The Management of Congenital Muscular Dystrophy ... - Cure CMD

Neurologist:A physician who has specialized education andtraining in problems with the nervous system.The nervous system is broken down into thecentral nervous system (brain and spinal cord)and the peripheral nervous system (nerves thatcome out of the spinal cord, the connectionbetween the nerves and the muscles, and themuscles). Neurologists treat different conditions,such as epilepsy, migraines, and developmentaldelays. Some neurologists have additionaltraining and expertise in problems with theperipheral nervous system (neuromuscularspecialists).Neuropsychologist:A psychologist who has specialized training inhow brain structure and brain function worktogether to affect learning and behavior.Occupational Therapist (OT):A health care provider who has a Bachelor’sdegree (or higher) with expertise in helpingpeople make physical adaptations (changes) totheir environment so that activities of daily living(such as eating, bathing, dressing, doing schoolwork) are easier to do and persons can havegreater independence.Ophthalmologist:A physician who specializes in the treatmentand diagnosis of eye problems.Neuro-ophthalmologists specialize in problemsthat affect the nerves in the eye.Orthopedic Surgeon:A physician who specializes in the treatmentof injury, disease, and deformity throughoperations. Using a variety of instruments, andwith patients under anesthesia, an orthopedicsurgeon corrects physical deformities, repairsbone and tissue after injuries, and performspreventive surgeries on patients with debilitatingdiseases or disorders. Orthopedic surgery,treatment of the musculoskeletal system, is oneof the most prevalent surgical specialties.Orthotist:A member of the health care team who designs,measures, fits, and adapts braces, appliances,or prostheses such as limbs for patients withdisabling conditions. When there is a problemwith the fit of a brace or splint, the orthotist is theperson who will help fix it.Physiatrist:A type of physician with a specialty in physicalmedicine and rehabilitation who aims to enhanceand restore functional ability and quality oflife to those with physical impairments ordisabilities.Physical Therapist:A health care provider who has a Master’s (orhigher) degree with expertise in helping peoplemake physical changes to improve movementin the body, particularly the arms and legs. Thisincludes proactive measures to help prevent theloss of movement through stretching or bracing.Physician:A health care provider who diagnoses illnessesand prescribes and administers treatment forpeople suffering from injury or disease.Physicians examine patients, obtain medicalhistories, and order, perform, and interpretdiagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet,hygiene, and preventive health care. There aretwo types of physicians: MDs (medical doctors)and DOs (doctors of osteopathic medicine).MDs are also known as allopathic physicians.Although both MDs and DOs may use allaccepted methods of treatment, including drugsand surgery, DOs place special emphasis on thebody’s musculoskeletal system, preventivemedicine, and holistic patient care.Physician’s Assistant (PA):A health care provider who has a Master’s degreeand practices medicine as a member of a teamwith their supervising physician. As part oftheir team responsibility and depending on theirspecialty area, PAs can conduct physical exams,diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interprettests, counsel on preventive health care, assist insurgery, and prescribe medications.Psychiatrist:A type of physician who treats mental illnessesthrough a combination of psychotherapy,32