Aug. 05--The yearly to-do list of what needs to be done for your child going back to school can include buying school supplies, filling out permission forms and scheduling doctor appointments.
Dr. Eid Guirguis, a board certified pediatrician, with Ocean Pediatric Care in Spring Hill said, "Regardless of age, back to school check-ups can sometimes be the only time a child or teenager sees a physician for the year."
The annual physical can provide a physician the opportunity to address important questions, especially with teens, including drinking, smoking, drugs, sexual activity, and depression, Guirguis adds.
He said having a child seen once a year for a physical exam is an important part in maintaining a child's health care.
"Establishing a long-term medical history for a child or adolescent allows a physician to view the progress in development to detect emerging health problems," he said.
"A child should be seen by a physician during transition years, such as puberty," said Guirguis. Adolescence is a time when many changes take place, physicals from a physician can establish the self-esteem and emotional balance of a child.
Seeing a physician can be good for child wellness guidance, especially with the childhood obesity epidemic. The physical allows for heart and blood pressure tests, checking for the occurrence of diabetes developing and to discuss diet and exercise options.
Guirguis says children can feel isolated when dealing with the emotions related to physical issues. For example, for children who are obese, the daily stress of going to school can cause self-esteem issues and depression. These children are not motivated to attend, causing absences from school.
"Kids not being diagnosed properly with ADHD, ADD, or other learning disabilities can deter them from attending school," said Guirguis. These disabilities can be present as early as age 5. Children with an undiagnosed condition can experience stress from poor performance in school, he added.
Balancing school, social life, sports, home life, and other extracurricular activities can be difficult, especially when a child is going through growth, learning, exploration and emotional and physical development.
"Stress tends to be more present on kids ages 11 and older, as many at that age are juggling school, home and sports," explains Guirguis. "Too much pressure can lead kids into drug abuse, including alcohol."
Early detection and treatment of depression is important at any age and family support is essential. If you suspect that your child is depressed, contact your child's doctor or a mental health provider for recommendations for treatment, he adds.
Pre-Teens and Teenagers
Guirguis said the common cause for missed school for girls in puberty is monthly menstruation.
"Premenstrual syndrome or PMS symptoms can include abdominal pain, muscle/joint pain, headache, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, motion sensitivity and even constipation. Parents are urged to see a physician, as medical treatment can help alleviate the symptoms from menstruation."
Acne is often not treated as a medical condition, explains Guirguis. Acne needs to be treated medically, as moderate to severe cases can cause other health problems, Guirguis said. Acne is not isolated to the face, it can be all over the body, and is more common for boys than girls.
"One example is body acne, as it can develop into an infection if left untreated," he said, "scarring from acne can not be corrected. Prescriptions like lotions/creams, face-wash or antibiotics are available to eliminate or lessen the incidence of breakouts."
Having acne is not attractive, and can cause body issues for youngsters in middle and high school years, Guirguis adds.
Grade School
"Children in elementary school years from age 7 and older, some of the main causes for kids to miss school during the year are common colds, stomach flu, ear infection, pink eye, and sore throat," said Guirguis.
Guirguis said that for kids under the age of 6, being in school can be a breading ground for germs that can cause illness.
"It is important emphasize cleanliness and proper hygiene for kids when they are not with their parents at every age, which includes proper hand washing," he said.
"Under the age of 6, kids are kept from school or daycares due to stomach problems such as diarrhea or vomiting," he said, "whereas, kids age 7 an older can cause constipation or other stomach problems from not going to the bathroom during school hours."
Some cases of fever have no visible symptoms, advises Guirguis.
Common symptoms or runny nose, cough, and diarrhea may not be present for a child with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Therefore, a child with a fever and no other 'visible' symptoms should be seen by a physician to determine the cause.
He explains that children as young as ages 4 or 5 can be diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Other disabilities such as ADHD, ADD or other learning disabilities can be diagnosed and treated at these early ages to help ease the child's struggle though his/her school age years.
"Math and reading disabilities can be corrected in early formative years," said Guirguis, "working with the child can help them overcome the obstacles and become a better student."
Dyslexia, an impairment of the brain's ability to translate written images received from your eyes into meaningful language, and is the most common learning disability in children with normal vision and normal intelligence. Children with dyslexia usually have normal speech, but may have difficulty interpreting spoken language and writing. Individualized tutoring and treatment for dyslexia often involves a multisensory education program. Emotional support of your child on your part also plays an important role.
Childhood apraxia of speech, is a condition present from birth, and can affect a child's ability to form sounds and words. Children often have far greater abilities to understand speech than to express themselves with spoken words with this condition. The majority of these children will experience significant improvement, if not complete recovery, with the correct treatment, advises Guirguis.
Common conditions
Allergies are common for children of any age even more so for those with asthma. Some allergies are related to food or insect bites, advises Guirguis. Sometimes vomiting and abdominal pain can be a sign of an allergy.
"A common symptom related to an allergy is trouble breathing. Lips or tongue can swell causing airway to become blocked. It is recommended to call 9-1-1 immediately for medical treatment," he said. If person is known to have severe allergies, he or she are mandated to carry an EpiPen in case an anaphylactic reaction develops, he added.
Guirguis describes rashes as being common, some are contagious, sometimes insect bites can cause a rash. Scabies is a contagious mite and can spread quickly through close physical contact in a family, child care group, school class or even nursing home. Doctors often recommend treatment for entire families or contact groups to eliminate the mite.
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. It usually appears as red sores on the face, around a child's nose and mouth. It occurs when bacteria enter the skin through cuts or insect bites, but it can also develop in healthy skin.
As common rashes tend to diminish over a day or two, Guirguis advises to seek treatment if a rash continues more than a day or two.
"It is important to note that children of any age are keen on manipulating parents, knowing your child's health history and concerns," advises Guirguis. "Knowledge can help a parent make the decision as to whether their child needs to stay home from school or needs professional medical treatment."
Anna Lamy is the Health and Fitness Content Coordinator for Hernando Today. She can be contacted at alamy@hernandotoday.com.
TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
childhood obesity epidemic --check ups --undiagnosed condition --self esteem issues --doctor appointments --exercise options --emerging health --pressure tests --learning disabilities --permission forms --emotional balance --pediatric care --physicals --going back to school --physical exam --school kids --poor performance --ups --sexual activity --absences
-----
To see more of Hernando Today or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.HernandoToday.com.
Copyright (c) 2010, Hernando Today, Brooksville, Fla.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail services@mctinfoservices.com, or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544).