From Acne to Anxiety: Diseases in Teenagers

Teenage years are an awkward transitional period from childhood to adulthood. So, naturally, there are a lot of hormonal imbalances that present themselves as various disorders, ranging from acne to anxiety. This article will delve into the various diseases teens and their parents should be aware of, their symptoms, and what to do about them.

1. Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a skin condition presented by red or white bumps on the skin, often the face or back, due to the clogging of hair follicles under the skin.

symptoms:

whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
blackheads (open plugged pores)
large, solid, painful bumps on skin
painful bumps filled with white or yellow pus

solutions:

diet change (eg. decrease sugar intake)
skin products + washing face
see a dermatologist for prescribed medicine

Acne - Symptoms and causes

2. ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is amongst the most common neurobehavioral disorders that affect young children and adolescents. This usually is seen in children that fidget, tend to move around in their seat, or have difficulties paying attention.

symptoms:

squirming and fidgeting
acting and speaking "without thought"
tendency to interrupt
forgetting things
getting distracted easily

solutions:

seek a psychologist or pediatrician for prescribed medicine
behavior therapy
school accommodations

Is it ADHD?Learn about the symptoms of ADHD and what to do if you’re concerned that your child might have this disorder.

3. Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition when the body does not produce an adequate amount of red blood cells. Causes include other disorders in which anemia is a symptom, rapid growth spurts, and menstrual cycles. It primarily affects young women and teenagers, though anyone can develop the disorder.

symptoms:

fatigue or low energy
feeling "weak"
frequent headaches
pale skin
fast heart rate
shortness of breath

solutions:

iron supplements
consuming iron rich foods:
- lean meats
- raisins
- eggs
- nuts
- reinforced cereals and breads
seek a pediatrician or other medical professional for prescribed medications

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia in ChildrenIron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia in teens in the U.S. Jasmine Reese, M.D., discusses common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.

4. Anxiety + Depression

Anxiety is a mental disorder in which one fears irrational things and is constantly stressed. Depression is characterized by a prolonged feeling of sadness or hopelessness.

Read about the neuroscience behind depression

symptoms:

anxiety:

being afraid of things out of their control
stressed about bad things happening in the future
being afraid in social environments
having an extreme fear of a situation or item

depression:

extreme shifts in eating or sleeping patterns
extreme shifts in energy levels and mood
feeling chronically irritable, hopeless, sad
self-injury or self-destructive behavior
extreme cases: suicide

solutions:

seek a therapist
certain antidepressant medications
remove oneself from environments of bullying or extreme negativity

Anxiety and Depression in Children | CDCLearn about anxiety and depression in children.

PEA - How Half of Adult Mental Disorders Begin by Age 14"50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24." -- National Alliance on Mental Illness How is this possible? And what can we do about it?

5. Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition in which one becomes short of breath quickly into physical activity. Like many of the disorders on this list, the exact cause of asthma is unknown, though specialists assume it is connected to allergies, obesity, exposure to cigarette smoke, premature birth or low birth weight, or even certain viral infections. Triggers cause an asthma flare-up in which one's airways become inflamed and filled with mucus, blocking the passage of air.

symptoms:

excessive coughing, especially when physically active
difficulty breathing
a "tight" chest
wheezing

solutions:

inhaler
respiratory therapy
avoiding triggers
medications such as bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory drugs

Asthma and TeensThe rebelliousness and need for independence that comes with adolescence can be especially difficult for teens with asthma and their families. Children who have been responsibly managing their asthma

6. Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a behavioral condition with no certain cause that develops at a young age. It inhibits one's ability to understand and interpret other's emotions but often promotes one's music, math, science, etc. abilities. As "Spectrum" implies, those with ASD can have it to varying degrees; some may need assistance in their day-to-day, while others can fare on their own. Symptoms usually present themselves before the age of 3.

symptoms:

delayed language skills
delayed movement skills
delayed cognitive or learning skills
hyperactive, impulsive, or inattentive behavior
unusual mood or emotional reactions
anxiety, stress
lack of fear or excess fear
children that:
- avoid eye contact
- fail to show a range of emotions by 9 mo
- do not share interests with others
- do not notice other children
- do not play pretend at a young age
- do not play simple interactive games at a young age
- repeat phrases over and over
- plays with toys the same way every time
- must follow certain routines
- have obsessive interests
- get upset over minor changes

solutions:

behavioral therapy
early intervention
medicinal treatment
antipsychotic medications

What are the treatments for autism?There is currently no one standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Basics About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | NCBDDD | CDCLearn about autism signs, treatment, and what to do if you’re concerned.

7. HPV

Human Papilloma Virus is the most common sexually transmitted disease responsible for the onset of many cancers such as cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, anal cancer, vaginal cancer, and penile cancer. It is spread through skin-to-skin contact, via cuts and tears in the skin, and sexual intercourse.

symptoms:

many individuals do NOT develop visible symptoms
genital warts: flat, small bumps; feel itchy
plantar warts: hard, grainy bumps on the foot
common warts: rough bumps on fingers and hands
flat warts: flat bumps; appear on chin and jaw for men; appear on legs for women
abnormal pap test result

solutions:

HPV vaccinations
seek a doctor for prescribed medications
skin ointment to treat warts

HPV infection: Vaccine may prevent most common types-HPV infection - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

8. IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a digestive disorder that causes bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain when triggered by certain foods. Many adolescent girls suffer from IBS, often chalking symptoms up to their menstrual period. However, when addressed, stomach pain can be entirely relieved.

symptoms:

bloating
diarrhea
constipation
stomach cramps
abdominal pain
excessive flatulence

solutions:

avoiding trigger foods and carbonated drinks
getting regular exercise
consuming probiotic vitamins or yogurt
seeking a medical professional for newly-emerging medications

PEA - The Realities of IBSIBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a digestive condition in which the individual experiences stomach and bowel pains in response to consuming certain foods. Many individuals, mostly women, suffer from IBS without realizing. Though IBS cannot be surely diagnosed, a gastroenterologist can easily

9. Obesity + Diabetes

Nearly 30% of teens aged 12 to 19 are pre-diabetic. Over 22% of teens aged 12 to 19 are obese. Obesity is caused by multifarious factors: hormones, genetics, and environment. Generally, when one consumes more than the body burns, they will gain weight. Overtime, this develops into obesity. Diabetes develops due to an inefficiency of one's insulin to remove the glucose from one's bloodstream and deliver it to their cells.

symptoms:

BMI greater than 24
difficulty breathing
poor cardiovascular health
back pain
feeling fatigued
increased body temp and rate of sweating
cloudy memory
hyperglycemia (diabetes type 2)
hypoglycemia (diabetes type 1)
blurry vision
numb or tingling feet
irritable mood or drastic mood swings

solutions:

diet change (decrease added sugar)
increase in physical activity
seek a pediatrician or other medical professional

PEA - The Importance of Nutrition

Obesity - Symptoms and causes

10. Sinus Infection

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is caused by the build up of fluid in one's sinuses that enables various bacteria to grow.

symptoms:

runny nose
stuffy nose
facial pain
headache
post-nasal drip: mucus dripping down throat
sore throat
cough
bad breath

solutions:

seek a medical professional if symptoms worsen or last for longer than 10 days
prescribed antibiotic (do NOT take until diagnosed by a medical professional)
decongestants and cough drops
taking a hot shower or breathing in steam to relieve runny and stuffy nose

Suffering from a sinus infection?Ask your HCP if you need antibiotics for your sinus infection.

11. Strep Throat

Strep throat is a respiratory tract bacterial infection that appears as a sore throat and, in more extreme cases, a fever. Because of cramped school environments, strep can spread rapidly through children populations. Luckily, it often subsides in less than two weeks.

symptoms:

sore throat
fever
swollen tonsils
pain when swallowing

solutions:

antibiotics (do NOT take until diagnosed by a medical professional)
rest
drinking large quantities of warm water

Strep throat-Strep throat - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

12. Tourette Syndrome

Tourette's is a neurological disorder that causes one to have tics, or sudden, uncontrollable movements or sounds. Symptoms usually develop by the age of 6. Though the cause is unknown, many assume it is connected to genetic factors, environmental factors, and a chemical imbalance in the brain causing irregular neurotransmitter action, according to Mayo Clinic.

symptoms:

"tics:"
- eye twitching
- swallowing
- coughing
- shoulder shrugging
- lip twitching
- grunting or throat clearing
uncontrolled cursing

solutions:

seek a medical professional for prescribed medicine
behavioral treatments

Learn About Tourette Syndrome | CDCTourette Syndrome (TS) causes people to have “tics” - sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that are repeated and unstoppable.

Written By: Siena