Causes of ADHD - The Mind And Body Connection

There appear to be many causes of ADHD and aggravating factors and the sufferer may be victim to one or even several of these at one time.

On this page you will find seperate sections in regard to each of the causes of ADHD that we know about. However, this page should not be read in isolation, but along with my other ADHD pages too

• What is ADHD
• Symptoms of ADHD in kids
• Natural Remedies for ADHD - Herbs and Supplements
• Natural Remedies for ADHD - Homeopathy and Flower Essences
  
• ADHD and the dietary link

Medical History

Studies have actually shown that a child with a history of recurrent and frequent ear infections, and who was treated with many courses of antibiotics will be more prone to developing ADHD.

It also appears that a history of being born prematurely is liable to make one more prone to this disorder.

In my experience, one of the common denominators appears to be regular antibiotic usage in the history, regardless of the reason for it.

Food Allergies / Sensitivities

As I have already discussed at length on my ADHD natural treatment page, food allergies and sensitivities are also causes of ADHD.

In particular chemicals that are added to our food such as colourings, flavourings and preservatives.

Please see the appropriate page for more information on this aspect.

Environmental Toxicities

Environmental allergens and toxicities also play a major role in the causes of ADHD and its development. This includes heavy metal toxicity such as lead, mercury and aluminium. (Many people cook with aluminium utensils, especially when they go camping, but this is to be avoided at all costs not just your child with ADHD but for everyone in the family)

It is this sensitivity to environmental allergens that may be benefited by installing an air filter/purifier in your house, as already mentioned in my ADD natural remedies page.

If you drive your child to school through lots of traffic every single day, or past and industrial establishment pumping out lots of fumes, then you may be aggravating your child's condition when he inhales these toxins.

If you are able to take a different and less congested route, then you would be well advised to do so.

However, since we are all exposed to so many different toxins in everyday life, and a child with ADHD almost certainly has a build-up of toxins of one sort or another in his system a natural liver detox is going to improve his health, possibly dramatically.

A struggling digestive system

A poorly functioning digestive system and increased intestinal permeability lead to an increase in metabolic toxins that disrupt brain chemistry. This can occur from repeated exposure to food substances that your child is allergic or sensitive to.

It is also believed that it can occur as a result of having intestinal candida, a yeast organism, running riot in the intestines.

This is a common occurrence after prolonged or repeated and frequent use of antibiotics, because they wipe out the good bacteria as well as the bad, and it is this that allows the candid to take over.

The good news is that by taking a high-quality probiotic as suggested on the ADD natural remedies page as well as following the nutritional and dietary advice on the ADHD natural dietary treatment page you should be able to establish the correct bacterial balance in the intestines again and thus reduce the intestine or permeability and the aftermath that can result from it.

If you believe that your child (or you) has intestinal candida, and these measures are not helping enough, then it may be that you have a particularly stubborn and well-established case.

This is one of the times I would strongly recommend consulting a qualified natural health practitioner who can give more specific and relevant advice to your particular causes of ADHD.

Nutritional deficiencies and imbalances

There are various nutritional deficiencies and imbalances that can cause or exacerbate ADHD and by taking on board the advice on the ADD natural remedies page and the ADHD natural treatment with diet page, you should be able to address all of them easily.

These include a diet high in sugar, additives, colourings, and preservatives as well as refined flours while at the same time being deficient in fresh meat, fruit and vegetables as well as whole grains, legumes and pulses.

Emotional stress

Finally, do not underestimate the role of emotional stress and its relationship to causes of ADHD.

The breakdown of the family unit in our culture places abnormal stresses on a child, which can result in attention and behaviour changes.

This is discussed in more detail on the ADHD natural treatment page and if you believe this to be a factor in your case, then you must not leave it unaddressed.

Important Footnote

It is important to realize that there are many causes of ADHD and many factors, which may not actually cause it, but may well aggravate the situation and cloud the issue. So if you only deal with one “suspected” cause, and no other factors, then you may not see the results that you desire.

My suggestion is to look at as many aspects as possible and as always, ensure that you look at diet as this is the biggest single culprit, and yet in many ways is actually the easiest to address.

Go directly to my ADHD Natural Treatment page for more information on this.

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