Help for Parents of Struggling Teens

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Fat Camp
Learn about why fat camps don't work and why the new healthy weight loss camps are so much more effective. more >>

Featured Programs

SUWSSUWS of the Carolinas
SUWS of the Carolinas is a therapeutic camping program with a focus on clinical intervention and assessment. The program uses the outdoors as an alternative to conventional treatment environments, while engaging students using traditional therapeutic methods. They also have the Seasons program, which addresses unique needs of younger children, ages 10-13.

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Teens More Likely to Have Complications from Giving Blood

Teens who donate blood have three times the complications of adult donors. However, most of these complications are not serious, such as lightheadedness, sweating, and bruises from needles.

Researchers analyzed 1.7 million donations from the year 2006, according to Dr. Anne Eder, lead author of this study and a medical officer with the Red Cross.

People ages 16 to 19 represent 15% of blood donations. Their complication rate is 11% compared to less than 3% for donors over age 20. Teens also experienced more serious and rarer complications such as concussions, mostly as a consequence of falling and fainting.

Dr. Eder said that some teens' low weight and small statures might play a role in their increased rates of complications. This study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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