SYDNEY:
Does your adolescent son or daughter suffer from back pain often? Beware, he or she may be more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and report problems like anxiety and depression.
Although often dismissed as trivial and fleeting, adolescent back pain is responsible for substantial health care use, school absence, and interference with day-to-day activities in some children.
The findings showed that the rising frequency of pain increasing the proportion of participants reporting smoking, drinking, and missing school rose. For example, 14-15-year-olds that experienced pain more than once a week were 2-3 times more likely to have drunk alcohol or smoked in the past month than those who rarely or never had pain.
Similarly, students that experienced pain more than once a week were around twice as likely to have missed school in the previous term.
The trend with anxiety and depression was less clear, although there was a marked difference between the children who reported no pain, and those who reported frequent pain, the researchers said. “Findings like this provide an argument that we should be including pain in the broader conversation about adolescent health,” said lead author Steven Kamper from the University of Sydney in Australia.
“Unfortunately our understanding of the causes and impacts of pain in this age group is quite limited, the area is badly in need of more research,” Kamper added. For the study, detailed in the Journal of Public Health, the team used data collected from approximately 6,500 teenagers.
Adolescent back pain may play a role in characterising poor overall health, and risk of chronic disease throughout life. The researchers believe this is of concern because the developing brain may be susceptible to negative influences of toxic substances, and use in early adolescence may increase the risk of substance abuse and mental health problems in later life.
more recommended stories
Lifesaving Race Against Time: A Green Corridor Miracle From KeralaKOZHIKODE:In a breathtaking display of medical.
SP Medifort Launches Advanced Dialysis CentreTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM:A state-of-the-art maintenance hemodialysis facility is.
RGCB and Cochin Cancer Research Centre Sign MoU on Cancer TherapyTHIRUANANTHAPURAM:The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology.
Aster Medcity and Aster Volunteers Launches Free HbA1c Test Campaign for the ElderlyKOCHI:Aster Medcity, in collaboration with Aster.
Kerala Targets Rs 1,000 Crore investment in Ayurveda SectorKOCHI:Kerala has set a target of.
Aster Medcity’s Aster Nutricon ’24 Conference Focuses Brain Health and Nutrition ManagementKOCHI:The Department of Clinical Nutrition &.
Kerala Governor to Inaugurate Regenerative Pain Medicine and Wellness Clinic at Amrita HospitalKOCHI:Amrita Hospital is set to inaugurate.
Indulge in Festive Treats Without GuiltWith the festive season fast approaching,.
Stroke Day Observed at Amrita HospitalKOCHI:In observance of World Stroke Day,.
Recognizing the Signs of Stroke: A LifesaverBy Dr. Kumar MuthukumarApollo Adlux Hospital,Angamaly,.