Have you recently been diagnosed with a medical condition? Does it require ongoing treatment and monitoring? If so, you’ll want to make sure that you visit a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis and provide the proper treatment. If you want a second opinion or you have multiple health problems, you may wish to visit a team of doctors that utilize a multidisciplinary approach to your health care. This all starts with a referral from your family doctor. Here are a few specialists and what they might be able to do to help you with your health concerns.
Joint Pain
Do you experience a lot of joint pain on a daily basis? Pain, soreness, and inflammation can often be signs of arthritis or another medical condition like degenerative disc disease. If you’re showing signs of arthritis or you have an underlying autoimmune disease that warrants extensive treatment, your doc may refer you to a rheumatologist. These doctors specialize in diseases and conditions of the joints and the musculoskeletal system. If you have problems with your bones that are related to disc or joint problems you may also see an orthopaedic doctor (a doctor who specializes in orthopedics). Treatment may include pinpoint injections to help curb pain, medication, physical therapy or in some cases surgery to help repair a slipped or herniated disc.
Cancer Diagnosis
No one wants to hear they have cancer. It can be a devastating diagnosis that leaves you facing a future of uncertainty and fear. The best way to deal with cancer is to seek out the best of the best in the oncology and surgical sector. This starts with taking a moment and talking to your family doctor to ask for a referral and also doing research on your own to find a cancer center that is multifaceted and deals specifically with your type of cancer. Cancer is a broad diagnosis and ranges from type, stage, and what your overall prognosis is. If treatment is an option, you’ll want to make sure you get the right care and be able to have adequate support along the way. Choose a multidisciplinary team of doctors that specialize in your specific cancer and other underlying medical issues. This allows them to work together to come up with the best treatment plan for you.
Digestive Problems
Experiencing digestive issues can be very irritating. Whether it’s indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation, all of these issues can make it a challenge to just get through the day. Your general practitioner may not be equipped to deal with advanced or complex issues of the GI tract. This is when a referral to a gastroenterologist is the best option. They may do advanced testing such as using a scope or doing a colonoscopy to take a closer look at what’s going on inside. From there, they will ask questions about your diet and get your input on how you react to different foods throughout the day. To get the best results, you will have to come up with a treatment regimen that improves your overall quality of life.
Skin Conditions and Skin Cancer
If you’ve been dealing with a chronic skin condition and you’re not getting the results you need from your family doctor, it’s time to see a specialist. Certain skin conditions can be treated with the right medications and some forms of microdermabrasion, but only qualified dermatologists know how to treat the condition properly.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a type of skin cancer or pre-cancer, you’ll want to have the lesion removed as soon as possible. From there, you may need a referral to an oncologist or skin specialist to help monitor the situation and provide ongoing treatment if needed. Skin cancer ranges from isolated to widespread, depending on the type and the stage of the disease. Some skin cancers can spread to internal organs and lead to life-threatening conditions. That’s why a quick referral and follow up to a dermatologist is important.
Getting a referral typically starts with your general practitioner. This is mainly due to insurance regulations and so that your medical records can be transferred easily. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about a referral should you need one.
