With medical problems prevalent wherever a person goes, it is handy to have access to an informative and comprehensive "doctor directory." Seeking the appropriate medical specialist for a particular ailment is very important, as they are the patient’s best resource for help. The individual will likely start with their general practitioner, but they will want to utilize the services of a specialist if the need presents itself.

What body parts and systems are affected by particular medical conditions, as well as what type of doctor specializes in their care, is invaluable information to have. The following is a guide to help make such determinations, and it includes the most common medical specialty fields.

1. Allergy and Immunology. The specialist is an allergist/immunologist working with allergic and immunologic diseases.

2. Cardiovascular doctors are called cardiologists. They handle diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.

3. Dermatology is the specialty of the dermatologist. This pertains to diseases affecting the skin.

4. Endocrinology is the study of illnesses of the internal glands. The healthcare professional is called an endocrinologist.

5. Gastroenterology affects the digestive tract. This type of doctor is a gastroenterologist.

6. Geriatrics are called geriatricians. Their area of specialty is with senior citizens.

7. Hematology is a disorder affecting the blood. These specialists are known as a hematologists.

8. Infectious disease specialists deal with all types of infections.

9. Neonatology is the specialty of the neonatologist, who studies the illness affecting newborn children.

10. Nephrology affects the kidneys. This type of doctor is called a nephrologist.

11. Neurology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of problems that affect the brain, nervous system and spinal cord. These doctors are known as neurologists.

12. Obstetrics and gynecology. The specialist is an obstetrician/gynecologist working with pregnancy, fertility disorders and diseases affecting the female reproductive system.

13. Oncology doctors study cancer and disorders affecting the blood. The specialist is an oncologist.

14. Ophthalmology is the specialty of the ophthalmologist. This pertains to issues affecting the eyes.

15. Orthopedics is the study of problems with the bones, muscles joints and tendons. The healthcare professional treating these issues is called an orthopedist.

16. Otorhinolaryngology doctors are called otorhinolaryngologists. They handle diseases affecting the ears, nose and throat.

17. Pediatrics are pediatricians that specialize in illnesses and general health of children including newborns, infants and adolescents.

18. Podiatry deals with issues involving the feet and ankles. This specialist is known as a podiatrist.

19. Psychiatry is the study of diseases affecting mental health. These doctors are called psychiatrists.

20. Pulmonary problems affect the lungs. The specialist is a pulmonologist.

21. Rheumatology is the specialty of the rheumatologist. This pertains to problems affecting the joints and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

22. Doctors of urology are called urologists. These health care professionals deal with the kidneys and bladder.

A patient should see their general practitioner if they are uncertain as to the type of specialist that is needed. Some require a referral in order for the insurance carrier to cover the cost of treatment. Some medical specialties overlap one another, so it can be confusing and frustrating for patients without the proper guidance.