5 Common Health Concerns for Adolescents

A better question might be what isn't a concern for adolescents, which encompasses the preteen and teenage years. With so many changes going on in adolescents' lives and bodies, making adjustments can be challenging.

At Sima Stein, MD, located in San Jose, California, board-certified pediatrician Dr. Sima Stein specializes in working with teens, their unique needs (and moods!), and their parents. Dr. Stein can help your teen with all their health concerns, including STD screening and counseling, as well as health lifestyle choices, and answer any questions.  

Here, Dr. Stein shares the most common health concerns for adolescents and advice on how to manage them. 

Substance use

Adolescence is a time for experimenting and, for some, taking risks. It's an unfortunate thing to acknowledge, but drugs are readily available to kids even in middle school. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, drug use rose by 30% in the last five years among 8th graders, and 37% of teenagers have abused a drug at least once by 12th grade.

What you can do: Talk early and often to your children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Set limits and guidelines. Don't assume your kids know your feelings toward substance use.

Mental health issues

According to the National Institutes of Health, rates of mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorders, and suicidal behaviors have risen 40% in the last decade for high school students. Screen time and social media are the two most likely causes of this increase. Studies have shown a link between heavy social media use and depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicidal ideation.

What you can do: Set limits on when and for how long your teen can use their devices. Talk to your teen about the problems with phone addiction, and do your best to model healthy cell phone use. 

Sleep

Teens need more sleep than their parents. While adults typically need 7-9 hours of sleep, teens require 8-10 hours to support their brains and bodies as they develop at an accelerated rate. Unfortunately, only 2 out of 10 teens report regularly getting the recommended hours of sleep. 

And just when they need that extra hour or two of sleep, their circadian rhythm encourages them to go to bed later. This means that getting up early for school guarantees that teens don't get the amount of sleep they need.

What you can do: While it might be challenging, now is the best time to teach your kids about healthy sleep habits, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, sleeping in a dark, cool room, and avoiding their phones for about an hour before bed.

Sexual health

From preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to teaching teens boundaries, sexual health is an essential part of adolescent health. Research shows that young people ages 15-25 are responsible for half of all new STD infections each year. It's your job, as a parent, to educate your children about protection from unwanted pregnancies and STDs. 

What you can do: Talk to your teen. Make sure that if they're sexually active, you educate them and help them stay safe with either birth control, condoms, STD testing, or a discussion about abstinence.

Accidents and injuries

News flash: Adolescents take unnecessary risks. They think they're invincible. They ride without helmets. They may drink too much or experiment with drugs. They play sports without protective equipment. They pierce their own ears, noses, belly buttons, and tongues. 

One study reports that unintentional injuries resulting from firearms, car crashes, and drug overdoses are the leading causes of death or injury among adolescents in the United States.

What you can do: Pay attention. Supervise. Make rules. Require helmets, seatbelts, and proper safety equipment for sports. 

For more information about protecting your preteen or teenager, call the office of Sima Stein, MD, or contact us online through our website.