What Does the Doctor Check?
The doctor will come in and say hello, then ask you some questions, like how you're
doing and if you have any problems or concerns. The doctor wants to make sure your
body is working just like it should.
To do this, your doctor will:
Listen with a stethoscope: The stethoscope lets the doctor hear
your heartbeat and the way your lungs sound. Doctors know just how healthy hearts
and lungs should sound. If yours doesn't
sound quite right, the doctor will want to investigate further.
Look in your ears, nose, and throat: Doctors know what healthy
ears, noses, and throats should look like. The otoscope lets the doctor get a good
look at yours and the light helps spot any problems, like fluid in your ear that could
be an infection.
Look in your eyes: Doctors know what healthy eyes
should look like. The ophthalmoscope lets the doctor see the retina, the light-sensitive
part of your eye that sends messages to the brain. Though the doctor is shining a
light in your eye, try to keep your eye still so the doctor can get a good look.
Bop you with a rubber hammer: This is when the doctor taps your
knee and your leg swings up without you doing anything. It's a funny part of the exam,
but there's a good reason for it. This tests how well your nerves are carrying messages
in your body. When your reflexes respond to the hammer, the doctor knows your nerves
can do the important job they have — carrying messages from the brain and spinal
cord that tell your body what to do.
Feel around your belly: There's a lot of important stuff in your
belly — from your stomach to your intestines and liver. Doctors know how healthy
bellies should feel and they want to make sure yours feels just right.
Do a genital exam: This one might make you feel a little uncomfortable,
so it can help if your mom or dad is with you during the exam. Your private parts
— the vagina if you're a girl and the penis and testicles if you are a boy —
are important body parts. Just like other parts of your body, your doctor will want
to make sure there aren't any problems. Changes in these areas, such as growing hair,
are signs that show you're moving toward puberty.
Do a spine check: Your spinal column is a series of bones along
the middle of your back. The spine should be straight. But sometimes, a kid's spine
has a curve and some curves are called scoliosis. Small curves
usually cause no problems, but for larger curves you may need to get an X-ray or see
an orthopedic doctor who specializes in the treatment of scoliosis.