"The OLD Me is Ready for NEW!"

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creature; OLD things have passed away; behold, all things have become NEW.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

Far too many of us, are stuck in the same old routines, forgetting that Isaiah said, “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a NEW thing…” Then Paul takes us into the New Testament with this statement, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become NEW.” And nothing is clearer then Romans 6:4, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in NEWNESS of life.” Did you catch that last part? “Walk In NEWNESS…“! Walk implies ACTIVITY. Notice also that “Walk” is PRESENT TENSE, not walked, like an old activity, but “Walk”, as in TODAY, RIGHT NOW, CURRENTLY, NEW!  

AS OVERCOMERS, YOU ARE TO WALK IN NEW VICTORIES EVERYDAY! DAILY WAVING A FLAG OF VICTORY IN THE DEVIL’S FACE! With that said you have to ask, if “NEWNESS” is supposed to be so EVIDENT in the life of a believer, WHY ARE WE SO CRAZY-GLUED TO THE “OLD?”  

Listen to what Tony Evans writes: “Every day you get out of the same OLD bed and go to the same OLD bathroom to look at the same OLD face in the same OLD mirror. You go to the same OLD closet to choose from the same OLD clothes, then sit down at the same OLD breakfast table to eat the same OLD breakfast. Then you go to that same OLD garage and get into that same OLD car to head down that same OLD road to that same OLD job. There you work all day for that same OLD paycheck, next to those same OLD people, supervised by that same OLD manager. Then you get back into that same OLD car and head back down that same OLD road to that same OLD house. Once you are home you sit down in that same OLD chair to watch that same OLD television. At the end of the day you go to that same OLD bed and sleep that same OLD way, so you can get up the next morning and start that same OLD routine all over again.“               

In case you didn’t know, THAT IS NOT THE MENTALITY OF AN OVERCOMER! OVERCOMERS ARE DAILY IN HIGH PURSUIT OF SOME NEW CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME!  

LISTEN, GOD DID NOT CREATE US, AND HE MOST CERTAINLY DIDN’T REDEEM US, TO LIVE A PURPOSELESS EXISTENCE! OVERCOMERS DON’T EXIST—THEY LIVE AND THEY LIVE NOT JUST ABUNDANTLY—BUT MORE ABUNDANTLY! For the Bible declares, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY” (John 10:10)  

WHAT IS CURRENTLY AROUND US IS NOT ALL THERE IS FOR US! GOD HAS AN AWESOME CUSTOMIZED PLAN FOR EACH OF US! WE SIMPLY NEED TO SEEK IT, FIND IT, AND LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST!                  

The Scripture says, “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put NEW wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins are ruined. But they put NEW wine into NEW wineskins, and both are preserved.”  

When something is PRESERVED it means it’s, “KEPT, MAINTAINED, AND PROTECTED“. And what’s being “KEPT, MAINTAINED, AND PROTECTED?” YOUR NEWNESS! UNDERSTAND THAT THE OLD CAUSES DAMAGE, IT TEARS, IT DESTROYS, IT PULLS AWAY, IT SEVERS, BUT THE NEW IS PRESERVED!  

IN A NUTSHELL: IT’S TIME TO BREAK-OUT OF THE OLD, AND BREAK-IN TO THE NEW!                 

Overcomers, crush that devil under your foot on this current level, then lift it and put it on the next level and the next devil and attain your next New Victory!                 

Homework Assignment: Read and keep in mind these Revelation Promises to the Overcomer:                  

Revelation 2:7, “He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To Him Who Overcomes (Is Victorious), I Will Grant to Eat [Of the Fruit] of the Tree of Life, Which is in the Paradise of God.” (AMP). 

 Revelation 3:5, “He Who Overcomes Will Thus Be Clothed In White Garments; and I Will Not Erase His Name From the Book of Life, and I Will Confess His Name Before My Father and Before His Angels.” (NASB).   

Revelation 3:21, “He Who Overcomes (Is Victorious), I Will Grant Him to Sit Beside Me On My Throne, As I Myself Overcame (Was Victorious) and Sat Down Beside My Father On His Throne.” (AMP).   

Revelation 21:7, “He Who Overcomes Will Inherit These Things, and I Will Be His God and He Will Be My Son.” (NASB).       

Grab a hold of these promises and you will never again settle to live the same ole same ole life again!

“We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in NEWNESS of life.” (Romans 6:4 AMP)

IT’S NOT ENOUGH THAT IT’S DEAD—YOU HAVE TO BURY IT!

LISTEN: You can’t afford to let your past infect your present or sabotage your future! That’s why certain things that refuse to be healed, must be forsaken and forgotten! There are people praising God in Church every Sunday who lie awake in the privacy of their homes, digging up bones, picking at scars and reliving old memories. You need to accept that some issues will never be resolved, and if you let them, they’ll take up residence in your head and in your heart! [The what if’s? The should have’s? The maybe’s?] These will all drive you nuts…if you let them!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent.”  

So straighten yourself up and straighten yourself out! You Will Not Stay This Way!

I do thank God for the Apostle Paul though. Because he was honest enough to admit that he still struggled in certain areas. Unlike those with a Pharisee spirit who condemn others for doing the very things they do themselves, Paul confessed, “But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.” (Romans 7:17-20 MSG).

Thanks Paul, from the rest of us who mistakenly thought that once we became Christians, there’d be no more struggles! Thanks for helping some of us who thought that once we became Bishop, Pastor, Elder, Teacher, Prophet, that the struggles would be over. That once we reached our 20 years saved, 15 years in ministry, 10 years healed and 5 years delivered, that the struggles would be over. Well, I’m here to serve notice on you: The Struggles Are Not Over! They continue! That’s why we were told to “Fight the good Fight of faith…” (1 Timothy 6:12). Not that we fought (past tense) the good fight. But this is a Current and Continual battle! YET, it’s one that doesn’t have to defeat us. 

I remember watching a boxing fight with my dad many years ago. And one of the guys was beaten BAD! I said ‘why don’t he just lay down and stay down?’ My dad said ‘that’s hard to do when you’re a real fighter, because real fighters always have another round in ‘em. They know how to punch past the pain and obtain the prize. They may get beat up, but they won’t give up, until they get the belt. That’s a real fighter. And that’s why he can’t just lay down and stay down.’ I didn’t appreciate those words of wisdom then, but I do now. I’ve learned that daily if I’m going to win, then daily I’ve got to fight! And so do you! So keep your head up, your gloves on, and your feet moving! Because I’m persuaded there’s another round in you too!

Listen, Paul continues to advise us. He says, “Consider yourselves to be dead to sin.” (Romans 6:11). In other words, stop pursuing dead issues; admit them, quit them and forget them! Instead of struggling to change what can’t be changed, let God’s transforming power sweep through your life and sever the ties between you and all those tormenting thoughts from your past. And by no means mistakenly think like others have. Because your past is not just what happened 20 years ago, 15 years ago or even 1 year ago. What happened 60 seconds ago is still considered the past! Many of us aren’t just wrestling with decade old stuff, but we’ve got stuff that happened this morning, and our day hasn’t been right since! Let that thing go! You can’t go back and change it or rearrange it, so let it be. Cry a River, Build a Bridge, and Get Over It!

Think about it: If you keep looking in the rear-view mirror, you’re going to eventually crash into something ahead of you! And I would hate for that to be your blessing, your miracle, your breakthrough, your season or your way out! You don’t want to damage what’s before you, by daydreaming about what’s behind you! Sure, you have to utilize all the mirrors on your vehicle to some degree. But keep in mind, the main one is looking straight ahead out the windshield! Looking, anticipating, ready, expecting, seeking for what yet lies ahead! SO…“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG).  

Adjust Your Focus On Your Future! The Vision For Your Future Will Always Look Distorted When You View It Through Eyes That Can Only See The Past!

Warning: Paying Attention to Your Past, Will Cost Your Present a Pretty Penny and Your Future a Fortune! Don’t Bankrupt The Blessing Before You!

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).

In New Testament times capital punishment was sometimes carried out by tying a murder victim’s body directly onto the perpetrator. That way wherever he went, he was literally weighed down by his crime, with no way to escape the stench of decomposing flesh. Eventually, the bacteria-filled corpse infected him too, and he died an agonizing death. In other words, his Cause of Death was ‘Carrying What He Did In The Past Into His Present!’ People of God, Get Your Past Off You Before It Kills You!

Some days Paul felt the weight of his old nature pressing in, reminding him of things from his past that he couldn’t change or eradicate. Recognizing how past events can color the present, Paul describes himself as “a wretched man,” and asks, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” The fact is, you can’t move ahead with “the old man” still clinging to you; you must bury him or he’ll kill you!

However, even Death doesn’t have the Finality that Burial does! You see, part of coming to closure involves disposing of the body! 

Truth is: Funerals are for the Living; they give people an opportunity to accept that their loved one has gone on and the relationship as they knew it is now over. So, as you embark on a New Day with a New Perspective and New Determination, isn’t it time you stopped carrying the past (your yesterdays) around on your back? We can all see what you’re carrying is dead, so why can’t you see it?! Do us all a favor and take that thing to a burial site and bury it! Surely you don’t want to go into 2022 with the dead stench of 2021’s residue! You’ve Smelled OLD Long Enough!

Paul says, “Present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead.” (Romans 6:13). In other words, refuse to let old memories negotiate a deal with the new you! Bury them, and do it today! You can’t afford a secret love affair with a corpse! It’s time for an epitaph, not a revival! Let That Thing Go Today!

An ‘Epitaph’ is ‘words written in memory of a person who has died, particularly on their tombstone’. It’s Greek origin means ‘over’ or ‘at a tomb’.

Tell yourself, all my past issues I’m taking to the tomb TODAY and I’m burying it! Yes it hurts, it’s disappointing, it’s caused me severe suffering and pain, but TODAY I’m burying it! The actions were painful, the words were hurtful, the thoughts were discouraging, but I’m burying it TODAY! I refuse to let it hang around in the funeral home. TODAY, I’m packing it up and finding an available plot, and if not, I’m fed up enough to dig one myself! One way or another this thing is being buried TODAY!

Saints, Whatever You Do, Know That You Don’t Have To Stay This Way! You Don’t Have to Settle For This! You Don’t Have To Accept This! NO! Change Begins With You, And Your Change Begins Today! The Old You Will Not Enter The New Year, The New Month or the New Day! Enough Is Enough!

Albert Einstein said it best: “Nothing Happens Until Something Moves” And That Something Is YOU! Get To Moving Out of the Old and Into the New…TODAY!

With that thought, Paul admonishes us once more: “…let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be…” (Romans 12:4 MSG). 

Listen: We’ve been delaying and denying healing and deliverance and growth for far too long now! Let’s just get on with becoming the new and wonderful person God has already crafted us to be. Let’s move from who we were to who we are meant to be!

 
Wave goodbye to 2021 and high-five 2022! 

Look in the mirror right now and tell yourself: THE OLD ME IS FINALLY READY FOR NEW! Past…Rest In Peace! Future…Get Ready For Revival!

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

“The Beauty Benefits of Natural Oils”

 

WHY TRY NATURAL OILS? They are touted as alternatives to condition hair, moisturize skin, fight acne, and strengthen nails. Take a stroll down the beauty aisle of your drugstore and you’ll find them in many products. Do they work? You might need to experiment. Everyone’s skin is different, and it comes down to trial and error.

MARULA: Made from the fruit of the marula tree, which is native to South Africa, this oil is rich and hydrating. It’s full of fatty acids, which dermatologists say soothe dry skin. It absorbs quickly and won’t leave you shiny or greasy.

TEA TREE: Red, inflamed breakouts happen when bacteria gets trapped inside your pores. Research shows that tea tree oil helps zap that bacteria. In one trial, it beat a placebo gel (which has no active ingredients) at treating acne and calming inflammation. Another study found that it was as effective as benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in over-the-counter zit remedies.

ARGAN: Sometimes called “liquid gold,” argan oil is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which can fight the effects of aging. Dermatologists also say its omega-3 fatty acids boost collagen growth and plump up your skin. It doesn’t matter if you have a dry, oily, or normal skin type. It also conditions hair but doesn’t weight it down or make it feel greasy. You can still use your other hair care products, too.

CHAMOMILE AND PEPPERMINT: You probably think of chamomile as a relaxing tea, but the oil from this daisy-like plant can also calm your skin. Skin specialists call it an anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic, which cuts down on redness, irritation, and the chance of infection. Peppermint oil has the same soothing properties.

COCONUT: Dry, cracked skin is more likely to get infected, irritated, and have allergic reactions. Coconut oil protects and moisturizes it, and soothes the scaly, rough patches that go along with common conditions like eczema, too.

ROSEHIP AND CARROT: You’ll find vitamin A in lots of skin care products. It’s a “retinoid,” a chemical that helps replace old skin cells with new ones and make collagen, which can ease color changes from scarring and stretch marks. Two oils that are particularly rich in vitamin A: rosehip seed and carrot. Some dermatologists say they’re also good as acne and anti-aging treatments. You would use only a tiny dab at nighttime.

ROSEMARY AND CASTOR: Want to plump up your ponytail? Does your scalp show more than it used to? Rosemary oil may help you get a thicker, shinier mane. In one study, 6 months of treatment worked as well as 2% minoxidil against androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss in men and women. And it was less likely to cause an itchy scalp. Castor oil is another home remedy said to thicken brows and lashes. Before you try it, ask your doctor if it’s safe, since it would go near your eyes. The jury’s still out as to whether it really works.

OLIVE AND AVOCADO: Got thin or brittle nails? For a simple, all-natural solution, dab a little olive or avocado oil on them before bed. The oils will soak in overnight and nourish with good-for-you fatty acids. You can use other types of oil for this, too.

SESAME: Could you replace your mouthwash with oil? It’s trendy, but oil pulling, or rinsing out your mouth with oil, is a generations-old remedy for healthy teeth and gums. Research shows it might help. Recent international studies found that swishing with sesame oil (coconut and sunflower work, too) can cut plaque and gingivitis. It may also wash away the microorganisms that cause bad breath.

REVIEWED BY: Stephanie S. Gardner, MD, WebMD on November 15, 2021

SOURCES:

Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and assistant professor of dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York.

Department of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa: “Marula.”

American Academy of Dermatology: “Acne: Who Gets and Causes.”

Koh, K. British Journal of Dermatology, December 2002.

Enshaieh, S. Indian Journal of Dermatology, January-February 2007.

Bassett, I. Medical Journal of Australia, Oct. 15, 1990.

Bennani, H. Cancer Detection and Prevention, Dec. 13, 2006.

Ganceviciene, R. Dermato-Endocrinology, July 1, 2012.

Srivastava, J. Molecular Medicine Reports, Nov. 1, 2010.

Verallo-Rowell, V. Dermatitis, November-December 2008.

Agero, A. Dermatitis, September 2004.

Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: “Vitamin A and Skin Health.”

Panahi, Y. Skinmed, January-February 2015.

USDA National Nutrient Database: “Avocado Oil," "Olive Oil.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“15 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain”

 

BEWARE THE FESTIVE 15: Even if you have superhuman willpower, the holiday season is challenging for everyone. Staying on track can seem so daunting, you feel like swan-diving into the eggnog and sending your sensible routine into hibernation until the New Year. But, as we all know, excess pounds don't disappear along with the decorations. And nobody wants to start the new year in the hole, body-wise. Turns out, there's no need to. "You can have fun without throwing away your healthy habits," says Elisa Zied, RD, author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips. Check out our 15 rules for a no-gain season. You can indulge and still wake up the same size (or less!) come New Year's Day.

WEIGH YOURSELF TWICE A WEEK: That's often enough to make sure you stay on track, but not so often that you take all the fun out of holiday noshing, says Michael Dansinger, MD, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. Step on the scale first thing in the morning when your stomach is empty.

START YOUR DAY WITH A BANG: Exercising in the morning can help ensure better behavior all day long, according to a study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
Using brain scans, researchers found that when women worked out in the a.m., they not only moved more the rest of the day, but they also responded less to pictures of tempting food compared with the days they didn't do a morning workout. The upshot: fewer cravings for high-fat fare.

BE PICKY, PICKY, PICKY: Peruse the buffet before you load your plate to avoid foods you don't really want, suggests obesity expert Tim Church, MD, a professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University. If, for instance, you could take or leave sushi but adore sliders, don't start with the tuna rolls hoping to be able to resist the two-bite burger. "If you pick the stuff you really want and have it in moderation," Dr. Church notes, "you'll stave off those cravings that can get you in trouble later on."

JUST SAY NO – EVERYWHERE: Willpower is like a muscle: Work it and you get stronger. What's key is to practice keeping yourself in check in non-food situations, too. "Whether you're driving in rush hour traffic or dealing with a temperamental kid, there are challenges that require self-control," Dr. Dansinger says. Succeed in not honking at that rude driver, he explains, and you'll be better able to resist dessert at the party.

AVOID BANKING CALORIES: Cutting back all day so you can indulge at an event that night only sets you up for a pig-out. Why? You're freaking starving! "It's easy to get out of control when you're faced with high-calorie choices," says Tanya Zuckerbrot, RD, author of The Miracle Carb Diet. Be sure to eat your three squares and a couple of snacks. Aim for lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean protein.

CONCENTRATE YOUR WORKOUTS: So, what if you can't get to your favorite yoga class or find time for the treadmill? "Even just 15 minutes can help you maintain your fitness level," Dr. Church says. For example, jumping rope for 15 minutes torches about 190 calories; a quick yoga sequence at home can help you stay flexible.

DON’T SWEAR OFF DESSERTS: But practice the three-bite rule to keep your sweet tooth in check. "You'll get that amazing first taste, a satisfying middle one, and then a lingering third bite," Zuckerbrot says.

AVOID MORNING-AFTER FOOD: Have the night of your life, then send guests home with food-filled Tupperware. "It's the leftovers that do you in," says Lauren Slayton, RD, founder of Foodtrainers in New York City. Repeat after us: Out of sight, out of mind...

DRUM UP SOME WILLPOWER: Under the spell of that peppermint bark your co-worker brought to the office? Before you succumb, try this simple trick: Place the thumb and fingers of one hand on your forehand, a half inch apart. Tap each finger one at a time, once per second, telling yourself, "Hold on." Wait 15-20 minutes (return phone calls, check email), and the craving will disappear, according to Tufts University Research. Sounds crazy, but it works.

CUT BACK ON DIET SODA: In fact, any bubbly beverage can lead to belly bloat, explains Zuckerbrot. "The carbon dioxide trapped in the bubbles of fizzy drinks causes a buildup of air, which can lead to gas.

EAT YOUR H2O: Instead of trying to down eight glasses of water (near impossible when you're busy), have a green salad with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette and a few slices of avocado. "These water-rich foods help keep you hydrated, so that everything moves through your system faster," Zied says.

BREW UP A POT OF PEPPERMINT TEA: Research shows peppermint can help calm stomach muscles and reduce gas. Not a fan? Try chamomile, suggests Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, author of Read It Before You Eat It.

CHEW SLOWLY: We know: When your to-do list is never-ending, it's hard to make yourself downshift, even at mealtime. But eating fast is a quick recipe for an expanded waistline. Here's why: "The more air you swallow, the more bloated you'll get," Taub-Dix notes.

GET PLENTY OF POTASSIUM: The nutrient counterbalances sodium, so you retain less water, Zuckerbrot explains. Our favorite potassium possibilities: bananas, papayas, kiwis, strawberries, and cantaloupe. Or serve up some asparagus or dandelion greens to get the bonus of a natural diuretic.

KEEP CALM AND KICK CRAVINGS: Stressed by the sight of that holiday spread? Take deep breaths before you grab a plate. Research suggests that women who practice stress reduction techniques are able to prevent weight gain. Close your eyes and focus on your reaching for 30 seconds. Then reevaluate whether you really want to fill your plate; chances are you don't.

BY: Alyssa Shaffer, Health Magazine, November 21, 2017

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Health Magazine, Health Magazine employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Health Magazine, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk. 

“What Are the Different Types of Doctors?”

 

You may call them simply doctors. But most doctors have extra expertise in one type of medicine or another. In fact, there are several hundred medical specialties and subspecialties. Here are the most common types of doctors you'll likely see.

ALLERGISTS/IMMUNOLOGISTS: They treat immune system disorders such as asthma, eczema, food allergies, insect sting allergies, and some autoimmune diseases.

ANESTHESIOLOGISTS: These doctors give you drugs to numb your pain or to put you under during surgery, childbirth, or other procedures. They monitor your vital signs while you’re under anesthesia.

CARDIOLOGISTS: They’re experts on the heart and blood vessels. You might see them for heart failure, a heart attack, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat.

COLON AND RECTAL SURGEONS: You would see these doctors for problems with your small intestine, colon, and bottom. They can treat colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease. 

CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: They care for people who are critically ill or injured, often heading intensive care units in hospitals. You might see them if your heart or other organs are failing or if you’ve been in an accident. 

DERMATOLOGISTS: Have problems with your skin hair, hair, nails? Do you have moles, scars, acne, or skin allergies? Dermatologists can help.

ENDOCRINOLOGISTS: These are experts on hormones and metabolism. They can treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, infertility, and calcium and bone disorders.

EMERGENCY MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: These doctors make life-or-death decisions for sick and injured people, usually in an emergency room. Their job is to save lives and to avoid or lower the chances of disability.

FAMILY PHYSICIANS: They care for the whole family, including children, adults, and the elderly. They do routine checkups and screening tests, give you flu and immunization shots, and manage diabetes and other ongoing medical conditions.

GASTROENTEROLOGISTS: They’re specialists in digestive organs, including the stomach, bowels, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. You might see them for abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, jaundice, or cancers in your digestive organs. They also do a colonoscopy and other tests for colon cancer.

GERIATRIC MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: These doctors care for the elderly. They can treat people in their homes, doctors' offices, nursing homes, assisted-living centers, and hospitals.

HEMATOLOGISTS: These are specialists in diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands, like sickle cell disease, anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia.

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: They work with people who are nearing death. They’re experts in pain management. They work with a team of other doctors to keep up your quality of life.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALISTS: They diagnose and treat infections in any part of your body, like fever, Lyme disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and HIV and AIDS. Some of them specialize in preventive medicine or travel medicine.

INTERNISTS: These primary-care doctors treat both common and complex illnesses, usually only in adults. You’ll likely visit them or your family doctor first for any condition. Internists often have advanced training in a host of subspecialties, like heart disease, cancer, or adolescent or sleep medicine. With additional training (called a fellowship), internists can specialize in cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, pulmonology, and other medical sub-specialties.

MEDICAL GENETICISTS: They diagnose and treat hereditary disorders passed down from parents to children. These doctors may also offer genetic counseling and screening tests.

NEPHROLOGISTS: They treat kidney diseases as well as high blood pressure and fluid and mineral imbalances linked to kidney disease.

NEUROLOGISTS: These are specialists in the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They treat strokes, brain and spinal tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS: Often called OB/GYNs, these doctors focus on women’s health, including pregnancy and childbirth. They do Pap smears, pelvic exams, and pregnancy checkups. OB/GYNs are trained in both areas. But some of them may focus on women's reproductive health (gynecologists), and others specialize in caring for pregnant women (obstetricians).

ONCOLOGISTS: These internists are cancer specialists. They do chemotherapy treatments and often work with radiation oncologists and surgeons to care for someone with cancer.

OPHTHALMOLOGISTS: You call them eye doctors. They can prescribe glasses or contact lenses and diagnose and treat diseases like glaucoma. Unlike optometrists, they’re medical doctors who can treat every kind of eye condition as well as operate on the eyes.

OSTEOPATHS: Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) are fully licensed medical doctors just like MDs. Their training stresses a “whole body” approach. Osteopaths use the latest medical technology but also the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

OTOLARYNGOLOGISTS: They treat diseases in the ears, nose, throat, sinuses, head, neck, and respiratory system. They also can do reconstructive and plastic surgery on your head and neck.

PATHOLOGISTS: These lab doctors identify the causes of diseases by examining body tissues and fluids under microscopes.

PEDIATRICIANS: They care for children from birth to young adulthood. Some pediatricians specialize in pre-teens and teens, child abuse, or children's developmental issues.

PHYSIATRISTS: These specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation treat neck or back pain and sports or spinal cord injuries as well as other disabilities caused by accidents or diseases.

PLASTIC SURGEONS: You might call them cosmetic surgeons. They rebuild or repair your skin, face, hands, breasts, or body. That can happen after an injury or disease or for cosmetic reasons.

PODIATRISTS: They care for problems in your ankles and feet. That can include injuries from accidents or sports or from ongoing health conditions like diabetes. Some podiatrists have advanced training in other subspecialties of the foot.

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: They focus on keeping you well. They may work in public health or at hospitals. Some focus on treating people with addictions, illnesses from exposure to drugs, chemicals, and poisons, and other areas.

PSYCHIATRISTS: These doctors work with people with mental, emotional, or addictive disorders. They can diagnose and treat depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and sexual and gender identity issues. Some psychiatrists focus on children, adolescents, or the elderly.

PULMONOLOGISTS: You would see these specialists for problems like lung cancer, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, and trouble sleeping caused by breathing issues.

RADIOLOGISTS: They use X-rays, ultrasound, and other imaging tests to diagnose diseases. They can also specialize in radiation oncology to treat conditions like cancer.

RHEUMATOLOGISTS: They specialize in arthritis and other diseases in your joints, muscles, bones, and tendons. You might see them for your osteoporosis (weak bones), back pain, gout, tendinitis from sports or repetitive injuries, and fibromyalgia.

SLEEP MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: They find and treat causes behind your poor sleep. They may have sleep labs or give you take-home tests to chart your sleep-wake patterns.

SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: These doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries related to sports and exercise.

GENERAL SURGEONS: These doctors can operate on all parts of your body. They can take out tumors, appendices, or gallbladders and repair hernias. Many surgeons have subspecialties, like cancer, hand, or vascular surgery.

UROLOGISTS: These are surgeons who care for men and women for problems in the urinary tract, like a leaky bladder. They also treat male infertility and do prostate exams.

BY: Kathryn Whitbourne, WebMD, MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY: Sabrina Felson, MD on January 26, 2020

SOURCES:

Harvard Health Publishing: "Specialists."

American Board of Medical Specialties: "Specialty and Subspecialty Certificates," “American Board of Internal Medicine.”

American Board of Allergy and Immunology: "Allergy and Immunology."

American Board of Anesthesiology: "Anesthesiology."

Texas Heart Institute: "What is a Cardiologist?"

American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery: "Colon and Rectal Surgery."

American Board of Dermatology: "Dermatology."

American Board of Emergency Medicine: "Emergency Medicine."

American Board of Family Medicine: "Family Medicine."

American College of Physicians: "Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine."

American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics: "Medical Genetics and Genomics."

American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology: "Obstetrics and Gynecology."

American Board of Ophthalmology: “Ophthalmology."

American Osteopathic Association: “What is a DO?”

American Board of Otolaryngology: "Otolaryngology."

American Board of Pathology: "Pathology."

American Board of Pediatrics: "Pediatrics."

American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation."

American Podiatric Association: "What is a Podiatrist?"

American Board of Plastic Surgery: "Plastic Surgery."

American Board of Preventative Medicine: "Preventative Medicine."

American Board of Radiology: "Radiology."

American Board of Surgery: "Surgery (General Surgery)."

American Board of Urology: "Urology."

Marshfield Clinic Health System: “Infectious Disease Specialty Overview.”

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