fats, salts, sugars, and cholesterol, but thrive with water, vitamins, and minerals. These are nutrients you can acquire from fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and meats. You need all of these for truly healthy eating plans. In addition, you need to avoid processed foods such as chips, cookies, and crackers. All of which commonly contain preservatives, and additives harmful to our bodies. I will admit that it took our family quite a while to really look into healthy eating plans. We all loved junk food just like anyone else. Now, it's not that you can't enjoy and ice cream cone, or chocolate brownie once in a while, but you really have to consume in moderation. For example, those fatty, sugar infused foods will hurt you if gobbled down on a daily basis.

Research Healthy Eating Plans On The Internet

Are you currently researching healthy eating plans? I will give you the heads-up that the Internet is a wonderful place to start. You can get nutrition advice regarding virtually anything and everything you wish. Check out the value of a carrot, or get the scoop on what all is in a Whopper. It's truly all at your fingertips. This is the age of knowledge, folks. Don't get duped by ads. Investigate on your own. It's high-time to acquire those healthy eating plans and appreciate the body and life you've been given. You'll be glad you did!

Technorati Tags: children, Diabetes, Family, fast food, Health, healthy eating, mcDonald's, Teens