Adolescent Care in Oak Park serving Elmwood Park & Elmhurst, IL
Being a teen comes with several changes any teenager may need help with. It's a time of both physical and mental development as they prepare to transition into adulthood. Your youngster should receive proper adolescent care at Pediatrics Unlimited in Oak Park, IL. Dr. Jeffrey Cabotaje and Dr. Elizabeth Wollensak are your local and caring pediatricians who are there for the teen in your life.
Physical Health
The teenage body is preparing for adulthood and its associated reproduction. As they reach sexual maturity, teens deal with raging hormones that can cause both physical and sometimes behavioral changes. Your teen will sprout up in height, and sometimes weight as bodies prepare for menstruation and male voices begin to break. Either gender needs to understand these transitions and how to deal with them.
At this time, your teenager may be dealing with skin problems, such as acne, caused by hormonal fluctuations. Girls may have irregular periods or heavy bleeding. Active teenagers may need a different level of nutrition to help offset the extra calories they're burning and protect themselves from injury. All teens should understand the right amount of activity necessary for them to remain healthy and avoid chronic issues such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and various cancers.
Mental Health
Teenagers also have mental health concerns as they go through many changes within a short amount of time. Not only are they dealing with their body in puberty, but school and its related pressure. There are other societal issues, and there may be stress at home. All these things can take a toll on a youngster still learning to navigate the world and manage problems responsibly. Therefore, your adolescent care in Oak Park, IL, often involves seeing a teenager due to depression and mood swings, body image concerns, sleep problems, anxiety, or panic disorders.
Helpful Education for Teens
Teenagers need as much information as possible about what their bodies and minds are dealing with and how to protect themselves. That's why they should know about contraception and how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases. Certain vaccinations also continue during this time, particularly for HPV. Education about what substance abuse, from drugs to heavy alcohol and tobacco use, can do to their health also matters.