|
Health
Articles
Which Medical Specialist For You Page Two |
|
A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Pediatric care encompasses a broad spectrum of health services ranging from preventive health care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. A pediatrician deals with biological, social, and environmental influences on the developing child and with the impact of disease and dysfunction on development. A plastic surgeon deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement
of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal
system craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast,
and trunk. They also possess special knowledge and skill in the
design and surgery of grafts, flaps, free tissue transfer, and
replantation. Competence in the management of complex wounds and
the use of implantable materials and in tumor surgery is required. A podiatrist, DPM, doctor of podiatric medicine, is the only health care professional whose total training focuses on the foot, ankle, and related body systems. As a specialist in foot care, the podiatrist receives extensive training in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foot and ankle disorders by medical and surgical means. A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, addictive and emotional disorders, e.g. psychoses, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, developmental disabilities, sexual dysfunctions, adjustment reactions, etc. They are able to understand the biological, psychological, and social components of illness and are uniquely qualified to treat the whole person. They order diagnostic laboratory tests and prescribe medications, as well as evaluate and treat psychological and interpersonal problems. The psychiatrist is also prepared to intervene with ndividuals and families who are coping with stress, crises, and other problems in living. A physician trained in the diagnostic and/or therapeutic use of x-rays, radiation physics, and biology; a diagnostic radiologist may also be trained in diagnostic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging and applicable physics. They aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The rheumatologist is an internal medicine doctor who treats diseases of joints, muscle, bones, and tendons. They diagnosis and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, common athletic injuries, and "collagen" diseases such as lupus. The rheumatologist may work closely with other specialists such as physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are the professionals qualified to identify and treat problems that limit the ability to communicate which includes some degree of hearing loss, and a speech or language problem. With proper identification and treatment, the impact of these problems can be eliminated or minimized. A general surgeon manages a broad spectrum of surgical conditions affecting almost any area of the body. The surgeon establishes the diagnosis and provides the preoperative, operative, and postoperative care to surgical patients and is usually responsible for the comprehensive management of the trauma victim and the critically ill surgical patient. The surgeon uses a variety of diagnostic techniques, including endoscopy, for observing internal structures and may use specialized instruments during operative procedures. Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery Thoracic Surgery encompasses the operative, peri-operative care, and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the urgical care of coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diseases of the diaphragm. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty. A urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the adrenal gland and of the genitourinary system. They have comprehensive knowledge of, and skills in, edoscopic, percutaneous, and open surgery of congenital and acquired conditions of the reproductive and urinary systems and their contiguous structures. This subspecialty involves both the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreoretinal disease. The types of diseases treated include manifestations of local, systemic and genetic diseases as they affect the retina and vitreous. Diagnosis involves the use and interpretation of ultrasound, fluorescein angiography and electrophysiology. Treatment methods include laser therapy, cryotherapy, retinal detachment surgery and vitrectomy (removal of the vitreous). Click here to find a specialist in your area!
|
