Adolescent Health Changes
Exercise, weight
Acne- Acne is a common skin disease that
causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles
under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on
the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.
Anyone can get acne, but it is common in
teenagers and young adults. It is not serious, but
it can cause scars.
If you have acne
 Clean your skin gently
 Try not to touch your skin
 Avoid the sun
Asthma- Asthma symptoms, which include
coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, are
common in an asthma attack. Sometimes
asthma is called bronchial asthma or reactive
airway disease. Asthma can be controlled with
proper treatment.
Breast Conditions- A young woman may
experience a number of changes in her breasts
during puberty and adolescence as she
becomes an adult.
Some breast changes or conditions are related
to her menstrual cycle, while others may occur
at any time.
While most breast conditions are benign (non-
dangerous), it is important for young women to
be aware of the need for proper breast health so
that she may detect any problems.
Some of the breast conditions young women
may experience include:
 Cyclical breast pain
 Cysts
 Fibroadenomas
 Fat necrosis
 Sclerosing adenosis
Diabetes- Diabetes is a disease in which your
blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too
high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat.
Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get
into your cells to give them energy. A blood test
can show if you have diabetes.
control and sticking to your meal plan can help
control your diabetes. You should also monitor
your glucose level and take medicine if
prescribed.
Menstrual disorders- are a class of problems
affecting a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle.
Menstrual disorders include any or more than
one of the following:
 Dysmennorhea (painful periods)
 Irregular periods or missed periods
 Heavy periods
Dysmenorrhea- is severe, frequent cramping
during menstruation. Pain occurs in the lower
abdomen but can spread to the lower back and
thighs.
High blood pressure- High blood pressure or
hypertension increases the risk of heart disease
and stroke. Hypertension risk factors include
obesity, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, and
family history. Beta-blockers are a common
treatment for hypertension.
Obesity- Obesity means having too much body
fat. It is different from being overweight, which
means weighing too much. The weight may
come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water.
Both terms mean that a person's weight is
greater than what's considered healthy for his or
her height. Obesity occurs over time when you
eat more calories than you use.
Scoliosis- Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of
the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs
straight down your back. Everyone’s spine
naturally curves a bit. But people with scoliosis
have a spine that curves too much. The spine
might look like the letter C or S.
Sprain- A sprain occurs when one or more of
your ligaments have been stretched, twisted or
torn, usually as a result of excessive force being
applied to a joint.
Strain- A strain occurs when muscle fibers
stretch or tear. They usually occur when the
muscle has been stretched beyond its limits or it
has been forced to contract (shorten) too
quickly.