Internal medicine is a subspecialty of medicine that focuses on the care of adults. Internists possess unique knowledge in the diagnosis and management of a variety of diseases, conditions, and disorders affecting the internal organs. They are not involved in operations or care of children as in the case of surgeons and pediatricians respectively. They are those who deal with patients who are above the age of 18 years, typically.
Internists concentrate on the health of all different age groups , and the diagnosis of diseases in the group involves vascular, lung, stomach, hormone and other systems. There are also internists whose area of interest focus on the management of adult chronic conditions for instance metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, stress asthma, coronary heart disease among many others. They can also manage injuries and infections, which are seasonal and affect many people.
Why Is Internal Medicine Important?
Internal medicine is crucial in the healthcare sector as it covers a huge spectrum of care. It is the internists’ responsibility to take care of a patient’s concerns, which includes patients with chronic diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions among other critical diseases.
Internal medicine specialists also inform the treatment of other respiratory infections and respiratory ailments that have originated from an acute condition. They assist the patient in cases where it becomes mandatory to consult a physician. Consequently, internal medicine is fundamental for all kinds of healthcare systems.
What Do Internal Medicine Doctors Do?
In whatever branch of medicine you are likely to fall under, you will definitely need an internal medicine doctor, if not for your entire life, for the initial stages of your medical treatment. They are usually the first contact of patients with complex medical problems. They tend to consider the entire spectrum of care of the patient by looking into their prior course of treatment due to metabolic, surgical, or any other reason.
Trained in internal medicine, physicians are able to manage a range of diseases, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Respiratory diseases
- Digestive disorders
- Kidney disease
- Arthritis
- Infectious diseases
- Cancer
They offer preventive care like vaccination and screenings that help keep patients healthy.
Why See an Internal Medicine Doctor ?
There are many reasons for consulting with an internal medicine doctor. Some of the most common reasons include;
- You have a complicated medical condition that requires specialist care
- You have a range of medical conditions that require coordination together
- You seek a family doctor who will take comprehensive care of your health
- You need help to manage chronic conditions
- You are concerned about the risk factors for developing particular diseases.
How to Find an Internal Medicine Doctor
When looking for an internist or internal medicine practitioner, certain things can be done as indicated below.
- Ask your primary care physician for a referral: Since your doctor is aware of your medical background, he is in the best position to know an internist who is compatible with you. People find it easy to get specialists when they are referred from other doctors whom they trust.
- Try online: Look for internists near you. Use a search engine as well as health websites to obtain contacts of internists in your area. Moreover, an overview of how other patients or critics have rated the doctor can also be informative of the physician’s expertise.
- Call your health insurance company to find a doctor within your network: Make use of your insurance company and find an internist that is part of your plan. In this way you cut your expenditure because the visits will be covered by your network.
Also Read: Common Obstetric Complications and How They’re Managed
What Are the Benefits of Seeing an Internal Medicine Doctor?
Many good benefits come from seeing an internal medicine doctor. Some of the most important ones are:
- Accessible to All: They render all encompassing care as they take into account the entire medical history and lifestyle of the patient.
- Special Advanced knowledge: Internal medicine doctors can provide specific insight into difficult health problems.
- Gaps filled: Through administering vaccines and immunizations, nurses and internists can assist in primary and preventive care.
- Type of disorders treated: Internal medicine specialists are skilled in the treatment of chronic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.
- Better healthcare: More importantly, they have time to instruct their patients concerning their illness and how to manage it.
Conclusion
Internal Medicine can be regarded as the backbone of healthcare, providing comprehensive medical care to adults with a wide range of pathological disorders. Internists are the well-trained professionals who are responsible for diagnosing and treating many diseases. If you would like to benefit from a comprehensively oriented doctor, you may wish to seek the services of an internist.
Internal medicine has been practiced at City Med in the most advanced way. With in-house qualified internists Dr. Gunjan Kishor Sharma & Dr. Anjali Vaish, all city med patients are ensured to receive quality medical services. This also involves different procedures like, preventive measures, supervision of long-term conditions and advanced levels of healthcare. We look forward to hearing from you and we will be happy to set up an appointment for you with an internal medicine specialist soon.
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between an internist and a general practitioner?
Ans: Internists are medical doctors who have completed additional internal medicine training. This training has allowed them to diagnose complex medical conditions and treat more diverse ones than other general practitioners.
Q. Is there a referral needed when seeking an internist?
Ans: You may require a referral from your primary care physician to visit an internist, but most health insurance plans allow patients to visit a specialist without a prior referral.
Q. How often should I see my internist for a check-up ?
Ans: The frequency of your check-ups will depend on your health needs. In most cases, internists recommend yearly check-ups among healthy adults.
