Pediatrics – Understanding the Role of a Pediatrician
Pediatricians provide medical care to children of all age groups. They tend to infants, toddlers, and older kids. They provide routine health checkups as well specialized services.
Here are some of the main functions of a pediatrician.
Pediatricians provide treatment for common illnesses.
Pediatricians provide treatment for minor illnesses that can be very uncomfortable for kids. A simple cold can take a toll on a small child. Then there are minor infections and injuries that kids are prone to but all of which require medical attention. Pediatricians also provide treatment for diseases that are common in childhood such as chicken pox and measles. They also order tests to diagnose diseases and screen kids for serious illnesses.
Pediatricians offer treatment for serious diseases.
Pediatricians can diagnose serious conditions during your child’s routine checkup. If your child’s doctor notices specific symptoms that can be related to diabetes or hormonal disorders, he or she may order tests to confirm it. In such cases, your pediatrician can refer your child to a specialist in your local area or offer her or his own services if they are trained for the specialty. For example, Gaithersburg pediatrics may be sufficient to handle medical emergencies or require you to see other specialists.
Many pediatricians attain additional training for surgery or for fields such as cardiology and neurology. They can train in any medical specialty if they wish to and provide even more comprehensive care to patients.
Pediatricians monitor development milestones of their patients.
It is very important to chart and monitor growth milestones for children. It helps pediatricians to provide the right treatment to their patients. They can also educate and inform parents about delayed growth or serious health issues concerning their kids. Parents can then decide to see other specialists if necessary. In any case, your pediatrician can continue to monitor your child’s growth and take necessary steps to prevent complications.
Pediatricians offer counseling to their patients.
Pediatricians not only provide treatment for medical problems. They also provide the right information and resources to their older patients. Such information can be critical to the well-being of their patients. Some examples can be providing information about birth control to teens or guidance about risky sexual behavior that can lead to STDs. Teens may also require guidance about hormonal issues or other growth-related concerns. If the kids are comfortable with their doctor then it can be a boon for them and the parents. Instead of obtaining health information from unreliable sources, talking to a doctor is a better choice for kids in case they are shy to talk about such topics with their parents.
Pediatricians can also inform the parents about any sensitive health issue involving their kids that may require immediate attention such as teen pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections.
Some younger kids with psychological or learning disorders can also require counseling or specialized care. Pediatricians are trained to understand both verbal and non-verbal cues to diagnose problems with kids and offer treatment for the same.
Pediatricians offer medical advice and health recommendations to their patients.
Children today suffer from a host of lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Some kids can be overweight and have problems with breathing or mobility. Such children and their parents may require guidance on diet and fitness for their children.
Kids who have development delays may require special nutrients to aid their growth. Teens with eating disorders or hormonal problems may need to make many changes to their diet and lifestyle. Acne, skin problems, mood fluctuations, and hair fall are issues that are common when puberty starts. Teens may require medicines and diet information to make these symptoms go away or at least find some relief from these problems.
Pediatricians also need to speak with parents about issues related to their child’s lifestyle that could be affecting their health. Such matters can be difficult to handle and pediatricians need to work with sensitivity and patients to talk to parents.
Pediatricians require huge amounts of patients to deal with children and their parents. Working with kids also requires energy and quick-thinking abilities. They need presence of mind and need to be excellent doctors.