List of Specialists and What They Treat

When you’re navigating healthcare, it can feel like you’re suddenly hearing dozens of new titles and not knowing who does what. This guide offers a simple overview of common medical specialties and the conditions they typically treat, so caregivers can better understand referrals, ask informed questions, and feel more confident about who may be involved in their loved one’s care.

Allergy & Immunology
Immune system disorders, allergies, asthma, and immune deficiencies.

Anesthesiology
Pain management and sedation during procedures and surgeries.

Cardiology
Heart and blood vessels.

Dermatology
Skin, hair, and nails.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
Helps with developmental delays, ADHD, autism, learning differences, and behavior concerns in children.

Emergency Medicine
Acute care for urgent or life-threatening conditions.

Endocrinology
Treats hormone-related conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and growth issues.

Family Medicine (Primary Care / General Practitioner)
Comprehensive care for all ages; often the first point of contact.

Gastroenterology
Digestive system (stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas).

General Surgery
Broad surgical procedures involving many parts of the body.

Hematology
Focuses on blood disorders like anemia, clotting problems, and other blood conditions.

Infectious Disease
Specializes in diagnosing and treating complex, recurring, or unusual infections.

Internal Medicine
Focuses on adult diseases; often includes subspecialties like cardiology, gastroenterology, or endocrinology.

Nephrology
Treats kidney conditions, fluid balance, and electrolyte problems.

Neurology
Nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves).

Neurosurgery
Surgical treatment of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Female reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Oncology
Provides care for cancer and related conditions.

Ophthalmology
Eyes and vision (medical and surgical eye care).

Orthopedic Surgery
Bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles.

Otolaryngology (ENT)
Ear, nose, and throat.

Pathology
Studies disease through laboratory analysis (blood, tissues, biopsies).

Pediatrics
Care for infants, children, and adolescents.
When you see “pediatric” in front of a specialty (like pediatric cardiology), it means that specialist treats children.

Palliative Care
Focuses on comfort, symptom relief, and quality of life during serious illness, alongside other treatments.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
Helps improve movement, strength, and function after injury, illness, or disability.

Plastic Surgery
Reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.

Psychiatry
Mental health care with a focus on diagnosis and prescription medication. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and are usually not talk-therapy providers.

Pulmonology
Treats lung and breathing conditions like asthma, chronic cough, and sleep-related breathing disorders.

Radiology
Uses imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans, ultrasound) to diagnose and monitor conditions.

Rheumatology
Treats autoimmune and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and lupus.

Urology
Urinary tract and male reproductive system.