Teens & Health Issues

There are many common health issues that can plague teenagers. As teenagers get older and have the ability to make more choices that can affect their bodies and health, more health issues can arise. Be aware of teen-specific issues and their causes to make sure that teens can remain as healthy as possible through their often difficult adolescent years.

Weight Problems

• As teenage bodies change throughout puberty, many teens become more concerned about their weight and overall body image. Weight issues can lead to low self-esteem. During teenage years, some girls may want to be thinner, while boys may want to increase their muscles. Not only is self-esteem a common weight issue for teens, but teenage obesity rates have also doubled in recent years, making obesity a major health concern for the teenage age group. Teens who are obese are at a higher risk for other health issues, and are more likely to be obese as adults.

Mental Health

• Mental health issues affect many teenagers. In addition to low self-esteem, many teens suffer from depression. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the third leading cause of teenage death. Teenagers who have displayed a history of depression, have encountered traumatic events in their life, or have a family history of suicide, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, are at an even greater risk for chronic depression and are more likely to fall victim to suicidal thoughts or actions.

Acne

• Acne is one of the most common teen health issues. Although it is not a serious health issue, it does affect a large portion of teenagers and can lead to lower self-esteem among teens. Acne lesions can appear on the face, back and neck, and are caused by heightened activity in a teenager's hormonal glands, generally brought on by puberty. Luckily for teenagers, there are many topical and oral medicines that can be used to combat acne if the problem persists.

Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Abuse

• Many teens experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Teens who experiment with drugs are at a greater risk for developing drug addiction or other serious health issues from drug use, and drugs can also impair judgment in users. Alcohol use in teens is not only illegal, but can also lead to accidental injury, unprotected sex, social and academic problems, and also contributes to 41 percent of motor vehicle deaths. Early use of alcohol can also lead to alcohol dependency for teens later on in life, which can cause several health problems, as well. Teens who use tobacco products are at a much greater risk of developing respiratory issues, lung cancer, heart disease and serious nicotine addiction that can be difficult to overcome.

Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders affect many teenagers, and can be life-threatening and cause lifelong problems for the victim if not treated properly. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the two most common eating disorders among teens, and are equally dangerous. Anorexia is a condition where an individual purposefully starves herself, usually as an attempt to achieve a dangerously unhealthy body weight. Bulimia is a disorder where an individual engages in eating binges and then attempts to purge the food from her system. Sufferers of bulimia usually attempt to vomit or use laxatives to rid their body of the food they binge on. Both disorders are characterized by an unhealthy relationship with food and body image and should be taken very seriously, as they can lead to death.