What Causes ADD in Kids - Genetics or Environment?
What causes ADD in kids? There are many theories.
The benefit of learning about the theories is that they may help you understand the disorder or even learn how to treat it.
Genetics When we think about genetics, we have a tendency to believe there is nothing we can do about it.
New discoveries may make it possible to correct genetic abnormalities.
You can think of genes as a plate full of switches.
Some of the switches are in the on position.
Others are in the off position.
If a bad gene gets switched on, it can cause health problems.
The hope is that we can learn how to switch the bad genes off and turn on the good ones.
Neurotransmitters Currently researchers believe that a large portion of the cases of ADD in kids are caused by a combination of genes that affect the neurotransmitters, chemicals in the nervous system responsible for transmitting signals to the brain, from the brain and from one portion of the brain to another.
Some of the drugs for treating the disorder stimulate the production of neurotransmitters.
They work for some people, but not for others, because they are not selective about which neurotransmitter stimulation.
For example, they could stimulate neurotransmitters that cause depression or mood disorders.
More Genes Still another theory involves genetic variants that would have been beneficial for pre-modern humans.
Scientists have found that in modern nomadic tribes, people with the "ADHD genetic variant" were healthier.
The theory is that the genetic variant would have improved an individual's ability to hunt.
If you know someone who has an attention deficit disorder, you have probably noticed that they have a fantastic ability to search and seek.
They have no problem with constant movement, which would have been a requirement for a good hunter.
Environmental Toxins A number of studies have shown an associated between ADD in kids and exposure to insecticides, PCBs, cigarette spoke, lead and other environmental toxins.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk that the child will have attention deficit disorders.
Animal studies have shown that consumed toxins cause oxidative stress and injury to important neurological pathways.
While things like PCBs are eventually excreted from the body, they can accumulate in the tissues and remain inside of the body for months at a time.
The toxins may also switch on the bad genes mentioned earlier.
The body can repair damage done by exposure to toxins with time if the exposure stops.
So, one of the possible treatments for ADD in kids is to limit exposure to toxins.
That could mean buying only organic fruits and vegetables, avoiding fish that may contain PCBs, removing lead from the environment or making other efforts.
Diet There may be a link between artificial colorings or other food additives and attention deficit disorders.
While the ingredients may not be as toxic as those mentioned above, they are not as safe as was once believed.
Poor nutrient intake could also be what causes ADD in kids.
You can learn more about that in one of my other articles.
The benefit of learning about the theories is that they may help you understand the disorder or even learn how to treat it.
Genetics When we think about genetics, we have a tendency to believe there is nothing we can do about it.
New discoveries may make it possible to correct genetic abnormalities.
You can think of genes as a plate full of switches.
Some of the switches are in the on position.
Others are in the off position.
If a bad gene gets switched on, it can cause health problems.
The hope is that we can learn how to switch the bad genes off and turn on the good ones.
Neurotransmitters Currently researchers believe that a large portion of the cases of ADD in kids are caused by a combination of genes that affect the neurotransmitters, chemicals in the nervous system responsible for transmitting signals to the brain, from the brain and from one portion of the brain to another.
Some of the drugs for treating the disorder stimulate the production of neurotransmitters.
They work for some people, but not for others, because they are not selective about which neurotransmitter stimulation.
For example, they could stimulate neurotransmitters that cause depression or mood disorders.
More Genes Still another theory involves genetic variants that would have been beneficial for pre-modern humans.
Scientists have found that in modern nomadic tribes, people with the "ADHD genetic variant" were healthier.
The theory is that the genetic variant would have improved an individual's ability to hunt.
If you know someone who has an attention deficit disorder, you have probably noticed that they have a fantastic ability to search and seek.
They have no problem with constant movement, which would have been a requirement for a good hunter.
Environmental Toxins A number of studies have shown an associated between ADD in kids and exposure to insecticides, PCBs, cigarette spoke, lead and other environmental toxins.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk that the child will have attention deficit disorders.
Animal studies have shown that consumed toxins cause oxidative stress and injury to important neurological pathways.
While things like PCBs are eventually excreted from the body, they can accumulate in the tissues and remain inside of the body for months at a time.
The toxins may also switch on the bad genes mentioned earlier.
The body can repair damage done by exposure to toxins with time if the exposure stops.
So, one of the possible treatments for ADD in kids is to limit exposure to toxins.
That could mean buying only organic fruits and vegetables, avoiding fish that may contain PCBs, removing lead from the environment or making other efforts.
Diet There may be a link between artificial colorings or other food additives and attention deficit disorders.
While the ingredients may not be as toxic as those mentioned above, they are not as safe as was once believed.
Poor nutrient intake could also be what causes ADD in kids.
You can learn more about that in one of my other articles.