You can help prepare your child for a visit to the doctor by discussing why doctors are important. Explain to your child that a doctor is a person who helps people get well when they are sick or hurt. Stress to your child that even when he is feeling well, he still needs to visit the doctor regularly for a checkup. It is not uncommon for children to feel embarrassment or fear regarding a medical examination. Find a doctor or pediatrician who takes extra time to put your child at ease and welcomes his questions.
What Is a Pediatrician?
Both adults and children need to visit a doctor to stay healthy. Children usually go to a pediatrician, who is a doctor who specializes in treating children and young adults. Your pediatrician will welcome your questions, so feel free to ask her about anything to do with your health or body.
Why Do I Get Weighed and Measured?
By measuring your height and checking your weight each time you visit, the doctor can see that you are growing as you are supposed to. He may offer suggestions to you and your parents to ensure that your diet is healthy.
Why Does the Doctor Take My Blood Pressure?
When the doctor or nurse wraps a cuff around your arm and them pumps it up, he is using an instrument that allows him to measure your blood pressure. This tells him how hard your heart is working to pump blood. The cuff will feel tight for a moment, but it will not hurt, states HealthCommunities.com.
How Does the Doctor Listen To My Heart?
The tool the doctor uses to listen to your heart is a stethoscope. The metal circle at the end of the stethoscope amplifies the beating of your heart, and the sound travels through a rubber tube to the doctor's ears. The doctor may move the stethoscope to different spots on your chest and back and ask you to take deep breaths. This allows him to hear the sound of your lungs and breathing.
How Does the Doctor See My Ears, Nose and Eyes?
The doctor uses an instrument called an otoscope that is lighted like a flashlight and gives the doctor a magnified view of the inside of your ears and nose. The doctor will also shine a very bright light into each of your eyes using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. These tests will not hurt, but you need to hold still while the doctor is examining you, notes Kids Health.
Why Does the Doctor Put a Stick On My Tongue?
Your doctor will probably hold down your tongue and tell you to say "aaahhh." The stick is called a tongue depressor, and it is used to keep your tongue out of the way so that the doctor can get a good look at your throat and mouth.
Why Do I Have To Get Shots?
All children need to get shots, or immunizations, to protect them from dangerous diseases, such as measles and polio. The needle will sting for a moment, but the discomfort is soon over.
