Why are Regular Physicals Important for Your Child?

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

Another school season has come to an end. However, many parents have already found a letter in their child’s backpack or received an email from school alerting them of the required paperwork to start the next school year. For children entering kindergarten, second grade, sixth grade, and high school the instructions most likely included having physical and updated immunizations.

Kids who will be attending summer camp or playing a sport may also need to see a doctor.

[ A Sponsored Feature by Silver Cross Hospital ]

To make it easy on parents, two local family practice physicians on staff at Silver Cross Hospital are offering discounted exams this summer. In addition, patients will receive two tickets to a Joliet Slammer baseball game of their choice.

Dr. Thomas Lee with Primary Care Professionals on the Silver Cross Hospital campus in New Lenox and Dr. Anandavally Pillai with Primary Care Physicians of Essington located in the Silver Cross Professional Building on the west side of Joliet, will offer discounted school, sport, and camp physicals for students age 6 years and older through Sept. 30, 2015. Cost is $30 and includes a physical examination and completion of required forms. Immunizations, if required, are an additional fee.

Cash, check, or credit/debit card accepted at time of appointment—insurance will not be billed. Call (815) 300-1450 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lee and(815) 744-4440 for Dr. Pillai.

Importance of Regular Check-ups

So why are regular physicals important for your child? It’s no secret that kids pick up germs at school and pass them along to their siblings, parents, teachers, and coaches. In many cases, sneezes, sniffles, and coughing alert you to an illness, but there are many illnesses and minor injuries that do not have any immediate symptoms.

“For many students back-to-school checkups are often the only visit most kids and teenagers have with their doctor during the year,” said Dr. Anandavally Pillai, family practice physician. “Most parents think of a back-to-school physical as the exam with the stethoscope and physical check-up. While that’s very important, I spend more time discussing nutrition, exercise, and adolescent issues of drinking, smoking, drugs, sexual activity, and depression as these things can really impact a child’s future health.”

Some medical problems make it difficult to concentrate, which can have a negative impact on a child’s school performance. A school physical will help identify any chronic medical conditions or acute illnesses that could be affecting your child’s academic progress. It is also a good time to talk to a medical professional about any eating difficulties or sleep problems your child might have.

In many cases, it is easier to treat illnesses and injuries if they are diagnosed early. If your child gets a school physical every year, it will be easier to identify problems and make sure you have the opportunity to treat them. Children with asthma, diabetes, and other chronic medical conditions should be examined every year. This is especially important if your child takes any medication.

What Happens During the Physical Exam?

A school, sport or camp physical examination is much like any other examination. Someone will weigh and measure your child before taking vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. A doctor will listen to the child’s heart and lungs, palpate (press on) the abdomen, and examine your child’s eyes, ears, nose, and throat. If your child needs a sports physical, the doctor will also test his or her strength and flexibility.

Additional testing such as blood tests, X-rays, or electrocardiogram may be ordered during the sports physical. Although most aspects of the exam will be the same for males and females, if a person has started or already gone through puberty, the doctor may ask girls and guys different questions.

They may also ask questions about use of drugs, alcohol, or dietary supplements, including steroids or other “performance enhancers” and weight-loss supplements, because these can affect a person’s health.

“Ideally athletes should have the exam done about six to eight weeks before sports season starts,” said Dr. Thomas Lee, family practice physician. That way, if we need to treat a condition, refer you to a specialist, or do a follow-up exam, there will be enough time before the sport begins to be cleared to play.”