Hyperactivity has only been recognised since the 60's, but since that, it has been an issue of research and and educational practice.
Hyperactivity refers to over-activity within children. It relates to a syndrome of symptoms often depicted by sleepiness, an easily over - stimulated personality, disruptive behaviour, restlessness, inattentiveness, poor writing and impulsive fighting. Performance will often deteriorate in unsupervised situations, the child may be isolated and will often have a poor self-image.
It is significant disorder numerically, especially in the primary school age group. In fact, amongst children attending child guidance services, hyperactivity is one of the most commonly occurring clinical problems, especially in boys.
Diagnosis can be problematic due to difficulty in the measuring of symptoms and the wide spectrum of "normal" behaviour patterns within children. Where a case of hyperactivity is undefined, parents can be inappropriately blamed for mismanagement and often blame themselves.
Hyperactive children are usually fair skinned with blue eyes and blonde or red hair. Five out of six cases are male. They may left handed, have a finicky appetite and an excessive thirst.
Once hyperactivity has been diagnosed, a three month dietary trial should be performed.
The first stage is to aim to eliminate foods and drinks containing artificial additives known to be responsible for hyperactivity in children, to cut back or remove other foodstuffs also known to be involved in hyperactivity, to identify and treat any medical conditions that could contribute to behavioural problems and finally, to identify and manage any other any other allergens involved in the child's overall medical condition.
Eliminate foods in which salicylates naturally occur, (Salicylates is a chemical widely used in drug treatments and manufactured for commercial use. It also occurs naturally in certain foods.)
Dried fruits, berry fruit, oranges, apricots, pine apples, cucumbers, gherkin, tomato sauce, tea, endives, olives, grapes, almonds, liquorice, peppermint, honey and Worcester sauce.
Avoid aspirin and medicines containing aspirin - use paracetamol. All medicines coloured orange, red, green and yellow should be avoided. Medicines, tooth pastes, vitamin supplements and lozenges containing synthetic flavourings and colourings should also be avoided.
Avoid all sweets, cakes, fizzy drinks, crisps, ice cream.
Secondly, eliminate other suspect foods, taking into consideration any other symptoms displayed by the child. If other symptoms include stomach pains, limb, pain, asthma and eczema, it is likely that there is a problem with other foods.
The most common product
is cow's milk and milk products - if the child suffered in infancy,
or still suffers, from three or more of the following complaints they
may have a milk intolerance:
Finally, ensure any co-existing medical conditions are being adequately treated. Also, have the child assessed by allergy testing to identify important allergens e.g. dusts, moulds and pollens.
Most children will, by now, show a significant improvement in symptoms. If a child still has marked thirst and occasional outbursts of temper, Evening Primrose Oil should be given.
N.B.- There may be an initial deterioration in symptoms - but the child should improve after five to seven days. Some children are able to tolerate the offending foods in reduced quantities after a few months. Response to diet may be poor in families where adverse psychological or social problems exist.
570 ml (1 pint) milk 2 tbsp natural yogurt 1 tbsp dried skimmed milk
N.B. - to make yogurt using soya milk, use the same method as above, but heat the soya milk only until it rises in the pan, stirring all the time.
1-2 large parsnips or ½ swede 15g (½oz) unsalted margarine 55g (2oz) 85% wheatmeal flour Seasoning 2 tbsp oil
170g (6oz) Brown Rice 1 large tin tuna fish 2 tbsp chopped parsley 3 hard-boiled eggs, Seasoning A little oil
55g (2oz) ground rice 85g (3oz) raw cane sugar 2 free range eggs 570ml (1 pint) boiling water Juice 1-2 limes
