It's up to YOUth: Teens Taking Control of Their Health By Kim Burgess, Extension Youth & Volunteerism Specialist

What is acne vulgaris? What is celiac disease? What is labyrinthitis? These are common quesitons youth ask their physician.

Like adults, teens need to become more responsible for their own health care and build a relationship with their health care providers. Teens and young adults need to be informed about health-related skills. They need to be taught how to make informed decisions that are based on accurate information. Creating this independency at an early stage can help lead youth to a healthy and productive adulthood. When teens are able to manage their health care, they are able to live more independently.

Researchers have examined that adolescents are using the Internet more to obtain health information. Barriers that teens encounter while searching the Internet include:

1. Difficulty spelling medical terms such as "asthma" and "arthritis." This posed a problem because most Internet search engines are text driven and require accurate spelling.
2. Being able to describe health symptoms and knowing what to ask when researching information using search engines. Adolescents are quite Internet savvy; however, they may have problems searching, evaluating, and applying online health information. Parents and educators should encourage adolescents to seek guidance and report any issues while searching for information.

Adolescents can also take charge of their health by learning how to communicate with their health care providers. Listed are a few recommendations to discuss during a routine visit:

• Be open and discuss important things about your symptoms.
• Be honest about your personal information even if it seems embarrassing.
• Update your medical history. Bring a summary of all medical needs and keep it accurate and up-to-date
• Discuss all medications including alternatives such as vitamins or herbal products.
• Become knowledgeable about medications you are taking. Bring a list of them and their dosage. Also discuss any allergies or reactions to medicine.
• Plan and prepare. List your questions and ask the most important ones first. Never assume anything. Failure to ask questions may indicate you understand what was said during the visit.
• Bring a friend. This person can also help you understand and remember the questions.
• Ask for pamphlets, brochures, and other materials for future reference.

Common questions to ask your physicians include:

• What are the side effects of this medicine?
• What if I forgot to take my medication?
• When and how long should I take this medication?
• Can I give this illness to someone else?
• When am I able to return to work or school?
• What can I do to prevent this from happening again?
• What caused this problem?

Good health is one of life's most precious resources. The best way for teens to take charge of their health is to understand and become more knowledgeable about health-related issues. Parents and health care providers can provide informal guidance for teens.

References

Brown, Nancy L. (September 4, 2007). Helping teens become responsible for health care.

Gray, N., Klein, J. D., Noyce, P. R., Sesselberg, T. S., & Cantrill, J. A. (2005). The Internet: A window on adolescent health literacy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 37, 243e1-e7.

The Nemours Foundation. (May 2004). Questions to ask your doctor. TeensHealth. Retrieved September 4, 2007.

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