Teen Health

Archive for June, 2010

Pregnancy is a course of rebirth for every woman as she comes a full circle of life at this point. She is giving birth to a new body and soul. Teen pregnancy especially needs the right guidance. The kind of life and diet you lead defines the health and life of your baby during the pregnancy period.

Whom To Contact During Teen Pregnancy?

Constant pre-natal care from your doctor, nutrition experts and clinic as well as family and friends is one of the basic things to be followed. Drinking and smoking should be avoided at all costs as it causes irreparable damage to the little one inside. Drugs prescribed by the doctor are the only ones to be taken. A balanced and nutritional diet should be top priority. Teenage pregnancies are always laden with the risks of going back to drugs, smoking; as a result the babies develop immature organs/systems, even retardation in many cases and the most dominant, early death during infancy.

Correct Nutrition and Medication during Teen Pregnancy:

Since, a teenager’s body is still growing, it is necessary to eat the right amount of pregnancy diet that is essential for you as well as your baby. Correct composition of vitamins and minerals are required mainly in case of a teen pregnancy. It is normal to gain 25-30 pounds during pregnancy and the minimum intake of calories per day should be no less than 300.Gaining weight is much more important if you want to breastfeed the child. Never skip meals and avoid junk food as much as possible as the have very little or no nutrient value at all. If you cannot afford nutritious food, inform your health care providers and ask them for advice and they will enroll you into the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program.

LOVE AND CARE MOST REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH TEEN PREGNANCY:

The prevalence of teenage pregnancy is the highest in the U.S and most of such pregnancies end up in premature deliveries or abortions. Most of them are unintended. No strenuous exercises should be done during this period, but a brisk walk for 15-20 minutes or a game of basketball would be fine. The main cause of teenage pregnancy is the lack of knowledge and awareness. Every parent should discuss the pros and cons of having teenage pregnancies. School education has led to a 10% decrease in teenage pregnancy. Even though it is good to see this, we should understand that a teenage mother-to-be needs extra support and care, as they are incapable of handling the stress of teenage pregnancy. As they are not educated enough, many teenagers do not understand the problem associated with teenage pregnancy and smoking/drinking and intake of drugs. Therefore, all they require during this hard time is to get the unconditional and unending support and advice of their gynecologist and family as well as loved ones. Therefore, teenage pregnancy can be done away with proper communication and education about it, but until that time all the teenage pregnancies and the teenage mothers need to be handled with all the care and love possible.

The information provided in this article is not intended to substitute medical information and guidance. Please consult your pregnancy doctor or health care provider for more information or before following any treatment, activity or exercise mentioned herein.

Teen suicide is becoming more common every year in South America. In fact, only car accidents and homicides (murders) kill more people between the ages of 18 and 30, making suicide the third leading cause of death in teens and overall in youths ages 14 to 22 years old.

Thinking About Suicide It’s common for teens to think about death to some degree. Teens’ thinking capabilities have matured in a way that allows them to think more deeply – about their existence in the world, the meaning of life, and other profound questions and ideas. Unlike kids, teens realize that death is permanent. They may begin to consider spiritual or philosophical questions such as what happens after people die. To some, death, and even suicide, may seem poetic (consider Romeo and Juliet, for example). To others, death may seem frightening or be a source of worry. For many, death is mysterious and beyond our human experience and understanding.

Thinking about suicide goes beyond normal ideas teens may have about death and life. Wishing to be dead, thinking about suicide, or feeling helpless and hopeless about how to solve life’s problems are signs that a teen may be at risk – and in need of help and support. Beyond thoughts of suicide, actually making a plan or carrying out a suicide attempt is even more serious.

What makes some teens begin to think about suicide – and even worse, to plan or do something with the intention of ending their own lives? One of the biggest factors is depression. Suicide attempts are usually made when a person is seriously depressed or upset. A teen who is feeling suicidal may see no other way out of problems, no other escape from emotional pain, or no other way to communicate their desperate unhappiness.

The Link Between Depression and Suicide

The majority of suicide attempts and suicide deaths happen among teens with depression. Consider these statistics about teen suicide and teen depression: about 1% of all teens attempts suicide and about 1% of those suicide attempts results in death (that means about 1 in 10,000 teens dies from suicide). But for adolescents who have depressive illnesses, the rates of suicidal thinking and behavior are much higher. Most teens who have depression think about suicide, and between 15% and 30% of teens with serious depression who think about suicide go on to make a suicide attempt.

Keep in mind that most of the time for most teens depression is a passing mood. The sadness, loneliness, grief, and disappointment we all feel at times are normal reactions to some of the struggles of life. With the right support, some resilience, an inner belief that there will be a brighter day, and decent coping skills, most teens can get through the depressed mood that happens occasionally when life throws them a curve ball.

But sometimes depression doesn’t lift after a few hours or a few days. Instead it lasts, and it can seem too heavy to bear. When someone has a depressed or sad mood that is intense and lingers almost all day, almost every day for 2 weeks or more, it may be a sign that the person has developed major depression. Major depression, sometimes called clinical depression, is beyond a passing depressed mood – it is the term mental health professionals use for depression that has become an illness in need of treatment. Another form of serious depression is called bipolar disorder, which includes extreme low moods (major depression) as well as extreme high moods (these are called manic episodes).

Though children can experience depression, too, teens are much more vulnerable to major depression and bipolar illness. Hormones and sleep cycles, which both change dramatically during adolescence, have an effect on mood and may partly explain why teens (especially girls) are particularly prone to depression. Believe it or not, as many as 20% of all teens have had depression that’s this severe at some point. The good news is that depression is treatable – most teens get better with the right help.

It’s not hard to see why serious depression and suicide are connected. Serious depression (with both major depression and bipolar illness) involves a long-lasting sad mood that doesn’t let up, and a loss of pleasure in things you once enjoyed. It also involves thoughts about death, negative thoughts about oneself, a sense of worthlessness, a sense of hopelessness that things could get better, low energy, and noticeable changes in appetite or sleep.

Depression also distorts a person’s viewpoint, allowing them to focus only on their failures and disappointments and to exaggerate these negative things. Depressed thinking can convince someone there is nothing to live for. The loss of pleasure that is part of depression can seem like further evidence that there’s nothing good about the present. The hopelessness can make it seem like there will be nothing good in the future; helplessness can make it seem like there’s nothing you can do to change things for the better. And the low energy that is part of depression can make every problem (even small ones) seem like too much to handle.

When major depression lifts because a person gets the proper therapy or treatment, this distorted thinking is cleared and they can find pleasure, energy, and hope again. But while someone is seriously depressed, suicidal thinking is a real concern. When teens are depressed, they often don’t realize that the hopelessness they feel can be relieved and that hurt and despair can be healed.

What Else Puts Teens at Risk for Suicide?

In addition to depression, there are other emotional conditions that can put teens at greater risk for suicide – for example, girls and guys with conduct disorder are at higher risk. This may be partly because teens with conduct disorder have problems with aggression and may be more likely than other teens to act in aggressive or impulsive ways to hurt themselves when they are depressed or under great stress. The fact that many teens with conduct disorder also have depression may partly explain this, too. Having both serious depression and conduct disorder increases a teen’s risk for suicide.

Substance abuse problems also put teens at risk for suicidal thinking and behavior. Alcohol and some drugs have depressive effects on the brain. Misuse of these substances can bring on serious depression, especially in teens prone to depression because of their biology, family history, or other life stressors.

Besides depressive effects, alcohol and drugs alter a person’s judgement. They interfere with the ability to assess risk, make good choices, and think of solutions to problems. Many suicide attempts occur when a teen is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Teens with substance abuse problems often have serious depression or intense life stresses, too, further increasing their risk.

Life Stress and Suicidal Behavior

Let’s face it – being a teen is not easy for anyone. There are many new social, academic, and personal pressures. And for teens who have additional problems to deal with, life can feel even more difficult. Some teens have been physically or sexually abused, have witnessed one parent abusing another at home, or live with lots of arguing and conflict at home. Others witness violence in their neighborhoods. Many teens have parents who divorce, and others may have a parent with a drug or alcohol addiction.

Some teens are struggling with concerns about sexuality and relationships, wondering if their feelings and attractions are normal, if they will be loved and accepted, or if their changing bodies are developing normally. Others struggle with body image and eating problems, finding it impossible to reach a perfect ideal, and therefore having trouble feeling good about themselves. Some teens have learning problems or attention problems that make it hard for them to succeed in school. They may feel disappointed in themselves or feel they are a disappointment to others.

All these things can affect mood and cause some people to feel depressed or to turn to alcohol or drugs for a false sense of soothing. Without the necessary coping skills or support, these social stresses can increase the risk of serious depression and, therefore, of suicidal ideas and behavior. Teens who have had a recent loss or crisis or who had a family member who committed suicide may be especially vulnerable to suicidal thinking and behavior themselves.

Guns and Suicide Risk

Finally, having access to guns is extremely risky for any teen who has any of the other risk factors. Depression, anger, impulsivity, life stress, substance abuse, feelings of alienation or loneliness – all these factors can place a teen at major risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior. Availability of guns along with one or more of these risk factors is a deadly equation. Many teen lives could be saved by making sure those who are at risk don’t have access to guns.

Different Types of Suicidal Behaviors

Teen girls attempt suicide far more often (about nine times more often) than teen guys, but guys are about four times more likely to succeed when they try to kill themselves. This is because teen guys tend to use more deadly methods, like guns or hanging. Girls who try to hurt or kill themselves tend to use overdoses of medications or cutting. More than 60% of teen suicide deaths happen with a gun. But suicide deaths can and do occur with pills and other harmful substances and methods.

Sometimes a depressed person plans a suicide in advance. Many times, though, suicide attempts are not planned in advance, but happen impulsively, in a moment of feeling desperately upset. Sometimes a situation like a breakup, a big fight with a parent, an unintended pregnancy, being harmed by abuse or rape, being outed by someone else, or being victimized in any way can cause a teen to feel desperately upset. In situations such as these, teens may fear humiliation, rejection, social isolation, or some terrible consequence they think they can’t handle. If a terrible situation feels too overwhelming, a teen may feel that there is no way out of the bad feeling or the consequences of the situation. Suicide attempts can occur under conditions like this because, in desperation, some teens – at least for the moment – see no other way out and they impulsively act against themselves.

Sometimes teens who feel or act suicidal mean to die and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes a suicide attempt is a way to express the deep emotional pain they’re feeling in hopes that someone will get the message they are trying to communicate.

Even though a teen who makes a suicide attempt may not actually want or intend to die, it is impossible to know whether an overdose or other harmful action they may take will actually result in death or cause a serious and lasting illness that was never intended. Using a suicide attempt to get someone’s attention or love or to punish someone for hurt they’ve caused is never a good idea. People usually don’t really get the message, and it often backfires on the teen. It’s better to learn other ways to get what you need and deserve from people. There are always people who will value, respect, and love you – sure, sometimes it takes time to find them – but it is important to value, respect, and love yourself, too.

Unfortunately, teens who attempt suicide as an answer to problems tend to try it more than once. Though some depressed teens may first attempt suicide around age 13 or 14, suicide attempts are highest during middle adolescence. Then by about age 17 or 18, the rate of teen suicide attempts lowers dramatically. This may be because with maturity, teens have learned to tolerate sad or upset moods, have learned how to get support they need and deserve, and have developed better coping skills to deal with disappointment or other difficulties.

The two major health issues that our preteens and teens face today are Obesity and “Diabetes 2″. What they eat and what they drink are suspects in slowly leading them to their death because of their contents-the sugars or artificial sweeteners present in the products they consume.

These health issues that have arisen to major proportions over the last twenty years are now transforming the landscapes of middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools across this country. Cafeterias and vending areas are being re-evaluated for the food and beverages that are being served in hopes that healthier options can be provided to our children in curbing these two major health issues.

The body counts on natural sugars, called glyconutrients, to help support the body’s growth and immune systems. They include the following:

? Glucose
? Galactose
? Mannose
? Xylose
? Fructose
? N-Acetyl-glucosamine
? N-Acetyl-galactosamine
? N-Acetyl-neuraminic acid

Science Magazine – March 2001 issue devoted a large part of that issue to address the extensive research that is being conducted on glyconutrients and their potential benefits. This comes on the heels of Dr. Gunter Blobel’s 1999 Nobel Prize for Medicine for his studies in the new field of Glycobiology.

The body produces its own sugars, glucose and lactose. We add natural sugars with fruits and vegetables, such as fructose and glucose. One set of our taste buds registers the sweetness of that which we eat or drink. Over time, as individuals, we develop a craving for the sweet tasting foods and drinks.

Some very concerned mothers chose not to offer their babies 100% fruit juice for this very reason. But when you travel through the supermarket aisles you can see the sections devoted to developing a taste for sweets…fruit juices, powder mixes for flavored drinks, soda pop, bakery goods, cookies, ice cream and toppings, and all the candy and gum at the check out counter as your last temptation.

The processed sugar products that we consume make it easy for the health professionals explain the weight gain that most Americans register to their surprise as they willingly or unwillingly step on the scale and weigh themselves. The obesity problem which is affecting many of our children today has been offered little help from the food industry across the country to curb our appetite for sweets.

The artificial sweeteners that are on the market and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have only increased one’s desire to satisfy our sweet tooth. These artificial sweeteners are still very controversial as one research study showed that two-thirds of the respondents are concerned about the safety of these products.

These sweeteners multiply the sweetness of processed sugar:

? Aspertame is 200x sweeter (NutraSweet and Equal)
? Saccharin is 200 – 700x sweeter (Sweet ‘N Low)
? Sacradose is 600x sweeter (Splenda)

and each one of these adds to the increased desire of the taste buds for the higher intensified sweetness that they deliver. Though one may feel good for not adding calories by using these products instead of sugar, artificial sweeteners have a history of health concerns and may still lead to weight gain.

Major cola companies have drawn up plans for each educational level setting as to the different products that will be offered to students in their vending machines. They highlight healthier choices by increasing their bottled water and juices.

Where it has been permitted or a dietician educated chef has been hired, the menus have changed to reflect a healthier choice of foods with an increase in fruits and vegetables served in a more creative way that is more appealing to preteens and teens. Even the trend toward more organic foods has given our children more of the rich vitamin nutrition that these fruits and vegetables lose due to early harvesting, modern food processing and food packaging.

Therefore, if parents want to help their children grow strong and healthy, it is important that they be aware of what they are eating and drinking not only at home, but at school and after school. Too much sugar and/or artificial sweeteners may put their child’s health at risk. Obesity and “Diabetes 2″ are two serious health risks already on the health care radar screen.

Hopefully, the changes one might find in schools’ cafeterias and vending areas are only the beginning of healthier choices, and thus healthier lives for your children.

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Teenage hood is usually perceived by many to be an enjoyable stage of any person’s life. It is in this stage that new body features start occurring and a sense of responsibility for one’s actions start materializing. Unfortunately, sometimes these aspects impact teenagers negatively. When this happens, parents and guardians often try to limit their children from venturing into things that may spoil their future. This action is usually not received well by the teenagers and therefore, they may appear depressed. Depression is a health problem that affects a person’s moods and hence you always appearing troubled.

Teen depression can also come as a result of biological factors that may be taking place in the body. For teenage girls, factors such as menstrual cycles may cause a hormonal imbalance in the body which can directly affect the portion of the brain that controls the girls’ emotions and hence interfere with the moods. This is why teenage girls may at times appear gloomy or moody whenever they are having their monthly periods. On the other hand, teenage boys may get depressed because of emotional problems such as not having girl friends in school while all their other friends have. This makes the boys have low self esteem, appear withdrawn most of the time or perform poorly in school. Other causes of teen depression that are commonly known include, seasonal changes, lifestyle influences and so on.

Whenever one suffers from teen depression various symptoms that come along with the condition occur. Frequent sadness and tearfulness are among the signs that are easily noticeable when one is suffering from this problem. The levels of sadness may at times vary according to how the person wakes up. However, the teenager may show pervasive sadness by constantly wearing dark colored clothes to symbolize how they are feeling. A sense of hopelessness is another feeling that materializes when one suffers from teen depression. This feeling makes the teenager be pessimistic in everything that they think of and eventually, he or she may stop caring about his personal appearance or hygiene since in his mind, nothing can actually make the future appear positive.

Social isolation and poor communication methods are other signs of teen depression. These symptoms usually lead to lack of connections with family members and friends. This means that the teenager would now start spending a lot of there time alone and without having any interests lined up in his mind. In addition, the teenager will always be keen to avoid any kind of family events or gatherings.

There are numerous teen depression effects that usually occur every time one suffers from this condition. Some of these include major changes in eating or sleeping patterns. These effects may start being noticed whenever the teenager starts watching television all night, starts finding it hard to get up for school, starts  sleeping during the day, loose appetite or even becoming anorexic or bulimic. When the condition becomes more advanced, the teenager may decide to run away from home.

To treat teen depression, professional help from a well trained doctor is usually preferred. The doctor will be able to listen and counsel the patient and if necessary, prescribe appropriate medication to be used by the patient. Church and sporting activities can also positively preoccupy the teenager and eventually make him come out of this situation.

Wangeci Kinyanjui is an expert on research and reporting on Health Matters for years.To get more information on teen depression visit her site at <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.goshriek.com/?p=242″>TEEN DEPRESSION</a>

Teen sex is getting more like fashion everyday, meaning, if you are not wearing the latest in clothes designs then you are behind the times, it is because of this that young girls/boys feel obligated to participate because it is the in thing to do. Teen sex it is not about love, it is more like trying out something new for the first time and when you have finished – move on. Sex is sex, but to make love is a nicer way to describe two people coming together in body unison where the sex has meaning. Teen sex if in comparison with fashion is ideal if you not only wear clothes but a condom too.

What happened to the birds and bees, have they taken flight. Many moons ago the yarn about the birds and the bees was taken very seriously by parents who believed when children reached puberty was a time of importance to enlighten them on premature sexual encounters and the consequences.

Long gone are the days where yesterday’s child – innocent in thought enjoyed passing the hours away playing hide and seek or hop scotch with their special hand picked stone, Children have now become victims of the twentieth century, tarnished in thought. Kids nowadays live their life in rebellious mode, choosing to rebel against having a childhood full of happiness. Many kids know not of the difference between happiness and ignorance because of the way they are programmed. Ignorance prevails in the way of turning a deaf ear to teen sex advice off mum and dad while knocking back alcohol and a fag hanging out of their mouth, or worse still getting high on drugs and not to mention indulging in unprotected boy girl hanky panky behind the bike shed.

Sadly for some parent’s their hands are tied when teaching right from wrong because their kids don’t want to hear about the birds the bees anymore, they want to do what they do, if this be the case then a different approach is advisable to help put your kids on the straight and narrow in relation to having sexual intercourse after their pacifier has not long been discarded. For the parents of a teen sex addict who enjoys having sex before that of playing a card game of snap needs to take drastic action. Some parents find it hard to accept that their children who not long out of nappies them self are close to making babies.

Crucial decisions have to be made by these parents whose beliefs are firmly steadfast to yesterday’s upbringing, meaning, if their child becomes rebellious and chooses to regularly couple with different partners having teen sex, then you have learn to accept that this is the twentieth century and guide them on matters of importance, safe sex. This may sound like you are encouraging the child, when in fact you are saving them from self inflicted harm. Acceptance of a new today and tomorrow leaving yesterday behind will certainly help. Life is not so complicated when you have a better understanding on the changes in the world and your child.

No parent can have the perfect child “no one is perfect”, you may bet every mother and father who seeks perfection in their children will have something hidden in the closet.

The best advice for parents of a promiscuous child is to work alongside them, meaning, if what you say is going unheeded then point them in the right direction for them to maintain a healthy well being. Unprotected sex can lead to an unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, both of which can destroy a life in more ways than one, i.e. having a baby at such a young age with no partner to help raise the child or where an untreated STD can be fatal.

America is noted for having the highest rates of teen pregnancies .Because of teen sex – pregnancy valuation costs in the US totals to approximately $7 billion a year. A staggering 34% of young women fall pregnant at least once by the time they reach 20 years old..

Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school. Figures show that eighty percent of unmarried teen mums rely upon state benefits..

Children need to be taught sooner than later about the dangers of unprotected sex, depending on age group details of man woman and intimacy needs careful planning. It is important you are full of knowledge and in a position to explain about STDs. No knowledge on the facts can hamper your best intentions to help the child instead of putting the fear of god up them.

Unwanted pregnancy, they say you learn by mistakes; however mistakes as such can not be brushed aside, so as a parent you need to sweep any embarrassment regarding sex education under the carpet for to help give your child any chance of having a squeaky clean upbringing.

Some parents find this matter hard to discuss with their children but if your child’s health is at risk then those nonsensical red blushes need to disappear so that you don’t have to take on the role of granny and granddad before your hair turns grey.