Pediatric Sports Medicine

Adolescent Medicine is a medical subspecialty that deals primarily with the care and treatment of patients who are at the stage of adolescent development. This period usually begins between the ages of nine to 11 for females and 11-14 for men. Considered a sub-specialty primary care, adolescent medicine integrates various aspects, including iatrical dermatology, endocrinology, gynecology, nutrition, psychology and sports medicine. It is also an integral component of internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and young health.

Physicians who immerse themselves in the practice of adolescent medicine often deal with issues and problems with high prevalence during adolescence. These are:

Ās Early Puberty

Ās Birth Control

Ās Addiction

Ās Acne Vulgaris

Ās unintended pregnancies

Ās sexually transmitted diseases or STDs

Ās Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia

Ās menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and dysmenorrhea

Ās Mental illnesses, particularly anxiety disorders, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, major depression, suicidal ideation, and certain types of schizophrenia

Healthcare providers who deal with adolescents normally adopt a holistic approach that attempts to collect information relevant to the patient's well-being. The approach resembles the biophysical model that is embodied in the assessment HEADSS. It is an acronym for screening adolescent patients and supports for ome, E ducation, A ctivities, carpets D, S ex, and S. uicidality

Apart from medical history, adolescents must undergo a complete physical examination and a review of mental health status at least once a year. The physical examination should include sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing, a neurological assessment and a review of the reproductive system. In addition, the progression of development must be documented on an annual basis, and endocrinological tests should be considered particularly in patients who fail to develop in a normal manner.

Young women must be properly informed on how to examine their breasts for signs of breast cancer, men and young people should consider how their penis and testicles for STDs and cancer. Laboratory tests, including the CBC to screen for anemia, and a fasting lipid profile or cholesterol check up to screen for hyperlipidemia should be undertaken at least once during the period adolescence.

For those who are sexually active, especially in patients living in areas of high prevalence, screening tests for STDs should be done, including rapid plasma reagin (RPR) or venereal diseases research laboratory of the disease (VDRL) test of syphilis screening for HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Women who are sexually active should have a gynecological exam, including Pap smear screening for cervical cancer.

With regard to vaccinations, the following are considered essential: a vaccination against meningitis, vaccination against tetanus booster vaccine, Gardasil vaccine against HPV, in particular for young women sexually active, and annual influenza inoculation.

Teen Addictions