Name That Symptom / Question
Published: May 14, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a 16 year old female. Lately I have been having problems. I am very tired and weak all the time and can't concentrate. I haven't had my period in three months and I have been losing my hair. Huge clumps fall out all the time. My nails are like really brittle and break easily. I am freezing cold all the time. I don't know what could be causing all this. The only thing different is that I've been on a diet. What could be causing this? Is it something to worry about?
Signed: Desperately Worried - 16 And My Health
Dear Desperately Worried - 16 And My Health,
TeenHealthFX cannot diagnose you over the internet and strongly urges you to see your doctor immediately. You should stop whatever diet you are on and eat healthy (following the food pyramid) until you discover the cause of your health problems.
Depending on your calorie intake and the type of foods you have been eating, your diet may be the culprit of your health problems. Not eating enough proteins including red meat, chicken and fish along with carbohydrates and a certain amount of fats can lead to various health problems. The nature of the diet and length of time you have been on it are very important factors to discovering the cause of your problem. Many diets are designed to shed pounds fast often depriving the body of vital nutrients needed to maintain your energy levels, hair growth and body temperature.
It sounds as though your body is severely lacking nutrients and actively trying to tell you so. It may be possible that you have a type of anemia, which can be a deficiency of vitamins, iron or red blood cell disorders. A regular blood test can tell your doctor if you are anemic or not. Common symptoms of many anemia's are:
- Easy fatigue and loss of energy
- Unusually rapid heart beat, particularly with exercise
- Shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Pale skin
- Leg cramps
- Insomnia
You also mention that you have not had your period in three months. This could also be due to your dietary changes and any weight you have lost. This is cause for concern and another reason to see your doctor. Hair loss, brittle nails and sensitivity to the cold may also be due to the changes your body has undergone on this diet. While eating a balanced and healthy diet may correct many of these symptoms in time, it is vital that you see your doctor so that he or she can rule out any medical disorders or conditions. It is important to have a doctor's supervision while on any diet or exercise regimen so that you do not put your body in danger. Drastically changing your eating patterns can put you in danger for many medical conditions and at risk to develop an eating disorder.
Please see your doctor immediately so that together you can develop a nutritional plan that will help you maintain a healthy and safe body. If you live in northern NJ, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971-6475.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in this country. More than 400,000 Americans die from tobacco-related causes each year, and most of them began using tobacco before the age of 18.
