House, M.D./Specialties and Studies

Definitions in the House, M.D. Medical Dictionary for fields of medical science and biology.

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A

acupuncturist

A practitioner of acupuncture - a type of therapy in which needles are inserted into certain points on the body and subsequently manipulated. Although acupuncturists do not often have medical degrees, they are required to be trained and licensed in most states. (Appears in 1x20 - Love Hurts.)

C

cardiologist

A specialist in the health of the heart and blood vessels and treatment of disorders of the same. (Appears in 1x14 - Control and 1x17 - Role Model.)

chiropractor

One who studies the alternative medicine diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system as they relate to the nervous system. Although many medical professionals question the scientific validity of the field, practicing chiropractors in most states are required to be trained and licensed. (Appears in 1x20 - Love Hurts.)

D

dermatologist

A doctor who specializes in the study of the illnesses and disorders of the skin. (Appears in 1x13 - Cursed.)

diagnostician

A specialist who determines the illnesses causing symptoms in patients. (Appears throughout series.)

H

hemodynamics

The study of the flow and circulation of the blood. (Appears in 1x11 - Detox and 1x18 - Babies & Bathwater.)

homeopathy

A type of alternative medicine in which a sick patient is treated with exposure to the cause of his or her disease, gradually diluted over a period of time. Homeopathy is a controversial form of medicine and is considered a pseudoscience by most medical professionals and scientists. (Appears in 1x20 - Love Hurts.)

I

immunologist

One who studies the immune system of all organisms. (Appears throughout series.)

infectious disease medicine

Medicine which concerns itself with diseases caused by biological agents - viruses, bacteria or parasites. (Appears throughout series.)

intensive care medicine

A specialty in treating patients who are in critical or unstable health and require greater than normal health care. The name for a specialist in this is intensivist. In a neonatal intensive care unit (or NICU), the patients receiving intensive care are newborn babies. (Appears throughout series.)

intensivist

See intensive care medicine.

internal medicine

A focus on adult medicine and the prevention and treatment of adult diseases. One who specializes in this is called an internist. (Appears in 1x06 - The Socratic Method.)

internist

See internal medicine.

N

naturopath

A professional who studies the improvement of health through the use of food, exercise, heat and other natural methods which are thought to assist the body's healing processes. Although it is considered a branch of alternative medicine, as of April 2006, 13 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands fully license naturopaths, and three more states and Puerto Rico register or legally recognize naturopathy. House's resident state of New Jersey is not one of those states. (Appears in 1x20 - Love Hurts.)

nephrology

The study of the function and diseases of the kidneys. (Appears throughout series.)

neurology

The study and treatment of disorders of the brain and nervous system. (Appears throughout series.)

neurosurgeon

A surgeon who specializes in procedures performed on the brain and spinal cord. (Appears in 1x19 - Kids.)

neonatal intensive care unit

See intensive care medicine.

NICU

See intensive care medicine.

nutritionist

A person who offers advice on diet and nutrition as a profession. This should not be confused with a dietician, who is a licensed, trained professional who may have a medical degree. (Appears in 1x16 - Heavy and 1x18 - Babies & Bathwater.)

O

OB/GYN

See obstetrics and and gynecology.

obstetrics and gynecology

(Also OB/GYN.) The twin studies of medicine for pregnancy and childbirth and for the female reproductive system. In America and other English-speaking nations, they are a dual specialty, and doctors who are specialists in one are always trained in the other, although they may choose to focus on only one. (Appears in 1x04 - Maternity, 1x18 - Babies & Bathwater and 1x20 - Love Hurts.)

oncology

The study and treatment of various types of cancer. (Appears throughout series.)

ophthalmologist

A medical professional who specializes in the study of diseases of the eye and their treatment. (Appears in 1x02 - Paternity, 1x06 - The Socratic Method, 1x14 - Control and 1x15 - Mob Rules.)

orthopedics

A branch of surgery concerned with injuries to and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. (Appears in 1x14 - Control.)

P

pediatrics

The branch of medicine which treats patients younger than 18 or 19 years old. (Appears in 1x04 - Maternity, 1x16 - Heavy and 1x18 - Babies & Bathwater.)

plastic surgeon

A surgeon who specializes in repairing aesthetic defects, whether as the result of trauma or to correct physical characteristics the patient chooses to have changed. (Appears in 1x10 - Histories and 1x16 - Heavy.)

proctologist

One who specializes in the study of diseases of the rectum, anus, colon and pelvic floor. (Appears in 1x13 - Cursed.)

pulmonologist

A medical professional who specializes in the study and treatment of disorders and diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract. (Appears in 1x20 - Love Hurts.)

R

radiology

The medical use of X-rays and other types of imaging to diagnose illnesses and injuries. (Appears in 1x04 - Maternity, 1x07 - Fidelity, 1x13 - Cursed and 1x14 - Control.)

rheumatologist

A practitioner in the branch of medicine which concerns itself with diseases of the joints and muscles. (Appears in 1x13 - Cursed.)

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