Treatment to Grow Taller

Randy Newman lyrics aside, there's nothing wrong with being short. But pituitary gland dysfunction can lead to the body producing a limited amount of human growth hormones during adolescence. This is a medical condition that prevents the body from reaching its natural potential for growth. It can be treated with a course of doctor-prescribed injections.

Growth Plates

• At either end of all long bones in the human child and adolescent body, there are areas of tissue known as epiphyseal plates, or growth plates. These are the growing portions of tissue that allow your bones to continue to grow. Before the end of adolescence, these parts of the body are very vulnerable to injury, even more so than the nearby ligament; competitive sports and recreational activities are common causes of growth plate injury. Some time during adolescence, these plates harden and become bone. After this point, growth is essentially over.

  All this is to say that growth treatments will be ineffective for those who have finished adolescence. But there are medical treatments available which are effective during puberty.

Prescription HGH Treatments

• If you have concerns about a child's growth rate, consult a doctor. Your doctor should be able to perform tests to see if your child's pituitary gland is functioning properly. This gland produces the hormones that encourage your body to grow. If there is some problem with pituitary function, your doctor may prescribe a regimen of HGH injections.

  There are several important things to note about HGH treatments. First of all, HGH is a very delicate, complex protein. It cannot be derived from animal brains or animal products. Also, it cannot be absorbed through pills or sprays. Don't fall for these online traps. HGH is a highly controlled substance; follow your doctor's instructions about dosage very carefully, and never give HGH to someone to whom it wasn't prescribed. Finally, if the patient receiving HGH treatments is playing competitive sports, consult the guidelines of the sports league to make sure that he or she can continue to play while taking HGH.