Last week, I talked about how the number of children diagnosed with ADHD has skyrocketed over the last few years, and posited some possible explanations for this phenomenon. While some might argue that ADHD awareness and overeager doctors contributed to this increase, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics finds that diet and lifestyle parallels the high rate of childhood ADHD cases today.
It’s hardly surprising to learn that more children receive the ADHD diagnosis today. A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered that the number of ADHD diagnosis among children in the United States went up 22% in four years – from 7.8% in 2003 to 9.5% in 2007. These findings are certainly consistent with other research on the rapid rise of the ADHD diagnosis around the world. However, I’m more interested in finding out why this is happening. What could be causing this so-called ADHD epidemic? Here, I posit four possible reasons.
Does your ADHD child have difficulty falling asleep at night? You might want to keep the computer shut and encourage your child to put his or her mobile phone on silent mode as well. According to a new study from the JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey, sending text messages and using other electronic communication devices during bedtime can aggravate ADHD symptoms the following morning.
Has your child been acting differently after he or she had that bad sore throat? Have teachers been complaining that your child no longer pays attention in class or that his handwriting is difficult to read? Does your child suddenly become particular about the way she does certain things? Your child’s sore throat might have resulted in a rare condition called PANDAS – pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus. Believe it or not, the common strep infection can trigger ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other neuropsychiatric conditions if left untreated.
Last week, the media had a field day over a study that presented new evidence for the genetic cause of ADHD. This study, which was done by researchers from Cardiff University and published in the English journal The Lancet, revealed that children with ADHD are more likely to have missing or duplicated DNA segments. The researchers also discovered that the ADHD-related DNA segments overlap the genetic variants detected in those with schizophrenia and autism. But exactly how crucial are genetics in the ADHD puzzle? How much do genes influence ADHD?
For some time now, we’ve been aware that environmental chemicals are one of the silent causes of ADHD. Many of these chemicals are neurotoxins – substances which act directly upon neurons and interfere with their functions – that linger in the environment for years. Symptoms of neurotoxin exposure include lack of concentration, personality changes, depression, and hyperactive behavior. In adults, exposure to these poisons can cause a range of health problems, from infertility to cancer. Children and babies, however, are uniquely affected by these chemicals due to their developing nervous systems and biological immaturity; they are unable to detoxify as efficiently as adults, and the rapid development of their brain processes makes the neurons more vulnerable to the effects of chemicals. In other words, children are helpless against these toxins and are more likely to suffer from ADHD, autism, and other psychological disorders with prolonged exposure.
What most people don’t realize is that you don’t have to live near a polluted area to be exposed to these chemicals; neurotoxins lurk in the products you use daily and the food you eat. Current research reveals four everyday chemicals linked to childhood ADHD. Find out what they are and what you can do to avoid them.
We’ve long suspected that the typical Western diet might be the reason why so many children are diagnosed with ADHD today. The brain requires a healthy number of nutrients, essential fatty acids, and amino acids to release and regulate neurotransmitters (brain chemicals responsible for mood, attention, concentration, and impulse control). Although these nutrients can be obtained from a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, the typical Western diet has little room for such healthy options. Why? This type of diet prioritizes the convenience of cooking rather than nutritional value. Unfortunately, these fast food meals are high in fat, refined sugar, and sodium, and offer few nutrients in return. Can such a diet be responsible for the increase of ADHD epidemic among children and teens today?
We’ve known for decades that exposure to toxins is one of the leading causes of ADHD, but it’s always unsettling to receive news that confirms this discovery. A 2006 issue of The Lancet recognizes that industrial chemicals (e.g. methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, and arsenic) are one of the causes of neuro-developmental disorders, violent behavior, lowered IQ, short attention spans, and antisocial behavior. In the same year, a study by the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental health discovered that children who have high levels of a flame retardant called PBDEs in their umbilical cord blood scored lower on mental and physical development tests. More recently, a research study published in the journal Neurotoxicology in 2009 discovered a strong association between polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on floor paneling and the incidence of autism.
Many parents on the lookout for an alternative to Ritalin have resorted to buying one of the many high-powered energy drinks often marketed to young consumers. While children with ADHD need a little help channeling their pent-up energy into productive energy, an energy drink may not be the best way to go about it.
It’s alarming when you realize that many of the medications we take haven’t been tested for their long-term effects on our health. Take for instance the drug Labetalol, a medicine that is sometimes prescribed to women suffering from pregnancy-related hypertension or high blood pressure. A preliminary study in The Netherlands reveals that Labetalol may increase a child’s chances of developing ADHD if his or her mother took the drug during pregnancy.