Adolescent Health
A mark of Civilization is the respect and place given to women. Modern times have new and additional challenges for ladies. They now have to manage their careers and professions apart from the home and the family. A job entails stress, travel, awkward food habits and the like. The biological process of menstruation and the role of motherhood, continue in the midst of a hectic work schedule. Clearly, a woman needs excellent physical health and a sound mind, to realize her full potential in this world. Longevity has increased and continues to do so. Today’s children can hope to live to over the age of 100. Menopause occurs around the age of 45 in most women. Living well in this stage of life, calls for extra care, as the body has to adjust to the absence of the female hormone, estrogen.
The foundation of excellent health should be laid during the teenage years. The first two years after puberty are most important for physical and mental development. This is normally between the ages of 11 and 13 for most girls. Height increases rapidly at this time. The body begins to take the full female form and the mind matures. Girls grow up earlier than boys. Most boys reach puberty only between the ages of 15 and 17. Girls have become young adults by this time!
Young girls have to be careful. An improper or unbalanced diet can result in poor health and a weak physique. Skin and hygiene problems are common. Some of these matters are difficult to correct in adult life. Learning disabilities and fear of examinations can occur. Some children do not find time to play sports and games and this affects their muscle tone and stamina.
Some diseases and deficiencies do not have apparent symptoms, especially in the early stages. We may not feel acutely ill, though we are not in the pink of health. There is no need to suffer in silence. A thorough Medical examination once a year should be able to take stock of your health and help you make an improvement plan. Such an assessment should cover the physical condition as well as the state of mind. A lady should do sensitive parts of the examination and your mother must always be present. The doctor will do her best to make you comfortable. You can also use the occasion to ask questions about your health, your body, your feelings and your relationships with others. You can ask these questions in private and in confidence. You can also seek information through the email, without revealing your identity.
It is normal for the body and the mind to undergo many changes during the teenage years. You should have easy access to reliable information, so that you can understand what is going on. You should also be able to make informed choices about how you would like to be when you become an adult.
Menstruation is a key part of a woman’s life. The female hormone estrogen is produced during the monthly cycle and it affects you from head to toe. Periods should come on time and should not cause you undue distress. Your doctor can address any issues that you may have. Do not suffer from scanty, heavy, untimely or painful periods.
Growing up brings responsibilities. You must be aware of the dangers of nicotine, narcotics, alcohol and related substances to which fatal addiction is possible. You should also know about the anatomy of both sexes, the physiology of reproduction and the possible spread of disease through another person’s body fluids, including saliva.
Another important aspect of growing up is ensuring that you are at least as tall as the taller of your two parents. Your skeletal growth will accelerate during the first two years after puberty and will reach a peak when you are 25. The skeletal mass remains constant thereafter until you reach menopause. The calcium, iron and hormones in your body drive skeletal maturation. Diet and exercise as well as normal menstruation, are essential. Sound waves beyond the human ability to hear, are used to study bone hardness and elasticity. This is called ultrasound of the bone or osteosonography.
Osteosonography is a painless test done on your fingers. Results are stored in a computer so that your annual progress can be measured. This test may form a part of your Annual Medical Examination.
You need to decide on treatment and actions based on your Medical Examination. The objective is to make you fitter and stronger for the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead for you. Your Family Doctor should help you in this regard and you should pay heed to what this Family Doctor decides in your best interest.
The foundation of excellent health should be laid during the teenage years. The first two years after puberty are most important for physical and mental development. This is normally between the ages of 11 and 13 for most girls. Height increases rapidly at this time. The body begins to take the full female form and the mind matures. Girls grow up earlier than boys. Most boys reach puberty only between the ages of 15 and 17. Girls have become young adults by this time!
Young girls have to be careful. An improper or unbalanced diet can result in poor health and a weak physique. Skin and hygiene problems are common. Some of these matters are difficult to correct in adult life. Learning disabilities and fear of examinations can occur. Some children do not find time to play sports and games and this affects their muscle tone and stamina.
Some diseases and deficiencies do not have apparent symptoms, especially in the early stages. We may not feel acutely ill, though we are not in the pink of health. There is no need to suffer in silence. A thorough Medical examination once a year should be able to take stock of your health and help you make an improvement plan. Such an assessment should cover the physical condition as well as the state of mind. A lady should do sensitive parts of the examination and your mother must always be present. The doctor will do her best to make you comfortable. You can also use the occasion to ask questions about your health, your body, your feelings and your relationships with others. You can ask these questions in private and in confidence. You can also seek information through the email, without revealing your identity.
It is normal for the body and the mind to undergo many changes during the teenage years. You should have easy access to reliable information, so that you can understand what is going on. You should also be able to make informed choices about how you would like to be when you become an adult.
Menstruation is a key part of a woman’s life. The female hormone estrogen is produced during the monthly cycle and it affects you from head to toe. Periods should come on time and should not cause you undue distress. Your doctor can address any issues that you may have. Do not suffer from scanty, heavy, untimely or painful periods.
Growing up brings responsibilities. You must be aware of the dangers of nicotine, narcotics, alcohol and related substances to which fatal addiction is possible. You should also know about the anatomy of both sexes, the physiology of reproduction and the possible spread of disease through another person’s body fluids, including saliva.
Another important aspect of growing up is ensuring that you are at least as tall as the taller of your two parents. Your skeletal growth will accelerate during the first two years after puberty and will reach a peak when you are 25. The skeletal mass remains constant thereafter until you reach menopause. The calcium, iron and hormones in your body drive skeletal maturation. Diet and exercise as well as normal menstruation, are essential. Sound waves beyond the human ability to hear, are used to study bone hardness and elasticity. This is called ultrasound of the bone or osteosonography.
Osteosonography is a painless test done on your fingers. Results are stored in a computer so that your annual progress can be measured. This test may form a part of your Annual Medical Examination.
You need to decide on treatment and actions based on your Medical Examination. The objective is to make you fitter and stronger for the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead for you. Your Family Doctor should help you in this regard and you should pay heed to what this Family Doctor decides in your best interest.
posted by Dr. S. Banerji | 10:00 PM
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