Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioral symptoms that may include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. The symptoms associated with this condition tend to be noticed at an early stage when children are about 6 to 12 years old. However, the symptoms tend to intensify when the child’s circumstances changes, such as when they start school.

ADHD affects people differently. After all, we are all different in one way or another, right?  According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are three types of ADHD, and each is treated based on its symptoms. So, while people think of hyperactive when they hear or think about ADHD, it is possible to have the disorder without being primarily hyperactive.

Treating ADHD often requires psychological, behavioral, educational, and medical intervention. Depending on the age of the patient, the treatment options may include:    Parent training    Education regarding ADHD    Educational supports    Behavioral therapy    Counselling    Skills training    Medication Treatment for ADHD can help relieve the symptoms and improve the patient’s daily living conditions.

Many parents who discover that their child has ADHD (or attention deficit hyperactive disorder) are not keen on treating them with pharmaceuticals due to potential side effects. While many health experts point to prescription medication as the most common treatment for ADHD, they also acknowledge that medication is effective in only 80-percent of cases.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no single test to diagnose ADHD, because many other health conditions such as certain learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders can have similar symptoms. If you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD, the first thing you should do is talk to your doctor to check if the symptoms fit the diagnosis.

Gout, or hyperuricemia, is a condition that’s caused by the long-term buildup of uric acid crystals in the bodily tissues and joints. What results from this buildup is painful inflammation that’s characterized as a type of arthritis that strikes in what’s known as a gout attack. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia).

Gout develops as a direct result of excess uric acid in the body. However, certain common factors or causes can contribute to increased uric acid levels—including family and medical history, existing conditions, weight, and diet. For instance, gout flare ups are often caused by the flare-up actors: Enzyme deficiency Individuals born with Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome (or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome) are deficient in the enzyme, xanthine oxidase.

Gout is often confused with other conditions, due to similarities in many of the symptoms (i.e., joint pain and inflammation). However, if you think you may have gout, you can expect your doctor to ask you a series of common questions during your initial appointment. With that in mind, here’s the information that you should be prepared to bring along to your medical appointment: