Neurologist Specialties
Medical Specialties
Several specialties exist within the field of medicine. I have chosen 8 specialties to describe. These specialties are: neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, urology, dermatology, and gynecology.
Neurologists work with the nervous system. A neurologist studies any disorder that has to do with the nervous system. Neurologists treat patients for a variety of symptoms; patients can be seen for something as minor as lower back pain to something serious like a tumor. Neurologists see patients for migraines and headaches, but they also see patients for serious disorders like seizure disorders or Huntington’s disease.
Neurologists use many different types of scans in order to find the cause to patients’ problems. Neurologists use computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help diagnose problems in patients. Neurologists use a neurological examination to evaluate their patient. “There are many aspects of this examination, including an assessment of motor and sensory skills, balance and coordination, mental status (the patient 's level of awareness and interaction with the environment), reflexes, and functioning of the nerves.” (OSU.) …show more content…
The information from this exam is then used to determine the neurologist’s next move.
Cardiology uses many of the same scans as neurology; however, a cardiologist’s job is to maintain the heart. Cardiologists find, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the heart. Cardiologists treat a number of different disorders of the heart. Disorders like aortic or mitral stenosis, or hypertension, or hypotension are reasons for a patient to seek out a cardiologist.
Cardiologists use scans to determine what is wrong, and to monitor progress with patients. These scans are not the only tools though; cardiologists have many drugs that will help a patient through recovery. Cardiologists use many tools like radio frequent ablation and angioplasty to fix heart problems before they become fatal.
Orthopedics is less life threatening than cardiology generally. Orthopedics deals with the musculoskeletal system and the tissues that surround it. Orthopedics addresses many different types of injuries and defects to the musculoskeletal system. The injury could be minor and only need a pain medication to help aid the healing process like a bruised heel, or the injury could be worse. Orthopedic surgeons are trained to be a surgical and medical specialist. At their discretion, they help the patient get better.
Orthopedic surgeons help patients through many problems like arthritis or osteoporosis. Any part of the body that has to do with the musculoskeletal system is covered by orthopedics. One of the surgeries that an orthopedic surgeon would perform would be an arthroscopic repair of the TMJ joint. This problem causes the patient a lot of pain while doing everyday things like talking and eating. Orthopedic surgeons treat minor and major injuries that keep people from living the life they want to live.
Ophthalmology treats problems of the eye. Optometry also treats problems with the eye, but ophthalmology is a little different. Ophthalmologists are trained to be both surgical and medical specialists; optometrists are not trained for the surgical aspect. Ophthalmologists treat a wide range of diseases and disorders of the eye. Some eye problems, like astigmatism, can be helped with something simple like wearing glasses, but some eye problems are more serious.
Ophthalmologists treat serious conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Both glaucoma and macular degeneration result in blindness, and can be helped and monitored by seeing an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists help prevent and maintain serious conditions of the eye.
Serious health problems can occur anywhere in the body. Urology is no exception. Urologists study and treat disorders and diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Urologists study the organs throughout the urinary tract, and help patients solve medical problems related to it.
Urologists face a number of different diseases that occur within the urinary tract. One common infection urology faces is urethritis. Urethritis causes the patient discomfort and can be resolved with antibiotics as long as the infection is caught early. Urologists also treat serious diseases like prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
Dermatology does not just treat the skin; they treat problems with the scalp, hair, and nails also. Dermatology sees a lot of minor issues with the skin, and some major ones as well. Some of the minor conditions that dermatologists treat are things like eczema and rosacea, hives or moles. Many conditions can be helped with a cream or ointment, some with oral medication. Dermatologists treat acne and problems like balding or minor hair loss.
Dermatologists also treat some more serious diseases because they have skin-related problems. For instance, someone with lupus erythematosus would see a dermatologist to treat a related rash or sore. Dermatologists are surgical and medical specialists. They perform biopsies to help diagnose diseases and check for cancer. They would perform a biopsy on a lesion to determine if that patient had lupus or some other disease.
Gynecology is usually combined with obstetrics. Gynecologists study the female reproductive system. Obstetrics is the field of medicine that deals with childbirth and everything that it involves. Usually when a doctor specializes in one of the two, they also specialize in the other. Since the fields are often combined, they will be described together.
Gynecologists treat problems like urinary tract infections, menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, and ovarian cysts. They also treat problems like endometriosis. Gynecologists treat any problem that happens in the reproductive system. Gynecologists and obstetricians are trained to be surgical and medical specialists. With obstetrics, the doctor must know how to surgically remove the baby if a natural birth cannot happen. Gynecologists use many tools to help them like sonogram machines and ultrasound machines.
Each medical field is slightly different, but they are all based on basic medical knowledge of the human body. Each field has minor and major problems to treat, and many tools available to help them do that.
GASTROENTEROLOGY Gastroenterologists study the digestive system; it is “concerned with the structure, functions, diseases, and pathology of the stomach and intestines.” (M-W dictionary.) There are many different problems that can occur throughout the digestive system, and it is the job of the gastroenterologist to determine the cause and help the patient recover. Gastroenterologists have many tools available to them in order to do diagnostic procedures, and many medicines available to treat patients. Just like any other doctor, gastroenterologists attend Medical School. After Medical School a gastroenterologist must go through further training. The first part of additional training is a medical residency lasting 5 years for general surgery. After the general surgery residency, 3 years of an internal medicine residency is required. In some schools, there is a combined program where both residencies could be completed in a shorter amount of time. After these two residencies are completed, a 3-year fellowship is next. This fellowship is in gastroenterology and must be completed in order to take the exam. This exam then will determine whether or not the doctor is licensed as a gastroenterologist. (ABIM.) Gastroenterologists work with fellows, each other, and other doctors in order to find answers in the medical field. Other allied health care professionals often will interact with gastroenterologists. If the gastroenterologist does not know enough about a specific problem, they may consult with a doctor that specializes more in that area specifically, like if the patient has something wrong with their throat, and the gastroenterologist cannot figure out how to help, they might consult an otorhinolaryngologist. If the patient develops cancer, the gastroenterologist may consult an oncologist. There are many different types of doctors that can work together to help patients. There are many different types of diseases and disorders that appear along the digestive system. A gastroenterologist might run across simple diseases like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a peptic ulcer. Some of the diseases are more serious like Crohn’s disease or gastroparesis. Gastroenterologists also see things like diverticulosis, cirrhosis, and hernias. Some of these things can be prevented, and some are symptoms of larger problems, but the gastroenterologist is trained to treat and diagnose these problems. In order to treat these problems, a gastroenterologist needs a few tools.
Diagnostic tools such as endoscopy are used to give the doctor a visual clue as to what is wrong with the digestive system. Some scans are necessary to check internal organs, and these studies can be done with radioactive material to highlight one organ’s processing. Along with diagnostic tools, the gastroenterologist has medicine to treat the problem. H2 blockers treat diseases like GERD by reducing stomach acid in the stomach. These pills work by preventing acid from being released into the stomach in the first place. Some other medicines work to help different problems. Metoclopramide is give to stimulate gastric emptying usually after surgery or in cases of
gastroparesis. I assume that the reports on this field will be generally like other surgical fields. I will most likely see reports like consultations, letters, chart notes, history and physical examinations, preoperative and postoperative reports, and x-rays. Specific to this field I will probably see ultrasounds, barium studies, and endoscopies. Works Cited
"Become Certified by ABIM." Internal Medicine & Subspecialty Policies. American Board of Internal Medicine. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .
"Cardiology Disorders." Cardiology Disorders. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. .
"Gastroenterology." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .
"Neurological Examination." Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. .
"Urethritis." Urethritis. Medscape. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. .
Several specialties exist within the field of medicine. I have chosen 8 specialties to describe. These specialties are: neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, urology, dermatology, and gynecology.
Neurologists work with the nervous system. A neurologist studies any disorder that has to do with the nervous system. Neurologists treat patients for a variety of symptoms; patients can be seen for something as minor as lower back pain to something serious like a tumor. Neurologists see patients for migraines and headaches, but they also see patients for serious disorders like seizure disorders or Huntington’s disease.
Neurologists use many different types of scans in order to find the cause to patients’ problems. Neurologists use computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help diagnose problems in patients. Neurologists use a neurological examination to evaluate their patient. “There are many aspects of this examination, including an assessment of motor and sensory skills, balance and coordination, mental status (the patient 's level of awareness and interaction with the environment), reflexes, and functioning of the nerves.” (OSU.) …show more content…
The information from this exam is then used to determine the neurologist’s next move.
Cardiology uses many of the same scans as neurology; however, a cardiologist’s job is to maintain the heart. Cardiologists find, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the heart. Cardiologists treat a number of different disorders of the heart. Disorders like aortic or mitral stenosis, or hypertension, or hypotension are reasons for a patient to seek out a cardiologist.
Cardiologists use scans to determine what is wrong, and to monitor progress with patients. These scans are not the only tools though; cardiologists have many drugs that will help a patient through recovery. Cardiologists use many tools like radio frequent ablation and angioplasty to fix heart problems before they become fatal.
Orthopedics is less life threatening than cardiology generally. Orthopedics deals with the musculoskeletal system and the tissues that surround it. Orthopedics addresses many different types of injuries and defects to the musculoskeletal system. The injury could be minor and only need a pain medication to help aid the healing process like a bruised heel, or the injury could be worse. Orthopedic surgeons are trained to be a surgical and medical specialist. At their discretion, they help the patient get better.
Orthopedic surgeons help patients through many problems like arthritis or osteoporosis. Any part of the body that has to do with the musculoskeletal system is covered by orthopedics. One of the surgeries that an orthopedic surgeon would perform would be an arthroscopic repair of the TMJ joint. This problem causes the patient a lot of pain while doing everyday things like talking and eating. Orthopedic surgeons treat minor and major injuries that keep people from living the life they want to live.
Ophthalmology treats problems of the eye. Optometry also treats problems with the eye, but ophthalmology is a little different. Ophthalmologists are trained to be both surgical and medical specialists; optometrists are not trained for the surgical aspect. Ophthalmologists treat a wide range of diseases and disorders of the eye. Some eye problems, like astigmatism, can be helped with something simple like wearing glasses, but some eye problems are more serious.
Ophthalmologists treat serious conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Both glaucoma and macular degeneration result in blindness, and can be helped and monitored by seeing an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists help prevent and maintain serious conditions of the eye.
Serious health problems can occur anywhere in the body. Urology is no exception. Urologists study and treat disorders and diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Urologists study the organs throughout the urinary tract, and help patients solve medical problems related to it.
Urologists face a number of different diseases that occur within the urinary tract. One common infection urology faces is urethritis. Urethritis causes the patient discomfort and can be resolved with antibiotics as long as the infection is caught early. Urologists also treat serious diseases like prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
Dermatology does not just treat the skin; they treat problems with the scalp, hair, and nails also. Dermatology sees a lot of minor issues with the skin, and some major ones as well. Some of the minor conditions that dermatologists treat are things like eczema and rosacea, hives or moles. Many conditions can be helped with a cream or ointment, some with oral medication. Dermatologists treat acne and problems like balding or minor hair loss.
Dermatologists also treat some more serious diseases because they have skin-related problems. For instance, someone with lupus erythematosus would see a dermatologist to treat a related rash or sore. Dermatologists are surgical and medical specialists. They perform biopsies to help diagnose diseases and check for cancer. They would perform a biopsy on a lesion to determine if that patient had lupus or some other disease.
Gynecology is usually combined with obstetrics. Gynecologists study the female reproductive system. Obstetrics is the field of medicine that deals with childbirth and everything that it involves. Usually when a doctor specializes in one of the two, they also specialize in the other. Since the fields are often combined, they will be described together.
Gynecologists treat problems like urinary tract infections, menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, and ovarian cysts. They also treat problems like endometriosis. Gynecologists treat any problem that happens in the reproductive system. Gynecologists and obstetricians are trained to be surgical and medical specialists. With obstetrics, the doctor must know how to surgically remove the baby if a natural birth cannot happen. Gynecologists use many tools to help them like sonogram machines and ultrasound machines.
Each medical field is slightly different, but they are all based on basic medical knowledge of the human body. Each field has minor and major problems to treat, and many tools available to help them do that.
GASTROENTEROLOGY Gastroenterologists study the digestive system; it is “concerned with the structure, functions, diseases, and pathology of the stomach and intestines.” (M-W dictionary.) There are many different problems that can occur throughout the digestive system, and it is the job of the gastroenterologist to determine the cause and help the patient recover. Gastroenterologists have many tools available to them in order to do diagnostic procedures, and many medicines available to treat patients. Just like any other doctor, gastroenterologists attend Medical School. After Medical School a gastroenterologist must go through further training. The first part of additional training is a medical residency lasting 5 years for general surgery. After the general surgery residency, 3 years of an internal medicine residency is required. In some schools, there is a combined program where both residencies could be completed in a shorter amount of time. After these two residencies are completed, a 3-year fellowship is next. This fellowship is in gastroenterology and must be completed in order to take the exam. This exam then will determine whether or not the doctor is licensed as a gastroenterologist. (ABIM.) Gastroenterologists work with fellows, each other, and other doctors in order to find answers in the medical field. Other allied health care professionals often will interact with gastroenterologists. If the gastroenterologist does not know enough about a specific problem, they may consult with a doctor that specializes more in that area specifically, like if the patient has something wrong with their throat, and the gastroenterologist cannot figure out how to help, they might consult an otorhinolaryngologist. If the patient develops cancer, the gastroenterologist may consult an oncologist. There are many different types of doctors that can work together to help patients. There are many different types of diseases and disorders that appear along the digestive system. A gastroenterologist might run across simple diseases like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a peptic ulcer. Some of the diseases are more serious like Crohn’s disease or gastroparesis. Gastroenterologists also see things like diverticulosis, cirrhosis, and hernias. Some of these things can be prevented, and some are symptoms of larger problems, but the gastroenterologist is trained to treat and diagnose these problems. In order to treat these problems, a gastroenterologist needs a few tools.
Diagnostic tools such as endoscopy are used to give the doctor a visual clue as to what is wrong with the digestive system. Some scans are necessary to check internal organs, and these studies can be done with radioactive material to highlight one organ’s processing. Along with diagnostic tools, the gastroenterologist has medicine to treat the problem. H2 blockers treat diseases like GERD by reducing stomach acid in the stomach. These pills work by preventing acid from being released into the stomach in the first place. Some other medicines work to help different problems. Metoclopramide is give to stimulate gastric emptying usually after surgery or in cases of
gastroparesis. I assume that the reports on this field will be generally like other surgical fields. I will most likely see reports like consultations, letters, chart notes, history and physical examinations, preoperative and postoperative reports, and x-rays. Specific to this field I will probably see ultrasounds, barium studies, and endoscopies. Works Cited
"Become Certified by ABIM." Internal Medicine & Subspecialty Policies. American Board of Internal Medicine. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .
"Cardiology Disorders." Cardiology Disorders. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. .
"Gastroenterology." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .
"Neurological Examination." Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. .
"Urethritis." Urethritis. Medscape. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. .