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

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

28 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratings

Total Teen Health and Wellness is a biweekly podcast for parents of teenagers to learn more about medical and mental health issues in their children. Dr. Shanna Garza, an Adolescent Medicine physician and expert, provides essential education and helpful guidance to parents to help them better understand how to empower and encourage their teen children to live healthy and balanced lives. Parenting the whole teen requires moms and dads to know about the physical health and mental well-being of their children. Dr. Garza is here to guide!

Parenting Kids & Family Health & Fitness Medicine parenting teenagers medical advice adolescents mental health parent guidance education physician health education
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Episodes

25. Why I Refer My Patients for Therapy: An Adolescent Medicine Physician Perspective

February 14, 2023 15:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MB

Therapy is an important part of mental health care for teenagers. Patients improve  more when they are connected to a therapist who helps them build healthy coping skills, work on relationship issues and improve their self esteem. There are many different approaches to therapy in teens. Today, Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician and expert explains why therapy is helpful for her patients and why she refers them for therapy. Parents, listen to learn more and to see if therapy migh...

24. Anti-Diet: How Parents Can Teach Their Chidren Balance with Food and Exercise

January 18, 2023 00:00 - 11 minutes - 7.69 MB

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 cautions on talking about diet, weight loss and body image with ...

23. New Year, New You? Why Diets Are Not a Good Idea For Teens!

January 05, 2023 06:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MB

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 this episode to learn more! Dr. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine ...

22. Worried About the Risk of Prescription Drug Use in Your Teen? Parents, Listen to Learn More!

November 17, 2022 15:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MB

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 safe. To learn more about the risk of marijuana use in Teenaag...

21. Is It Ever Safe for My Teen to Use Marijuana? Parents, Know the Risks!

October 04, 2022 23:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MB

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 are higher rates of depression, anxiety, psychosis and schizoph...

20. Suicide Prevention in Teens and Young Adults: Parents, Know the Warning Signs

September 15, 2022 15:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MB

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 their teen children. Dr. Garza, Adolescent Medicine physician an...

19. Teen Gynecology: Common Issues Your Teen Daughter May Have

August 16, 2022 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MB

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).  Listen to learn more about how to get your teenager the help they need...

18. Sexually Transmitted Infections: What Your Teenager or Young Adult Child Needs to Know!

August 02, 2022 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MB

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 this episode to learn more about how to help your kids get the care they need regarding t...

17. Healthy Sexuality in Teenagers: Is Your Teen Ready to Have Sex and Stay Safe?

July 19, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes - 8.99 MB

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 sex. Listen to learn more in this concise and informative episo...

16. Contraception Options for Teenagers: Learn How to Help Your Teen Prevent Pregnancy

July 05, 2022 05:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MB

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 teens to optimally manage their sexual and reproductive health...

15. Getting Your Teen Ready for College- Why They Need to Have a Pre-College Visit to Discuss Guidance and Safety Issues

June 07, 2022 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MB

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 other substances. Guidance is provided to empower young adul...

14. Why Does My Teen Need a Sports Physical Every Year? Listen to Learn More!

May 24, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes - 8.99 MB

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 host of Total Teen Health and Wellness, discusses why this exa...

13. Why Do Teenagers Need an Annual Wellness Exam? Learn More About Preventive Care in Teens and Young Adults

May 10, 2022 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MB

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 issues and more. Summer is a great time to get this scheduled for ...

12. Atypical Anorexia- It Can Be Very Hard For Parents and Clinician to Identify, Learn How

November 23, 2021 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.97 MB

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, exercise and body image. This condition can also be hard for cl...

11. Medical Issues Related to Eating Disorders: A Guide for Parents to Understand What to Watch Out For and What to Expect

November 09, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MB

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 eating disorders and what to expect when you see an eating disorder-ori...

10. Intro to Eating Disorders- How Parents Can Help Identify Disordered Eating Behaviors and Get Their Teens Help

October 26, 2021 19:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MB

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 of Total Teen Health and Wellness, discusses the basics of eating d...

9. What Parents Can Expect As Their Children and Teenagers Go Through Puberty: Is This Normal?

August 31, 2021 17:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MB

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 and to find the right fit with their peers. Parents can help...

8. It's Critical That Teens Receive the COVID-19 Vaccination: Learn Why!

August 03, 2021 16:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MB

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. Shanna Garza, Adolescent Medicine expert and mother of two, ...

7. Self Harm in Teenagers- What Parents Need to Know to Help Their Teen Children

June 15, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.4 MB

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 form of coping. Parents of teens can learn how to help their children ...

6. ADHD in Teenagers and Young Adults: How Does ADHD Affect Teens and What Tools Help Improve Symptoms?

June 01, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MB

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 treating these underlying brain issues, as well as helping pati...

6. ADHD in Teenagers and Young Adults: How Does ADHD Affect Teens and What Tools Help Improve Symptoms?

June 01, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MB

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 treating these underlying brain issues, as well as helping pati...

5. School Avoidance- How to Help Your Teen Get Back to School

May 18, 2021 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.63 MB

School avoidance affects 5% of children and teens. Many patients are refusing to go to school because of physical symptoms such as headache and stomache which are commonly due to anxiety. Parents often seek medical advice to make sure their children are well and can return to school. Adolescent Medicine expert, Dr. Shanna Garza, reviews what common issues underly school avoidance and how to get help for your child. Link to Episode #1 on Self Care: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-enc...

5. School Avoidance- How to Help Your Teen Get Back to School

May 18, 2021 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.63 MB

School avoidance affects 5% of children and teens. Many patients are refusing to go to school because of physical symptoms such as headache and stomache which are commonly due to anxiety. Parents often seek medical advice to make sure their children are well and can return to school. Adolescent Medicine expert, Dr. Shanna Garza, reviews what common issues underly school avoidance and how to get help for your child. Link to Episode #1 on Self Care: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-enc...

4. Anxiety in Teenagers and Young Adults- Why do Teens Have High Rates of Anxiety?

May 04, 2021 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MB

Anxiety in teenagers is at very high levels and increasing. One in three teenagers will experience anxiety during the middle school and high school years. Parenting teens with anxiety can be hard, and it's important to get support and guidance. Total Teen Health and Wellness host, Dr. Shanna Garza, reviews how anxiety affects teenagers' overall physical and mental health. https://totalteenhealthandwellness.buzzsprout.com/ Subscribe, rate and share this podcast on Apple Podcasts/Itunes: ht...

3. Depression in Teens- Know the Warning Signs and How to Get Help

April 20, 2021 10:00 - 13 minutes - 9.59 MB

Depression in teenagers is increasing due to the stress and social isolation of COVID. Teens are wired to be connected to their peers so this past year has really impacted their mental health and led to a crisis of depression and suicide. Parents need to know the warning signs of depression and how to get help. Total Teen Health and Wellness host, Dr. Shanna Garza, offers helpful guidance to parents to better understand how depression may be affecting their teen children. https://totalteenh...

2. Help Your Teenager Get Better Sleep

April 20, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 9.57 MB

Sleep is critically important for normal development and healthy growth in teens. Lack of sleep affects teenagers’ mental and physical well-being. Dr. Shanna Garza, host of Total Teen Health and Wellness, reviews how important sleep is for adolescent health and gives practical advice on how to help your teen get better sleep. https://totalteenhealthandwellness.buzzsprout.com/ Subscribe, rate and share this podcast on Apple Podcasts/Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/total-teen-h...

1. Encouraging Healthy Self Care Habits in Teens

April 20, 2021 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.02 MB

Self care helps teenagers improve their physical and mental health. It’s what teens do day-to day in caring for themselves that impacts their well-being and health. Self care shows teens how to effectively manage their stress and to build healthy ways of coping.  Total Teen Health and Wellness host, Dr. Shanna Garza, reviews important guidance to encourage your teen to improve their self care. https://totalteenhealthandwellness.buzzsprout.com/ Subscribe, rate and share this podcast on Appl...

Trailer- Total Teen Health and Wellness

April 06, 2021 14:00 - 2 minutes - 1.95 MB

Total Teen Health and Wellness is a guide to parents to better understand various medical and mental health issues in their teenage children. Dr. Shanna Garza, the host and an Adolescent Medicine physician expert, provides helpful guidance and important education to parents of teens. Listen to learn more about what's ahead for Total Teen Health and Wellness. Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast listening app. Share it with other parents of teenagers and young adults who are interest...