Lake County Medical Society

DEFINITION OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES

ALLERGY: An allergist diagnoses and treats a variety of illnesses including hay fever and asthma and allergic reactions caused by food, pollens, dust, medications and insect bites.

ANESTHESIOLOGY: An anesthesiologist is responsible for the administration of local and general anesthesia and for monitoring surgical patients safely through the period of unconsciousness to consciousness.

CARDIOLOGY: A cardiologist is an internist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and medical treatment of diseases of the heart.

COLON & RECTAL SURGERY: A proctologist specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the large bowel and rectum. A colon & rectal surgeon specializes in diagnosis and surgical treatment of the intestinal system.

DERMATOLOGY: A dermatologist diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the skin.

EMERGENCY MEDICINE: An emergency physician initiates life-saving treatment for a variety of medical emergencies and also directs pre-hospital management of patients and their referral to appropriate specialists.

ENDOCRINOLOGY: An endocrinologist diagnoses and treats problems arising from the malfunctioning of hormone-secreting glands such as the pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands.

FAMILY PRACTICE/GENERAL PRACTICE: A general/family physician provides comprehensive health care for all ages, including obstetrical care and minor surgical procedures.

GASTROENTEROLOGY: A gastroenterologist is an internist who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the digestive tract, the liver and the pancreas.

GENERAL SURGERY: A general surgeon does not limit treatment to a particular area of the body, but performs a wide variety of surgical procedures.

GERIATRICS: A geriatrician diagnoses and treats diseases, the physical process and the problems of aging.

HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY: A hematologist/oncologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and all cancers of the body.

INTERNAL MEDICINE: An internist diagnoses and treats a wide variety of diseases affecting adults, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Internists provide medical rather than surgical treatment.

NEUROLOGY: A neurologist treats disorders and diseases of the nervous system, (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) medically rather than surgically.

NEUROSURGERY: A neurosurgeon specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) and the surrounding bony structures.

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY: An obstetrician/gynecologist provides health care throughout and after a woman's pregnancy, plus medical and surgical treatment for disorders and diseases of the female reproductive and urinary system.

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE: A physician who specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of industrial-related problems.

OPHTHALMOLOGY: A ophthalmologist treats diseases and disorders of the eye with both medical and surgical treatment. An ophthalmologist may also evaluate vision and prescribe corrective lenses.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY: An orthopedist treats patients both surgically and medically for injuries to or diseases of the bones, joints, spine and musculature.

OTOLARYNGOLOGIST (ENT): A physician in this field specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of injuries and diseases of the ear nose and throat. This physician also performs head and neck surgery and cares for patients with problems attributable to allergies.

PATHOLOGY: A pathologist provides diagnostic consultation through the evaluation of tissue, bone marrow and fluids of the body. The pathologist also is responsible for the quality of laboratory tests reported to your physician.

PEDIATRICS: A pediatrician specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of children from birth trough the teen years.

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION: This physician treats neuromuscular, skeletal disorders to return to near normal function.

PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: A plastic surgeon specializes in burns, congenital defects, and extremity reconstruction as well as skin wounds and lesions aesthetic surgery of the face and body contouring.

PSYCHIATRY: A psychiatrist diagnoses and treats mental disorders and illnesses.

PULMONARY MEDICINE: A pulmonologist is an internist who treats patients with lung diseases and conditions such as bronchitis, asthma pneumonia, emphysema and cancer. This physician also treats patients on ventilators for respiratory failures.

RADIOLOGY: A radiologist specializes in using x-rays, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and computerized axial tomography (CAT scans) for the detection of abnormalities or malfunction of internal organs and bone structures.

RHEUMATOLOGY: A rheumatologist is an internist who diagnoses and treats disease and conditions involving the joints, particularly arthritis.

THORACIC & CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY: A thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon performs surgery on the heart, lung, esophagus and blood vessels.

UROLOGY: A urologist specializes in treating diseases and disorders of the urinary tact in men, women and children. The urologist also treats disorders affecting the ale reproductive system.