TEEN HEALTH

TEEN HEALTH
What causesinflammation?
TEENGROWTH.COM
Q. What's an inflammation and what causes it? Will it do anything bad to you?
A. Inflammation is the medical term for the condition that occurs when body tissues react to an injury. The damaged cells undergo a process that produces redness, heat, swelling and pain. Almost any tissue in the body can become inflamed, from external organs such as the skin to internal organs such as the heart. The damage can be caused by many different things, including mechanical causes such as heat, friction and abrasion, or infectious causes such as viruses and bacteria. The seriousness of the inflammation depends upon several factors, including the tissue involved and the specific cause.
Here are some examples. Note that the suffix "itis" means "inflamed." A very common inflammation is a sore throat (pharyngitis.) It may be caused by something as simple as cheering too much at a football game or by a virus, or by bacteria such as streptococcus (strep throat), which would require antibiotics for treatment. Another common inflammation is sunburn (solar dermatitis), which usually heals by itself. Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis) needs surgical removal. Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) can be caused by viruses for which we now have preventative vaccines. Inflammation of a tendon (tendinitis) is often caused by overuse and is treated with rest and ice. Inflammation of the joints (arthritis) may come from wear and tear of aging. As you can tell, there are dozens of kinds of inflammations. Many are minor and self-limited, while others may be chronic and require treatment.
All of us will have inflammations of one kind or another over time. If your doctor tells you that you have an inflammation, ask what tissue is inflamed and what may be causing it. Be sure you understand what treatment, if any, is recommended.
Why does my elbow crack when I lift?
Q. I am a 13-year-old guy, and every time I do a push-up or bench press my right elbow cracks, but it does not hurt. Could this be harmful?
A. Since you are not experiencing any pain you probably are not causing any damage. Many joints will "crack" when extended, due to nitrogen bubbles bursting harmlessly in the joint space. This is nothing to worry about.
Pain, however, is a marker for a problem. The old saying of "no pain, no gain" is not correct and should not be followed. As long as you are not experiencing pain, you can continue your push-ups and your bench-pressing.
We would, however, suggest that you have someone check your technique -- especially when you're lifting weights -- to make sure you are not trying to lift too heavy a weight.
XTo have TeenGrowth's board of physicians answer your health question, visit the Web site (http://www.teengrowth.com) or e-mail feedback@teengrowth.com.
TEEN TRAUMA
Can you believe this?
SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE
The totally appealing/appalling boy report, from Seventeen magazine:
Sweet
I was sitting in a corner at a school dance, depressed that the guy I was crushing on wasn't there, when another guy came up and asked me why a beautiful girl like me was looking so miserable. Then we started talking and he asked me to dance. I had an amazing night, and we've been together ever since. We had our three-month anniversary a few days ago. He couldn't afford flowers, so he showed up at my first-period class with milk and freshly baked cookies (my favorite) just for me!
Slimy
I'd dated this guy before and found there was still a fire burning between us, so we hooked up again. We'd been together for a few months when he started getting distant. One day a mutual friend told me my boyfriend was "talking" to another girl -- and had been for at least three weeks! Later my guy called me and said that "it wasn't working out." Then, the very next day, it turned out that his new "secret" girlfriend dumped him! And believe it or not, he actually tried to get me to go out with him again.
XFor more Can You Believe This Guy?, check out the current issue of Seventeen or visit the magazine's Web site at www.seventeen.com.