Others don’t mind going to the doctors’ office. No matter how comfortable you are with visiting the doctor, every person will require certain medical services throughout their lives to remain healthy.
You will likely need to consult several specialists during your lifetime, in addition to your primary care doctor, who is responsible for your overall health. You may be referred to a specialist by your primary care physician for additional testing or treatment.
Continue reading to discover the five most common doctors that you will visit in your lifetime.
Podiatrist
Foot injuries and pain are common. A podiatrist treats foot, ankle, toe, and lower leg conditions. A podiatrist can treat a wide range of conditions, including bunions and fractured ankles.
If your primary physician cannot treat an injury or foot pain, you may need to see a podiatrist.
Most of the time, your primary doctor will refer you to an area podiatrist. You can call around and see if they are available if you cannot get a recommendation.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapy is used by people of all ages. Psychological therapists have a high level of training in kinesiology – the study of the way the body moves.
You may need to visit a physical therapist regardless of your age. There are many reasons why someone might need to see a physical therapist.
- Regaining strength and mobility after an accident or injury.
- Reduce pain.
- Restore the physical abilities they once had.
- To learn to cope with the loss or use of a mechanical limb.
Your physical therapist will tailor your treatment to meet your specific needs, including your age, your current condition, your goals and more.
As part of your recovery, most primary physicians will refer you to an appropriate physical therapist in the area if you’ve been injured or had an accident. In the event that you don’t receive a referral, you can check your insurance provider’s list to see if they accept your coverage. Verify that your physical therapist has the appropriate accreditation.
Dermatologist
A dermatologist may be needed in several situations throughout a person’s life. Dermatologists are specialists in diseases of the skin and nails. They also treat mucus membranes around the eyes and mouth.
For example, a teenager with acne might need to see a dermatologist in order to treat their breakouts. A dermatologist may be needed by an older adult who has eczema, shingles or other skin conditions.
If you have a history of skin cancer, melanoma in your family, then you may need to visit a dermatologist on a regular basis. You might only visit a dermatologist if you need certain services such as acne treatment.
You will be referred to a dermatologist if you discuss any skin issues with your primary care physician. If you look at the list of doctors in your health insurance plan, you can find a dermatologist.
Neurologist
A neurologist, a highly-specialized doctor, treats conditions affecting the nervous system, brain, and spinal cord.
Neurologists are often consulted for neurodegenerative diseases, chronic pain that is not explained, migraines, epilepsy, and other conditions. Neurologic disorders can be serious. When you mention your symptoms to your primary care physician, they will quickly refer you to a neurologist to ensure that the condition can treated.
ENT Doc
ENT is an acronym for eye, nose and throat. These doctors treat many conditions that affect the nose, ears and throat.
You can see an ENT doctor to treat something as short-term as a sinusitis or as long-term and chronic as tinnitus. An ENT doctor is needed for any condition involving your ears, nose or throat which cannot be treated by your primary doctor.
You will be referred to an ENT specialist if your problem cannot be resolved by a general practitioner. You can find an ENT physician within your health insurance plan by looking at their list of approved ENT physicians in your area.
Conclusion
You may not need to visit all five doctors during your lifetime. These are the most common specialists used by people of all backgrounds to achieve optimal health.
