Asthma can flare up if any one of three factors becomes aggravated. These three factors which, singly or in combination, can wreak such havoc in asthmatic patients are infection, allergy, and emotional upset.
The outstanding difficulty of asthma lies in exhaling, because the bronchial passageways partially block the air as it leaves the lungs. The obstruction [...]
One mother says, “My son has too many colds. He must be deficient in something.”
Another asks, “What am I doing wrong? Sharon always has a cold.”
Nearly always in these situations the diet and general health are adequate and there is no reason to think that the “too many colds” type has a low resistance. The [...]
For all the adolescents who are overweight and really want to do something about it, the first suggestion is: try cutting out one calorie-full but nutrition-poor food that you’re crazy about. If you can’t stop eating chocolate candy bars or big dishes of ice cream or those wonderful cookies—or whatever is your favorite bad-habit dish, [...]
All these differences from childhood, all these possible question marks, are changes that can be seen and observed. What goes on inside is important, too. In fact, if the inner changes were not taking place, there would be none of these outer signs of approaching adulthood. There are many organs in the body. Though they [...]
Teenagers can get attacks of appendicitis. Only a doctor knows how hard it is to tell whether a pain in the abdomen comes from appendicitis or something else. Most people now know the usual symptoms of acute appendicitis—how it starts with vague abdominal discomfort and some nausea, usually followed by one or two bouts of [...]
Adolescents And Physical Development
Most health questions by adolescents and about adolescents have to do with growth, girth, and development.
Often the adolescent patient or his parent wants to know if the patient’s weight and height are “right” for his age, or “where does Mary fit on the chart?” Gradually doctors and others have come to the [...]
It has often been said that politicians think in opposites. Either they “view with alarm” or they “point with pride” at what is happening. These two attitudes are also commonly assumed by adults in discussing teenagers. However, the alarm-viewers seem to be much in the majority.
Periodic outbreaks of alarm about the fitness of our youth [...]
Occasionally when a mother is too fault-finding and presses her child too hard about his weight, she begins to see herself in the role of the disturbed and disturbing one. She may be able to face these facts and then make an attempt to find out what is causing her to nag her child so [...]
Migraine headaches follow a pattern. They often come after a warning, known as an aura. The victim may see flashes of light or spots before his eyes. Things may take on a double-lined border. Sometimes he may see only the left part of a person or an object. At other times, he sees only their [...]
When a doctor lets teenagers inquire about health, many questions come forth. Actually it is very unusual to find a teen-ager who has no health problems—legitimate ones which deserve a doctor’s full attention and honest answer.
Over and over again these questions are asked: “Why do I get tired? Why can’t I work hard and play [...]