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Specialty Definitions 

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Medical specialties: Definitions:
Allergists/Immunologists:

Treat asthma, seasonal allergies, sinusitis, eczema, hives, food allergies and immune system problems.
Anesthesiologists: Provide pre-surgery medical evaluation; pain control before, during and after surgery through various methods; anesthesia or sedation for procedures such as MRIs or CT scans.
Cardiologists:

Treat patients with congenital and acquired heart disease.
Colon and Rectal Surgeons:

Treat various conditions of the intestine, colon and rectum including hemorrhoids, fissures and colon polyps.
Dermatologists:

Treat a variety of problems affecting skin (as well as hair/nails) including acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer and moles.
Endocrinologists: Treat a variety of endocrine system or hormone-related disorders including diabetes, growth disorders, abnormal thyroid function and puberty disorders.
Gastroenterologists:

Treat gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders such as lactose intolerance / food allergies, abdominal pain, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disorders and feeding disorders.
Geriatricians:

Treat the elderly. A family physician or internist with knowledge of the aging process and additional skills in the diagnosis and prevention of illness in the elderly.
Neonatologists: Pediatricians who treat sick newborns.
Nephrologists: Treat kidney conditions such as urinary tract infections, renal insufficiency, hypertension, diabetes-related kidney problems, congenital kidney abnormalities and kidney stones.
Neurologists: Treat people who have epilepsy (seizures), severe headaches, trouble moving their arms or legs and other problems that can affect the nervous system.
Neurosurgeons: Treat patients with disorders of the nervous system, brain and spinal cord.
Ophthalmologists:

Treat eye conditions or problems with eyesight such as near- and farsightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Orthopedic Surgeons: Treat musculoskeletal problems including broken bones, limb and spinal deformities, sports injuries and degenerative joint diseases.
Otolaryngologists: Treat conditions affecting the ears, nose or throat, such as ear infections, tonsillitis, nosebleeds, sinus infections and hearing problems.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatrists): Treat people with physical disabilities resulting from a variety of conditions, such as sports trauma, head injury, spinal cord injury or stroke.
Psychiatrists: Treat mental, addictive and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and substance-related disorders.
Pulmonologists: Treat a range of lung and airway disorders, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, cancer and sleep disorders.
Surgeons: Treat surgical conditions including hernias, appendicitis and gallstones.
Urologists:

Treat urinary and genital problems such as incontinence, urinary tract infections and prostate cancer.

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