What is the importance of taking your child to see a pediatrician rather than a primary care provider? A child specialist specializes in children’s development and understands when your child has a health problem. In addition to health, pediatrics can help children dealing with child abuse and behavioral and developmental issues. They help in treating and preventing children’s diseases. If you are looking for your child’s healthcare provider, Carrie Jones MD a certified pediatrician is here to help you in raising a healthy child. In this article, we discuss health services to expect in pediatric care.
Well-checks and immunizations
Wellness exams are essential for children to monitor their development and evaluate their health. Routine check-ups also help in identifying health conditions at early stages. During the well-check, the child specialist conducts a physical exam, which involves checking various body parts, including the eyes, ears, nose, and skin.
The provider also measures the child’s weight, height, and blood pressure. They review the child’s health history and family history to screen for any hereditary issues if necessary.
The check-ups start a few days after birth, then after a few weeks, and after every two months until they are 18 months. The child may need regular exams if they have an existing medical issue.
Immunizations are critical in protecting the child from infectious diseases, caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites. Immunizations happen at different ages, beginning at birth. It’s essential to ensure your child receives all the necessary vaccinations as scheduled.
Cold/flu
Children are vulnerable to the common cold and flu. The symptoms of a cold occur gradually and include a runny nose, cough, and sore throat. They may experience fever too.
On the other hand, flu occurs suddenly and causes symptoms such as chills, high fever, low appetite, and achy muscles.
It’s essential to seek medical care for your child’s cold or flu to prevent severe medical issues. You may also visit a pediatrician if your child has a chronic cough, high fever, difficulty breathing, and persistent headache.
Asthma and allergies
Asthma affects your breathing ability. Usually, asthma attacks result from triggers that cause sudden inflammation of your air tract, causing difficulty breathing. Some asthma triggers include chemicals, allergens, and smoke.
Allergies develop when your body overreacts to certain materials. Like asthma, allergies also result from triggers such as smoke, pollen, dust, insect bites, and certain foods. Allergy reactions include watery eyes, sneezing, itchiness, and a sore throat.
The child provider offers treatments to prevent the severe effects of asthma and allergies.
Developmental screening and ADHD
Developmental screenings are essential to help monitor your child’s growth. They include gross motor skills, adaptive skills, fine motor skills, and problem-solving skills. Indication of delays requires further evaluation.
Developmental delays may result from down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Jones also offers ADHD screening, a common mental problem in children, involving inattentiveness and loss of focus.
The child’s health provider creates a personalized treatment plan to address your specific child’s concerns.
A pediatrician knows a child’s development. It makes them ideal to deal with a child’s health issues. Contact Argyle Pediatrics to schedule your consultation today.
