The teen years are a time of great change and growth. It is crucial to keep on top of your teenager’s health and development to ensure they become healthy adults. Preventive healthcare, which includes routine vaccinations and screenings, as well as healthy habits, is essential to achieving this goal for your teen. You can learn more here about the importance of preventive care in keeping your teen as healthy as possible.
What is Preventive Care?
Preventive care involves proactive measures to protect and maintain your child’s health throughout their formative years. This comprehensive approach includes routine vaccinations, regular health screenings, and wellness check-ups, as well as encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.
By focusing on prevention, the aim is to reduce the risk of future health conditions and identify and address potential health issues before they become serious. This ensures that your child has the best possible chance for a healthy future. Preventive care is an investment in your child’s long-term well-being, emphasizing early intervention and education to build a strong foundation for lifelong health.
The Importance of Vaccinations
Vaccinations protect teens from serious diseases. They boost the immune system without causing illness. Vaccines introduce a weaker or dead form of a germ. The immune system then learns to fight it off. By age 13, teens should have various immunizations including chickenpox, hepatitis A and B vaccines, and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). There are also some key vaccines for teens, which include:
- HPV Vaccine: Prevents Human Papillomavirus, which can cause certain types of cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for girls and boys ages 9 to 11 years, and for older kids who aren’t yet vaccinated.
- Meningococcal Vaccine: Protects against meningococcal disease, which can lead to meningitis, a serious brain infection. It’s recommended for all kids and teens age 11 and older.
- Annual Flu Vaccine: Protects against the flu virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should have a flu vaccine.
- Updated COVID-19 Vaccine: Recommended for adults and all children age 6 months and older to help fight new variants of the COVID-19 virus.
Vaccinations keep your teen safe and healthy. It’s important to ensure they get their shots on time.
Regular Health Screenings and Check-Ups
It is important for teens to have annual check-ups with their healthcare provider. Those with chronic medical conditions or specific clinical symptoms may require more frequent visits. These consultations allow your teen’s doctor to keep track of any changes in their physical, mental, and social development. They also provide the opportunity to offer guidance on avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and drinking.
Health screenings help detect problems early. Early detection makes treatment easier. Depending on your child’s age and health, comprehensive adolescent medicine screenings can include checks for:
- Diabetes
- Anemia (a blood disorder)
- High blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Obesity
- Eating disorders
- Mental health conditions, such as depression
Routine checks for vision and hearing, as well as evaluations for scoliosis (a curved spine), are often included in a routine check-up. For older teens, additional screenings for alcohol, drugs, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may also be recommended to promote teen health.
School physicals are also a vital part of preventive care. They check if your teen is healthy enough for school activities. A physical may include some screening tests, like those listed above, along with a full body examination, a blood pressure check, and urinalysis (a urine test). This can be used to detect and manage a wide range of disorders, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney disease, and diabetes.
Encouraging Healthy Habits
Healthy habits are key to preventing diseases. Encourage your teen to exercise regularly (at least 60 minutes a day), get enough sleep (aiming for 8-10 hours per night) and eat a balanced diet to promote their health.
The experts at John Hopkins Medicine advise discussing these healthy eating tips with your teen to ensure they follow a nutritious diet:
- Eat three meals daily, supplemented with healthy snacks.
- Aim for balanced meals that include vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Increase dietary fiber while reducing salt intake.
- Drink water and avoid sugary beverages. Limit fruit juice due to its high calorie content; whole fruit is a better option.
- Monitor and reduce sugar consumption, if necessary. When cooking, opt for baking or broiling instead of frying.
- Choose fruits or vegetables for snacks.
- Favor chicken and fish over red meat, and select lean cuts when possible.
- Cut back on butter and heavy gravies.
Healthy habits help prevent chronic diseases and keep your teen healthy.
Promoting Open Communication
It is really important to talk to your teen about their health and to keep lines of communication open. Encourage them to share any concerns they have. Make sure they know they can always talk to healthcare providers, too.
Premier Medical Group Services
At Premier Medical Group, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare services for teens and their families. With a focus on preventive care, our team of experienced professionals works tirelessly to ensure the well-being of every patient. Our commitment to health extends beyond treating illnesses; we prioritize educational initiatives and proactive measures to support long-term wellness.
At Premier Medical Group, we offer a range of services for teens, including:
- Vaccinations and Immunizations
- Routine Check-ups and School Physicals
- Development Screenings
- Nutrition and Exercise Plans
- Acute Care
Our collaborative approach and compassionate environment empower teens to take control of their health and make informed decisions for a brighter, healthier future. Whether you seek routine check-ups, specialized screenings, or guidance on healthy habits, our expert providers stand ready to support your family’s healthcare journey with expertise and care.
Adolescent Medicine in Orlando, Florida
Keeping your teen healthy takes effort, but it is worth it. If you are looking for professional care for your teen, schedule a health check-up today at Premier Medical Group. You can arrange an appointment with one of our specialist providers as soon as today by contacting us at (407) 735-2114 or scheduling an appointment.