Medical Specialty Glossary

Addiction Medicine specialists work with patients who have drinking problems, those injecting or smoking illegal drugs or those who are hooked on prescription drugs. They specialize in prevention, diagnosis, treatment of withdrawal, medical or psychiatric complications, and relapse and the monitoring of recovery. Potential patients include those with drinking problems, those injecting or smoking drugs, and people who have become dependent on prescription drugs.

Physicians trained in Allergy diagnose and treat reactions (such as rashes or breathing problems) due to irritating agents or allergens. Allergic reactions can result from unusual sensitivities to medicines, foods, pollens or other substances.

Anesthesiologists put people to sleep during surgery and manages a patients medical condition while a surgeon performs surgery. They also are experts at pain control providing relief for both short term (acute) and long term (chronic) types of pain.

Cardiologists take care of diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels and manage complex cardiac conditions such angina, coronary artery disease, hardening of the arteries, heart attacks and life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms. They often perform complicated diagnostic procedures such as cardiac catheterization and discuss with heart surgeons potential indications for surgery.

Cardiac Electrophysiologists perform complicated technical procedures to evaluate the electrical nature of abnormal heart rhythms and determine appropriate treatment for them.

Pediatric cardiologists treat children from before birth to young adulthood providing comprehensive care to patients with problems of the heart and large blood vessels attached to the heart or lung. Most of these problems are congenital (the person was born with them). The pediatric cardiologist can use a variety of ways to assess the function of the heart and determine the best treatment.

Cardiothoracic surgeons oversee the provide surgical care for diseases of the chest, They oversee the surgical care of coronary-artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus (swallowing tube) and chest wall, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, and other tumors/disorders of the chest and he diaphragm.

Dermatologists diagnose and treat patients with rashes, tumors or abnormal conditions of the skin hair and nails. Dermatologists also manage cosmetic (unsightly but not unhealthy) disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars.

Endocrinologists concentrate on disorders of certain glands inside the body such as thyroid, adrenal glands, pituitary and pancreas. Endocrinology also deals with disorders such as diabetes, nutritional disorders, some types of menstrual problems and sexual function problems.

Emergency-medicine physicians recognize, stabilize, evaluate and treat patients with acute illness or injury. They generally work in the emergency room associated with a hospital.

Family Practice physicians are trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages. They place special emphasis on care of families on a continuing basis, utilizing the talents of other physicians and community resources when appropriate.

Gastroenterologists specialize in the medical evaluation and treatment of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gall bladder. Gastroenterologists treat conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer and jaundice, and perform complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using lighted scopes to see internal organs. They consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Infectious Diseases Specialist manages difficult or persistent infections.

General Internists provide long-term comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults and the elderly. General internists trained in disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. All internists are trained in the subspecialty areas of internal medicine including emergency internal medicine and critical care (care in the Intensive Care Unit)

Neonatologists are the principal care providers for sick newborns requiring care in a newborn intensive care unit. Neonatologists are involved in direct patient care and consult with physicians who deliver babies to plan the care of mothers who have high-risk pregnancies.

Nephrologists are kidney doctors and deal with disorders of kidney, high blood pressure, fluid and mineral balance, dialysis of body wastes when the kidneys do not function, and consultation with surgeons about kidney transplantation. They are the primary providers of care for those patients requiring kidney dialysis.

Neurologists diagnose treat diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nerves and also the blood vessels that relate to these structures. Typical patients include those with strokes, multiple sclerosis, seizures, ParkinsonÕs Disease, and memory problems. Neurologists often perform and interpret certain tests that relate to the central or peripheral nervous system or muscles.

Neurological Surgeons provide evaluation and surgery for disorders and injuries of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

Obstetrician/Gynecologists provide medical and surgical care conditions of a womenÕs reproductive system. Their services include delivering babies, routine womenÕs health, treatment of cervical/uterine cancers the evaluation/treatment of unusual vaginal bleeding.

Occupational Medicine treat and prevent injuries and illness that occur due to the work place.

Oncologists/Hematologists (cancer specialists) have expertise in both blood diseases and cancer. The oncologist/hematologist treats diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs (i.e., spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and thymus) as well as cancer diseases arising in any organ system.

Ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye and vision care. They diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all eyelid and orbital problems affecting the eye and visual pathways, and diagnose, monitor and treat all eye and visual disorders. They often prescribe vision services (glasses and contact lenses) and perform surgery to restore vision.

Orthopedic surgeons evaluate and treat conditions of the bones, joints and soft tissue. They take care of broken bones, can use a scope to look inside many joints of the body and can perform joint replacement.

Hand Surgeons investigate and do surgery on all structures of the upper extremity directly affecting function of the hand and wrist.

Otolaryngolists (Ear, Nose & Throat) provide comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases that affect the ears, sinuses, mouth, nose, and neck.

Pathology focuses on services in a laboratory and is responsible the quality of lab services the interpretation of biopsies.

Pediatricians treat the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Pediatricians provide preventive health care, and diagnose and treat acute (short term) and chronic (long term) diseases.

Perinatologists cares for or provides consultation on patients with complications of pregnancy.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, also referred to as Physiatrists diagnose, evaluate and treat patients with impairments and/or disabilities which involve musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular or other body systems.

Plastic surgeons repair and reconstruct defects of form and function the skin and underlying structures. Plastic surgery includes cosmetic surgery of structures and undesirable form.

Psychiatrists prevent, diagnose and treat mental, addictive and emotional disorders, such as psychoses, depression, anxiety disorders, substance-abuse disorders, developmental disabilities, sexual dysfunctions, adjustment reactions, etc.

Pulmonary Disease physicians specialize in diseases of the lungs and airways. Pulmonoligists diagnose and treat pneumonia, cancer, pleurisy, asthma, occupational diseases, bronchitis, sleep disorders, emphysema and other complex disorders of the lungs.

A Radiologist interprets x ray images and may perform procedures using x rays.

Radiation Oncology is a branch of radiology which deals with radiation therpay to kill tumors.

Rheumatologists are concerned with diseases of joints, muscle, bones and tendons. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat arthritis.

Sport Medicine specializes in conditions that arise due to athletic activities.

General Surgeons manage a broad spectrum of surgical conditions affecting almost any area of the body. Surgeons establish the diagnosis and provide the preoperative, operative and postoperative care to surgical patients and are usually responsible for the comprehensive management of the trauma victim and the critically ill.

Vascular Surgeons have special qualifications in the management of surgical disorders of the blood vessels excluding those immediately next to the heart, lungs or brain.

Urologists manage problems relate to the urinary system and male reproductive system and prostate.