The medical world is as vast and multifaceted as the human body’s intricacies. Each of these areas of medicine has doctor specialties that meet the needs of a specific area of treatment. The following is a list of the most common specialists:
12 Common Medical Specialties
Allergy/Immunology
A medical specialty that deals with the immune system.
Specialist: Allergist/immunologist
Health Problems they deal with: immune system disorders, asthma, food allergies, eczema
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: allergy skin tests, allergy blood tests, food allergy tests
Anesthesiology
A division of medicine that deals with sedation during surgery or the treatment of chronic pain.
Specialist: Anesthesiologist, pain management specialist
Health Problems they deal with: surgery, chronic pain, hospice and palliative care.
Cardiology
Specialty of medicine that deals with the heart and cardiovascular system.
Specialist: Cardiologist
Health Problems they deal with: irregular heartbeat, heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: cardiac catheterization, electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, stress test
Dermatology
Face, mucous membranes, hair, and nails are treated in this division of medicine.
Specialist: Dermatologist
Health Problems they deal with: Vasculitis, autoimmune diseases, chronic hives, genetic skin disorders, moles, dermatitis, skin cancers, skin infections, varicose veins
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: allergy skin tests, skin biopsies, mole removal, tattoo removal, laser surgery, scar revision
Endocrinology
A field of medicine that deals with hormone secretions and the endocrine system.
Specialist: Endocrinologist
Health Problems they deal with: diabetes, pituitary and adrenal disorders, thyroid disease
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: 24-hour urine collection test, thyroid function tests, blood sugar levels, ACTH stimulation test, bone density test
Gastroenterology
A branch of medicine that deals with the digestive system.
Specialist: Gastroenterologist
Health Problems they deal with: diseases of the pancreas, acid reflux; ulcers; hepatitis C, irritable/inflammatory bowel disease; hemorrhoids; colon cancer, liver and gallbladder
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: endoscopic ultrasound, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, liver biopsy
Gynecology
A subspecialty of medicine that deals with women’s reproductive systems and genital tracts.
Specialist: Gynecologist
Health Problems they deal with: overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, urinary/fecal incontinence, cervical/ovarian/uterine cancer, chronic pelvic pain
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: diagnostic laparoscopy, urine test, breast exam, Pap smear, colposcopy, genetic testing, pelvic exam
Neurology
A specialty of medicine that deals with the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves)
Specialist: Neurologist
Health Problems they deal with: injuries to the brain and spinal cord, neurological diseases, stroke, disc and nerve pain, seizure disorders
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: brain scan, neurological exam, genetic testing, CT scan, lumbar puncture (spinal tap), MRI, electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG)
Nephrology
A field of medicine that deals with the kidneys.
Specialist: Nephrologist
Health Problems they deal with: kidney stones, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, renal disease, kidney failure
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: kidney ultrasound, kidney biopsy, blood pressure check, urine protein test, GFR (glomerular filtration rate) blood test
Psychiatry
Cognitive and emotional conditions are the focus of this field of medicine.
Specialist: psychiatrist
Health Problems they deal with: eating disorders, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, addictive behaviors, suicidal thinking, bipolar and related disorders
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: psychological clinical assessment, neurological testing, blood tests
Rheumatology
A field of medicine that deals with rheumatic diseases.
Specialist: Rheumatologist
Health Problems they deal with: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, chronic back pain, lupus, autoimmune disorders, tendinitis
Diagnostic Tests That Can Be Used: CT scan, ultrasound, laboratory tests to assess inflammation and/or extra antibody production within the blood, x-ray, MRI
