Teen Health Issues|Just another WordPress weblog

As most would know, Dating is an Art. Not everybody can be the best in dating. Specifically girls are found to be less active in dating than boys. Because most girls prefer getting dated (by boys) than dating boys. Guys dating girls and girls dating guys are the most common trend of showing modernization and the most essential part of enjoyment. It neither demanded commitments nor required responsibilities to be shared. It’s just fun ! emotion ! fashion ! happiness ! joy ! love ! care and no tears. The most common reason why dating is so much important is to show you are no more a kid, you are grown up, you can take your own decisions, most important you can impress a guy and date him more often.

Girls who are very fond of dating, are sometimes afraid of going for a date. They fear of how to behave, how to stand, how to sit, how to start a conversation, how to answer, how to put your point in front of your date, how to eat, how to drink, how to order and lot more. But the basic question is how to manage yourself on a date ?

Find the top 5 dating etiquettes in Women:

1. Unlock the silence with confidence as the key -

   You may have lot of tensions in your mind. Your prime focus may be losing those ugly ten pounds from your weight ! You might be stressed thinking of your hair cut ! Do not bring them in front of your date. Take away all your stresses from your mind before going to meet your date. Do not even think about your imperfections, even if you have a significant one. Because chances are very low if he is even making a note of it. He would be busy focusing on your beast features. Show off a little about your best attributes and throw away any self-doubts. Confidence and women is the most sexy combination.

2. Axe Your Ex -

   Even if you are still hung up with your ex-, try to keep him out of your sight. Specifically, when you are with your new date. “No matter who broke your heart, or how long it takes to heal, you’ll never get through it without a new one”. Imagine you hearing about your date’s ex- super-sexy girlfriend ! Uhhhh ! I know how undeserving and ungrateful experience can it be. You would probably never like to listen to it. So think you chatting about your ex- to your current one. So get your ex- chopped from your life.

3. Don’t Overdo Drinks -

   “Think about it. If you are single, after graduation there isn’t one occasion where people celebrate you … Hallmark / Archies won’t make a “congratulations, you didn’t chose the wrong guy” card. And where’s the flatware for going on vacation alone?” Dating ‘can be fun’ but not always ‘for fun’! Avoiding drinking in first 1 or 2 date meets is better. You would make a note of your date’s intentions and behaviour better. It may be tempting to drink those green apple flavored drinks, on the rocks special, but still control your senses and taste buds. You may be feeling you are having ultimate fun but you can land in dirty mess; if your date is found playing with you for some reason. Avoid such sticky situations.

4. Some Silence Are Golden -

   “I’m looking for love. Real love!!! Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love !!! But beware this love is not always available everywhere”. You may feel a lateral bonding with your first date. You may meet someone and feel connected since your past life. You would have tons of things in common, You may sometimes run out of words, out of reasons to talk. Do not compel yourself to fill the silence moments. Flash a smile. Slide an inch closer to your date. Allow your expressions and gestures speak.

5. Graceful ‘The Ends’ -

   “After a while, you just want to be with the one that makes you laugh.” Think a while. Why are you in this relationship ? Are you true in your feelings ? Make another thought “Whenever I date a guy, I think, is this the man I want my children to spend their weekends with?” What answer do you get ? Are you advancing for a commitment ? How do you find your compatibility ?
   If your feelings are getting sour and you are strong in your feelings thinking he’s not the correct man to be in your life. Then just step out. Do not hesitate such a relationship that can be a burden to you. But restrict being hasty and rude. Pay half of your bill. Smile sweetly and end with a friendly handshake. Do thank him for the evening and leave gracefully.

I remember when I was a teen, I also used to feel the same about my parents as most would do now. According to me,

“my parents were orthodox and conservative;

they tried to rule my life and take away my freedom;

they tried to poke into my personal matters and privacy;

they do not trust me and being over-protective;

they are misusing their power to make me feel that I am a kid, I have no brains, I cannot do things on my own, I need to follow their path, I cannot make decisions

and lots more …”

I am doubly sure that most teens would definitely agree with me on this never ending list of complaints. But I realized things like – “how it were and how it should have been; why it were this way and why not the way I wanted; who was wrong and who was right”; as I grew older out of my teen mind.

It was very obvious and needed at that time. Parents were never our enemies. They are our well-wishers. As long as we are with them, we are their responsibilities and of course ! we are born out of them, so we are very precious to them in every way. They would never want us to be in any problem in our life. They also would have passed through the same feelings when they were teens. So they can understand things better and have a broader outlook towards life. But we teens, as per our mind set and of course the immature brains forced us to behave this way. Its not a fault made by anybody. Its the age, the surrounding, the aggressive blood, the youthful energy; that creates the chaos.

Lets magnify the picture taking few examples. How many of you think their “parents are tough to be dealt with” ? How many of you think “parents scold us for any reason and anything we do” ? “Parents do not understand the present scenario and the fashion trends.” How many would agree on this ? How many parents say “my children are spoilt and are of no use“? “How many teen feel the problem is a “generation gap“? Uhhh…! I know most of you would agree to it. In fact I also agree, because I also used to think the same when I was a teen. And trust me ! there’s nothing unusual about it.

But I feel its is a mutual thing which can be sorted out with an effective communication between both. I remember few of my age-mates during those days used to be their parents pet at home and also would enjoy life to the fullest with us. They never used to complain of their strict, conservative and protective parents. Instead they used to say their parents were very open-minded, broad-thinkers, lively and welcome new things in life. But this never mentioned that their parents used to set them free for all odds, not have a closer look into their child’s life nor check what is wrong and what is right. Of course, they did all of them but in a very effective way, which most parents do not do taking time and patience.

Such things have made a narrow boundary between two categories of parents; the Door Slammers and the Door Openers. Who are the Door Openers ? The door openers do not show immediate responses conveying a judgement or a behavior. And the Door Slammers stands just the opposite. lets consider a few lines to distinguish if your parents are Door Openers or
Door Slammers.

Are Your parents a Door Opener ?
Do they start with -

“What do you think about the …?”,

“Would you please tell little more about …?”

“Oh ! That’s a good question. Well, …”,

“As of now I don’t have any idea about it, but I’ll try to find out …”,

“I would like to hear whatever you are saying”,

“Have you ever given a serious thought about what it ?”,

” Does that sounds important to you ?”,

“Shall we talk about it ?”

and many more such open-ended talks.

Hope your parents do not use lines like –

“You are a kid, you should not do this”,

You are too young to understand”,

“If you say that again, you will be …”,

“Mind your own business”,

“That’s none of your business”,

“I care a dam what your friends are doing!”

It does not matter what they are doing ?”,

“We’ll talk on it when I would like to”,

“That’s just for boys (or girls)”,

“Who are you to ask me that ?”,

“Why do you want to know that ?”,

“I don’t need to answer you on that”,

“You don’t need to know about that”,

“Don’t come to me after you …”

If they use any of the above lines, then you are blessed with Door Slammers !

Have you ever come across lines saying ‘Speed thrills, but it kills’ ? Definitely would have. But friends, this not dedicated to driving only. It can be for any of our interests and pleasures in life. It can be your dating skills also. Speed in anything can be dangerous. Because friends!, Accidents do not occur always nor with everyone, it happens at some moment of time with someone really unfortunate. You never know if you are gonna be one of the victims ! Always be cautious and play safe !

Dating is an art. Speed dating is little more creative than the usual dating. Not everybody can manage it. This kind of dating has gained popularity since the late 90’s. People who are very sporty and have eagle eyes in finding the perfect romantic match among the group of strangers are very few in numbers. Mostly, they chose new people, new venues and new occasions to start with new relationships.

Speed dating was a concept evolved by Rabbi Yaacov Deyo, who wanted to use speed dating to help the Jewish singles to meet their love partner. This was started in the early 90’s and gained pace after being featured in the television shows like “Sex and the City,” and films like “Hitch.” Various religious groups and church groups have got engaged in sponsoring speed dating. Else, more often, bars, pubs, discotheques are the venues where speed dating is a common phenomena. The set up of the venue is done after a lot of research. It must be large in size. The large area should be able to occupy chairs and tables to accommodate quick-moving couples. There they sit, chat, compare hearts and share feelings.

Rules Of Speed Dating :

The rules and the game are very simple. Of course ! it is dependent on the host and the crowd. The women are allowed to sit while men are requested to move from chair to chair. The starting couple is given with a couple of minutes to share some their ideas and talks. Within this time, they will have to measure their compatibility with the other partner. Once the time is over, a signal will be given or a bell will be rung. Then the man is made to move to the next seat (or you can say to the next lady). The men and women both will be given a paper and a pen. They will mark on the paper about those individuals with whom they had felt a spark. The host then collects the paper and matches. When the paper results is common in both sides, the success is gained.

So folks ! you can also plan out some speed dating games at your place and invite singles. But be aware do not play too fast. Its just for fun not always a perfect decision.

When parents decide to live separately, it is a very traumatic situation for a child. How upset the child feels can vary depending on how their parents separated, the age of the child, how much he understands, and the support he gets from family and friends.

The most difficult question – How to tell the child?

It’s best if both parents tell the child about the divorce together. Make sure the children understand that you both still love them and will take care of them. Speak honestly and simply.

Many children have miconceptions about having to choose a parent or even having to go to court. So it is important that you both educate your children together about what to expect in the coming months and reassure them that you will always be a family, although not living together.

Listen to you children’s concerns. Encourage your children to talk so you can remove mis-perceptions.
What you as a parent must do to help your child?

Listen and Talk. Just listening to your children’s concerns and feelings is enough to provide them great relief – you don’t have to be a solver of all problems. Sometimes just listening is enough.

Good communication with your children is important. Explain as much as possible about the situation and provide them information about:

• Where they will stay.
• Where they will go to school.
• When they may see the other parent.

Parents must:

If you and your spouse live happily separately, your children are also more likely to be happy. Be optimistic about a happy future for everyone – optimism is contagious. If you cope well with the changes, your children will likely follow your lead.

Many psychiatric drugs have not been satisfactorily tested in paediatric patients, and some drug combinations occasionally prescribed for children – particularly stimulants and antidepressants – have not been fully tested even in adults. So, we don’t know for sure the risks or the benefits of these medications.

Children’s bodies do not absorb drugs and eliminate toxins similarly as adult bodies, and their brains may get affected also. Depression and other conditions for which the drugs are prescribed may have long-lasting deadly effects on the psychological and social development of a kid.

Children with depression are more likely to have other health problems and engage in risky behaviour, such as promiscuity, smoking, drugs and alcohol. Risks of medicating and the risks of not medicating are greatest in the early years of life.

The thumb rule is caution in prescribing antidepressants to children. They should be neither a first nor a last resort. If given, anti-depressants should not be stopped abruptly, because it may lead to a withdrawal syndrome that includes dizziness, nausea, seizures and anxiety.

Side effects of anti-depressants:

Children can continue to take the drug if it seems to be helping, but they should be watched closely for side effects.

The side effects vary depending on the drug, but can include:

• Insomnia
• Sleepiness
• Increased anxiety
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrohea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Weight gain or loss

Beware! Anti depressants can trigger off suicidal behaviour!

Signs that a child is at risk of suicidal behaviour while taking an antidepressant

The highest risk of suicidal thinking occurs during the first few months of treatment or when a medication dosage is increased or decreased.

Possible signs of worsening depression include:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Insomnia or other sleeping problems
• Hostility
• Unexplained declines in academic performance
• Withdrawing from relationships
• Spending more time alone

Suicide due to depression is the third leading cause of death among children between ages 10 to 19.

If your child is on anti-depressants, when should he discontinue?

This decision should be made on an individual basis with advise from doctor. Suddenly stopping medication can leave them without appropriate treatment and increases the risk of withdrawal-like symptoms. A doctor can help your child taper off medication to minimize withdrawal.

What is the alternative to antidepressant?

Warnings on anti-depressants don’t prohibit their use in children, nor are they meant to frighten people away from treating their children.

But if you’re not comfortable with antidepressants, counselling is an option. However, counselling (individual as well as family) alone may not be sufficient to effectively treat depression, especially in more severe cases. A combination of medication and psychotherapy offers the best treatment approach for youngsters down with depression.

Do you know?

Currently, Prozac (fluoxetine) is the only approved medicine to treat major depression in children and adolescents, while Prozac, Zoloft and Anafranil are approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder in paediatric patients. No other antidepressant drug is FDA approved for treatment of any psychiatric condition in children.

Earlier it was believed that only adults developed depression and that children and teens could not. We now know that even a young child can develop serious depression that requires treatment to improve. However, symptoms of depression in children and teens can be difficult to recognize.

What causes depression in kids?

Causes are still unknown, however it can be triggered by:

• Stressful life events, such as a loss of a family member or relative.
• Having a parent or immediate family member who is depressed.
• Having a long-term medical illness such as diabetes or epilepsy.
• Having another mental disorder, such as anxiety disorder.
• Being physically or sexually abused.
• Having problems with alcohol or drugs.
• Genetic (inherited). Children with a family history of depression are much more likely to become depressed, especially if they have a parent who is presently depressed.
• Being a girl in early puberty. After puberty and as adults, females are twice as likely as males to become depressed.
• Family conflicts, especially between parents.

How to diagnose depression in kids:

• Always tired, plays sick
• Drops out of favourite activities – social withdrawal
• Has more arguments with parents, friends and teachers
• Refuses to do homework or loses interest in school
• Engages in harmful behaviour, such as cutting himself or herself
• Has suicidal thoughts.
• Physical symptoms e.g., stomach aches and headaches, hallucinations, and extreme fears.

What happens, if left untreated?

Depression in children, if untreated, can affect:

• School performance and learning,
• Social interactions and development of normal peer relationships,
• Self-esteem and a child’s sense of bonding and trust,
• Can lead to drug abuse, disruptive behaviours, violence and aggression,
• Even lead to suicide

Childhood depression is a serious problem that demands a serious medical approach. However, you need to first recognize what is causing it.

How to treat depression in kids?

Treatment for childhood and teen depression includes a combination of professional counselling, medications, and family co-operation.

Home treatment and family involvement:

Do everything possible to provide a supportive and understanding family environment to your child. Love, understanding, and regular communication are some of the most important things you should provide to help your child cope with depression. Make him feel that you are there for him always.

Good lifestyle habits can help reduce your child’s symptoms of depression. Encourage your child to:

• Get regular exercise, such as swimming, walking.
• Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs.
• Get enough sleep
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Be optimistic about feeling better. Positive thinking is very important in recovering from depression.

Some symptoms of depression in children and teens may remain, even with medication and other treatment. Early treatment of depression may bring about the best results for your child. Think positive, recovery will happen, but gradually.

Tooth whitening is a procedure that lightens teeth and helps remove stains and discolouration. Whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures and can significantly improve the appearance of your teeth.

Why do kids require tooth whitening?

Children and teens with discoloured teeth may have a negative self-image that can result in reduced self confidence. Teeth whitening may help them with their self-image.

• It is also quite possible that kids have stains that are inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains can be caused by fluorisis (exposure to too much fluoride as a child) while teeth are developing.
• Stains may also be because of an injury or infection.
• Another cause may be tetracycline antibiotics given to children 8 years old or younger when the teeth are still developing.
• They may have surface stains caused by foods or drinks.

There are two types of teeth whitening procedures:

Bleaching:

This changes the colour of the tooth enamel and removes both surface stains and those deeper in the teeth. The chemical used to bleach teeth is generally carbamide peroxide.

Bleaching for children under age 18 is not suggested as there is greater risk of hypersensitivity. Bleaching using the light systems should be limited to age 18 and above due to the possibility of pulpal damage.

Whitening toothpastes:

These use a rough (abrasive) material that “scrapes” off surface stains and polishes the teeth.

Why is it important to discuss teeth whitening with your dentist?

If your child still has a mix of primary and permanent teeth, whitening all teeth may result in teeth being different shades of white. This is because the thickness of the tooth enamel is different in these two types of teeth. Colour will also change when the permanent teeth replace the primary.

Risks associated with tooth whitening in kids:

• About one-third patients may experience tooth sensitivity and/or gingival irritation after bleaching treatment. This is more traumatic in children than in adults.
• Studies show that repeated and prolonged exposure to whitening agents especially peroxide can be potentially harmful.
• Degree of potential toxicity and harmful outcomes is high for those who overuse whiteners – a concern in teenagers.
• Teeth whitening in healthy teens should be a case-by-case determination that must include the weighing of risks (oral health and age) vs benefits.

Good oral care and hygiene is an important part of a child’s overall health. Your child can avoid unnecessary medical procedures and kick off to a good start by:

• Seeing a dentist regularly to get teeth checked up.
• Brushing twice a day and flossing at night before bedtime at home.
• Getting the right amount of fluoride.
• Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.

Many teenagers are obsessed with the bronze look. “Younger, sexier, slimmer” – is the message a tanned complexion is supposed to send out. It is practiced exclusively for cosmetic reasons. Too often and too intense tanning is risky.

If you are going for it, make sure:

• Gradual and moderate indoor tanning session
• Using proper sunscreen indoor and outdoor

Are teens actually complying to these conditions?

Why tanning booths, sun lamps are risky?

Then, what’s the option out if I want that bronze glow?

Sunless self-tanners.

With increased awareness of the dangers of tanning booths, sunless tanning product popularity is growing tremendously.

Many products are now available to use both at home and in the salon. Sunless tanning lotions contain di-hydroxyaceton (DHA), which is a colourless sugar that interacts with dead surface cells in the epidermis and stains the skin darker. This effect is temporary and as the dead cells naturally wear off, the colour fades as well. Typically, these “fake bakes” last from several days to a week.

Options include sprays, lotions, and towelettes, and they’re easy to use.

Airbrush tanning:

You might also check out salons that offer airbrush tanning. Airbrush tans look more like a natural tan. In this, a beautician will hook up a DHA solution on to a spray compressor, and spray the tan onto you. Your eyes, lips, and nose will be covered to protect them during the process. A few hours after the application, you’ll start noticing your new, safe tan.

With both self-tanners and airbrush tanning, you’ll get better results if you exfoliate your skin with a scrub brush before the tanner is applied. This evens your skin tone and removes dead skin cells.

A word of precaution:

With both types of sunless tanning, you’ll need to wear sunscreen when you go outdoors to protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Artificial tans don’t produce melanin, you won’t be protected against sunburn. So, take care…

Teenagers are more prone to damaging their hearing ability with heavy, loud music than adults, but more than half say they’re neither going to cut down on listening time nor reduce the volume.

Going to concerts or blasting your music player once a while is ok. Too much exposure to loud noise can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Personal stereo player is the main culprit of NIHL among teens. There is a chance that children who listen to loud music may need hearing aids later in life. In fact, many experts believe that people are losing their hearing at a much younger age than they did 30 years back.

How damage occurs?

The excessive sound level acts upon the sensitive receptor cells inside the inner ear – the so-called hair cells. Due to excessive exercise that these hair cells undergo under such conditions, damage occurs.

As you expose your ear to repeated episodes of loud music, the damage is ultimately going to be permanent
Common warning signals include

• Ringing, hissing sound in the ear during or after being around the music.
• Distorted hearing.
• Trouble understanding conversation, especially if you are in a crowd of people talking.
• A feeling of heaviness in the ears or head.

However, you may still be damaging your hearing even if you don’t have these symptoms.

How loud is too loud? And for how long can a person listen to loud music?

The risk of damage to hearing is calculated on the basis of how loud and how long you are exposing yourself.

Experts agree that continued exposure to noise at or above 85 dB(A) over time can cause a hearing loss. An increase of a few decibels has a drastic effect on the danger to hearing – this is because each increase of 3 dB(A) represents a doubling of sound energy.

How can I look after my ears if using MP3 player / or at music concert?

• Take regular breaks from the music or headphones to give ears a rest.
• Stand away from loud speakers in concerts.
• Wear earplugs if going to a loud concert.
• Turn down the MP3 volume slightly – a small reduction in volume can make a big difference to the risk of damage to hearing.
• Avoid using the volume to drown background noise or use earphones that block out background noise.
• Limit listening time to one hour or less at a time.
• See your doctor right away if you suspect any problems with your hearing, and get your hearing tested on a regular basis.

Noise induced hearing loss is usually painless and gradual, which often makes it difficult to notice until it is too late. Once it happens, it is permanent.

So, a handy rule of thumb is that if you can’t talk to someone 2 metres away without shouting, the noise level could be damaging.