Health A–Z
Conditions, symptoms, tests and everyday health.
Health Glossary — definitions A–Z →60 health topics
A
- Acupuncture and Choosing a Qualified Acupuncturist
Healthcare services
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at selected body sites. It may be provided by professionals with different underlying qualifications, so the title acupuncturist does not by itself establish medical training.
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Healthcare services
Allergy and immunology specialists assess immune related conditions, including selected allergies and immune deficiencies. Allergy is different from food intolerance, and a positive test does not always mean a substance
- Anaesthesiology and Care Around Procedures
Healthcare services
An anaesthesiologist, or anaesthetist, is a doctor trained in anaesthesia, physiological monitoring and related perioperative care. Anaesthesia may be general, regional or local with selected sedation. The anaesthetist’s
- Audiology and Hearing Care
Healthcare services
An audiologist assesses hearing and provides relevant rehabilitation within their training. Audiology differs from ENT, where a medical specialist assesses and treats ear and related disease. Some audiology services also
- Ayurveda Consultations and Informed Choices
Healthcare services
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of healthcare that may involve lifestyle advice, dietary approaches, products and procedures. It is a distinct system rather than an interchangeable label for a conventional medica
C
- Cardiology and Heart Health
Healthcare services
A cardiologist is a medical specialist in conditions affecting the heart and cardiovascular system. Care can include prevention, diagnosis, medicines and selected catheter based procedures. Cardiac surgery is a distinct
- Cardiothoracic Surgery and Heart and Chest Operations
Healthcare services
Cardiothoracic surgeons perform selected operations involving the heart, lungs and chest. Some focus on cardiac surgery and others on thoracic surgery. They work with cardiologists, respiratory physicians, anaesthetists
- Chiropractic Care and Equipment in India
Healthcare services
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who commonly uses manual techniques, movement advice and exercise to address selected muscle and joint problems. Chiropractic is distinct from orthopaedic surgery and physiothe
- Choosing Care When You Do Not Know the Specialty
Healthcare services
It is common not to know which specialist to choose. “I have some other problem” should be a navigation route to qualified assessment, not a medical specialty. A general physician or appropriate primary care clinician ca
- Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counselling
Healthcare services
Clinical genetics helps assess inherited or suspected genetic conditions and their implications for individuals and families. Genetic counsellors provide specialist support within their training. A genetic result can aff
- Clinical Pharmacy and Safer Medicine Use
Healthcare services
A clinical pharmacist helps optimise medicine use in collaboration with patients and the treating team. Pharmacists are not automatically medical doctors, and prescribing authority depends on local qualifications and rul
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
Healthcare services
Critical care specialists, often called intensivists, manage patients whose illness requires close monitoring or support of vital organs. Intensive care may follow severe infection, trauma, major surgery or other serious
D
- Dentistry and Oral Health Care
Healthcare services
A dentist diagnoses and treats conditions affecting teeth, gums and related oral structures. General dentists provide broad care and may refer to specialists such as endodontists, orthodontists, periodontists, paediatric
- Dermatology and Skin Hair and Nail Care
Healthcare services
A dermatologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats skin, hair and nail disorders. Dermatology includes medical conditions as well as selected procedures. A cosmetic concern and a skin disease may require di
- Developmental Paediatrics and Child Development
Healthcare services
Developmental paediatricians assess children with concerns about learning, communication, movement, behaviour and daily function. Development varies, but persistent concerns deserve attention. Assessment should identify
- Diabetology and Diabetes Care
Healthcare services
Diabetology focuses on diagnosing and managing diabetes and related metabolic concerns. Care may be provided by a suitably trained physician or endocrinologist with diabetes expertise. A directory label alone does not es
- Dietitians and Clinical Nutrition Care
Healthcare services
Diet and nutrition services help people make food choices that support health, treatment and wellbeing. A dietitian is a nutrition professional with relevant clinical training; the qualifications behind “nutritionist” an
E
- Emergency Medicine and Immediate Assessment
Healthcare services
Emergency medicine specialists assess and stabilise sudden illness and injury. Emergency departments prioritise according to clinical urgency rather than appointment order. They may start treatment before the final diagn
- Endocrinology and Hormone Disorders
Healthcare services
An endocrinologist is a physician specialising in hormone producing glands and metabolic disorders. The field includes thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, calcium and selected reproductive hormone conditions as well as diabetes
- ENT and Ear Nose and Throat Care
Healthcare services
An ENT specialist, also called an otorhinolaryngologist, diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat and related head and neck structures. Care may be medical or surgical. Hearing, balance, voice and
F
- Family Medicine and Continuing Primary Care
Healthcare services
Family medicine provides broad, continuing healthcare across life stages, with attention to the person and family context. A trained family physician can manage common problems, prevention and long term conditions and co
- Fertility and Reproductive Medicine
Healthcare services
Fertility specialists help investigate and manage difficulties conceiving and selected reproductive concerns. Care may involve gynaecology, andrology, embryology and other expertise. Assessment should include relevant fa
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- Gastroenterology and Specialist Digestive Care
Healthcare services
A gastroenterologist is a physician specialising in the digestive tract and, depending on practice, the liver, bile ducts and pancreas. This is the specialist counterpart to a broad “stomach and digestion” navigation cat
- General Surgery and Understanding an Operation
Healthcare services
A general surgeon assesses and treats a range of conditions that may need an operation, often involving the abdomen, digestive system, hernias, soft tissues or other areas according to training and practice. A surgical c
- Geriatric Medicine and Older Adult Care
Healthcare services
A geriatrician specialises in the care of older adults, especially when several illnesses, frailty, medicines and functional concerns interact. The aim is to support health, independence and individual priorities. Age al
- Getting Help for Stomach and Digestion Problems
Healthcare services
“Stomach and digestion” is a patient friendly service category, not a separate specialist qualification. It can be a useful starting point for reflux, bloating, bowel changes and abdominal discomfort. A general physician
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Healthcare services
A gynaecologist is a medical specialist in conditions affecting the reproductive system, including the uterus, ovaries, cervix and vagina. An obstetrician provides pregnancy and childbirth care. Many doctors train and pr
H
- Haematology and Blood Disorders
Healthcare services
A haematologist is a doctor specialising in blood, bone marrow and related disorders. The field includes complex anaemia, abnormal blood counts, bleeding or clotting problems and blood cancers. Haematology may overlap wi
- Homeopathy and Understanding the Evidence
Healthcare services
Homeopathy is a system that uses preparations based on principles such as treating like with like and serial dilution. It is different from herbal medicine and from conventional medical specialties. Patients considering
I
- Infectious Diseases and Complex Infections
Healthcare services
An infectious diseases physician helps diagnose and manage selected bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections. They may also support antimicrobial stewardship and prevention. Most simple infections can start with
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- Neonatology and Newborn Specialist Care
Healthcare services
A neonatologist is a paediatric doctor with specialist expertise in newborns, particularly babies born early or with serious medical problems. Neonatal care can range from additional feeding and temperature support to in
- Nephrology and Medical Kidney Care
Healthcare services
A nephrologist is a physician specialising in medical kidney disorders, fluid and electrolyte balance and related complications. Nephrology differs from urology, which often focuses on urinary obstruction, structural pro
- Neurology and Nervous System Care
Healthcare services
A neurologist is a medical specialist in disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. They usually provide medical diagnosis and treatment rather than brain or spine surgery, which may involve a ne
- Neurosurgery and Brain and Spine Operations
Healthcare services
A neurosurgeon assesses conditions of the brain, spine and nerves that may benefit from surgery or procedural treatment. This differs from neurology, which mainly provides medical nervous system care. A neurosurgical con
O
- Obesity Medicine and Supportive Weight Management
Healthcare services
Obesity care addresses a complex long term condition influenced by biology, medicines, sleep, mental health, food access and environment. It is not one uniform practitioner title. Appropriate care may involve a trained p
- Occupational Medicine and Health at Work
Healthcare services
Occupational medicine assesses the interaction between work and health. A specialist can advise on workplace exposures, fitness for particular duties and adjustments after illness or injury. This is different from occupa
- Occupational Therapy and Everyday Independence
Healthcare services
Occupational therapists help people do meaningful everyday activities when illness, disability or other difficulties interfere. The word occupation includes self care, school, family life and leisure as well as paid work
- Oncology and Cancer Care
Healthcare services
Oncology is the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Medical oncologists use systemic treatments, radiation oncologists use radiotherapy and surgical oncologists perform relevant cancer operations. Care often involve
- Ophthalmology and Eye and Vision Care
Healthcare services
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specialising in eye disease and eye surgery. Optometrists assess vision and provide services within their training and scope, while opticians help supply optical devices. These role
- Optometry and Vision Assessment
Healthcare services
Optometrists assess vision, prescribe optical correction and provide other eye care within their training and local scope. They are distinct from ophthalmologists, who are medical eye specialists, and dispensing optician
- Orthopaedics and Bone and Joint Care
Healthcare services
Orthopaedic specialists diagnose and treat conditions of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and related structures. Although they are surgeons, many problems are managed without an operation. Rehabilitation and function a
P
- Paediatrics and Child Health
Healthcare services
A paediatrician is a doctor trained in the health of infants, children and adolescents. Children are not simply small adults: illness presentation, development, medicine doses and communication needs differ with age. Car
- Pain Medicine and Persistent Pain
Healthcare services
Pain medicine services assess pain that is persistent, complex or difficult to manage. Specialists often work with rehabilitation and psychological professionals. Pain can continue after tissue healing and still be real.
- Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care
Healthcare services
Palliative care focuses on relief of symptoms, distress and practical burdens during serious illness. It can be provided alongside disease directed treatment and is not limited to the final days of life. The aim is to su
- Pathology and Laboratory Diagnosis
Healthcare services
Pathologists and other qualified laboratory professionals help diagnose disease by examining tissues, cells and laboratory samples. Different branches include tissue pathology, blood related work and other laboratory dis
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Healthcare services
A rehabilitation physician, or physiatrist, is a medical specialist who helps people improve function after illness, injury or disability. They coordinate medical and rehabilitation needs with therapists and other profes
- Physiotherapy and Restoring Movement
Healthcare services
Physiotherapy is an allied health profession that helps improve movement, physical function and participation. Physiotherapists work with musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, postoperative and other rehabilitation
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Healthcare services
Plastic surgery includes reconstruction after injury, burns, cancer or congenital conditions as well as selected aesthetic procedures. It is broader than cosmetic surgery. The appropriate training, facility and realistic
- Podiatry and Medical Foot Care
Healthcare services
Podiatrists assess and manage foot related problems within their training, which may include skin, nails, footwear and selected movement issues. Professional scope and availability vary across settings. Podiatry does not
- Psychiatry and Medical Mental Health Care
Healthcare services
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor trained in assessing and treating mental health conditions. They consider symptoms, physical health, medicines, personal circumstances and safety. Psychiatry can involve medication, psy
- Psychological Counselling and Talking Therapies
Healthcare services
Psychological counselling and therapy help people understand emotions, behaviour, relationships and coping patterns. Providers may include psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists with different training. Verify t
- Pulmonology and Lung and Breathing Care
Healthcare services
A pulmonologist, also called a respiratory or chest physician, is a medical specialist in lung and breathing disorders. They may assess airway disease, infection, interstitial lung disease, sleep related breathing proble
R
- Radiology and Medical Imaging
Healthcare services
A radiologist is a doctor trained to interpret imaging and, in some areas, perform image guided procedures. Radiographers and imaging technologists have different roles in acquiring or delivering imaging services. A scan
- Rheumatology and Inflammatory Joint Disease
Healthcare services
A rheumatologist is a medical specialist in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases affecting joints and other tissues. Conditions can involve skin, muscles, blood vessels and internal organs as well as pain. Rheumatology d
S
- Sexual Health and Choosing a Qualified Professional
Healthcare services
Sexology is a broad label for the study and care of sexual concerns. A directory listing under sexology does not identify one uniform medical specialty or prove a particular qualification. Depending on the concern, appro
- Speech Language and Swallowing Therapy
Healthcare services
Speech and language therapists assess communication and swallowing difficulties within their training. They work with children and adults. Support may involve speech sounds, language, stammering, voice, communication aft
T
- The General Physician as a Starting Point
Healthcare services
A general physician assesses a broad range of adult medical problems and helps coordinate care when symptoms do not point clearly to one organ. In India, the title may refer to clinicians with different levels of general
U
- Urology and Urinary Tract Care
Healthcare services
A urologist is a medical specialist, usually with surgical training, in urinary tract conditions and male reproductive conditions. Urology includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra and prostate. It overlaps with ne
V
- Vascular Surgery and Blood Vessel Conditions
Healthcare services
A vascular surgeon manages selected artery and vein disorders outside some specialist areas such as the heart and brain. Care includes medical management, minimally invasive procedures and surgery. A vascular opinion is
- Veterinary Care for Animals
Healthcare services
A veterinarian is a professional trained in animal health. Veterinary care is separate from human medical care and belongs in a clearly labelled animal health section. Different species have different needs, and a medici