I’ve heard about a surgery that
helps armpit sweat, but it’s too expensive. Any suggestions?
And why do I have this sweating problem?
All of us sweat, but some people have a problem
with excessive sweating known as hyperhidrosis. It
often begins at puberty and usually improves as you get older.
But sometimes excess sweating can be a sign of an underlying
medical illness, so a doctor needs to evaluate you. He or she
may choose to prescribe medications such as Drysol and
Xerac.
You may also want to purchase some dress shields—
undergarments that absorb excess sweat and protect your
clothes from sweat stains. They’re available from most lingerie
departments.
I have severe acne, and my
dermatologist suggests I try Accutane. But I’ve heard this
treatment can have some serious side effects.
The most serious side effect of taking Accutane is that it
causes serious birth defects if you become pregnant while taking
it. Only doctors who have been specially trained can prescribe
Accutane, and patients must agree to use some form of birth
control and take monthly pregnancy tests while taking it. Your
doctor can explain the details to you.
There are other side effects your physician can discuss with
you, but none are as dangerous as the one mentioned above
(chapped lips, dry and itchy skin, nosebleeds, etc.). While you’re
taking Accutane, your doctor will check blood tests to make sure
you’re not having any other serious side effects. And remember,
the side effects stop when you cease taking the medicine.
I don’t like milk. My doctor and my
parents say I’ll have weak bones if I don’t drink it. Are there any
alternatives?
Teens need to include 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium every
day in their diet. The good news is there are other sources of
calcium. For example, 1.5 ounces of cheddar cheese, 8 ounces
of low-fat yogurt or one cup of calcium fortified orange juice
give you 300 mg of calcium! Start looking at food labels to see
how many foods actually have calcium. The calcium content is
usually reported as a percentage, using 1,000 mg as 100
percent daily value.
If a food label says it has 30 percent calcium, it has 300 mg
of calcium per serving. If you still can’t get the needed amount
of calcium each day through your diet, talk to your doctor, who
will recommend calcium supplements for you to take.
A doctor once told me I could take
birth control pills to help my heavy periods, but that seems a
little extreme. Are there any other options for a 15-year-old
girl?
There are several options other than birth control pills that
might be helpful. Many teens have found that taking an over-
the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such
as Aleve helps greatly with the severity of their periods. There
are also prescription medications, such as Ponstel, that can be
helpful. Medical studies show that taking these medications for
the first three days of a period will reduce blood flow by 25
percent to 35 percent. Remember, talk to your doctor for his or
her specific recommendations.
The Doctor Is In
Diane Foley is a pediatrician with more than 20 years experience
and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She
currently specializes in adolescent gynecology. Growing up as a
missionary kid in Haiti, Diane didn’t get to play in the snow. But
since moving to Colorado, she enjoys spending time outdoors in
the snowy mountains. She loves skiing the blue-rated slopes
and sitting outside in the hot tub.
Diane’s favorite foods are fresh tomatoes, green beans and corn
from the garden; she’s also a big Starbucks coffee fan.
