Top Teen Health Concerns

Jul 18, 2018 11:09:31 AM / by Voyage Healthcare Team posted in Family Medicine, Health Tips

Teens are in a developmental stage of life and with that comes quite a bit of change. Most teen health issues focus on lifestyle. Some of these issues are physical activity, weight management, sleeping, and reproductive health, but can also include drug and alcohol abuse.


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At Voyage Healthcare, we commonly see teens with sports-related injuries, mental health problems, acute illnesses and well visits. We’ve compiled a list of top teen health concerns you should be on the lookout for when your child enters the teenage years of life.

Sports Injuries

It’s no secret that today, kids are actively involved in more organized sports than ever before. With more children starting sports programs at a younger age, sports-related injuries are on the rise.

While sports have many benefits like better physical health and improved academic performance, they can also be desirable for a teen's mental health. According to Statistic Brain, female high school athletes are “92% less likely to get involved with drugs” and “three times more likely to graduate than non-athletes.”

Three of the most common sports injuries:

1. Sprain/Strain (ankle, hamstring, etc.)

Sprains are the number one cause of sports-related injuries. They occur when your ligaments (the bands that connect your bones to other bones, across their joints), stretch past their limit. Over-stretching can cause tears to your muscle tissue or tendons. Strains are injuries to the muscles or tendons. Tendons attach muscle to bone.

2. Concussion

Concussions tend to occur in contact sports where injury to the brain can happen. They usually don’t involve loss of consciousness, but symptoms can include disorientation, dizziness, and nausea. If you suspect a concussion, head to your closest Voyage Healthcare location to get checked out.

3. Tendinitis (Achilles, wrists, etc.)

When you overuse your tendons, it can cause tendinitis. Involving inflammation of your muscles, tendinitis can occur in your Achilles and even your wrists. If left untreated, the pain can be quite severe. To help prevent this use RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) or anti-inflammatory medicine.

There are many other forms of sports injuries your teen might get throughout their adolescent years, so check in with Voyage Healthcare to ensure your child is up-to-date and healthy!

Mental Health

Mental illnesses can happen to anyone, at any age and stage in life. Teens can be affected by everything from anxiety disorders to mood disorders. Knowing when to have your teen see a doctor for something mental health related is essential. Studies show that 1 in 5 young people has a psychological disorder, according to TeenMentalHealth.org. Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization, “half of all mental health disorders in adulthood start [at] age 14,” but most cases are undetected and untreated.” So, it’s especially essential that teens speak with a doctor when they aren’t feeling like themselves.

Today, the teen suicide rate is climbing, and it’s the third leading cause of death among young people. Statistically speaking, 1 in 11 high school students will attempt suicide, and more so think about it, but choose not to act.

Factors for suicide can include:

  • Depression
  • Family Problems
  • Substance Abuse
  • Loneliness

These factors, though, are quite complicated, as one or two might not be the only reason why the rate is increasing.

How can you help your teen suffering from mental health? Suicide is preventable, and talking with your child is crucial during their developmental stages, as most cases go undetected and untreated. Young adults who have excellent communication with adults are less likely to try a risky behavior or attempt something.

Weight

Weight issues in teen years have increasingly become an issue over the last few years. On average, 87% of students do not eat proper amounts of fruits and vegetables. With a growing childhood obesity problem, students can develop eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and overeating.

Adopting a healthy body image is essential to growing children's’ self-esteem. The Mayo Clinic states that a negative body image can occur by, “natural weight gain and other changes caused by puberty.”

Other reasons a teen can develop a negative body image:

  • Peer Pressure
  • Elite Athletics and Activities
  • Media Images and Pop Culture
  • Personality Issues (like Perfectionism, Anxiety, etc.)
  • Family members who are also concerned about their own weight

How can you help your teen suffering from weight issues? We suggest discussing a positive body image with your child, or you can team up with us here at Voyage Healthcare! Your family doctor can help set goals for BMI and weight based on the personal and overall health of your child.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug and alcohol abuse is on the rise, and students are at higher risk for trying something by senior year. Tobacco is also known to be a problem among teens, as about two-thirds of students (by their senior year) have attempted smoking. You might also want to think beyond just cigarettes—today, kids are presented with smokeless tobacco, or candy-flavored cigarettes to attract a younger audience.

Beyond smoking, high school students are trying alcohol for the first time. According to the CDC, 63.2% of students have tried alcohol, and according to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “approximately 50% of teens have misused drugs.”

Warning signs for drug abuse in teens can include:

  • Extreme change in friends, habits, sleeping, appearance, performance, and coordination
  • Change in behavior, lack of their interests, weak/ lousy judgment
  • Rule breaking
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Medicine containers and drug paraphernalia

Learn more about current trends in teen substance abuse.

Sexual Health

Let’s talk about the birds and the bees. Not many parents want to talk about sex with their teens because it’s hard to consider your teens in these situations. Make sure your teen knows the risk they are putting themselves in with potential sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teen pregnancy.

While the percentage of teens having intercourse has decreased since 1988, mixed with the increased use of contraceptives, this means that the U.S. is at its lowest teen pregnancy rate in years.

Talk to your teen about contraception and all the options for safe sex, including abstinence. Teens commonly start seeing a doctor alone during this period, and it’s essential to let your child learn about safe sex, whether you discuss it with them or you team up with one of our providers or family medicine providers to help.

Taking Your Teen to the Doctor

When school-time rolls around, make sure your teen has their annual physical done. Some educational facilities require physicals for students to participate in school sports. Yearly examinations are an essential part of every person's well being. Once you get your child acclimated to getting one every year, they can carry that on into adulthood.

At Voyage Healthcare we’re here to help with your child needs, whether that be an injury from sports, mental health, learning about sexual health, acute illnesses, well adolescent visits, or substance abuse concerns.

How can we help? Make sure your teen is up-to-date with their annual physical by using our appointment request form below.

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Voyage Healthcare Team

Written by Voyage Healthcare Team

Voyage Healthcare is an independently owned, multi-specialty healthcare clinic — guided by the doctors who care for families in the northwest metro area of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

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