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• Family Medicine

  Family medicine, also known as family practice, is the medical specialty in which physicians provide comprehensive, patient-centered primary health care to patients and their families. Physicians who practice family medicine can provide routine wellness care, such as physical exams or preventative care, to patients, regardless of age, gender, health or social status. They are also trained to know about many areas of medicine so that they are equipped to treat a wide variety of conditions. Family practices often staff a team of professionals that can help provide a continuity of care to patients, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and others. There is often a great need for family doctors in medically underserved communities where patients have limited access to hospitals and specialists, such as rural areas or overseas. Members of these communities may suffer from low health literacy and more chronic conditions. Additionally, they may have access to fewer resources, underscoring the importance of compassionate, well-trained family physicians. The Purpose of Family Medicine The goal of the family medicine specialty is to provide continual, comprehensive care to an individual. Family medicine advocates believe that seeing many different specialists can sometimes result in fragmented care. But physicians who practice family medicine are trained in providing coordination of care and will refer patients to specialists when necessary. Frequently, they can also provide information about other community resources or health services. Some family doctors are even prepared to deliver babies or perform minor surgeries. Some of the services that family doctors offer may include: Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic disease Immediate care for sudden and serious illness or injury Routine physical exams as well as sports clearance physical exams Vaccinations Preventative medicine Family physicians may also be trained in subspecialties, such as: Adolescent medicine Obstetric medicine Geriatric medicine Hospice and palliative medicine Sports medicine Sleep medicine Mental health The Benefits of Family Medicine Physicians who practice family medicine can treat patients regardless of age, gender, social status or health issue. Having a family doctor allows all members of the family, from infancy to an elderly age, to see the same doctor. This enables the doctor to develop a trusting and genuine personal relationship with the family, which can result in better care. A family doctor who cares for a family over a period of years may also be able to provide better guidance about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially if the doctor knows the family's medical history firsthand or has seen patterns of health problems. By adapting lifestyle changes and new health habits, patients may be able to avoid costly medications or procedures that can later affect them. Generally, specialists treat conditions that already afflict a patient. Family doctors are equipped to treat chronic disease, ongoing health needs or other conditions and can help a patient develop a personalized, cost-effective treatment plan. The physicians most commonly found in underserved areas are those who practice family medicine. Family medicine practitioners can help create a health care system with an emphasis on equitable care that is accessible to and affordable for all patients.

  Link: Family Medicine

• Geriatrics

  Arthritis Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis caused by the wearing down of the cartilage that protects the bones of a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition caused by an inflammation in the lining of the joints. Both forms of arthritis cause pain, tenderness, and swelling, and may result in loss of movement in the affected joints. Over time, joints affected by arthritis may become severely damaged. Arthritis occurs more frequently in older individuals, however it sometimes develops in athletes from overuse of a joint or after an injury. It can however, affect people of any age, including children. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle and at a high risk for fracture. In all individuals, bone breaks down over time, but is replaced with new bone tissue. As people age, bone loss occurs at a faster rate than new bone mass is created, resulting in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the result of increasing bone loss and is more common in older people, especially women. Stroke A stroke occurs when there is a reduction in the flow of blood to the brain. The lack of blood supply may be the result of a blockage in an artery or a burst blood vessel in the brain. A stroke deprives brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients, causing brain cells to die. A stroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention by a medical professional. Prompt treatment can minimize damage to the brain and prevent further complications. Bed Sores Bed sores (pressure sores) develop when blood to a particular area is cut off as a result of extended periods of time spent either sitting or lying down in one position. Bed sores injure the skin and the tissue beneath it, and worsen rapidly once they develop. Bony areas such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone are typically affected. People who are paralyzed or bedridden, use wheelchairs, or cannot adjust their positions on their own are susceptible to developing bed sores. Blood Thinners Blood thinners are medications used to prevent blood clots from forming in the circulatory system. If a blood clot forms in a vein or artery, it can travel to the heart, brain or lungs, causing, depending on the clot's location, a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. People who have irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation) or congenital heart defects, or who have had coronary stents inserted or undergone heart-valve surgery, have a greater likelihood of getting blood clots. Bone Health Healthy bones are a necessity for a full and active lifestyle. Although we depend on our bones everyday for physical support and consider them strong and rigid structures, bones are actually living tissue, growing and changing on a regular basis. Along with the calcium that gives them their strength, bones are also made up of a collagen protein that gives them flexibility but also makes them susceptible to weakening and injury. Cataracts Each year, cataracts affect millions of people, including more than half of all Americans aged 60 and older. A cataract is a painless clouding of the eye's natural lens that is caused by a buildup of protein. A cataract can form in one or both eyes. If left untreated, cataracts worsen over time and interfere with everyday activities such as reading or driving. Night vision is usually most affected. When cataracts are in their early stages, people are helped by brighter lighting. As cataracts get worse, however, most people require surgery. Dementia Dementia is not a single disorder, but rather a combination of age-related symptoms involving a loss of mental skills and deteriorating brain function. Dementia literally translates to "deprived of mind," and may be the result of several different underlying conditions, some of which are treatable and some of which are not. Patients with dementia gradually lose memory, communication skills, the ability to reason, and the facility to complete the tasks of everyday living. Diabetes Diabetes is the inability of the body to create or use insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that enables sugar or glucose, to enter the cells. Diabetes is a serious, chronic metabolic disorder in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to the insulin being produced. Heart Attack A heart attack occurs when the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that deliver blood to the heart, are suddenly blocked and cannot supply the heart with blood and oxygen. This blockage causes damage and gradual death of the heart muscle and often requires immediate treatment in order to save the person's life. Also known as a myocardial infarction, heart attacks most often occur as a result of coronary artery disease, a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries.

  Link: Geriatrics

• Pediatrics

  Pediatrics is the medical specialty that deals with the care of infants, children and adolescents. Medical doctors who treat children, called pediatricians, are trained to monitor their patients as they grow and ensure that they are reaching normal milestones during their stages of development. Pediatricians also oversee the general health of their patients, making sure that children receive proper nutrition, adequate rest and enough physical activity to be healthy. Regular wellness visits can help identify and diagnose any potential problems early, and a pediatrician can refer a patient to a specialist if necessary. Subspecialties of Pediatrics Pediatricians can undergo additional training to further subspecialize. These subspecialties include: Neonatology Neonatologists care for newborn infants who require special care due to illness or premature birth. Usually the patients are treated inside a neonatal intensive care unit within a hospital. Pediatric neuropsychology These doctors study children and adolescents who suffer from developmental disorders or mental disorders that are a result of illness or injury. Pediatric ophthalmology Pediatric ophthalmologists treat vision problems in children. This can include infections or glaucoma. Pediatric endocrinology These doctors treat a number of disorders that are linked to the endocrine glands. This includes diabetes, but can also involve treating children who are intersex or suffer from physical growth or sexual development problems. Pediatric oncology Pediatric oncologists treat children up to 14 years of age who suffer from cancer. Pediatric pulmonology This type of doctor focuses on treating young patients with some form of respiratory disease. Pediatric pulmonology includes the treatment of such conditions as pneumonia, asthma and tuberculosis. Reasons for a Pediatrician Visit Pediatricians are trained to treat child patients who suffer from a variety of conditions, such as: Allergies and asthma Diabetes Celiac disease Fetal alcohol syndrome A spectrum disorder or other developmental delays Hay fever Constipation Influenza and the common cold Other illness or injury Services provided by pediatricians also include: Vaccinations Physical exams, especially those required prior to beginning school or athletics Routine wellness care Stages of Growth Pediatricians care for their patients from infancy all the way through early and middle childhood and into adolescence. Patients experience physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral growth during each of these stages and it is important for pediatricians to monitor these milestones. Infancy A pediatrician can determine whether a baby suffers from physical defects during infancy. Doctors will also check infants for signs of normal growth and weight gain as well as physical milestones, such as the ability to hold their heads upright and the ability to smile. Infants will learn to make sounds and, after a few months, will learn to crawl and hold objects. During this time, children should receive regular wellness check-ups, as well as vaccinations. Early Childhood At this stage, children can learn to walk and then run. They also begin to speak. Most children with autism are diagnosed during early childhood after failing to meet some of these milestones. Regular vaccinations continue during this stage. Middle Childhood As children grow, their speech patterns develop. During this stage they reach a new level of independence and can feed and dress themselves. There are additional vaccinations for children around the age of 5. Adolescence Aside from reaching puberty, adolescents will also undergo rapid cognitive development, especially in the areas of attention, memory, processing speed, organization and metacognition. Usually after the age of 18, patients will begin to see physicians who specialize in treating adults. Around 12 years of age, patients will receive the last of their vaccinations. ADHD in Children Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is a chronic condition that affects children, with symptoms often continuing into adulthood. Common symptoms of ADHD include inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. ADHD affects the behavior of children both at home and in school. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately eleven percent of children in the United States are diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are more commonly diagnosed with this condition than girls. Children with ADHD often struggle in school, have poor self-esteem and may be at an increased risk for drug and alcohol abuse as they get older.

  Link: Pediatrics

• Functional Medicine

  Nutrition Proper diet is essential to maintaining good health. Keeping the body well-nourished and at a healthy weight has been proven to improve mood, quality of life and longevity. It may also go a long way in preventing or controlling many serious illnesses. Obesity, which has now reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and an enemy of good health, can be kept at bay through proper nutrition along with a program of healthy exercise. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is a common condition that occurs when an underactive thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to properly manage many important functions of the body. The thyroid is the gland in the front of the neck that controls energy use and metabolic functions. If the thyroid gland is not active enough, it does not make enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs and causes certain functions of the body to slow down. As a result, functions such as heart rate, brain function and the rate that the body converts food into energy, all slow down. Women over the age of age of 60 are at the highest risk for developing hypothyroidism. If left untreated, this condition may cause a variety of health complications including... Hormone Imbalance Hormones are natural chemicals within the cells of the body that travel through the bloodstream to organs and tissues. Hormones are essential for a variety of functions, including regulating a woman's metabolism, growth, immunity function and sexual reproduction. Hormone production tends to decrease naturally over time. As the production of certain hormones decreases, there may be an overproduction of other hormones within the body, which often results in hormonal imbalances that affect the health in different ways. Abdominal Pain Abdominal pain is a common problem that affects children. Abdominal pain may be acute or chronic, and can have many possible causes, including: Women and Heart Disease Heart (cardiovascular) disease is the leading cause of death in women older than 40. The death rate from heart disease increases as women age, especially after they reach menopause. It has claimed the lives of more women than men since 1984, and is responsible for the deaths of more women than breast and lung cancers combined. Each year, one of every four women in the United States will die from heart disease, with African-American women having a higher death rate than Caucasian women.

  Link: Functional Medicine