Adolescent MedicinePassaic, NJ
Adolescent medicine can help children and teens adjust to the changes they may be experiencing in body and mind as they go through puberty. Our team offers a safe, comfortable environment for teens who need help navigating their health and adjusting to the greater independence associated with young adulthood. Adolescent medicine is a pediatrics subspecialty that educates and empowers youth to take charge of their health and well-being as they go through puberty and transition into adults.
Adolescent medicine treatment is available at Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care in Passaic and the surrounding area. Our team strives to provide quality health care to teens while addressing common questions and concerns. With the proper education and care, the children we treat can benefit from improved well-being and health as they continue growing older.
Call Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care at 862-702-5116 to request an adolescent medicine appointment and discuss our available services.
An Overview of Adolescent Medicine
With adolescent medicine, we can treat and address common health issues that children and teenagers may struggle with. Our team helps children transition into teens and teens transition into young adults by providing them with the knowledge and education they need to stay healthy and safe. The CDC reports that by the time children enter 12th grade, about two-thirds of them have tried alcohol.
Adolescent medicine doctors also treat common teen health concerns surrounding menstrual periods, changes in mood, and reproductive health. Along with that, the body of a younger patient may react differently to illnesses and diseases than adults. Thus, it is crucial to seek professional care that takes this fact into account.
How Adolescent Medicine Works
Most people tend to stop seeking regular checkups once they reach high school. Due to this, teenagers tend to grow up with a mindset that they do not need professional medical care when transitioning into adulthood unless it is an emergency. Our team uses adolescent medicine to focus on the patient's health. We will take their physical, emotional, mental, and behavioral health into account.
In addition to discussing their medical history, we may also review other aspects of their life. These questions can include:
- Relationships with friends and family
- Experiences at home and school
- Any difficult situations they may be facing
- Any uncomfortable changes in their body due to puberty
- Issues with peer pressure, substance abuse, bullying, domestic violence
- Pregnancy
The length of time for an appointment may vary per person. Half the visit may take place with the parent and the patient, while the other half may take place with just the patient to discuss highly personal issues and concerns. We can help determine what the patient needs during an appointment
Why Teens Need Adolescent Medicine Treatment
Puberty can be a difficult time for many children and teenagers due to the way it causes fluctuations in hormones. These hormones can affect important daily functions, such as sleep, mood, and appetite. Some teens may also need help managing acne, menstrual periods, and other physical changes associated with puberty and growing older. According to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, the prevalence of acne among individuals going through puberty is 95%. Children and teens will greatly benefit from a treatment built toward their needs so they can experience a seamless and confident transition into adulthood while learning how to manage their health properly.
The Benefits of Adolescent Medicine
Adolescent medicine offers a wide range of benefits for children and teens, including the opportunity to learn about the changes their bodies will go through before they happen. This branch of medicine can also help children feel more confident about their physical appearance and social lives.
Other benefits of adolescent medicine include:
- Privacy and discretion surrounding topics such as sex, drugs, and alcohol
- Freedom to discuss emotional and mental health problems
- Opportunity to discuss sexual orientation
- Gynecological health care (birth control and testing for sexually transmitted infections)
- Nutrition guidance and education
- Treatment for chronic medical conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
If your child or teen needs adolescent medicine, our team can provide the treatment needed to help them experience a healthy transition into adulthood. To schedule an adolescent medicine appointment, call our office today at 862-702-5116.
At what age should my child start receiving adolescent medicine treatment?
Most children can start receiving adolescent treatment around the ages of 11 and 12, or when they start going through puberty. In the U.S., girls typically go through puberty between the ages of 10 and 14, while boys may experience puberty between the ages of 12 and 16. A doctor can perform a healthcare evaluation to recommend when a child should start receiving adolescent healthcare.
What are good questions to ask during adolescent medicine appointments?
Children and teens can ask their doctors about anything that may be affecting their well-being, whether it pertains to the physical changes of puberty or something else in their life. Doctors who practice this type of medicine are trained to help and guide youth through puberty and teen years as they become more independent. Adolescents can also ask their doctors questions they may feel too uncomfortable or embarrassing to ask their parents.
How often should my child have adolescent medicine appointments?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens have well-child visits once per year between the ages of 10 and 21. However, children with certain medical conditions may visit their doctors more frequently for checkups. Regular checkups allow children to bring up concerns and issues they may be facing as they go through puberty and adolescence.
How is an adolescent medicine doctor different from a pediatrician?
Compared with pediatricians, doctors who practice adolescent health focus more on the patient's overall well-being versus only their physical health. Children and teens are encouraged to speak their minds and be open with doctors about their health and social concerns. Adolescent health appointments usually take longer than routine well-child visits and may be conducted with or without a parent present.
Which teens should see an adolescent medicine doctor?
Any teen of any age can benefit from seeing an adolescent health doctor. Children and teens who feel uncomfortable talking to their parents about topics like sex, emotions, and relationships can discuss these topics with a doctor, as can teens who want to know more about the changes their bodies are going through. Teens who are parents, have chronic medical conditions, or who deal with violence at home may also be ideal candidates for adolescent health care.
Contact Us
Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care is located at
293 Passaic Street
Passaic, NJ
07055
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