Preventive care is important at every age. However, it’s particularly essential during the teenage years due to various changes occurring in the body.
During this phase, teenagers experience rapid physical growth and begin to develop a mature understanding of themselves and their surroundings. It’s essential to prioritize preventive care and regular screenings during this time to ensure they maintain optimal health.
Let’s discuss the importance of teen health checks, preventive care, and screenings.
Understanding Teen Health Checks
Teen health checks are routine medical appointments designed to monitor a teenager’s overall health and development. These visits allow doctors to spot potential health issues early and provide timely interventions.
They also serve as a platform for teens to discuss any health concerns or questions.
The Importance of Preventive Care
Preventive care is all about being proactive instead of reactive. It involves taking steps to prevent diseases before they occur. For teenagers, preventive care is a good time to:
Detect Health Problems Early
Regular check-ups and screenings can help identify potential health issues in teens before they become serious problems. From detecting early signs of mental health conditions to identifying risk factors for chronic diseases, preventive care allows for early intervention and treatment.
Promote Healthy Habits
The teenage years are a critical period for establishing habits that can last a lifetime. Preventive care allows adolescent medicine doctors to educate teens about the importance of healthy eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and other positive lifestyle choices.
Keep Vaccination Up-to-Date
Vaccines are a vital part of preventive care. They protect against serious illnesses like measles, meningitis, and HPV. Regular preventive care visits ensure teens stay up to date with their vaccinations.
Routine Screenings for Teenagers
Screenings are tests that check for diseases before symptoms appear. Here are some of the key screenings for teenagers:
Vision and Hearing Screening
Good vision and hearing are essential for your teen’s overall health and academic success. Your teen’s doctor may recommend regular vision and hearing screenings.
Vision screenings are done to check for near and far-sightedness, color blindness, and other eye problems. Hearing screenings are done to identify hearing loss or hearing problems that may impact academic performance, language development, and social interactions.
Mental Health Screening
Teenagers may experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. As a part of preventive care, your adolescent’s doctor may recommend mental health screening to evaluate their emotional and psychological health.
Mental health screening may include questionnaires and interviews with your teens. If necessary, your teen may be referred to a mental health specialist.
Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Screening
High cholesterol and blood sugar levels may lead to health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Your adolescent’s doctor may recommend cholesterol and blood sugar screening.
These screenings are done with a blood test to evaluate cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels. Your teen may be recommended lifestyle changes or further tests depending on the results.
STD Screening
Sexually transmitted diseases are prevalent among teenagers and can have severe consequences if left untreated. Therefore, regular STD screenings are crucial for sexually active teens. Screening can include laboratory or other diagnostic tests. These tests can identify any STIs early and allow for prompt treatment.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Checks
Body Mass Index (BMI) checks for teenagers are integral to preventive care. BMI is a measure that uses height and weight to estimate the amount of body fat a person has.
Understanding a teen’s BMI can help doctors, parents, and teens make informed decisions about diet, physical activity, and overall health management.
Adolescent Doctors in Purchase, NY
Teen health checks and routine screenings are essential to ensure teenagers transition into adulthood healthily. Regular visits to an adolescent medicine provider can help detect potential health issues early, provide timely interventions, and equip teens with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions.
At BridgeSpan Medicine, we have a team of highly trained, board-certified adolescent doctors who are committed to offering a wide range of adolescent medicine services, including regular health check-ups, screenings, vaccinations, and counseling, catering to the unique needs of teenagers. We accept most insurance plans and are known for our welcoming and professional staff.
If you want to know more about adolescent medicine services or to schedule a consultation with one of our outstanding adolescent doctors, call our office today at (914) 698-5544 or fill out our online appointment request form.
