Total Teen Health and Wellness: A Doctor's Guide for Parents

Parents are the ultimate teachers for their kids and can be role models by showing balance with food, body and exercise. Following up Episode #23 on Why Diets are Not Good for Teens, this episode reviews how parents can help their teen and young adult children see food, nutriton and exercise in a more balanced way. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician and expert, provides parents pearls to guide these discussions and cau...

The diet industry targets teenagers during this time of new years' resolutions through social media and marketing. Dieting is never a good idea for teenagers who are still growing and developing. Dieting, which is essentially restrictive eating and weight suppression, increases the risk of developing eating disorders. There are many medical concerns with weight loss and restrictive nutrition in adolescents. Parents, listen to ...

Parents hear scary stories in the news every week about drug overdoses in teens related to prescription pill misuse. 10% of teenagers report misusing a prescription drug in the last six months. Now, the risk is even greater given how many pills are counterfeit and laced with fentanyl. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine expert, reviews the risks of prescription drug abuse in teenagers and how parents can help their teens stay saf...

Teenagers and young adults have easy access to marijuana, and many are using cannabis frequently and heavily. Chronic use of marijuana has higher risks to young people due to the developing teen brain. Dr. Shanna Garza reviews medical and mental health risks that are more significant in adolescents. Parents, listen to learn more about the possible effects heavy marijuana use can have for your teen and young adult children. There ar...

In honor of September being National Suicide Prevention Month, Dr. Shanna Garza discusses risk factors and warnings signs for suicide in teenagers and young adults. There are many mental health and medical risk factors for which patients need to get care. In Adolescent Medicine, we treat patients for all types of mental health issues which helps prevent the risk for suicide. Parents want to know the warning signs for suicide in the...

In Adolescent Medicine, we are often the first doctors to address patient concerns related to women's health and gynecology. In this episode, Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician and expert, reviews common gynecology concerns she treats in teenagers and young adults. Common concerns include many different issues related to periods, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, vulvar pain and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).  List...

Sexually transmitted infections (STI's) are common infections in sexually active teens. Many teens don't know that they are infected or that they have been exposed. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician and clinic director of Girls to Women/Young Men's Health- McKinney, reviews commonly occuring STI's. Teens need to know how to prevent STI's, when to be checked and how to be treated. Check out thi...

Parents of teenagers and young adults can start the conversation around healthy sexuality with their children. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine expert and host of Total Teen Health and Wellness, guides parents on what questions to ask to make sure their teens are ready to have sex. Open communication between parents and teenagers helps teens understand their own values around sex and really think through their readiness for se...

Many Adolescent patients and their parents are very concerned about having access to effective contraception to prevent pregnancy. Given the recent ban on access to abortion in many states, including Texas, sexually active teenagers and young people are wanting to know more about their options and how to access effective contraception. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine expert, provides concise guidance and recommendations for t...

Parents of incoming college freshman often are overwhelmed getting their children ready for college. Seeing a doctor over the summer for a pre-college visit is an important task to check off during this process. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine expert and host of Total Teen Health and Wellness, reviews what is typically covered in this type of visit. These visits review potential safety issues related to sexuality, alcohol and...

Every parent of a student athlete knows summer is the time to get all of the forms signed for school! The Pre-participation Screening Exam is required in most schools for teen athletes and students to participate in any physical activity at school. In Adolescent Medicine, we spend a lot of time in summer completing these exams and getting kids ready for the upcoming school year. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician and h...

Listen to learn why teenagers and young people need a yearly wellness preventive visit. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician and host of Total Teen Health and Wellness, reviews all of the important things covered in these visits. It's not just an important time to review the physical health of your teen child, but also a critical time to assess mental health, the risk for substance use, healthy sexuality, nutrition ...

Atypical Anorexia is a common eating disorder of which it may be challenging for parents to be aware.  Patients often do not have weight loss and may actually be at a normal weight. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician, offers important information to help parents learn more. Parents need to be observant of eating disorder behaviors and really listen to how their teen and young adult children speak about food, eating, ex...

Eating disorders affect teenage and young adult patients' mental health and their physical health, leading to many symptoms and possible complications. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine expert, discusses how eating disorders affect patients medically. Parents need to know what to watch out for regarding medical issues and complications in their teens. This episode reviews typical symptoms and complications related to eatin...

Eating disorders affect many children, teenagers and young adults. They are one of the most deadly mental health conditions due to medical complications and suicide. It's critical that parents know what to look for in their children and when to get help. Finding professionals well-versed and informed in eating disorder care is very important to start the path of recovery. Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine expert and host o...

Puberty in children and teenagers is a process of physical, emotional and psychological growth. Parents often wonder if what their child is experiencing is a normal part of development. Dr. Shanna Garza, host of Total Teen Health and Wellness, offers guidance to parents to know what to expect as their kids develop and when to get help. The pre-teen and teen years can be a challenging time for kids to adjust to their changing bodies...

Vaccination against COVID-19 helps protect teens from infection, serious complications and hospitalization. The current COVID-19 vaccine is effective and should be given to all teenagers age 12 and older. Now is a critical time for more teenagers to receive this vaccine, given the surge with the Delta variant and the start of school. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination and why it’s vital that adolescents get this vaccine now. Dr....

Self-harm or self-injury affects 15% of teenagers today.  In this episode, Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician and expert, discusses how self-harm stems from maladaptive coping skills. Teens who self harm often have underlying mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders or a history of trauma. 

Parents are understandably concerned if they learn their kids are cutting or scratching as a f...

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects many teenagers and young adults and impacts their functioning in school, work and home life. Adolescent Medicine expert and Total Teen Health and Wellness- A Doctor’s Guide for Parents host, Dr. Shanna Garza, educates parents on the symptoms of ADHD and on tools to help patients improve. Mental health issues, including ADHD, are related to brain health. Treatment focuses on tr...