from
drhuggiebear.com and Frank Barnhill, M.D.
Issue
10 Volume 1 October 2005
We heard you and have made the changes!
Those of you in our practice have asked for ways to contact your medical office care partners by E-mail and we thought it was a great idea. Find out how right after you read this month’s article.
Dr. Frank
This UncommonSense Health Newsletter is dedicated to being
your source for easy to read, up to date ADHD information on current and
important medical issues for your growing family.
We really appreciate your subscription and respect
your privacy! We never share, loan, sell or license our mailing lists. This
free e-newsletter is sent only to those who have requested so through an opt-in
confirmation subscription list.
Dr. Frank’s behavioral rule #1:
“ADHD is first a diagnosis of exclusion, then a diagnosis of inclusion!”
You must first exclude all the illnesses that mimic ADHD and then be sure the diagnosis fits ADHD traits.
This Month’s issue:
Frank
Barnhill, M.D.
Drugs that do not stimulate the brain activation parts of the frontal lobe have been used to treat ADHD for many years. Often, these medicines were used to control specific aspects of ADHD behavior or provide the chemicals our brain needs to produce neurotransmitters or brain messaging-processing substances.
Since most ADHD research has shown ADHD to be hereditary and comprised of a dysfunction in the brain frontal lobe areas, it is logical to assume drugs that affect this part of the brain may also help ADHD persons. On focus, the frontal lobes of our brains are responsible for executive thought processing or the handling of information input-interpretation-processing-output-storage. This means since ADHDer’s frontal lobes aren’t working well, the ADHDer will have varying degrees of problems interacting with his or her environment, peers, family and sometimes themselves. It’s hard to understand, learn, and socially interact in the proper manner when you can’t figure out how to process information.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most common
non-stimulant drugs being used to treat ADHD.
Non-stimulant ADHD drugs include:
These medications have a general bunch of side effects
and a few very specific ones associated with a certain drug. Here is the
currently agreed list:
Atomoxetine is the newest of the non-stimulant ADHD drugs and is similar in its side effects to some of the anti-depressants. Like the SSRI drugs (selective serotonin affecting anti-depressants), Atomoxetine changes neurotransmitter levels in the brain and can very rarely lead to:
Most often, side effects occur as a result of trying to increase or decrease ADHD drugs too fast or stopping them abruptly. This point is very important! You should never suddenly change your child’s or your ADHD medications without consulting your ADHD doctor.
So, what can you do to lessen the likelihood ADHD medications will cause problems with your ADHDer?
Following these suggestions really just makes good sense, doesn’t it? After all, our common goal is to help ADHDers achieve their greatest potential in all aspects of life!
Dr. Frank
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Congratulations!
This is your key to a higher level of personal healthcare never before experienced in our area!
The following information will allow you to leave non-emergency, non-urgent messages for your nurse and front desk staff at Dr. Frank’s office.
And to top it all, you can do so 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
How do you access myofficestaff at Barnhill Family
Medicine?
It’s simple!
Go to www.drhuggiebear.com , navigate to the myofficestaff/contacting Dr. Frank’s Office section of the homepage and click on the link of the staff member you wish to address.
For example, if you wish to ask a question or leave a message for one of our nurses, click on the link nurse@drhuggiebear.com .
Likewise, if you want to ask our front desk about appointments or address a billing problem, click on the link frontdesk@drhuggiebear.com .
For instructions and guidelines on using these links, please
see How to use these links (MAKE THIS A DIRECT
LINK TO WEBSITE)
Remember: Our goal in treating ADHD must be to use the most appropriate therapy to help your child develop the social and learning skills necessary to reach their fullest potential as a happy child and eventually an independent adult.
Dr. Frank’s
Golden Rule:
“ADHD is first a diagnosis of exclusion, then a diagnosis of inclusion”.
Frank Barnhill, M.D.
No
portion of this information is intended to be offered as medical advice for the
individual. Your family doctor is still the best
source of advice for you and your family and you should consult him or her if
you have any medical concerns. If you wish to use this article as a parent
handout or in your newsletter, please see http://www.drhuggiebear.com/
for our reprint
policy . mailto:drfrank@drhuggiebear.com
drhuggiebear.com is your source for uncommonsense medical resources.
Let Dr. Frank’s years of experience help you find
solutions for life’s little ups and downs. Our complimentary newsletters
include timely information on ADHD, depression, work and personal stress,
family health, and drugs.
Do
you know someone who may benefit from our health newsletter?
If
so, please help us reach as many “growing adults” as possible by forwarding
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We really appreciate your subscription and respect your privacy! We never share, loan, sell or license our mailing lists. This free e-newsletter is sent only to those who have requested so through an opt-in confirmation subscription list.
All
articles are derived from published materials, educational sources and years of
experience for each author. No portion of the
above-contained information is offered as medical advice in any manner. In
times of need, your family doctor or professional counselor is still the best source of advice for you and your family
and you should consult him or her if you have any medical concerns. If
you have comments or questions, please drop me a line at drfrank@drhuggiebear.com.
Frank
Barnhill, M.D.
All materials, content and graphics are Copyright 2005 Frank
Barnhill, M.D.
We love to be used!
If you wish to use this article as a handout or in your church,
school, or community newsletter, please see drhuggiebear.com for our reprint policy .
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