0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Welcome to... - Operation Ouch!
0:00:03 > 0:00:07This very special show is about something that happens to all of us.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Can you guess what it is?
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Well, here's a clue.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13- Spotty.- Angry, emotional.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Don't worry about it, everyone goes through it.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Be happy, it's normal, it's not scary.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Erm...
0:00:19 > 0:00:20THEY LAUGH
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Now, did you guess what those people were talking about?
0:00:24 > 0:00:26That's right, it's puberty.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Now, Xand, did you notice how
0:00:28 > 0:00:31all those people didn't seem to want to talk about puberty at all?
0:00:31 > 0:00:32I did, Chris.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- LAUGHING:- There's a question! - There IS a question, isn't there?
0:00:34 > 0:00:36BOTH: Erm...
0:00:36 > 0:00:37But don't panic,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40because on "Operation Ouch!" there's NOTHING we're afraid to talk about.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- Well, apart from...- Ssh!
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Oh, yeah, sorry, right.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- So, puberty, get ready! - We're taking you on.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Coming up on this special "Operation Ouch!",
0:00:52 > 0:00:54we show you how puberty affects your voice...
0:00:54 > 0:00:55Ow!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..why not to worry about acne...
0:00:57 > 0:01:01I had it all over the face, the back, the neck.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03..and we offer some serious survival tips.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08But first, what is puberty?
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Think of it like this.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14You've been growing since the moment you were born,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17and it's what turned you from a little baby into a child.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21But pretty soon, you need to go from being a child
0:01:21 > 0:01:24into being an adult, or else the world would be full of children.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27And this is where puberty comes in.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29It's basically just another phase of growing.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32And it's completely normal.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34You might have already noticed changes in your body,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37or perhaps you haven't, because everyone is different.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Usually it begins any time from the age of eight,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42carrying right through to the age of 18.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44In this special "Operation Ouch!",
0:01:44 > 0:01:47we've got loads to show you about what happens to your body.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49On the inside and the outside!
0:01:52 > 0:01:55One thing that changes when you hit puberty is your sweat,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and we're going to show you why.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Does anybody want to smell my armpits?
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Do you want to smell my armpits?
0:02:02 > 0:02:03Free sweat-smelling here.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Can I tempt you, a little whiff?
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Anyone? Anyone?
0:02:07 > 0:02:10I don't seem to be having much luck for some reason.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11Sweat.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14It might seem a bit yucky, but everybody does it.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Sweating is what your body does when you get too hot,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19and when that sweat evaporates,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23it takes heat away from your body and prevents your internal organs
0:02:23 > 0:02:26from overheating, so it's actually pretty wonderful stuff.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30I'm not sure why nobody wants to smell mine.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32HE GROANS
0:02:33 > 0:02:35There are two types of sweat glands,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37eccrine and apocrine.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Eccrine are the most common.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41You have over two million of them all over your body.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Apocrine glands are only in particular places
0:02:45 > 0:02:47like your groin and under your arms.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50They produce a different type of sweat that is rich in protein
0:02:50 > 0:02:51and fatty acids.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55They only become active during, you guessed it,
0:02:55 > 0:02:56puberty.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58When your apocrine glands start working,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01it changes how you sweat.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04And this lot are going to help me show you what that means.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06First, we're going to need a sample.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08In fact, two samples.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11One sample is made up of a group of eight-year-olds
0:03:11 > 0:03:13who haven't started puberty yet.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15The other sample is made up of 14-year-olds,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17who are slap-bang in the middle of it.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20And what I need from all of you now is sweat.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21Are you ready?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- ALL: Yeah!- Right, let's go.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25For the next half hour,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I'm getting both squads to train as hard as they can,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30and sweat as much as possible.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33What we're looking for here is real work.
0:03:33 > 0:03:34It's not a race between the two teams.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37We want quality, cos quality means sweat.
0:03:38 > 0:03:39Ben, you sweating yet?
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- Yeah.- Yeah? That's good.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46After 30 minutes, I'm satisfied that both teams will have sweated enough.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It's time to collect all the sweaty shirts into separate bags.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Now we've got our samples.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56The squads don't know which shirts are in which bag,
0:03:56 > 0:03:57so let's see which smells worst.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58One at a time,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00you're going to smell each bag,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02and tell me which you think smells worst.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Bag A is from the younger team
0:04:05 > 0:04:07and Bag B is from the teenagers.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Which one do you think will smell worse?
0:04:10 > 0:04:11- Get right in there.- That one.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Is it really disgusting? Huh.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15That one.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16What does this one smell of?
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Like off vinegar.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19I'll say this one.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20You think that one smells worst?
0:04:20 > 0:04:21This one.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23And what do you think this one smells of?
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- Rotten cheese.- Rotten cheese?
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- Oh, that one.- Do you think this is your team?
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- No.- You think the eight-year-olds are smellier than you?- Yeah.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Big breath in, Ben.
0:04:32 > 0:04:33- This one. - XAND LAUGHS
0:04:35 > 0:04:36- That one.- Really?
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Cos, like, I smelt my own armpits and they stink more.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41So which of you thought
0:04:41 > 0:04:43that Bag B was the smelliest?
0:04:44 > 0:04:45Yeah, all except two.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47That's 12-2 to Bag B.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Now, THIS was the bag from the older ones.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52So I think you're absolutely right,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54this definitely should have been the smelliest one.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55Now, do you know why?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- Because they're older. - Cos they're older, that's right.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01And when you get older, you get different kinds of sweat glands,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03they're called apocrine glands,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06and make different sorts of sweat, and it's got more chemicals in,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08which gets broken down by bacteria.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11So what you're really smelling in here is bacteria poo.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12ALL GROAN
0:05:12 > 0:05:14There you go, you're the ones smelling it.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15Not me, I haven't smelled it.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17CHANTING: Smell it, smell it, smell it...
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Oh, God, no! Oh!
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- LAUGHING:- Eurgh!
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Remember, all sweat is completely normal,
0:05:25 > 0:05:26even the smelly variety.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28And you could make sure you don't stay smelly
0:05:28 > 0:05:31by washing yourself and your clothes regularly.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Speaking of washing, guys,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36you better not forget to wash all your kits. Guys?
0:05:36 > 0:05:37Guys!
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Get ready to change shape.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Er... Not like that!
0:05:45 > 0:05:48We're talking growth spurts.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Hormones kick in, telling your body to get taller.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Boys get broader,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55girls get breasts,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57and it can all be a bit annoying,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00if you grow out of your favourite outfit too quickly.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03But don't panic, it's exciting too.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06You also get stronger...
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Maybe not that strong!
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Nice bus though.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11But remember, it's all completely normal.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13And it could be a whole lot worse.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15If you were a baboon,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17puberty would suddenly give you a giant red bottom.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24As part of today's special show, we're looking at hormones.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Just don't try anything you see here at home.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30- PHONE BEEPS - It's Chris.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37PHONE BEEPS
0:06:40 > 0:06:41OK, fair enough.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43PHONE BEEPS
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Well, I don't know where he keeps his custard creams,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- he hides them from me. - PHONE BEEPS
0:06:51 > 0:06:52Oh, yeah, here they are.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57PHONE BEEPS
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Chris, why are you sending me all these ridiculous text messages?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08I'm trying to work.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Well, I'm glad you asked me that, Xand,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12it's not just because I want those custard creams,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15although I do want them and you've written them in the logbook now.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17It's because today's lab is all about hormones,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20and like texts, hormones are messages
0:07:20 > 0:07:22but they're chemical ones sent around your body.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25You can't control them any more than Xand could control
0:07:25 > 0:07:27the number of texts I was sending him.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31You have hormones from the moment you're born,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33telling the different cells in your body what to do.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Your pancreas makes the hormone insulin
0:07:37 > 0:07:38to control sugar levels in your blood.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41WHISTLE BLOWS
0:07:41 > 0:07:43And your adrenal glands produce the hormone adrenaline
0:07:43 > 0:07:45when you're excited or scared,
0:07:45 > 0:07:46preparing your body for immediate action.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48GORILLA GRUNTS
0:07:48 > 0:07:50SHE ZOOMS
0:07:50 > 0:07:53And then there's your pituitary gland in your brain,
0:07:53 > 0:07:54and to show you what that looks like,
0:07:54 > 0:07:59I've actually got a real sheep's brain in my hand.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00Now the first thing you'll notice is
0:08:00 > 0:08:02it's much smaller than a human brain.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05And that's probably why sheep are less intelligent than human beings.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Chris, there might be sheep watching!- Doesn't matter.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- They're sheep, they won't understand what I said.- All right.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11Well, I've cut it in half
0:08:11 > 0:08:15so you can see right here at the base of the brain
0:08:15 > 0:08:16is the pituitary gland.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Now, take a look at this MRI scan of my actual brain.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23And there's my pituitary gland right there.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Now it may be small, but it has a big job to do,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28because it's the pituitary gland that controls
0:08:28 > 0:08:30most of the hormones in your body.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34But when you reach puberty, your hormones go into super charge mode.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36They spring into action like never before,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and they're responsible for all the changes that take place
0:08:39 > 0:08:41during puberty.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43And one of these changes occurs in the voice box,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45the organ which allows you to speak.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48And we're going to show you what it looks like.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49Now this is the larynx,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52or the voice box of a young pig.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54Your voice box is in your throat,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57it's the tough rubbery bit here on your neck.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58Now, I also have...
0:09:00 > 0:09:02..a pig's larynx,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04except that mine is bigger than Chris's,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07and that's because it's from an adult pig.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Now one of these two larynxes
0:09:09 > 0:09:10will have a deeper sound
0:09:10 > 0:09:14than the other, but which one do you think it's going to be?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16The bellows are acting like your lungs,
0:09:16 > 0:09:17sending air past the vocal cords
0:09:17 > 0:09:19which you can see here.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21And they make a sound when they vibrate.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23LARYNX SQUEAKS
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Compare the sound of this smaller larynx...
0:09:25 > 0:09:27LARYNX SQUEAKS
0:09:27 > 0:09:29..to the sound of the larger one.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30LARYNX BLOWS
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Can you hear the sound of the larger larynx is deeper
0:09:33 > 0:09:34than the smaller one?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36LARYNX SQUEAKS
0:09:36 > 0:09:39This change in sound is known as your voice breaking,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41and it happens to both boys and girls.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Now, when YOU go through puberty, those hormones,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47controlled by your pituitary gland,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49tell your larynx to grow bigger,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51and that makes your voice get deeper.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54So, we've shown you that hormones
0:09:54 > 0:09:55are messages
0:09:55 > 0:09:56telling your body what to do.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58When you start puberty,
0:09:58 > 0:09:59your hormones become more active,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01telling you to grow into an adult.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04And remember, hormones are what make your voice break,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06only nothing's breaking at all.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07Your larynx actually gets bigger,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09and that makes your voice deeper.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11But whether you're a boy or a girl,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14don't panic, because it doesn't hurt at all.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16It's all completely normal.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18It's definitely more obvious for us boys
0:10:18 > 0:10:20because our larynxes grow more than girls',
0:10:20 > 0:10:22and so it pushes this bit out.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24It's called your Adam's apple.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Ouch, why don't you poke your own Adam's apple?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- It's more fun poking yours. - Stop it, it's really annoying.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Really annoying, like sending somebody loads of text messages?
0:10:32 > 0:10:33PHONE BEEPS
0:10:36 > 0:10:37How did he do that?
0:10:42 > 0:10:43Get ready to get hairy.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48OK, not that hairy, and don't worry, it's all completely normal.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50It happens to every mammal on the planet.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Boys, you'll get hair on your face,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57and everyone gets new hair on their legs
0:10:57 > 0:10:59and armpits,
0:10:59 > 0:11:00and between their legs.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02That's called pubic hair.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06In the animal world, getting hairy is the best way to attract a mate
0:11:06 > 0:11:10because it holds on to smelly sweat, which is apparently very enticing.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15But us humans have moved on a bit since we were apes,
0:11:15 > 0:11:16so we don't need it.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Some people keep it, some remove it.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19It's up to you.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Wherever you are in the UK, you can be sure that
0:11:26 > 0:11:29the emergency services are on standby, ready to take on...
0:11:29 > 0:11:30What? What?
0:11:30 > 0:11:32What does this have to do with puberty?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I mean, I love the emergency services,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36but how do they fit into this special episode?
0:11:36 > 0:11:38They will, Xand, they will.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42We're on call with the UK emergency services,
0:11:42 > 0:11:44and today, Xand might get a few surprises.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46Ooh!
0:11:46 > 0:11:48On call with me is paramedic Jan Vann.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55This is a rapid response vehicle,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58and it's on standby 24/7 to respond
0:11:58 > 0:12:00to whatever medical emergency calls come in.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- BEEPS HORN - Oh, sorry, Jan.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05Bit embarrassing.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08A new case is just in.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13So we've had a 999 call to see a male with a problem with his head.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14We know he's over 16,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17we don't have any other details than that at the moment,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19so this could be a huge range of things
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and we need to get there as quickly as possible.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28Oh, thank goodness you're here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30Chris?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Yeah, my hair is just SO greasy,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35it's just like someone's dipped my head in a bucket of lard.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Dr Chris, you only call 999 in a real emergency.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40Sorry, Jan.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41It's not on!
0:12:43 > 0:12:47That's what's known as a Jan Vann telling-off.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49But since we're here, let's see what we can do for the, er...
0:12:49 > 0:12:51CLEARS THROAT ..patient.
0:12:51 > 0:12:52Tell me what's going on.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Oh, my hair's just really greasy,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56and it's all lifeless and it feels oily,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58so I just feel a bit embarrassed to go out with it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00And how long has this been going on for?
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I don't know, like not just today, it's been going on for ages.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Let's have a quick look at it.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07When you go through puberty,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09the hormone changes that your body's going through
0:13:09 > 0:13:10that are helping you grow up
0:13:10 > 0:13:13stimulate your skin to produce more oil.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14That oil's called sebum,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16and it can make your hair really greasy.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Though to be honest,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I've never seen anyone with hair quite as greasy as Chris's.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25What you need to do is wash your hair more frequently.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26- Can you help?- Yeah.- Great.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28OK, relax your head back.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Is that nice, Chris? - Oh, it's really good.
0:13:35 > 0:13:36Ah...
0:13:37 > 0:13:39I suppose I could do this myself.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Well, you should be able to wash your own hair, really,
0:13:42 > 0:13:43on a regular basis.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Oh, marvellous.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48So, Jan, same time tomorrow?
0:13:48 > 0:13:51No. This is definitely something that you can do for yourself
0:13:51 > 0:13:52from now on.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Sorry.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55If you've got greasy hair,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57there are lots of things you can do.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59There are special shampoos for greasy hair,
0:13:59 > 0:14:00you can actually get water-free shampoos
0:14:00 > 0:14:02which, for some people, work very well,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06and you can get hair products which make your hair look less greasy.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09The one thing you shouldn't do is call an ambulance.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And now, we're heading out and about for our puberty special.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18At the clinic, Chris is open for business.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19Next patient, please.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23First in is ten-year-old Samantha, with some mystery marks.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26So Sam, what brings you to the Ouch-mobile today?
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I have some interesting stretch marks on my leg.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30What's the diagnosis, doc?
0:14:30 > 0:14:31Sounds like a case of
0:14:31 > 0:14:34"I've got some interesting stretch marks on my legs-itis"
0:14:34 > 0:14:35but don't panic.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37So, Sam, open the eyelid.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41So why don't you stand up and see if you can show us the stretch marks?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Oh, yeah, OK. You've got some streaks here,
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and they're a little bit darker, aren't they?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49The reason you get them is when you reach puberty,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52a lot of people start to grow very, very quickly.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56That dark bit is where you've pulled the skin fibres apart,
0:14:56 > 0:14:57so where the skin is a bit thinner,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00you can see through to the darker skin underneath.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02So it's nothing to worry about.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04EVERYONE has stretch marks.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06I have them, and I have them in almost exactly the same place.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08And it's very, very common.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Is there anything I can do to get rid of them?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12There are some creams that you can get,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14so there's a Vitamin E cream.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15It doesn't work for everyone,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18but putting some Vitamin E on them may help a bit.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20But as you get older,
0:15:20 > 0:15:21they may well just get lighter,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23and you might not notice them.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Thank you very much for bringing your interesting stretch marks
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- in to see me. - Thank you, Dr Chris, for helping me.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Away from the clinic, Xand is in the park,
0:15:33 > 0:15:34taking questions about growing up.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Why am I getting clumsier as I get older?
0:15:38 > 0:15:40What sort of things do you get wrong?
0:15:40 > 0:15:41I always trip over my own feet.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43As you get bigger,
0:15:43 > 0:15:44your arms and legs are getting longer
0:15:44 > 0:15:46and it's hard to know where they are,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48cos you're used to them being a bit shorter.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Once you stop growing, you kind of get used to it,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52but I'm still quite clumsy.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53Dr Chris is really clumsy.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55THEY GIGGLE
0:15:55 > 0:15:57So the next time you get told off for knocking things over,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59you've got the perfect excuse.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01"It's just puberty."
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Back at the Ouch-mobile, there's a new case in the waiting room.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Next patient, please.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08It's double trouble! Cousins Rhea and Syrus.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11So, guys, what brings you to the Ouch-mobile today?
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Me and Syrus are both the same age,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17so, 12, but I am a lot taller than him.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18What's the diagnosis, doc?
0:16:18 > 0:16:20This sounds like a serious case of
0:16:20 > 0:16:23"me and Syrus are exactly the same age, 12,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25"but I'm a lot taller than him-itis."
0:16:25 > 0:16:27But don't panic.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Now let's see how much taller you are. Can you stand up?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Syrus, do you want to stand up next to Rhea?
0:16:32 > 0:16:36So this is how tall Rhea is, and this is how tall Syrus is.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38You're about a head shorter,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- and you're exactly the same age? - Yeah.- Have a seat.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43So, what do you want to know about this?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I want to know why boys have their growth spurts later than girls.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49We don't know why boys start later,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52but girls can start kind of aged ten to 12,
0:16:52 > 0:16:56and boys tend to start more like 12 to 14, 15.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59So that's because your body starts releasing a hormone
0:16:59 > 0:17:00called testosterone.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02It's testosterone that makes both boys and girls
0:17:02 > 0:17:03have this sudden growth spurt.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07What's it like being shorter than your 12-year-old female cousin?
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- Um... Annoying!- I just beat him up all the time.- Oh, man!
0:17:09 > 0:17:11THEY LAUGH
0:17:11 > 0:17:14I remember that, I remember getting beaten up by girls at age 12.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- Thank you very much, Dr Chris. - Thank you.- It's a real pleasure.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20If you haven't had your growth spurt yet, don't panic,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22everyone's different.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23It will come.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Clinic closed.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Boys, this one's for you.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Get ready for your testicles dropping.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Don't panic, they don't literally drop off.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37They just drop lower inside your scrotum as they grow a bit,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39and it's totally normal.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42It happens because your testicles start to make sperm.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Sperm are one of the things used to make a baby
0:17:45 > 0:17:47when you're an adult, and they like to stay cool.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51So your testicles need to hang lower outside your body
0:17:51 > 0:17:52to be at just the right temperature.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Hey, what are you doing?
0:17:54 > 0:17:55Just chilling.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59And one testicle is usually lower than the other.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02If it wasn't, you'd crush them between your legs.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05But that doesn't mean it's cool to walk like an ape.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Remember, if you're worried about anything,
0:18:07 > 0:18:08speak to an adult you trust.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Still to come on today's puberty special,
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Chris and Jan are called out to a moody teenager...
0:18:15 > 0:18:17What?
0:18:17 > 0:18:19..there's more top puberty survival tips
0:18:21 > 0:18:23and Chris finds out why puberty
0:18:23 > 0:18:25can make getting up in the morning really tricky.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26CHRIS, GET UP!
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Now, did you know 80% of teenagers get spots
0:18:32 > 0:18:36to some degree, and boys are more likely to get them than girls?
0:18:36 > 0:18:38But remember, don't squeeze them.
0:18:41 > 0:18:42Spots.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I used to get them,
0:18:44 > 0:18:45I still do get them,
0:18:45 > 0:18:46you're probably going to get them,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48and nobody likes them.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49But for some teenagers,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52puberty can make spots a lot worse.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Clear.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56So, why does puberty make spots worse?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Well, imagine this is your skin
0:18:58 > 0:19:01and there is a hair follicle with a hair growing out of it.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Now every hair follicle has
0:19:03 > 0:19:05a sebaceous gland,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07which makes a special kind of oil called sebum,
0:19:07 > 0:19:09and sebum's good normally,
0:19:09 > 0:19:10it keeps your skin moist.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12But, during puberty,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15sebum levels can skyrocket,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17can block up the hair follicle...
0:19:18 > 0:19:21..and cause a spot.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Everyone has to put up with the odd spot now and then,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27but if it gets really bad, it's called acne.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31And if you have acne, there are special clinics on standby to help.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35'I'm visiting a special acne clinic
0:19:35 > 0:19:38'at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41'In charge today,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43'consultant dermatologist, Tess McPherson.'
0:19:45 > 0:19:47What kind of things cause acne?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49I think there's lots of myths associated with acne.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51It doesn't mean you've got dirty skin.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Other things which people always ask me about is diet,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and there's not much evidence that diet plays a clear role.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58If you've had bad acne in the family,
0:19:58 > 0:20:00you're more likely to get bad acne yourself,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02so, certainly, genetics play a role.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04But the main cause is hormones.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06This is 15-year-old Josh.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Hard to believe he had bad acne for a couple of years.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I had it all over the face,
0:20:11 > 0:20:13the back, the neck,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15up the back of the neck, a bit on the chest as well,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17it wasn't very nice.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19But after seven months of treatment at the clinic
0:20:19 > 0:20:21with a tablet that stops the production of sebum,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Josh is doing much better.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Although he does have some left-over scarring on his back.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29So was your back probably the most severely affected area?
0:20:29 > 0:20:30Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33So although that scarring does look quite dramatic at the moment,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35over time that will fade, and those will end up going.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Some of these ones which are a little bit bumpy
0:20:37 > 0:20:39will flatten out over time.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41And now I've had the treatment, I'm a lot happier.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44As long as it cleared up on my face, I was pretty much happy with that.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46So don't worry, scars can fade.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47But remember, don't pick.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51If you're worried about getting spots when you're a teenager,
0:20:51 > 0:20:52then don't panic.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54In severe cases like Josh,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57doctors can prescribe creams and tablets to help,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59but everyone gets some spots,
0:20:59 > 0:21:00and here's some tips.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Apart from creams and medicines,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05you can help yourself by shampooing your hair regularly,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08and avoid letting it fall across your face.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Don't wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day,
0:21:11 > 0:21:12and don't pick them.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Now we go back on call, and it's Chris's turn.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Jan, let's go.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Chris, shall we use the car?
0:21:25 > 0:21:29So, a call has just come in and it's another mysterious sounding case.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31All we know is it's an adult male,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34so it literally could be anyone.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37A fast response time can be crucial,
0:21:37 > 0:21:38especially when you're dealing with...
0:21:38 > 0:21:40medical emergencies?
0:21:45 > 0:21:46This all looks a bit familiar to me.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50He's upstairs.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51We better go see him.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53HEAVY BASS BOOMS
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Let's go see what's going on.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56What's that noise?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- MUSIC STOPS - What?
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Chris? Jan?
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Xand? What's going on?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Well, one minute I feel fine,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09and then the next minute I just feel so frustrated and angry
0:22:09 > 0:22:10and I just don't...
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I'm just in a bad mood.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15So you called an ambulance because you're having mood swings?
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- Yeah.- Xand, this is not on, you don't call an ambulance
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- just because you're having a mood swing.- Sorry, Jan.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Oh, dear, it looks like Dr Xand got a Jan Vann telling-off.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Now, you don't want to be on the receiving end of one of them,
0:22:30 > 0:22:31I can tell you.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33OK, so, what's been going on?
0:22:33 > 0:22:35You know, I don't know whether I'm coming or going,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37I mean, one minute I feel fine and then the next minute,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40just everything gets me down, like this strawberry milkshake,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43I can't get the lid off and they've just put it on really tight
0:22:43 > 0:22:44and I can't get it off.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45OK, give it here.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46There you go.
0:22:46 > 0:22:47Thank you.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50So what Xand's got is really, really normal during puberty,
0:22:50 > 0:22:51he's having a mood swing.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Now, lots and lots of different stuff can set off a mood swing,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58but the underlying reason is the same for all of them.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00It's to do with changes in hormone levels
0:23:00 > 0:23:03that are happening in your body as you grow up.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04You need to try and do some sport,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06maybe read some books and try and occupy yourself.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- I like sport, I could do some sport, yeah.- You do like sport?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- OK, so do some sport and make yourself feel better. Yeah?- OK.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15There are a few different things you can try
0:23:15 > 0:23:17if you're having difficulty with your moods.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19You can take some time out, you can listen to some music,
0:23:19 > 0:23:21you can just do some deep breathing,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23but the number one thing is make sure
0:23:23 > 0:23:26you ask for help from someone you trust.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30So don't worry if you're having mood swings.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33The main thing to remember is that there are really some simple
0:23:33 > 0:23:34things that you can do about it...
0:23:36 > 0:23:38..but calling 999 isn't one of them.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43This one's for the girls.
0:23:44 > 0:23:45Growing up is fun.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48you get to do stuff you've not been allowed to do before.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Whoopee!
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Everyone gets a tummy ache occasionally,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54but there's another type of tummy ache girls get one day,
0:23:54 > 0:23:55when you get your period.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Don't panic, it's completely normal,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and your period will only last a few days each month.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Inside girls' bodies are two organs called ovaries,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05which produce eggs.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Eggs are one of the things needed to make a baby when you're an adult.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11And in your womb, where a baby grows,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14a nice cosy lining gets made each month.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15But when there's no baby,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18the lining isn't needed and comes out as a bit of blood.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21When it happens, tell an adult you can trust.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24And if you feel a bit moody, that's normal too.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Just be careful who you bare your teeth to.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Are you finding it hard to sleep?
0:24:35 > 0:24:36Finding it even harder to get up?
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Are your parents constantly having to nag you to either go to bed
0:24:41 > 0:24:42or wake up in the morning?
0:24:42 > 0:24:43CHRIS, GET UP!
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Well, you've come to the right place.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47This is Dr Chris's
0:24:47 > 0:24:50one-stop-sleep-shop-clinic-place
0:24:50 > 0:24:52for all your sleep-related needs.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53Terms and conditions apply.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Monsters under the bed will not be dealt with as a cause of lost sleep.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Offer only applies to die-hard "Operation Ouch!" fans.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Going to bed late and not getting up on time are things
0:25:01 > 0:25:02we all do occasionally.
0:25:02 > 0:25:03But if you're hitting puberty,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05there's actually a scientific explanation.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07It's not just laziness,
0:25:07 > 0:25:08or not most of the time,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10it's all part of becoming an adult.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Now to show you why, I'm going to need some spit,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15and some more sleep. Now leave me alone.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19These volunteers are going to demonstrate how puberty
0:25:19 > 0:25:20changes how you sleep.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Meet Ashleigh and Emma.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25They're eight years old
0:25:25 > 0:25:27and they're our young sleepers.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30This is Thomas, Megan and Alannah.
0:25:30 > 0:25:31They're all 13,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33they're our teen sleepers.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36I'm asking them to collect samples of their saliva every hour
0:25:36 > 0:25:38between 4.00pm and when they go to bed.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40So, does everyone understand?
0:25:40 > 0:25:42ALL: Yes.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43We need to spit in these pots.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Yay!
0:25:45 > 0:25:47The samples our two groups are taking
0:25:47 > 0:25:49will allow me to monitor levels
0:25:49 > 0:25:51of a hormone called melatonin.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53It's 6.00pm, so I need to spit now.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57Melatonin is a hormone your body releases to make you fall asleep
0:25:57 > 0:25:58and get some rest.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59Goodnight.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05I've come to meet neuroscientist Dr Paul Gringras.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09He's been analysing our saliva samples for levels of melatonin.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11What are the results then, doc?
0:26:11 > 0:26:12The younger children,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14their melatonin was starting to
0:26:14 > 0:26:16be produced about 7.30,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18or eight o'clock at the latest.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20So that's why if you're younger,
0:26:20 > 0:26:21you get tired around this time,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24but it changes as you reach puberty.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25For the teenage group,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29their melatonin was not even being produced till about ten or 11.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33And that's why they don't feel tired until much later on.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35But you have to be careful because
0:26:35 > 0:26:39some things can stop the melatonin doing its job.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42We've actually got a body clock that's sensitive to light.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45If you start doing things with bright lights,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48you are managing to switch off your own melatonin,
0:26:48 > 0:26:49which is one of the problems.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53So screens like iPads and electronic hi tech stuff
0:26:53 > 0:26:56have a lovely bright blue light which keeps us alert,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and in the evening it's about the very worst thing you could do.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01So the best thing to do before bed
0:27:01 > 0:27:04is to stay away from computer screens.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07But because you're going to bed much later than you were before puberty,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10and still having to get up at the same time,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12that can take some adjusting to.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14If you yourself are finding it difficult to wake up,
0:27:14 > 0:27:15well, now, you know.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17There's a biological reason for it.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19You're not just being lazy.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Goodnight.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Although we've not been able to include everything in this puberty
0:27:29 > 0:27:32special, hopefully we've covered most of what you wanted to know.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34And remember, puberty is totally normal.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37It may start earlier for some of you than for others,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- but it happens to everyone in the end.- What?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42It's just another phase of growing up.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44And preparing you for being an adult.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Which is pretty exciting, really.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48And if there is anything you want to know, remember,
0:27:48 > 0:27:50you can always ask a parent or a teacher,
0:27:50 > 0:27:51they've been through it, too.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Most importantly...
0:27:53 > 0:27:54- BOTH: - Don't panic!
0:27:54 > 0:27:55ALARM BLARES
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Chris, there's an emergency case
0:27:57 > 0:27:58of greasy hair in A & E!
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Panic stations!
0:28:01 > 0:28:02I thought we just agreed not to panic?
0:28:02 > 0:28:04You just need that.