Dr. Vimal Gupta

ADHD refers to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is a brain-related condition found among preschoolers, children, teenagers and in many cases extends well into adulthood. These individuals have significant impairment in academics as well as social situations and interpersonal relations. The child has difficulty sustaining attention, phases of hyper activeness and cannot control his/her impulses which make their day to day life at school and home difficult.

ADHD Symptoms

The symptoms of this disorder among children can be categorized under three headings.

1. Hyperactivity which includes
   1. Fidgeting
   2. Restlessness
   3. Inability to stay at one place runs around and tries to climb things
   4. Trouble playing quietly
   5. Excessive talking
2. Inattention, which can be divided into symptoms like
   1. Getting easily distracted
   2. Tendency to loose things
   3. Daydreaming
   4. Facing problems related to organizing things
   5. Not listening carefully
   6. Forgetting about daily activities, carelessness
3. Impulsiveness
   1. Interrupts others as they speak and talks out of turn
   2. Answers questions without listening to what has been asked
   3. Not being able to wait for their turn to come

Prevalence :
10-12% of school children before puberty are affected by one or more types of ADHD. ADHD especially hyperactivity is more prevalent in boys than in girls, with the ratio up to 9:1. Inattention and poor concentration are more commonly seen amongst girls. The rate of ADHD in parents and sibling of children with ADHD is 5-10 times higher than in the general population.

ADHD Causes
The probable causes of ADHD among children are,

1. Neurodevelopmental changes - Poorly developed activity of the brain particularly in the areas that control attention and concentration cause ADHD. This causes an imbalance in the neurotransmitters or the chemicals important for brain functioning and development.
2. Genetic Factors - genetic studies show that ADHD is largely hereditary in nature with a heritability of 75% approximately. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Psychologist.

Stomach aches or abdominal pains are one of the most frequently reported health complaints faced by children. Children below the age of twelve are known to suffer from recurrent stomach pain. While pains such as these lead to momentary discomfiture, they also lay the path for graver worries if neglected for too long. Your child may feel sick and bunk school for two days; rest and home care can restore his or her health, but that in no way, is the best suited way of dealing with the situation. If tummy aches resurface over a certain period of time, parents should be cautious enough to look for the root cause and should try to eliminate it accordingly.

Widely noticed causes of stomach aches in children:

1. Unhygienic food can affect the child’s digestive system.
2. Intolerance to a certain food item should not be overlooked.
3. Perpetual anxiety can make the tummy twist and turn.
4. Urinary Tract Infections can also lead to acute abdominal pain.
5. Serious factors such as gallstones or appendicitis could also be present. Immediate expert consultation is advised in such a case.
6. Caffeine and packaged soft drinks can be harmful.
7. Butter, ghee and other greasy products can trigger tummy aches.

Ways to treat tummy aches in children:

1. Keep children away from gas producing food items: Food that is hard to digest should be avoided. Lentil soup or dal should only be consumed in limited amounts to prevent the formation of gas. Don’t let your child have too many nuts regularly.
2. Keep them hydrated: Fluid intake should be monitored. A child should drink at least six to seven glasses of water per day. Fruit juices or soups can also be given to them alongside main meals. This helps digestion.
3. Do not stack up food in one go: Eating a lot in one meal is a bad way of satisfying hunger. Have smaller meals in more numbers. Six to eight meals will keep your child full and will also eliminate chances of acid reflux which happens either due to an empty stomach or too much piling up of greasy food.
4. Timely check - up with the doctor: If tummy aches refuse to go away, take your child to a doctor for a thorough check- up. Administer medicines as prescribed by the physician.