If you need basic healthcare services, your primary care provider (PCP) should be your go-to person. They offer regular checkups, vaccinations and care when you’re feeling unwell.
But for more complex health issues and concerns, it may be necessary to visit a specialist. Specialists are healthcare providers with additional training in specific fields of medicine.
Here’s a brief introduction to some common specialties and their treatments:
Allergist/Immunologists: for allergies and other immune conditions, as well as cardiovascular and heart conditions; Cardiologists for heart disease and related cardiac issues, and Dermatologists.
Skin issues range from rashes and hives to psoriasis and skin cancer, among other health conditions.
Endocrinologists:
Professionals specializing in diseases related to the endocrine system. Hormones play an essential role in controlling growth, metabolism and reproduction – conditions related to this include diabetes, thyroid conditions, infertility, metabolic issues such as osteoporosis or certain cancers could all fall under its purview.
Gastroenterologists:
These medical specialists specialize in the gastrointestinal system or digestive tract and treat conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), reflux, pancreatitis and Hepatitis C. Neurologists: Whilst gastroenterologists typically focus on this part of the digestive process, neurologists focus on other parts of it like neurologists do – for instance their diagnosis and treatment can vary dramatically between doctors.
Obstetricians/Gynecologists: Issues related to the nervous system affecting both brain, spinal cord and nerves require treatment by specialists in that field.
Women’s healthcare. Obstetrics is the branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and childbirth; while Gynecology covers reproductive care including premenopause/postmenopause. Oncologist is another specialty area.
Oncologists specialize in various areas, including surgery, medicine and radiation.
Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist provides care and vision treatment. Ophthalmologists should not be confused with optometrists who provide eye exams and prescribe contact lenses or glasses but are not medical doctors, or opticians who fit contact lenses or glasses after an ophthalmologist or optometrist writes you a prescription; or opticians.
Urologist: [O] Urologists specialize in urinary issues. They may perform exams on your bladder as well.]
Your urinary system consists of your bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra.