According to the National Institute of Health Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a growing disorder, leading many doctors and parents to look for its causes. ADHD is the current name used for the disorder; ADD is an older term, so you will often see the two terms used interchangeably. A study from the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine shows that ADHD affects up to 7.5 percent of school-aged children, making this a significant problem for many families. Many causes of ADHD have been hypothesized, and a variety of factors may be involved, including nutritional deficiencies, genetics, and exposure to environmental toxins.
Nutritional Deficiency
According to dietitian Joan Endyke, a study published in the "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine" in 2004 showed that 84 percent of children with ADHD have a specific type of iron deficiency, compared with fewer than 20 percent of other children. Endyke speculates that regulating iron levels may help to decrease hyperactivity symptoms in children. Treating children with iron should only be done under a physician's care, however.
Additionally, according to research published in 2008 in the Journal of Attention Disorder by Dr. M. Johnson and associates, children with ADHD symptoms may have a deficiency of omega 3/6 fatty acids; when the researchers gave these children supplements of omega acids over a course of six months, there was a meaningful reduction of their ADHD symptoms.
Genetics
There truly are some things you can blame your parents for. According to the Mayo Clinic, a strong genetic link is hypothesized for ADHD: approximately 25 percent of children with ADHD also have a close relative with the disorder, especially a parent or sibling. According to Stephen V. Faraone, Ph.D., an expert in ADHD and Director of Medical Genetics Research Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, "It is essential for families to understand the genetic link associated with this condition," because often when a child is diagnosed with ADHD, a parent has it as well, and has been suffering undiagnosed and without treatment for years.
Environmental Toxins
According the the Mayo Clinic, exposure to various environmental toxins, including lead paint, drugs, tobacco and alcohol, can lead to an increased risk for ADHD. Lead paint and pipes were commonly used until the 1970s and some older buildings still have these materials in them, increasing the risk of ADHD in the children who live there. Other toxins found to result in a higher risk include prenatal exposure to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.
