Health and wellbeing should be a priority for every family. Whether you have young children, or kids that are preparing to fly the nest, it’s crucial to keep up to date with routine appointments and assessments. This will help to promote healthy living and reduce risks. In this guide, we’ll discuss some health checks you don’t want to miss.
For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection
Dental Checks
Dental check-ups are important for children and adults. Regular examinations reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. They also lower the risk of losing teeth prematurely. During a routine assessment, dentists will also carry out oral cancer checks on adults, and make sure that everything looks good in terms of orthodontic development in children. If you haven’t been to the dentist for years, now is the time to make an appointment for the whole family. It’s hugely beneficial to get kids used to going to the dentist at an early age so that they are accustomed to the sights and sounds. You can prepare children for trips to the dental office and reduce anxiety by using books and watching educational TV programs that show kids what happens when they climb into the dental chair.
[Read: A Gentle Approach To Oral Hygiene for Kids]
Hearing Tests
You might assume that you don’t need a hearing test unless you’re struggling to hear the radio. Or, if you can’t make out what other people are saying if there’s background noise. The trouble with hearing loss is that it occurs gradually and it can be difficult to detect in the early days. Regular assessments enable medical professionals to identify changes in your hearing. It’s also important to seek advice if you experience tinnitus. Tinnitus is often temporary and it develops as a result of exposure to loud noises. If you have tinnitus after a concert, for example, this is usually nothing to worry about. An expert may recommend tinnitus treatment if you have recurrent bouts, or if your symptoms are getting worse. Children should have frequent hearing tests during the early years. While adults should have an assessment every 3-10 years depending on their age.
Essential Health and Development Checks
Children and adults are advised to attend appointments for essential health checks. Assessing development is key for younger children. Adults should be mindful of visiting their doctor to keep an eye on their blood pressure and BMI (body mass index). If you are invited to attend an appointment, or you are advised to visit a clinic to have your blood pressure checked, don’t ignore the text or dump the letter in a pile of mail. A healthy BMI can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Regular blood pressure checks are important because there are often no obvious symptoms of high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. For kids, keeping up to date with routine checks will lower the risk of health problems and ensure that any issues are spotted and addressed as early as possible.
Health Checks are Important
Eating well and living an active lifestyle are essential for optimum health. But it’s also important for adults and children to attend routine health checks and assessments. If you haven’t been to the dentist for a long time, or you’ve been meaning to make an appointment to get your hearing checked, pick up the phone and make the call now.
[Read: How Can You Take Care of Your Family’s Health?]
For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection