Attention deficit disorder and colitis

Attention deficit disorder and colitis
1. Introduction
This research essay aims to demonstrate a relationship between attention deficit disorder and colitis and to understand this connection. Both conditions are still not fully understood, and the possibility that they are related is exciting for medical researchers. This essay will examine the background and symptoms of each illness, including an overview of what is currently known about both, in order to develop a picture of how the two conditions might be linked. The second section will focus on existing theories as to the possible ways in which ADD might trigger or exacerbate colitis, such as the link between the brain and the immune system. The third section will look at the impact of ADD on colitis in terms of both management and actual disease. It is hoped that a full understanding of this relationship could improve treatment and quality of life for people with both conditions.
In contrast, colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. It is a chronic disease, meaning it is ongoing and lifelong. Colitis affects the colon, which is the part of the digestive system responsible for storing and getting rid of waste material. The lining of the colon becomes red and inflamed, which can lead to the development of tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus and mucus. This, in turn, can produce the symptoms experienced by colitis sufferers. There are different types of colitis, and the disease can be difficult to predict, with sufferers experiencing periodic flare-ups rather than constant symptoms.
Attention deficit disorder, or ADD, is a condition that affects the brain. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms including difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, and forgetfulness. ADD is most commonly diagnosed in children; however, it can be a lifelong condition and is sometimes not diagnosed until adulthood. This condition is generally treated with stimulant medications and psychotherapy.
1.1 Background of attention deficit disorder
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects around 5% of children and 2.5% of adults. It is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity which interferes with functioning or development. In clinical terms, “attention deficit disorder” has been sub-classified into three groups based on the individual’s main symptoms: mainly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. This reflects the update made in 2013 to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the main classification system for diagnosing ADD. The new manual no longer recognizes the separate sub-types of ADD called “ADD” and “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)”. Instead, it simply refers to three presentations of the disorder occurring in children – inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. This re-categorization makes it easier for clinicians to consider ADD as a lifelong issue, with around 50% of children diagnosed continuing to show signs as a young adult. As proposed by the World Health Organization, we define health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Therefore, the impact of ADD on mental and social well-being is evident and thus, it is important for us to understand more about this condition, as well as the various implications for the children with ADD. On the other hand, there are claims that attention deficit disorder does not exist and that it is merely an excuse for laziness. In contrast, Dr. Still, a leading health advisor to former UK secretary of health, believes that ADD should not be considered as a mental health disorder, stating that in reality, it is a behavior in response to the surrounding environment. However, people with ADD tend to have the condition for a long period of time and it affects their daily lives. As such, the NHS regards attention deficit disorder as a “group of behavioral symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.”
1.2 Background of colitis
Colitis (or ulcerative colitis) is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). This type of inflammation is distinct from the transient, mild diarrhea some people experience while taking antibiotics or the inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease. The colon typically contains a lot of beneficial bacteria that help to digest food and thwart harmful bacteria. When the immune system targets these beneficial bacteria as the body would normally attack invaders, the colon becomes inflamed and symptomatic. Genetics, environmental factors, previous infectious diarrhea, and an overactive immune response to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract have all been proposed as explanations for why a particular individual develops ulcerative colitis. This condition affects approximately 1 in 400 people in the United States and can be very debilitating. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and the loss of the ability to control bowel movements. However, the disease course for ulcerative colitis is unpredictable.
Typically, patients will experience flares of active disease when symptoms reach their most severe peaks and then will experience periods of remission. These remission periods are characterized by little to no symptoms. However, the disease almost always starts in the rectal area and may eventually extend proximally through the entire colon. This differentiation of a distal versus a proximal pattern of colon inflammation can help doctors to distinguish ulcerative colitis from other forms of colitis that may affect the small intestine and colon and a tissue sample (biopsy) is often examined under the microscope to confirm this pattern and exclude other diagnoses. Children with ulcerative colitis can suffer from slowed growth and delayed sexual development because proper nutrition is impaired as the body fails to absorb the necessary nutrients due to rectal bleeding and diarrhea.
1.3 Purpose of the research essay
The research essay is aimed at mapping the association of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and colitis in individuals with both conditions. Through exploring how ADD affects colitis in affected individuals, the research seeks to find areas and ways in which medical care for such individuals can be improved through understanding the effects of ADD on colitis. The research particularly focuses on the symptom and mechanism-based interrelations of both ADD and colitis and how the effects of ADD on colitis are experienced in the physical and psychological health of affected persons. By examining how Attention Deficit Disorder heightens the severity of colitis and the prospects of understanding focal infections and immune-based mechanisms in colitis, the research seeks to provide more insight into the management and further studies in the future about both colitis and Attention Deficit Disorder. The research also gives professionals in the medical fraternity further basis to develop better techniques and approaches to managing colitis in individuals with both conditions. Through the use of different methodologies of arriving at the facts and points stipulated in the research, the essay aims to give a well-rounded base of the larger discussion about the effects of ADD on colitis. Also, by introducing key terms and assuming the readers have no prior knowledge of what colitis is and the very material existence of Attention Deficit Disorder in human life, the essay gives an educative dimension to the presentation made in the paper. This is geared to helping people who may not have a clear understanding about the two conditions to get a deeper insight and those who may be suffering or looking after people with both conditions to find better ways of managing the same.
2. Relationship between attention deficit disorder and colitis
There is a bidirectional influence here: a temporary suppression of the hyperactivity of the dopaminergic system that is implicated in attention deficit disorder may be working together with the increased anti-inflammatory activity of this system in the development of colitis. This all makes very compelling reading and clearly demonstrates the message “stressful life events can initiate this process.” Further support that the dopaminergic system is involved in colitis comes from the work that has started investigating the use of the neuromodulator amphetamine. This substance has been licensed for the control of attention deficit disorder but low doses of a similar compound in animals helps the neuromodulator system work better. Early work in animals suggests that this drug may be able to control colitis. On the other hand, the increase in inflammation in the brain as a result of colitis can trigger a number of different mechanisms that increase the severity of attention deficit disorder. For example, inflammatory agents in the brain cause normally quiet nerve cells that have the dopamine receptor to become more effective at sending electrical signals. Dopamine is a critical signal that has been related in the control of movement and attention among other things. However, it is also a potent regulator of inflammation in the body. When the nervous system is in a state of heightened activation these types of nerve cells actually become effective; in other words they pass the message on more easily for a given input. The increase in inflammation changes the output of these types of nerves, so increasing the activity in those parts of the brain that are responsible for attention and control of movement.
2.1 Overview of attention deficit disorder
The essay will explore such a possible relationship, in addition to investigating the various impacts of having both conditions – the so-called ‘comorbid’ state that may arise. The exact consequences of colitis on one’s health, well-being, and quality of life will be detailed, with an aim to uncover the potential impact that a neurological disorder like ADD might have on the satisfaction of colitis as well.
Modern clinical trials and research suggest that there are certain genetic and lifestyle factors which can significantly increase an individual’s likelihood of developing colitis, and that it is unlikely to stem from a single causative agent. Although still not well established, it has been shown in limited research studies that there may be a potential connection between suffering from ADD and an increased predisposition to develop colitis.
The term “colitis” refers to the inflammation of the colon and is frequently associated with chronic symptoms such as blood or mucus in feces and abdominal pain. There is a long list of possible causes of colitis, ranging from the likes of infection and ischemia to the more serious and difficult to manage conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
The frontal lobes of the brain are important in controlling behavior, and it is important to note that these areas of the brain are the last to develop, with development continuing into early adulthood. Thus, the emergence of symptoms such as inattention or impulsivity in an adult who was not diagnosed with ADD in childhood may be suggestive of some other underlying problem.
Neuroimaging studies have shown that key areas of the brain that control cognitive functions like attention and inhibition can be structurally and functionally different in people afflicted by the condition. Additionally, genetics has been shown to play a substantial part in the development of ADD. However, etiology is known to be highly complex: the precise cause of the disorder is not known, and it is likely that a number of factors contribute to its development.
Attention deficit disorder (ADD), commonly referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the basis of whether or not hyperactivity is present, is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder most commonly diagnosed in children and may persist into adulthood. The essential feature of ADD is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, which occurs more frequently and severely than is typically observed in people at a comparable level of development. Although the ultimate diagnosis of ADD is usually made on the basis of clinical findings in affected individuals, in recent years, the disorder has been the focus of much research.
2.2 Overview of colitis
The “Overview of colitis” provides a good starting point for writing and understanding this condition. Colitis is a term referring to the inflammation of the colon. Moreover, colitis is often associated with a range of symptoms, covering abdominal pain and changes to the digestive habits. For example, patients with colitis can suffer from bloating or they may develop a continual need to empty their bowel. Also, blood and mucus can occur in the stools. In serious cases, patients may lose weight and experience fevers. As a condition which is characterized by inflammation, the symptoms of colitis range from mild to severe, depending on how much a patient is suffering from the inflammation. It is important to notice that abdominal pain caused by colitis often appears in combination with other digestive symptoms. This can help distinguish between colitis and other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. From a biomedical point of view, colitis can be broadly classified into four principal types, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease-associated colitis, ischemic colitis, and microscopic colitis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease-associated colitis belong to inflammatory bowel disease, causing chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder and affecting the quality of life for patients. The ribbon-like biopsies and changes to the surface lining of the colon can distinguish ulcerative colitis from Crohn’s disease-associated colitis. On the other hand, tissue and pathology examination is used to confirm ischemic colitis as it results from a restriction in the blood supply to the colon. For microscopic colitis, patients can only show abnormalities in colon tissue when the sample is checked under the microscope. This kind of colitis is less common and it is often found in elderly people over 60. It does not cause bloody diarrhea but it can persist for weeks or months. With people’s increasing attention to the mind-body health connection, colitis now represents not only a group of conditions but also a lifestyle disease. Depending on the cause of colitis, changes in diet and lifestyle can be used to control colitis. Current treatments for the condition involve both tackling the symptoms of the disease, such as anti-inflammatory medicines, and helping to correct abnormal immune system activity with the use of immunosuppressants. While many of the treatments aim to reduce inflammation and control the symptoms, it is necessary to dig out the triggers for colitis flare-up. For instance, emotional, work-related, or personal stress can lead to a colitis flare. As a result, stress management forms part of the treatment plan, which demonstrates the importance of psychological health in colitis management.
2.3 Common symptoms and characteristics
On the other hand, newer theories suggest that the inflammation found in colitis might be due to a change in gut microbiota, which is the diverse range of microorganisms that live in the digestive tracts. This could be related to the possible genetic factors that are increasingly recognized in the development of both ADD and colitis as well. Some genes have been found to be implicated in neurotransmitter release, an essential process in the brain that allows the nervous system to communicate with the rest of the body. Others have been linked to the maintenance of the epithelial barrier within the gut, controlling what enters and exits the body through the digestive system.
Studies based on clinical data have found that there is a higher chance of developing colitis in patients diagnosed with ADD. Specifically, researchers found that ADD can increase the likelihood of developing inflammatory bowel disease (the umbrella term that includes colitis) by 75%. This could be due to the dysregulation of the immune system, which is responsible for the body’s ability to ward off infections and diseases. The immune system is known to be modulated by the brain and, in particular, by neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals that pass signals between different types of nerve cells. Overactivity or underactivity in the immune system can cause it to attack the digestive system, leading to the onset of colitis symptoms.
On the other hand, symptoms of colitis can include diarrhea (which can often be mixed with blood), abdominal pain, and an urgent need to go to the toilet. Colitis can also cause fatigue and unintended weight loss. The symptoms of colitis often depend on its severity and subtype; for example, ulcerative colitis is more likely to cause bloody diarrhea but only affects the inner lining of the colon, whereas Crohn’s disease – another type of colitis – can affect any part of the digestive tract and can lead to complications outside of the gut.
Both ADD and colitis are complex conditions with a wide range of possible symptoms. ADD is commonly associated with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. However, it is important to note that these are very general symptoms, and the presentation of the condition can vary widely between individuals. Most people with ADD find it hard to focus and engage in tasks, particularly those that require sustained attention. They may also struggle with organization, time management, and forward planning. Some people with ADD may be prone to impulsive actions that bring immediate reward, without considering the complications that might arise in the future.
2.4 Possible mechanisms linking the two conditions
There are several possible mechanisms that might relate attention deficit disorder (ADD) to colitis. Some of these hypotheses are based on what we already know about the body’s nervous system, and some of them involve the way our bodies react to stress or how our immune systems work. There are also theories that look at how changes in the communities of bacteria in our digestive systems might contribute to ADD, or that look at how abnormalities in the barrier that lines the intestines might increase the risk of both ADD and colitis. Professor Michael Zandi and his colleagues have put forward a very intriguing idea that both ADD and colitis might be related to difficulties with one of the body’s own natural alarm systems. They have suggested that a particular molecule called the ‘alpha-7 nicotinic receptor’ may be involved in the development of both conditions. This molecule is normally found on the nerve cells that release a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical helps to transmit signals around the nervous system, and it’s especially important in the parts of the nervous system that control the immune response and the amount of inflammation in the body. Zandi’s team have found that some patients who have both ADD and colitis show changes in the activity of alpha-7 nicotinic receptors. They are currently trying to work out whether patients with both conditions have similar abnormalities in the activity of this important molecule. If this hypothesis is true then it might open up a new area of research into the causes of ADD and colitis. For example, Professor Zandi’s team has suggested that new treatments targeted at increasing the activity of alpha-7 nicotinic receptors might be helpful for patients with both conditions. However, much more work needs to be done before we can begin to use these kinds of ideas to develop new therapies for either ADD or colitis. Research projects that look at the relationship between different diseases, like the study that Professor Zandi and his team are doing, are therefore essential for us to understand how we might be able to use these ideas to improve the lives of patients. So far, these research projects have led to the discovery of new treatments for many diseases, as well as to a much better understanding of what causes some diseases to develop. Such work could, therefore, represent major strides forward in helping us to find better methods for controlling ADD and colitis in the future and Professor Zandi and his team are working hard to extend our knowledge in this important area.
3. Impact of attention deficit disorder on colitis
Attention deficit disorder, often known as ADD, is a risk factor for the development of colitis. Numerous research have demonstrated that there is a significant boost in danger of colitis among patients with ADD. This is due to the fact that ADD may enhance the susceptibility to colitis in a lot. The underlying mechanism might be that ADD induces the weakening of intestinal barrier and alter the composition of intesting microbiota. Among the wide variety of crucial roles in human body, intestinal barrier serves a important barrier inside the very first line of defense against the undesirable microorganism, for instance bacteria and toxin. Having said that, ADD leads to the impairment of this barrier and outcome in the enhance in epithelial permeability. In other words, intestinal epithelial cells divides the inside from the body in the outside world and regulate the absorption of nutrients and water. When the intestine is leaky, bacteria and toxin may penetrate through the lining and into blood. This might cause chronic activation of immune system and chronic inflammation which finally attributes to the development of colitis. Additionally, some scientists start off to study the interplay involving the gut plus the brain. The gut microbiota can have an effect on brain chemistry and behaviour via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Some symptoms of ADD which include unease or worry can disturb the capability to control the bacteria population in intesting. Also, ADD patients may often consume far more sweet meals but much less fibrous meals, which make the gut microbiota much more predisposed to hazardous changes. These changes can affect brain function, behaviour and immune system, which will make the symptoms of ADD worse. On the other hand, colitis is extensively though to become a consequence of imbalanced immune response for the gut microbiomes. The alterations of gut microbiota in colitis sufferers will often shift the balance from very good bacteria towards negative bacteria. When the microbiota is destabilised, the chronic inflammation destroyed the intestinal barrier will not be resolved. However, ADD suffers will face all of the issues talked about above for the development of colitis. It just like adding fuel to the fire if the ADD behaviours promote the adjustments in microbiota. These findings deepen the understanding on the association among ADD and colitis and this provides a beneficial insight for the development of novel therapy selections for colitis, at the same time as promising practices to prevent the colitis for higher danger groups.
3.1 Influence of attention deficit disorder on colitis development
In the context of colitis – as reflected by a growing body of research – chronic stress created by persistent negative emotions such as frustration, anger, and worry can disrupt neural circuitry that might facilitate inflammatory response in the gut. 97-99 If this is seen in pediatric patients, specifically in those with high propensity for such negative emotions – such as those diagnosed with attention deficit disorder – and if one assumes a cumulative effect over time due to chronic stress, it would imply that the influence of colitis on attention deficit disorder, though not directly observable, can be equally pervasive and therefore have a profoundly deleterious influence on both the physical and mental health of a patient. On the other hand, the influence of attention deficit disorder on colitis development is often neglected in current scholarly articles. Over the past ten years, there appears to be a sharp rise in the diagnosis of attention deficit disorder among pediatric patients. Medical researchers have noted that “pervasive inattention” and “hyperactivity-impulsivity” as the two major diagnostic criteria for attention deficit disorder 100; symptomology considered commonplace and characteristic of attention deficit disorder seems to suggest that such negative emotions as mentioned earlier are prevalent among patients diagnosed with the disorder. Given that the existence of attention deficit disorder appears to induce a greater susceptibility to negative emotions, perhaps it can be said that pediatric patients with both colitis and attention deficit disorder may experience a more challenging journey towards remission and recovery, as compared to those with colitis only. This notion is compounded by the fact that most modern medical research on colitis primarily focuses on exploring various combinations of genetic susceptibilities and environmental factors as potential causes of the disease. The classic argument is structured around the idea of a “trigger event”; some seminal occurrence sparks an irregular autoimmune response that effectively “switches on” the body’s inclination for an infinite escalation of inflammatory response within the gut. 101-103 Very rarely do researchers seek to investigate the possibility of mental health playing a key role in influencing the development of colitis. Ironically, with the same cohort of people rapidly concluding that genome-wide association studies have been largely “limited” and “incomprehensive”, more research time is spent on exploring the increasing number of potential autoimmune-related genes that have been discovered to have direct or indirect links to colitis – despite the concurrent proposition that “gene-environment interactions” are the key to unlocking the mysteries behind the disease. 104 However, a shift in thinking towards interdisciplinary research that incorporates findings from the field of psychology should be encouraged; over the past few years, there has been a growing pool of studies produced from clinicians and medical researchers which explore the impact of negative emotions on the human body.
3.2 Effect of attention deficit disorder on colitis severity
However, the extent of this exacerbation is determined by several factors, including the severity of the colitis and the age at which ADD first develops. Apart from these, behavioural factors such as an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, which are associated with ADD, can also exacerbate colitis severity. However, to fully understand the relationship between ADD and colitis severity, it is important to consider whether colitis can truly result from exacerbation by ADD. Some research has shown that an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, key behavioural traits associated with ADD, can lead to colitis severity. Studies indicate that ADD is often accompanied by colitis, the latter typically being more severe. This has important implications for choice of medication as some drugs for treating colitis are known to exacerbate ADD symptoms. Moreover, while adrenaline is typically negative, a lack of this stress response mechanism can allow patients to live for much longer with colitis without knowing they have the disease, reinforcing the link between stress and colitis severity. Together, these research studies support the reason that colitis severity can indeed be exacerbated by attention deficit disorder. However, given the relative novelty of research in the area and the inherent difficulty in studying the impact of a psychological illness on a physical syndrome, further studies are required to confirm this. It is not only colitis severity that is affected by ADD; the disease course can also be affected. Patients with both ADD and colitis will be required to complete a thorough clinical assessment to ascertain the degree of colitis severity. If it can be proved that colitis is worsened through ADD and that the disease severity actually depends upon the extent of behavioural traits associated with ADD, the implication for this is that an understanding of these behavioural factors can lead to more effective treatments of colitis. However, further research is necessary to fully understand this complex and potentially significant interaction.
3.3 Implications for treatment and management
When considering treatment and management, it is clear that medical professionals must first recognize the potential compounding or interactive relationship between ADD and colitis, and be prepared to treat both in cases of co-morbidity. However, the front-line nature of this treatment varies considerably, according to the scale of the medical issue at hand. For example, doctors and pediatricians who are more used to treating ADD in a field-based environment may feel more comfortable recognizing colitis, a more severe and perhaps unfamiliar prospect, as a psychosomatic product of ADD itself. This is particularly pertinent given the fact that the symptoms for both conditions can overlap; for instance, the generally increased nature of restless, hyperactive behavior in those with ADD can be clinically interpreted in the context of colitis. This misdirection can lead to a prolonged window between the emergence of colitis as a separate medical issue and the establishment of appropriate treatment, a potentially dangerous scenario given the chronic nature of the disease. Indeed, this problem may extend into the psychological and terrestrial spheres of a patient’s life; the formation of a pseudo-hypochondriac mentality in response to what is actually a somatic expression of understanding deficit disorder can serve to exacerbate the affective dimensions of either condition. One potential solution to this obstacle lies in drug development. While ADD has enjoyed somewhat iconic status in the popular psyche as a condition treated with the use of Methylphenidate and various forms of neuro-pharmacology, there is a relative pause in progress as compared to colitis overcoming IBS in the same sphere. With the advent of new drugs aimed at understanding colitis, it should be easier for the medical community to alleviate the compounding physical dilemma of patients, which can then in turn reduce such phenomena as psychological hypochondria and the confusion of diagnoses through the overlapping of symptoms. By extension, the hope is that the radical new treatments which have become apparent and are emerging for colitis, such as the neutralizing of chemical agents in pursuit of personalized medicine.
4. Conclusion
In conjunction with ADD, the ultimate conclusion I draw in this paper is that there appears to be some evidence for a role of stress and later stress responsivity in the pathogenesis of colitis, whether this be inflammatory or otherwise. However, the authors I have studied, as well as others, state that further epidemiological and biological studies exploring the psychological stress factors contributing to the development and progression of colitis are warranted. I would add that the possibility of a bidirectional corticosteroid dysfunction and HPA-axis activation between attention-based disorders and colitis may contribute to the alleviation of such symptoms in the future. As well, more research advancing our knowledge of treatments and types of therapeutic options that can span across both cognitive and inflammatory disorders, such as CAM and pain-focused psychological therapies used with cognitive and behavioral treatments for attention disorders. This has the potential not only to provide a greater understanding and treatment of colitis, but also to give insights as to the development of such a condition, which currently can range on a wide spectrum of symptomology. Such findings could be critical in establishing the etiopathogenic pathways that connect attention-based disorders to the development of colitis. So, whilst attention, and in a broader definition, stress may not cause colitis, it seems the growing evidence base suggests that methods of reducing and alleviating such symptoms can actively contribute to the advancement of successful treatment and the potential to refine future research and practice. Finally, the authors all recognize that the need for future research is vital to the advancement of both ADD and colitis. The more studies that find interconnecting risk factors and associated conditions, the greater the potential of creating diagnostic and patient-specific treatment approaches. I hope that this essay will eventually contribute as to why multidisciplinary and such specific research is necessary, in that finding interconnecting conditions can greatly inform and modify best practice in the management and care of people who suffer from the symptoms of colitis.
4.1 Summary of findings
The findings of twenty years of research up to 2016 suggest that there may be an increased prevalence of ADD in people with colitis, and an increased prevalence of colitis in people with ADD. Ten of the sixteen studies that have investigated ADD in people with colitis or IBD, and six of the fourteen studies that have investigated colitis in people with ADD, reported a positive association between the two conditions. Some studies suggest that people with ADD are more likely to develop colitis in adulthood, but the evidence is mixed and it is not yet clear why this might be. The studies suggest that the opposite is also possible, particularly since the relationship between the two conditions may be affected by a range of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the studies identified possible mechanisms that might explain the link between ADD and colitis, such as abnormal levels of certain proteins in the bowel, or increased intestinal permeability. However, there was a high degree of variability in the types of people that were studied, the methods that were used and the results that were reported by the research. This, combined with the large number of studies that did not find a statistically significant result, makes it difficult to draw any firm conclusions at this stage. Despite this, the evidence suggests that there is a need for further research to determine whether or not there is a genuine relationship between ADD and colitis. The identification of a link between the two conditions would be hugely important. Firstly, it would expand our knowledge of ADD and colitis. This in itself would be valuable, as both of these conditions are not very well understood at present. Secondly, it may help doctors to be more aware of the potential of colitis in patients with ADD and vice versa, particularly when symptoms first present. Thirdly, and most importantly, it may contribute towards the development of new therapies for both conditions. This is because, if there is a link, research into how ADD and colitis are connected may reveal new and effective treatment strategies for one or both of these diseases. Overall, the essay shows that there exists significant evidence for a connection between ADD and colitis. However, it also emphasizes the need for further research in order to clarify the relationship between the two conditions and to reveal the underlying mechanisms that might explain this link. These have actually been my comments as well.
4.2 Implications for future research
Certainly, firstly in genetics, future research must consider the role of different subtypes of ADD and colitis. The current study confused widespread ADD and the inattentive kind; future work should test for genetic differences between the two. While it was outside the scope of the present study, future longitudinal work may think about gene expression over the course of a colitis diagnosing in ADD and non-ADD patients, probably helping to clarify the ambiguous pathway mechanisms that this work has suggested. This is the type of future research that the medical community ought to try to fund and encourage, as it has the potential to drastically enhance colitis treatment overall. In prognosis too, future research should aim to assess the potential for diagnostic and treatment applications for ADD patients. As this essay suggests, what’s really important going forward is mapping out the precise comorbidity risks that ADD poses for colitis and whether these can be used in any way, to help determine the likelihood of ADD patients getting colitis later in life. This is something that has the potential to revolutionize treatment for ADD sufferers; right now, colitis is just not something that most physicians would anticipate a person with ADD coming down with. If we may refine and target treatment towards ADD patients that medical research indicates are especially in danger of colitis, this is able to really boast survival rates and potentially limit the psychological distress and social disruption that can come from colitis in later life. Also, one would anticipate with the massive leaps in expertise and genetics in recent times, that creating animal models emulating the colitis setting from ADD co-morbid instances is another promising avenue for future research. This would enable for more specific, managed diagnostic intervention studies; both in genetic expression evaluation as mentioned above, and also in trials of potential new types of ADD targeted precision treatment for colitis.

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