What is a Pediatrician?
When preparing for your baby’s arrival, there are many decisions that need to be made. Of those decisions, the selection of a pediatrician is oneof the most important choices you will make.
Pediatricians are medical doctors who provide care exclusively for children, usually from birth up to age 21. Pediatricians have completed a minimum of four years of medical school and an additional three years of specialty training in pediatrics from an accredited program. They also must receive continuing education each year to stay abreast of the latest advances in pediatric care. As part of their extensive training, pediatricians are experienced in the physical, emotional, and social development of children.
What Does a Pediatrician Do?
Pediatricians will see your child for well-child care visits from birth to age four. After age four, your pediatrician may continue to see your child annually for checkups. A pediatrician will also evaluate, diagnose and provide medical care whenever your child is sick.
From well-child care visits to chronic illnesses and nutritional guidance, pediatricians are specially trained to care for all of your child’s health care needs. These include:
- Providing physical exams
- Monitoring developmental milestones (i.e. growth, behavior and skills)
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries and other health problems
- Working with parents to determine healthy lifestyle choices for children, such as nutrition and exercise
- Treating life-threatening childhood conditions
- Offering ongoing advice and information about child’s health, safety, nutrition and fitness needs
- Referring and collaborating with other medical specialists when additional care is required beyond a pediatrician’s expertise
Benefits of Choosing a Pediatrician
While family physicians can treat children, pediatricians are specifically trained in the unique physical, emotional and behavioral needs of infants, children, adolescence and young adults. The symptoms presented by adults are not the same as those seen in children. Therefore, by choosing a pediatrician, you are selecting a doctor who offers specialized expertise in recognizing and treating the unique health needs for a child.
Additionally, pediatricians often offer after-hour calling services for emergency questions and concerns, as well as flexible, same-day appointment times for sick visits. This is especially beneficial when your child is ill and you need to see your doctor right away.
Ultimately, pediatricians are much more than doctors; they are partners in your child’s health. From immunizations and ear infections to bedwetting, allergies and school physicals, pediatricians offer the specialized skills to provide tailored, comprehensive treatment for child’s ever-changing physical and emotional needs.
Parents are right to be diligent when it comes to the health and wellness of their children. Kids require special care from a doctor that has thoroughly studied ailments and conditions that commonly affect young people under the age of 18. If you’re a parent of a young child or teen, it’s important to be informed about pediatric medicine and common medical issues that are addressed by qualified child physicians.
What Is Pediatric Medicine?
Pediatric medicine is a specific area of healthcare that focuses on infants, toddlers, adolescents and pre-teens (up to about the age of 18, but sometimes extending to the age of 21). Pediatricians often assist parents and their children from the time they’re born to the time they’re shuffled off to college. Pediatric medicine includes regular checkups, tests, shots, wellness appointments, dietary considerations for young people and the treatment or management of acute or chronic illnesses.
Top Concerns of Pediatric Doctors
In most cases, children are in good health as long as they are active and eat good foods, but they sometimes have health issues that need to be addressed and managed as early in life as possible. Here is a short list of the top concerns of physicians who specialize in pediatric medicine:
– Viral infections like the common cold and flu
– Bacterial infections
– Juvenile diabetes
– Childhood asthma
– Social anxiety and developmental disorders like ADHD
– Sports injuries
– Leukemia and similar chronic illnesses
– Genetic disorders
In addition to medical school, pediatricians must complete a three-year residency at a pediatric hospital overseeing a wide variety of cases that specifically affect children.
When it comes to healthcare, each child deserves the very best treatment by a qualified and caring doctor who is well versed in pediatric medicine. A pediatric doctor’s office makes the overall health and wellness of children a top priority. The office services children who have a wide variety of medical issues ranging from bacterial infections to childhood ADHD.
For more information on Pediatric Medicine in the Addison, IL area call Ad-Park Pediatric Associates, S.C. at (630) 543-3020 today!