What Kind of Doctor?
Know who to call
Medicine is highly specialized. You likely have a primary care physician who tracks your vital statistics and gives you general health advice, but for most serious issues you'll have to go to a specialist who focuses on individual systems in the body. This list should help you learn what types of specialists are commonly called on, so in the future you know who to look for.
An allergist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and allergies.
An anesthesiologist is trained in the use of anesthetic drugs and techniques, which prevent people from feeling pain, such as during an operation.
A cardiologist specializes in the treatment of heart disease.
A dermatologist is a skin specialist who specializes in all aspects of skin care and problems of the skin and hair, including skin cancer.
A gastroenterologist specializes in problems of the stomach, intestines, and related organs.
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An internist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of all forms of adult disease.
A neurologist has training in disorders affecting the nervous system.
An obstetrician specializes in obstetrics, the branch of medicine that deals with human birth.
An ophthalmologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment, including surgery, of eye problems.
An orthopedist is trained to treat the entire skeletal system.
An otologist specializes in the treatment of the ear.
A parasitologist specializes in the study and treatment of parasite-related diseases.
A pediatrician specializes in the health of children and the prevention and treatment of childhood diseases.
A podiatrist specializes in the treatment of foot problems.
A psychiatrist specializes in the treatment of emotional problems.
A radiologist specializes in making and explaining x-rays and other pictures that show areas inside the body.
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