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| TUESDAY APRIL 21, 2009 13 U!

FEATURE

births and miscarriages. Teenagers who smoke face all these risks example:
and harmful side effects and it bodes ill for the life they will lead ● being unusually talkative, “up” and cheerful, with seemingly
as adults –and as if that was not quite enough, they also put non- boundless energy.
smokers in the risk of smoking-related diseases. Nonsmokers who ● increased irritability, agitation and anger
are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their ● unusual calmness, unresponsiveness or looking “spaced out”
heart disease risk by 25–30 percent and their lung cancer risk by ● apathy and depression
20–30 percent. ● paranoia, delusions
Breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on ● temporary psychosis, hallucinations
the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk of heart attack. Drug Abuse: Intervention
Also, there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure Look out for marked changes in behavior, appearance and
–even a brief exposure can be dangerous. health, especially among the young who are undergoing a difficult
Many youth claim stress, pressures from friends and a hectic time or may have reason to seek escape or release. Seek advice from
lifestyle as the reasons for their smoking. However, this addictive, doctors and research on the effects of drug abuse. Get help from
deadly bad habit is a serious threat to the young, who are putting experts and form a support system to deal with the rehabilitation of
themselves and the people around them at risk by smoking. drug abuse in a loved one.
Other rising health dangers that have plagued the young include
eating disorders and, in contrast, obesity and its related health 2. Depression: What is it?
problems (increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and high blood Depression is a deep, psychological illness that is characterized
pressure). by a lack of will to live, hopelessness, unhappiness, an increasing
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates each disinterest in life, severe mood swings and health effects such as
year, 65,000 children under the age of 15 develop Type 1 diabetes insomnia and confusion. Many times, severe depression leads to
worldwide. Type 2 diabetes, once regarded as an adult disease, suicide.
is today increasing at a disturbing rate among children and Depression: Warning Signs
adolescents. All these statistics help paint a scary picture of what is There are many physical and emotional effects of depression, for
really happening among the children, and eventually, the youth. instance:
“The temptation to food, advertisements, easy availability and ● difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making
indiscipline can be said to be the cause of this,” says Vithylingam.
“As such, creating awareness and comprehensive health education
in schools and colleges by the Ministry of Health and other relevant
authorities is the best way to combat this issue.”
However, in stark, almost scary contrast to obesity, are eating
disorders –namely, anorexia nervosa (characterised by a complete
refusal to eat, or eat only extremely limited amounts) and bulimia
nervosa (characterized by excessive binging, followed by forced
expulsion via vomiting or laxatives).
These eating disorders are extremely prevalent in young girls,
and though there is so much that has been said about it, there
is still so little awareness about it –brought on by denial and the
bombardment of images of ‘perfect’ physiques.
In a study conducted by chartered psychologist Dr Hera Lukman
dating two years back, it was said that one in 10 young urban female
college students is prone to eating disorders in their quest for a
perfect body shape.
The survey was conducted among 578 female college students
aged between 18 and 25 in the Klang Valley. Even though this
problem can be seen to be a rising concern, there is still no way to
determine the actual number.
Depression, obesity and diabetes, AIDs, eating disorders and
smoking –these are very real, very fatal concerns that many youth
often choose to close their eyes to. There are many warning signs to
these dangers, and much can be done to prevent it.
Top Five Killers of the Young: What They Are, Warning Signs and
Intervention.

1. Drug Abuse: What is it?


Drug abuse involves the repeated and excessive use of chemical
substances to achieve a certain effect. These substances may be
“street” or “illicit” drugs, illegal due to their high potential for
addiction and abuse.
Different drugs have different effects. Some, such as cocaine
or methamphetamine, may produce an intense “rush” and initial
feelings of boundless energy. Others, such as heroin may produce
excessive feelings of relaxation and calm. What most drugs have in
common, though, is overstimulation of the pleasure center of the
brain. With time, the brain’s chemistry is actually altered to the point
where not having the drug becomes extremely uncomfortable and
even painful. This compelling urge to use, addiction, becomes more
and more powerful, disrupting work, relationships, and health.
Drug Abuse: Warning signs
Some of the physical danger signals of drug abuse are:
● cycles of increased energy, restlessness, and inability to sleep
● abnormally slow
movements, speech or
reaction time, confusion
and disorientation
(often seen in opiates,
benzodiazepines and
barbiturates)
● sudden weight loss or
weight gain
● cycles of excessive sleep
● unexpected changes
in clothing, such as
constantly wearing long
sleeved shirts, to hide
scarring at injection sites
● Suspected drug
paraphernalia such as
unexplained pipes, roach
clips or syringes
Drugs also affect mental
and emotional health, for

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