Medical treatments vary widely, but there are some common medical afflictions that most often send Americans to certain specialists. For example, a urologist may be visited if a person has difficulty with urination, such as creating a solid stream or suspected bladder stones. Other times, a person may suffer from incontinence, and a urologist can offer catheters and bags to help the patient out. Visiting a urologist is just one example of specialized medicine, however, as many conditions can be diagnosed and treated with modern American medicine. A diabetes specialist can and should be visited by a diabetic patient, and rehabilitation is available for someone suffering from back pain or a spinal injury.
A Urologist
Urology is simply the study of urine and the process of urination, and some patients may have great need for a urologist in their area. As mentioned above, incontinence is a common issue, especially among elderly men. Incontinence is difficulty in urination due to not forming a solid stream, being unable to hold urine long enough to reach a toilet, or functional incontinence when a person lacks the dexterity to unzip and lower their pants. An elderly man suffering from serious arthritis, for example, may have issues in the bathroom due to his stiff fingers, or else he may suffer from issues with the urinary muscles or tract. For these issues and more, a person may visit a urologist and have a catheter and collection bag set up. This allows the patient to relieve themselves without a mess or hassle, and the collection bag should be emptied out regularly. This is often done for patients at a hospital, too.
Diabetes
A diabetic is urged to regularly visit a specialist, who can help the patient manage their ongoing condition. This doctor may being each session by reviewing the patient’s medical history and sometimes collecting blood samples, and a new diabetic patient may be advised on how to handle their condition. Diabetes tends to cause nerve damage, and someone who develops diabetes may want to quickly learn how to manage this. Numb feet are a common issue, and diabetics may some times get cuts or stab wounds on their feet and not even realize it. In other cases, a diabetic might immerse their feet in too-hot water and damage their skin without realizing it. A diabetes specialist can be consulted regularly to stay on top of this condition and also receive insulin shots.
Back Issues
Back and spinal pain are among the most common chronic conditions in the United States today, and possibly around the world, too. Many working-class Americans report having back pain, often due to years of hard manual labor. A person may get back pain from other issues too, such as pregnancy, recovering from an accident or sports injury, stress, or old age. One in three women and one in four men report having back pain, and there are specialists who can take care of this.
While surgery and medications are options for dealing with back pain, some patients may want less invasive and risky treatment methods instead. One such option is a chiropractor, who is an expert on using non-invasive methods to adjust bones and their muscles to relieve stress, cramps, and pressure for the patient. A chiropracty office can be visited for spinal issues, for example.
Another option is physical therapy, such as yoga. While yoga is often used for mental benefits and relaxation, the physical aspect is not to be overlooked. This non invasive treatment can go a long way toward relaxing cramped muscles, easing pressure on joints or bones, and restoring a patient’s full range of motion. This is common for those patients who are recovering from sports injuries or other accidents, and many hospitals include physical therapists. Or, a patient may look for local yoga studios in their area and look for a yoga expert who will start private sessions with them (prices may vary). A customer of all ages may try this, such as a young woman recovering from back pain due to childbirth or an elderly woman who is suffering from arthritis. After a number of sessions like this, a patient may have their pain relieved and also have their full range of flexing and motion restored to their back, arms, or legs.