Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD for short, is on the rise in the United States, with one in 10 children in the country being diagnosed with the neurological condition at some point, according to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control.
The National Survey of Children's Health found that the number of kids age 4 to 17 who reported being diagnosed with ADHD rose from 7.8 percent to 9.5 percent from 2003 to 2007.
The disorder is characterized by an inability to concentrate at school, at home or in social settings. According to the survey, 66.3 percent of children who suffer from ADHD take medication to combat its symptoms, a marked increase from previous years.
Medications such as Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta, all of them amphetamines, are used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Some doctors have even prescribed medical marijuana to patients.
The precise cause of ADHD remains unknown, but one recent study suggested a correlation with a diet high in processed and fried foods.
Here's a primer on ADHD from AnswersTV.
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