"You're going to the doctor," your mom tells you.
But why go to the doctor when you're not sick? Regular checkups
are a smart idea for kids. These visits happen when you're
feeling fine and are sometimes called "well-child" visits
because you're well. Get it?
It's a chance for the doctor to see that you're growing
and developing normally. It's also a chance for your parents to
talk with the doctor about any issues, such as safety or nutrition,
so they can help you stay healthy. And it gives you a chance to ask
any questions you might have about your health. You might wonder
when you will grow taller, for instance, or if you weigh the right
amount.
At the Office
A checkup may start when a nurse calls you and your parent from
the waiting room. He or she might start by checking your weight and
height, as well as your blood pressure and maybe your
temperature.
-
Blood pressure
: This shows how hard your heart is pumping blood throughout your
body. A cuff that gets tighter and tighter on your arm is used to
measure this. As the air drains out of the cuff, the nurse will
watch the numbers to get your reading. Blood pressure can be too
high or too low, but yours is probably just right!
-
Body temperature
: Using a thermometer, the nurse can find out if your temperature
is in the normal range (97 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 36.1 to
37.5 degrees Celsius). If it is higher, it means that you have a
fever and your body is working to fight off an infection.
The nurse may check your hearing and vision (eyesight). If you
have trouble with either one of these, you might need to see a
hearing specialist or an eye doctor. The nurse then might ask you
to go to the bathroom and give some urine (pee) in a cup. Urine can
give clues about whether something is wrong with the way a
person's body is working. But usually, the nurse tests your pee
and says everything is fine.
All of these numbers, measurements, and test results will go
into your medical chart, so the doctor can look them over. Then
it's time to meet the doctor.
Hello, Doctor
The doctor will come in and say hello. He or she will probably
ask you some questions, like how you're doing and if you have
any problems or concerns. The doctor wants to make sure your body
is working just like it should. To do this, he or she will use
equipment, such as a stethoscope (to listen to your lungs and
heart), an otoscope (to look inside your ears, nose, and throat),
and an ophthalmoscope (to look inside your eyes).
Your doctor might check the reflexes in your knee with a rubber
hammer. He or she also will probably feel around your belly, look
at your genitals (private parts), and examine your spine.
You may wonder - why do doctors do this stuff? Here's
why:
Listening with a stethoscope:
The stethoscope lets the doctor hear your heartbeat and the way
your lungs sound. Doctors know just how healthy hearts and lungs
should sound. If yours doesn't sound quite right, the doctor
will want to investigate further.
Looking in your ears, nose, and throat:
Doctors know what healthy ears, noses, and throats should look
like. The otoscope lets the doctor get a good look at yours and the
light helps spot any problems, like fluid in your ear that could be
an infection.
Looking in your eyes:
Doctors know what healthy eyes should look like. The ophthalmoscope
lets the doctor see the retina, the light-sensitive part of your
eye that sends messages to the brain. Though the doctor is shining
a light in your eye, try to keep your eye still so the doctor can
get a good look.
Bopping you with the rubber hammer:
This is when the doctor taps your knee and your leg swings up
without you doing anything. It's a funny part of the exam, but
there's a good reason for it. This tests how well your nerves
are carrying messages in your body. When your reflexes respond to
the hammer, the doctor knows your nerves can do the important job
they have - carrying messages from the brain and spinal cord that
tell your body what to do.
Feeling around your belly:
There's a lot of important stuff in your belly - from your
stomach to your intestines and liver. Doctors know how healthy
bellies should feel and they want to make sure yours feels just
right.
Genital exam:
This one might make you feel a little uncomfortable, so it can help
if your mom or dad is with you during the exam. Your private parts
- the vagina if you're a girl and the penis and testicles if
you are a boy - are important body parts. Just like other parts of
your body, your doctor will want to make sure there aren't any
problems. Changes in these areas, such as growing hair, are signs
that show you're progressing toward puberty.
Spine check:
Your spinal column is a series of bones along the middle of your
back. The spine should be straight. But sometimes, a kid's
spine has a curve and some curves are called scoliosis. Small
curves usually cause no problems, but for larger curves you may
need to get an X-ray or see an orthopedic doctor who specializes in
the treatment of scoliosis.
Do I Need a Shot?
Remember all those shots you got before kindergarten? Shots (or
immunizations) protect against diseases such as diphtheria,
tetanus, polio, hepatitis, and measles - just to name a few. Kids
might worry about needing a shot every time they go to the doctor,
but the truth is that kids don't need many shots after they are
old enough to go to school. You will need a tetanus booster,
usually when you are about 12 years old, or sometimes sooner if you
get a deep or dirty wound.
Question and Answer Time
A lot of doctors leave time at the end of a checkup for
questions. Your mom or dad may want to know how much milk you
should be drinking, if it's safe for you to try a certain
sport, or when you'll be old enough to stay home alone. These
are all important questions and doctors can give parents good
advice.
The doctor may have some information he or she wants to share
with you, too. For instance, if summer is on the way, the doctor
may want to remind you and your parent about safety issues, such as
wearing bike helmets, swimming only with adult supervision, and
wearing sunscreen.
Don't forget that you can ask questions, too. Even if you
feel a little funny or embarrassed, go ahead and ask your question.
Doctors have heard it all and you may be surprised to learn that
many other kids have asked the same question. By asking questions
you'll learn more about the way your body works and how you can
take care of something very important - your health!
Updated and reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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