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Preparing your child for another school year involves a number of steps. This includes shopping for new clothes and school supplies, completing school forms, and most importantly, visiting your child's doctor for a back-to-school physical exam. These days, most schools require a physical exam performed by a board certified physician at least once every few years, if not annually. While a physical exam may not seem urgent if your child appears healthy and strong, a yearly exam is a critical part of your child's health care. A physician can detect signs of poor health and identify early symptoms of a more serious illness that may not be obvious in its early stages. It also presents the perfect time for you or your child to ask questions about health, fitness and other medical-related issues that may be of concern for your growing child. Back-To-School Physical 101 A school physical exam will vary depending on the doctor and the child's age, but generally consist of a comprehensive checkup of your child's overall health. In addition to a height, weight and body mass index calculation, a typical school physical may include:
• Vital Signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and temperature.
• Heart Exam: Using a stethoscope, a doctor listens to the patient's heart for any signs of an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems
• Lung Exam: A doctor will listen for wheezing or decreased breath sounds with a stethoscope for signs of heart or lung disease
• Head and Neck Exam: This includes examining a patient's ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, lymph nodes and thyroid for unusual symptoms
• Abdominal exam: Using a range of techniques, the doctor will examine the abdomen for signs of pain or inflammation of the internal organs
• Neurological Exam: The physician will assess muscle strength, reflexes and balance
• Back Exam: The doctor will assess the patient's spine and back muscles The Importance of Back to School Physicals There are a number of reasons why annual physical exams for children are important.
• Many times the annual exam is the child's only doctor appointment all year
• Allows the physician and child to discuss serious questions such as drug and tobacco use or sexual activity
• Allows doctor to track and record the child's development and progress over time
• Increases the likelihood children will get necessary vaccines
• Provides an opportunity for the doctor to discuss nutrition and exercise with the child
• With vital changes occurring during adolescence, a doctor can help with the transition from childhood into puberty
• A doctor can address child athletes about the importance of injury prevention, a well-balanced diet and proper raining If your child's grade school requires a physical exam before starting classes in the fall- whether it is for a sport or a shot- don't put off scheduling this important appointment. The summer months leading up to the beginning of a school year are among the busiest times of the year at a doctor's office, and this can make getting an appointment a difficult task. Having trouble getting into your regular family doctor? Your urgent care doctor in Lewisville can provide quality care for you and your family. Urgent care physicians are equipped and qualified to handle all of your family's general medical needs- from a common cold to school physicals and beyond. Not to mention that an urgent care doctor's extended hours make getting your child in for a physical easier and more convenient than your regular doctor's office.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Zahaluk of Main Street Urgent Care, a leading urgent care doctor in Lewisville, TX. From lacerations and burns to fractures and minor emergencies, Dr. Zahaluk offers quality, affordable medical care at the urgent care center in Lewisville for patients of every age.
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