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Written by Robert J. lewis
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I have received a number of questions from readers and three of those I have decided to cover in this edition. As always, this column is meant for general advice only, therefore if you have any concerns you should see a healthcare professional in person.
My 14 year old seems underdeveloped for his age?
Parents often become concerned if their child doesn’t appear to be growing or developing at the same rate as their peers; however the timing and speed of these changes varies from child to child. Generally the growth spurt in boys occurs between the ages of thirteen and fifteen and a half, with usually a gain of around 10cms in height in the year of maximum growth. The growth spurt in girls occurs between the ages of eleven and thirteen and a half with a maximum growth of around 9cms in height in any one year. Delayed sexual development may be perfectly normal, possibly late development runs in the family, although genetic disorders can affect hormone production and chronic illness can also delay sexual maturation.
Some of the symptoms of delayed sexual maturation are: lack of testicular enlargement by age thirteen and a half in boys and lack of pubic hair by age fifteen; and lack of breast development by age thirteen in girls and a lack of pubic hair by age fourteen or failure to menstruate by age sixteen. However there are other factors to be taken into consideration and therefore these are only guidelines. If you have any concerns you should take the child to see a healthcare professional.
What is tennis elbow?
This term is often used as a blanket description of soft tissue pain in the elbow area.
Medically tennis elbow is known as lateral epicondylitis, whereas golfers elbow is termed medial epicondylitis; however the former is far more common.
This is an overuse injury at the site where the forearm muscles involved in extending the wrist are attached to the elbow. Pain is usually increased with resisted wrist extension, and carrying out wrist extension with the elbow fully extended will usually cause pain even in mild cases.
The condition normally occurs when repeated wrist extension is combined with forearm supination (turning the hand so the palm is uppermost). It is the repeated twisting motions, combined with the gripping action required in racquet sports that is the predominate cause, although hammering, painting, using heavy spanner or screwdrivers can also cause or exacerbate the problem.
Treatment is initially aimed at reducing pain and swelling by the use of ice, compression, elevation and rest. Heat and ultrasound may be useful after 48 hours, and any movements that aggravate the pain should be avoided. Magnet therapy can also be beneficial.
What is the difference between
arthritis and rheumatism?
Arthritis means disease of, damage to, or inflammation of a joint. There are many different types of arthritis (over 100) but all of them affect a joint or joints in some way. Arthritis affects people of all ages, including children. Particular types of arthritis tend to affect people in particular age groups and some types of arthritis are more common in women, while others are more common in men. The two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatism
The word “rheumatism” is derived from the Greek word “rheumatismos” which means “suffering from a flux”.
It is not a specific condition in its own right as is popularly believed; it is a common term used to describe pain in the joints, and their surrounding tissues i.e. muscles, tendons and ligaments. However the term continues to be used by many people to describe aches and pains in the body that do not have a special name. Rheumatism encompasses such conditions as fibrositis, low back pain and neck pain.
Rheumatism can affect anyone at any age and can cause pain, stiffness and change in function. Many people suffer from an acute (sudden) pain in the back or the neck that settles quickly with rest, but for others the problem can be recurring or chronic (long lasting). The severity of the pain can range from niggling discomfort to severe pain.
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Health 
