Regular Doctor Visits A Healthy Practice
When a child is carrying a fever, complains of an earache, or has persistent diarrhea, every parent knows what to do: get them to the doctor. But even when children look and feel well, it's important that they see a physician regularly.
An examination not only will tell you your child's physical condition, but also whether he or she is developing normally. Parents get an opportunity to ask questions, and learn new and different ways of promoting a child's healthy development. This builds a strong relationship between the doctor, the patient and the parent.
Regular doctor visits promote and reinforce a healthy lifestyle, which gives children a better chance to succeed in school and in life.
Examination and Assessment
Elements of a regular checkup can include:
- Tracking growth and development to detect any physical or mental developmental problems
- Identifying minor health problems before they become serious
- Screening blood for lead exposure, which can lead to learning disabilities, developmental problems, or nerve problems
- Checking for hearing and vision problems that can hinder the ability to learn
- Monitoring language development and social skills
- Immunizing against diseases like chickenpox, mumps and measles, which can cause brain damage, heart problems, crippling, deafness and blindness
Doctors also play a role in reinforcing healthy habits such as getting plenty of sleep and physical activity, moderation in TV watching, and paying attention to personal hygiene. They also can educate children and parents about injury prevention (wearing seat belts and bike helmets, playground safety, etc.).
Should a doctor detect a developmental delay or disability, he or she can inform parents of early intervention services that are available. Many of these are provided free by social service agencies.
Exams for Older Children
As a child reaches puberty, growth is more
profound. Doctor visits should continue to take
place once a year, with additional evaluation
such as testing for muscle strength and
scoliosis (irregular spinal curve).
As older children become more responsible for their own well-being, a doctor may use a checkup to make sure that child understands the value of preventive medicine and address health issues such:
- Healthful eating practices, such as following a balanced diet, limiting the drinking of soda, and eating more natural foods and less processed foods
- The risks of using nutritional supplements to try to gain weight and build muscle
- Additional emphasis on behavior: discipline, signs of depression or anxiety, good social skills, family relationships, and community interaction
- Drinking, smoking, drugs, and sexuality