Scoliosis is a correctable deformity in which the spine curves to one side instead of growing straight. It is especially common in girls in the growing years between the ages of 10 and 16. Usual ages for onset in girls is 9 to 10, and for boys, 11 to 12. Although there is some evidence […]
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Suntans and sunburns used to be a normal, teenage summer ritual. Now, studies show that prolonged sun exposure can put one at increased risk for malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. One study at Harvard Medical School found that even one case of blistering sunburn in childhood could double a young person’s risk
If your teenage son began complaining of pain in the groin what would you do? Assume the causes were minor unless other symptoms developed? This could be a terrible mistake. While it’s true that pain in the groin may signal only a minor problem, it can also be a symptom of testicular torsion, a medical
Many parents of teens worry about skipped periods that occur after a girl has started having a regular cycle of menstrual periods. There are a number of reasons why this can happen. Pregnancy, of course, is one reason, but other very common contributing factors are stringent dieting or frequent strenuous exercise. This can deplete the
In the past, cramps were considered part of the menstrual “curse” — an affliction to be suffered as part of being a woman. Today, we know that cramps, medically termed “dysmenorrhea”, are caused by contraction of the uterine muscles resulting in mild to great discomfort, and can be helped with a variety of drugs. These
It was not quite ten years ago that Toxic Shock Syndrome was first connected with tampon use. In the years since, fear and uncertainty about tampon use have lingered. Can your daughter safely use tampons today? Unless she has already had Toxic Shock Syndrome, she can use tampons safely with these guidelines: 1. Be aware
Teen girls are most likely to worry about superfluous hair, especially on the face or around the nipples of the breast. Most often, this hair growth has genetic causes. If your ethnic origin is Mediterranean, your daughter may have a greater tendency to have more body or facial hair than someone of Oriental origin. For
While most women know that breast self-examination is a good health habit, most teenage boys and young adult men don’t know that testicular self-examination is a health saving routine they need to establish during adolescence. Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men between the ages of 15 and 35, affecting some
Could your teen be using or abusing drugs or alcohol? Ask yourself the following questions: 1. Have my teen’s group of friends changed suddenly? 2. Does my teen receive phone calls from people I’ve never heard of before? 3. Is he irritable? 4. Is he having trouble concentrating? 5. Is he getting into fights at
While many teens experiment with a cigarette, alcohol or drugs just once, and others confine their substance use entirely to cigarettes, the trend is toward risk clusters instead of one type of risk taking behavior. Recognizing a risk cluster can help a parent spot early signs of trouble. There are four, well documented risk clusters.
