| Here's something you need to understand: even | | | | peeling. |
| though you may be feeling healthy, it may not be an | | | | As the child grows, the dangers he or she faces |
| accurate measure of your actual health. Why? | | | | change over time. Overall health includes mental as |
| Because there are a number of conditions which | | | | well as physical health, so screening is also |
| remain silent until the disease is finally diagnosed. This | | | | recommended for children showing initial signs of |
| is why it's essential for every individual to receive | | | | mental disorders, eating disorders, abuse, etc. |
| regular health screenings. Early detection can help | | | | Other common health screenings for children: blood |
| minimize many illnesses. | | | | pressure checks, regular vision and hearing checks, |
| Health screening guidelines differ according to age, | | | | cholesterol test (especially if there's a parent with |
| gender, race and environment. In this article, we're | | | | high cholesterol or a parent or grandparent with early |
| going to offer a brief overview of the various health | | | | heart disease), dental check-ups, anemia test, and a |
| screening processes that should be considered | | | | tuberculosis skin test (especially if a child has come in |
| throughout a person's life. | | | | contact with a person who has TB). |
| Screening Starts Even Before Birth | | | | Throughout Adulthood |
| Anatomical and physiological problems can be | | | | For women, there are a variety of health screening |
| detected during prenatal check-ups such as regular | | | | tests that help ensure your health is on the right |
| ultra sounds. Not only is your baby's growth | | | | track. For instance, a thyroid test should first be |
| monitored, doctors can also uncover serious | | | | taken at age 35. Your blood pressure should be |
| conditions such as hydrocephaly, spina bifida and | | | | checked regularly, no less than every two years. |
| other congenital anomalies. If there are any indicators | | | | Your first diabetes blood test (assuming you've |
| that your baby's health is danger, more invasive tests | | | | demonstrated no previous signs of diabetes) should |
| can assess the degree of the danger. | | | | be undertaken at age 45. Mammograms every one |
| After Birth | | | | to two years. A Pap test and pelvic exam every one |
| After birth, every newborn undergoes a variety of | | | | to three years. Vision tests every two to four years, |
| health screening exams. Usually these tests are | | | | hearing every ten years. Regular cervical screening is |
| performed between day two to day seven of life | | | | recommended for older women (yes, even if you've |
| and involve the drawing of a few drops of blood | | | | cleared menopause or have had a hysterectomy. |
| from each newborn. The focus is primarily on genetic | | | | Dental exams once or twice a year. |
| diseases such as phenylketonuria or sickle cell anemia | | | | Tetanus-Diphtheria booster, every ten years. |
| which can become life threatening if left undetected. | | | | For men, a regular routine examination should be |
| Children with such conditions are often required to | | | | undertaken every three to five years. Your blood |
| adhere to strict diet and immunization guidelines. | | | | pressure should be checked regularly, no less than |
| Therefore, parents need to be educated about the | | | | every two years. Cholesterol every five years. |
| illness right from the beginning. | | | | Diabetes every three years if you're at high risk. |
| Through Childhood | | | | Prostate exams generally begin around the age of |
| The importance of health screening continues through | | | | fifty and many physicians recommend annual exams |
| childhood. If corrected in childhood, some problems | | | | after that. A colonoscopy is recommended for every |
| can be nipped in the bud, allowing your child to live a | | | | ten years beginning at the age of fifty, a |
| safe and healthy life. Vision and hearing tests are | | | | sigmoidoscopy every five years. Tetanus-Diphtheria |
| prime examples of such conditions. If your child has a | | | | booster, every ten years. |
| slow response to noise or you notice a squint, a | | | | Preventive health care relies heavily on regular |
| specialist opinion is essential to learn more about the | | | | physical exams and health screening tests. Early |
| condition. | | | | detection and treatment of common diseases can |
| Lead poisoning has become so rampant in society, | | | | often prevent further complications and help you get |
| that children with any exposure should be evaluated | | | | back on a healthy track. As with any form of medical |
| as soon as possible to prevent the irreversible | | | | treatment, always consult your doctor first. |
| consequences of a heavy lead load in blood. Exposure | | | | David Silva is the webmaster of Healthy |
| usually comes from being in or around any old house | | | | Considerations, a website dedicated to disseminating |
| where lead paint was used and is now chipping or | | | | helpful health information. |