PROBLEMS FACED BY

ADOLESCENT

BY
ASMA IDRIS

INTRODUCTION

The problems faced by adolescents are many

due to
Changes in their hormonal milieu
Changing ideas and concepts about the world
Having to cope up with expectations of
society
Need to establish their own identity

FOLLOWING ARE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY

ADOLESCENTS:
HEALTH PROBLEMS:
NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS:
The increased dietary requirements of
growing adolescents if not met adequately
can lead to under nutrition.
Under nutrition often delays the onset of
puberty and sexual maturation and results in
stunting, poor bone mass and reduce work
capacity.
Iron deficiency anemia is the commonest
deficiency in teenagers.

Poor intake of calcium and deficiency of vitamin

D results in low bone mineral density and is more
pronounced in underprivileged.
Vitamin A deficiency is also an important issue in
economically deprived adolescents.

EATING DISORDERS:
Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia are being
increasingly reported among urban Indian
youth.

 LIFESTYLE DISEESAS:
Sedentary lifestyle, increase
consumption of calorie dense food
and decrease outdoor activity
Contribute to health disorders like
obesity.

Obesity has a strong association with asthma,

sleep disorders, reflex diseases, slipped femoral
epiphysis, gall stones, fatty liver, diabetes,
hypertension and PCOD.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS:
Adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders,
depression, suicide, delinquent behaviour,
poor body image and low self-esteem are the
psychological problems faced by adolescents.

SLEEP DISTURBANCES:
Poor sleep habits and inadequate sleep are
likely to cause day time drowsiness, aggressive
behaviour, conduct disorders and restless leg
syndrome
Sleep deprived teens often have periods of
subconscious bout of sleep or micro sleeps during
day time, making them prone to injuries and
accidents.

INFECTIONS:
With increased outdoor activity teens are
exposed to TB, HIV, STIs, skin infections and
parasitic infections.
Various biological (immature and incomplete
estrogenized mucosa) and psycho-social
factors(lack of preparedness, lack of familiarity
with barrier contraceptives) make adolescents
susceptible to these infections
Skin problems: acne vulgaris is common
problem during adolescence.

PROBLEMS SUSCEPTABLE TO FEMALES:

GENITAL INFECTION AND SEXUALLY TRASNMITTED
INFECTIONS:

Vaginal discharge common in adolescent girls

may signify physiological leucorrhoea of puberty or
endogenous STI.
Vulvovaginits , cervicitis , pelvic inflammatory
disease
Cervicitis is STD which can extend proximally
resulting in endometritis and salpingitis

COMMON MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

Dysmenorrhea- manifests as lower abdominal
cramps or back pain during menstruation.
Premenstrual syndrome(PMS)- physical and
psychological symptoms 7-10 days before
menstruation ex. Weight gain, abdominal
bloating, constipation ,irritability etc.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding- irregular,
excessive, prolonged painless uterine bleeding
where no organic cause is detected.

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME:

Most common reproductive
endocrinopathy
Heterogenous condition
Menstrual irregularities
Hyperandrogenism
Central obesity
Multiple small follicles in ovary

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

PROBLEMS SPECIFIC TO MALES:

The common problems encountered during
adolescents are penile problems, scrotal
problems, voiding dysfunctions and infections.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE:
Tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and opium are the
most common substance abuse.
Addicts are more prone to accidents, injuries,
violence, HIV, hepatitis C, etc.

VULNERABILITY :
Abuse and violence Road traffic accidents,
burns,poisoning
Migration traffiking of youth, prostitutions ,
HIV
Adolescent pregnancy unsafe abortions,
septicemia, pre eclampsia, high mortality
Lack of sex education abortions , HIV ,
sexually transmitted diseases

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCAL

CHALLENGES:

Pollution cardiovascular and respiratory

diseases.
Peer pressure cigarette smoking, alcoholism,
drugs etc.
Poverty depression, antisocial behaviour,
malnourishment.
Illiteracy child labour , juvenile delinquency
etc.

Academic and emotional stress

Early marriages increased risk of STDs,
cervical cancer, high risk pregnancy
Discrimination emotional and
psychological stress

THANK
YOU