Why do you think certain things are becoming widespread?

Peanut allergies, Autism, ADD/ADHD... I could go on.

Why do you think all of these things are becoming so much more widespread now than they used to be?

Is it the bubble world parents want their kids to live in? Is it the vaccinations? Is it the medications/antibiotics/vitamins/whatever doctors want us to take? What do you think are the reasons behind it all?

I vaccinate my kids, I got ultrasounds while pregnant, and I limit the medications I take to when I absolutely need them(like doubled in pain with no other choice).

A mix of overuse of medications, over diagnosis, malnutrition (yes, you can be obese and malnourished), and vaccinations over use.

Peanut allergies and food allergies alot because people introduce their kids to solids early and feed them allergy foods too soon.

Autism and ADD/ADHD because doctors are likely to diagnose someone with them more easily now.

i honestly believe that there is not MORE people with it just more awareness due to media and social sites and healthcare to diagnose it.

Quoting khigh:" A mix of overuse of medications, over diagnosis, malnutrition (yes, you can be obese and malnourished), and vaccinations over use."

Yeah basically this, and I think our processed foods play a part too.

I think autism and ADD/ADHD are overused blanket diagnosis for kids who don't fit a certain mold set by society JMO.

<blockquote><b>Quoting khigh:</b>" A mix of overuse of medications, over diagnosis, malnutrition (yes, you can be obese and malnourished), and vaccinations over use."</blockquote>




I agree too

Allergies are definitely from the "bubble".

Things like ADD and autism I think have exist there was just a lack of proper diagnosis in earlier times. They were looked at as just an energetic kid or weird or stupid even. But I think some people are desperately seeking some answer when they don't have a perfect child. There is a greater presence of medical intervention it seems these days so that could also contribute some what.

I think it has a lot to do with the overly processed foods (which I try to get away from but DH is insistent on it grrrr).

Vaccinations I am on the fence about because there are so many people that have never had reactions to them but then the flip side is there are the parents who claim their kids started having problems after receiving them.

I think it's a lot of over diagnosis and environment. The foods most people eat are filled with harmful chemicals, anything from a box, fast food, soda. Buying cheap factory farmed meats and dairy that are filled with harmful antibiotics that make our bodies immune.

Quoting White Chocolate Milk:" Allergies are definitely from the "bubble". Things like ADD and autism I think have exist there was ... [snip!] ... perfect child. There is a greater presence of medical intervention it seems these days so that could also contribute some what."

Allergies can also be genetic and that is why I have sort of held off giving shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crab...) to my toddler since my grandma is allergic.

As for ADD and autism I think there are many parents who just have active kids but don't like it so they write it off as ADHD and drug up their child so they are more complacent.

Also to go along with this... I have read some stories about parents changing/eliminating foods from their kids diets and it was a reaction to the foods that made them act the way they did and not because it was an actual disorder. The one that struck in my head was my grandpa saying there was a student at his school who could not have red40 (or some number of red dye) because it made the child act out basically.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" Allergies can also be genetic and that is why I have sort of held off giving shellfish (shrimp, lobster, ... [snip!] ... was a student at his school who could not have red40 (or some number of red dye) because it made the child act out basically. "</blockquote>

Yes genetics can play a part with allergies but if that was the only cause there would not be as many cases as their are today. I have 2 cousins with 2 kids each that have a handful of allergies for each of them. They have no family history what so ever. There have been studies that show The "Purel" babies are more likely to have allergies.

Quoting White Chocolate Milk:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" Allergies can also be genetic and ... [snip!] ... have no family history what so ever. There have been studies that show The "Purel" babies are more likely to have allergies."

Oh I have no doubt about that. I was just saying some are from genetics  I am not super clean and I don't care if my kid gets dirty or drops his food then eats it(well not in public, at home I don't care). It is part of life and my toddler has been sick twice since he was born nearly 2 years ago. I am hardly ever sick and I have never been sick enough to be hospitalized. The antibacterial stuff just leads to more resistant bacteria and creates more problems.

I believe a lot of the allergies comes from the lack of breast feeding. When you breastfeed, you pass the antibodies that you have built up to your child via your milk. Scientists are studying the link between seasonal allergies and breast milk, as well.

For autism and ADD, I think there's a serious push from the medical field to try to explain away a child who is different, and a desire from parents to fix it. Both of my sons have markedly low attention spans. I got "official" diagnoses on both of them because their school essentially forced me to. However, I discovered that they could learn just as well as any other child if extra steps were taken. Since I know the school couldn't do it, I quit my job and I'm doing it myself. Autism is something I don't have experience with so I don't want to give an opinion on it.

Quoting Bangtail:" I believe a lot of the allergies comes from the lack of breast feeding. When you breastfeed, you pass ... [snip!] ... quit my job and I'm doing it myself. Autism is something I don't have experience with so I don't want to give an opinion on it."

All kids learn differently. Some are hands on (like me) and others can just read/hear it and know what it is. But some parents are so quick to just listen to the school who crams 30 kids in with one teacher (at least in california) to get the child tested to find the problem and get an IEP and so on... I know there are some children who legitimately have issues but I think there are many cases of just a very active child, one who just needs more attention than a classroom can provide or even an allergy. I am planning on home schooling my kids to avoid the drama schools create and hopefully get my husband away from the processed foods but he thinks it is better than home cooking. But he grew up with eating out 95% of the time, he also said he was sick a lot as a kid. Since we have been together and he doesn't eat out as often he is hardly ever sick.