Teen Advice

Teenagers suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) are extremely active, restless, talkative and fidgety. They find it hard to pay attention and tend to forget things easily. They always try to interrupt others in some way or the other and react to things without thinking. Teenagers struggle to fare in their academics and these symptoms get exacerbated as they grow up with ADHD.

ADHD has another form known as Attention Deficit Disorder(ADD). Teenagers suffering from ADHD find trouble in maintaining relations and social affairs. Most of the time you find them intruding into private conversations. This is known as the Neurobehavioural Development Disorder and about 8-10% of the teenagers suffer from this disorder.

Symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are:

• Hyper-activeness
• Impulsiveness
• Poor concentration
• Learning disabilities
• Anxiety disorders
• Insomnia and
• Mood swings

Effects of ADHD in Teenagers

• ADHD in teens may cause failure in grades at school and they may often become inactive or excessively attentive.
• They tend to concentrate on unwanted things forgetting about the tasks at hand.
• Teens find it hard to cope up at school because of problems with poor concentration and distractedness related to ADHD. Grades may fall, particularly if the teen is not receiving ADHD treatment.
• Teenagers suffering from ADHD are prone to accidents due to speeding.
• Most of the teens runaway from their homes at some point of time if they are left untreated.

How to Help Teenagers

• Parents should have contacts with their teen’s school counselors, teachers and principal.
• They should help their teens with their homework and daily school activities.
• They should allow and encourage their teens to participate in sports and peer group programs.
• Parents should value and respect their teen’s friendship when it is reasonable.
• Parents should provide moral support to their teens and should make them feel comforted when ever required.

Usually adults are main victims of hair loss problems. But in recent times, teens are also experiencing this problem. Hair loss in teenagers at a young age is not normal by any chance. The causes of hair loss in teenagers are different from the normal causes. The main cause of hair loss among teenagers is due to stress and hormonal imbalances. Hair loss indicates that he/she is suffering from medical problems and it is important to seek medical help .

Traumatic conditions also lead to balding at any age. The condition of hair loss or balding in teenagers is known as Alopecia Areata. This condition forms one or two inch circular bald spots on the scalp. However, there is a promising chance of teenagers regaining their normal hair growth with the help of medications which are useful in treating hair loss.

Causes of Hair loss:
Along with Alopecia Areate, Tinea Capitis is another cause of hair loss among teenagers. This condition is know as Scalp Ringworm. This is a kind of fungus which is responsible for broken hair, affected scalp and patches of hair loss. This infection is contagious and needs to be treated with a proper anti-fungal shampoo.

Traction Alopecia is a kind of hair loss that affects less number of teenagers. This can be caused due to excess usage of hair drier, bleach treatments, teasing, tight hairstyles, pulling of hair, heat treatments and curling. It can be avoided by stopping the usage of these kinds of hair treatments.

Teenagers lose hair at a very early age of 14 and losing hair at this age is known as Male Pattern Baldness. This is a condition that causes baldness among teenagers at a very early stage.

Trichotillomania is another cause of hair loss among teenagers. This condition occurs due to the compulsion of pulling one’s own hair. This causes irregular patches on the scalp. It is a habit among teenagers to pull out the hair while studying, sleeping, before falling asleep, while watching television etc. This condition can be treated spontaneously by consciously controlling the urge to pull out hair.

Many teenagers experience acne and the most common forms of acne are blackheads, red, swollen, pus filled pimples and whiteheads. Acne Vulgaris is a common disease related to pimples in teens. Mild acne is quite normal and it is a condition of puberty which continues throughout the teen years. Almost eight out of every ten teenagers experience acne at one point or the other.

There are many chances of acne appearing on face, shoulder, neck, chest and upper back. Non-inflammatory blackheads, whiteheads or inflammatory lesions are common in Acne Vulgaris. The most severe form of acne is called Nodular or cystic acne. They can be very painful and may cause permanent scarring. They occur as large cysts and nodules.

Treatment:
The course and type of treatment for acne purely depends on the type and severity of acne among teenagers. The treatment duration for acne is usually for two to three months and the dermatologists start the treatment with medications that have very few side effects.

White or Black Head Pimples:
This is the easiest problem that can be treated and is the least severe type of acne. Medications like Retinoid Topical which is available in the form of cream, lotion or gel can be directly applied to the skin. This medication slows down the growth of Keratin which is responsible for pimples.

This reduces pimples and prevents blockage of hair follicles that eventually lead to pimples. Teenagers with oily skin should use Retinoid gel that has a drying effect and a cream or a lotion which has moisturizing effect should be used for dry skin.
The application process for this medication is to apply it twice a day. The more severe forms of whiteheads and blackheads can be treated with the help of Comedo Extraction which involves mechanical removal.

Moderate Acne:

• This kind of acne is treated with the help combination of different types of Topical Medications.
• This combination of treatments include Topical Antibiotics or Topical Retinoids and Benzoyl Peroxide.
• The most preferred treatments include Retinoid and Benzoyl Peroxide.
• They work as both antibiotic and prevent the formation of pimples.

Acne with Severe Inflammation and Pain:
This kind of acne requires Tetracycline and Erythromycin which act as oral antibiotics or oral retinoid. This kind of treatment is known as Isotretinoina. It is also known as the Roacutane or Acutane treatment. They react effectively in reducing the growth of the bacteria which causes acne. Severe acne can be treated by Oral Isotretinion which acts as an antibiotic.
This helps in blocking the sunblocks, overgrowth of keratin and inflammation.

Teenagers opt for plastic surgeries to improve their physical appearance which they feel awkward about. They have different kinds of motivations and goals that force them to undergo a plastic surgery. The most common surgeries preferred by teens are for misshapen nose, protruding ear, severe acne and scarring. When a teens physical problems are corrected he/she gains confidence and self-esteem.

More than 219,000 cosmetic plastic surgeries were performed on teenagers according to a study by American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in the year 2008. Plastic surgery does not suit every teenager and it is very important that they know the limitations of the surgery. Teenagers should keep in mind that plastic surgeries carry some risks along with great benefits.

Plastic Surgery:
It involves the surgery to alter a person’s appearance and the ability to function. The word ‘plastic’ is taken from a Greek word Plastikos and this means to either form or to mold something. Plastic surgery involves both reconstructive as well as cosmetic procedures. Reconsctructive method involves correction of the defects on the face or body. This surgery involves correction of the cept lips, dog bites, burns and ear deformities.

Cosmetic procedure involves the alteration of parts of the body. This involves the reshaping of the nose and removal of pockets of fat from certain spots of the body which is popularly known as Liposuction. The surgery using this procedure involves special lasers for removal of unwanted hair and to improve scarring of the skin.

Few Things to Consider:

• Teenagers should always keep in mind that they are considering the surgery for themselves and not to please anyone.
• They should keep in mind that they can get into good shape through proper exercise and weight control programs without undergoing any surgeries.
• Plastic surgeries involve greater risks and may even fail most of the times.
• Plastic surgeries are not performed on teens who suffer from depression and mental health problems.

Teenagers mostly suffer from skin problems in the age of 12 to 17, according to a study conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology. The most common skin problem that teenagers suffer from is acne. Acne at any level can become a serious and an untreated problem that can leave severe scars on the face. Skin protects the body and covers it from bacteria as it is the largest organ of the body. Skin has the capability of self-healing when it gets injured. A good health reflects in good skin, hair and nails.

5 Tips for Healthy Skin:
Skin care tips can be of great help for teenagers. It is necessary for every teenager to follow certain tips that can help in decreasing the problems such as acne and pimples.

Cosmetics:
Teenage girls should always choose oil free moisturizers, foundation and blush. Make sure that these products do not cause problems of blocked pores and blemishes. Choose products that suit and match your skin type.

Picking Face:
Make sure that you do not squeeze, pinch or pick blemishes on your face. This may result in developing acne scars on your face. It is very important to avoid rubbing or touching blemishes on the face.

Cleaning:
Skin conditions get worse due to hard scrubbing. Make sure you gently wash your face with the help of a very mild cleanser in the morning and at bedtime. It is advisable to wash your face after a heavy exercise and after a day’s work. Avoid usage of rough and hard scrubs and pads. Make sure you rinse your face thoroughly after every wash and use a soft cloth to wipe your face.

Sun Screen Lotion:
The rays of the Sun are very harmful and may damage the skin and can even promote premature aging. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a sunscreen lotion daily. Skin feels less oily due to a tan or a sunburn. It is important to apply sunscreen all the time because some medications used for acne can make your skin prone to sunburns.

Eating and Drinking:
The best tip to keep your skin clean and fresh is by eating healthy. Teenagers should include fresh fruits, vegetables in their diet for healthy skin. Drinking plenty of water is another way to keep the skin clear and glowing.

Skin is one organ which cannot be replaced but can be repaired. Diet of every individual plays a critical role in the behavior of skin. Teenagers suffer from skin problems because of hormonal changes that cause a chaotic mess during puberty. During puberty, skin tends to produce more Serum which is the oily substance excreted by the skin glands. This results in the blockage of skin pores and these pores get filled with sebum. Following the above mentioned tips will help you maintain clear and healthy skin.

Teenagers today think if they are thin, they can be happy, beautiful and completely in control of their own life. Happiness, beauty and success are not restricted to size zero figures only. Teenagers get carried away by media, magazines, internet and television. Added to the pressure of becoming thin, they hear and read about different fitness fads and diets which promise instant weight loss. Going on a diet is usually associated with reduced intake of food. It depends on a teenager on how he/she chooses the kind of diet.

A good choice of diet involves nutritious food like eating fruits, vegetables, fibre and cutting down on the intake of snack or junk food. Bad choice of diet plan involves skipping of meals, eating very less quantity of food and not trying different varieties of food. Dieting does not work all the time for teenagers. Instead it causes them to gain extra pounds. Teenagers are only concerned about their looks instead of their health.

Teen Dieting Facts:

• It is shocking to know that 1 in every 2 girls and 1 in every 4 teenage boys try dieting to get into shape.
• Girls who actually have a healthy weight try to diet and more than 1 in 3 girls i.e. approximately about 33% try this.
• Teenagers who do not feel good or confident about themselves are more prone to try out different diet plans without proper guidance.
• They try out diet plans when they are not happy about their weight.
• They start feeling that they are overweight even if they are not.
• Teenagers who are not confident about themselves have low self-esteem.
• They prefer to be less connected with family and friends and they even feel that they have no control over their lives.

Bad Effects of Dieting:

• Dieting is not a good solution to have a healthy body weight. It only helps in gaining weight over a longer period of time.
• It makes you think about food all the time and makes you feel hungry every now and then.
• You always find yourself distracted, tired, sad, unmotivated and it even makes you feel dizzy.
• Skipping of meals, usage of weight loss pills, going on crash diets can be very dangerous to the health.
• Teenagers need to take the right kind of food because they require nutrients for growth and health.

Tips for Healthy Diet:

• Eat wide variety of foods in proper quantities every day. Make sure that you include nutritious food in your diet.
• Teenagers should make it a point that they do not skip their breakfast everyday.
• Drink plenty of water instead of soft drinks, because water helps in draining out the toxins from the body.
• Include food which is rich in cereal fibre like bran, rye and wheat that includes cereal or cereal bars.
• Do not binge on food when you are upset, sad or bored.
• Make sure you include physical activities in your routine and keep yourself active and happy.

Anorexia is the condition of eating disorder in teenagers and is the most common problem among teenagers. An eating disorder harms a teenager’s well-being and is an obsession with food. There are two types of eating disorders and they are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia. Many teenagers unfortunately hide fatal disorders from their family and friends.

Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious and the most common eating disorder among teens. This is caused due to self-starvation and excessive weight loss. This is most commonly seen among the teenage girls than any other group. About 10 in 100 teenage girls suffer from eating disorders in the United States. Overeating or not eating at all relates completely to tension, food fads and poor nutritional habits.

What is Anorexia:

• Teenagers with anorexia are always obsessed of being thin. They try to avoid eating food most of the times due to the fear of gaining weight.
• They are worried constantly about the calories or how much fat their food consists.
• Teenagers take diet pills, laxatives or water pills most of the time to lose weight.
• They tend to exercise more than required.
• Anorexia can cause some serious health issues and the teenagers who are troubled with anorexia need medical treatment for immediate recovery.

What is Bulimia:

• The condition of Bulimia is binging on food that is eating lots of food all at once.
• Teenagers use Laxatives to throw up the food consumed by the body and this is known as Purging.
• Most teenagers tend to either fast or overexercise after an eating binge to keep themselves away from gaining weight.
• Teenagers who suffer from Bulimia use laxatives, water pills or diet pills to have control over their weight.
• They often tend to hide their binging and purging habits.

Causes of Anorexia and Bulimia:

• Anorexia can cause problems in the stomach and also heart problems.
• It also causes irregular periods or no periods at all in women.
• It causes fine hair to grow all over the body including the face. Anorexia causes dry and scaly skin.
• The condition of Bulimia also causes stomach, kidney, dental and heart problems.
• It also causes dehydration in the body.

Treatment:
There are comprehensive treatments for helping teenagers to overcome their eating disorders. Treatments for eating disorders mainly include individual and family therapy, where the physician works on nutrients and medications. It is very important to know the exact condition of the teenager and to treat on those areas with proper medications.