Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine is the medical specialty in which physicians provide comprehensive, patient-centered primary health care to patients and their families. Physicians who practice Internal medicine can provide routine wellness care, such as physical exams or preventative care, to patients, above the age of eighteen regardless of gender, health or social status. They are also trained to know about many areas of medicine so that they are equipped to treat a wide variety of conditions.
Internal Medicine practices often staff a team of professionals that can help provide a continuity of care to patients, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and others.
The Purpose of Internal Medicine
The goal of Internal medicine specialty is to provide continual, comprehensive care to an individual. Internal medicine advocates believe that seeing many different specialists can sometimes result in fragmented care.
But physicians who practice Internal medicine are trained in providing coordination of care and will refer patients to specialists when necessary. Frequently, they can also provide information about other community resources or health services..
Some of the services that Internal Medicine Physicians offer may include:
- Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic disease
- Immediate care for sudden and serious illness or injury
- Routine physical exams as well as sports clearance physical exams
- Vaccinations
- Preventative medicine
Internal Medicine physicians may also be trained in subspecialties, such as:
- Geriatric medicine
- Hospice and palliative medicine
- Sub Acute Medicine
- Sports medicine
- Sleep medicine
- Mental health
The Benefits of Internal Medicine
Physicians who practice Internal medicine can treat patients above the age of 18, regardless gender, social status or health issue. Internal Medicine Physicians are specially trained to solve diagnostic problems, manage severe long-term illnesses and help patients control multiple complex chronic conditions. Having an Internist allows members of the family, from young adult to an elderly age, to set the same doctor. This enables the doctor to develop a trusting and genuine personal relationship with the family, which can result in better care.
An Internal Medicine doctor who cares for a family over a period of years may also be able to provide better guidance about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially if the doctor knows the family's medical history firsthand or has seen patterns of health problems. By adapting lifestyle changes and new health habits, patients may be able to avoid costly medications or procedures that can later affect them.
Generally, specialists treat conditions that already afflict a patient. Internal Medicine doctors are equipped to treat chronic disease, ongoing health needs or other conditions and can help a patient develop a personalized, cost-effective treatment plan.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis caused by the wearing down of the cartilage that protects the bones of a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition caused by an inflammation in the lining of the joints. Both forms of arthritis cause pain, tenderness, and swelling, and may result in loss of movement in the affected joints. Over time, joints affected by arthritis may become severely damaged. Arthritis occurs more frequently in older individuals, however it sometimes develops in athletes from overuse of a joint or after an injury. It can however, affect people of any age, including children.
Arthritis FAQs
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Arthritis is commonly caused by inflammation in the lining of the joints, which in addition to pain, may result in redness, heat, swelling and loss of movement in the affected joints. Over time, joints affected by arthritis may become severely damaged. There are different types of arthritis, and depending on the cause, may affect people of different ages. Some types of arthritis may cause to damage to other organs of the body in addition to the joints.
Strep Throat
The most common symptoms of strep throat are a painful sore throat and fever, however additional symptoms may include:
Diet and Exercise
Developing a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen are equally important. Many people only consider improving their diet and exercise routine when they want to lose weight. Diet and exercise, however, should not be forgotten once weight loss goals are achieved since they are important health factors even in individuals who are at an optimal weight.
Sleep Disorders
If you struggle to fall asleep at night or feel tired throughout the day, you are not alone. Sleep disorders affect one in three people at some point of their lives, and about half of all adults over the age of 65. From insomnia to sleep apnea, an estimated 50 million Americans suffer from some type of sleeping disorder.
Sports Physicals
A sports physical exam, also known as a preparticipation physical examination (PPE), is a thorough medical examination that determines whether or not it is safe for an athlete to participate in a particular sport. The purpose of a PPE is to prevent as many injuries and medical emergencies on the court or playing field as possible Sports physicals are often required for children and teens before they are allowed to join a team sport and are usually repeated before each season. PPEs are required by most state governments as well.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small finger-shaped organ that projects from the colon, on the right side of the body.
Bed Sores
Bed sores (pressure sores) develop when blood to a particular area is cut off as a result of extended periods of time spent either sitting or lying down in one position. Bed sores injure the skin and the tissue beneath it, and worsen rapidly once they develop. Bony areas such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone are typically affected. People who are paralyzed or bedridden, use wheelchairs, or cannot adjust their positions on their own are susceptible to developing bed sores.
Blood Thinners
Blood thinners are medications used to prevent blood clots from forming in the circulatory system. If a blood clot forms in a vein or artery, it can travel to the heart, brain or lungs, causing, depending on the clot's location, a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. People who have irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation) or congenital heart defects, or who have had coronary stents inserted or undergone heart-valve surgery, have a greater likelihood of getting blood clots.
Bone Health
Healthy bones are a necessity for a full and active lifestyle. Although we depend on our bones everyday for physical support and consider them strong and rigid structures, bones are actually living tissue, growing and changing on a regular basis. Along with the calcium that gives them their strength, bones are also made up of a collagen protein that gives them flexibility but also makes them susceptible to weakening and injury.
Complete Blood Count
A complete blood count, or CBC, is a blood test used to measure the number of blood cells in the body and the ratio of one type of blood cell to another in the bloodstream.This information is invaluable in assessing the overall health of the patient and in diagnosing various infections, diseases or disorders. It provides specific information about the following:
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that deliver blood to the heart, are suddenly blocked and cannot supply the heart with blood and oxygen. This blockage causes damage and gradual death of the heart muscle and often requires immediate treatment in order to save the person's life. Also known as a myocardial infarction, heart attacks most often occur as a result of coronary artery disease, a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.
Dementia
Dementia is not a single disorder, but rather a combination of age-related symptoms involving a loss of mental skills and deteriorating brain function. Dementia literally translates to "deprived of mind," and may be the result of several different underlying conditions, some of which are treatable and some of which are not. Patients with dementia gradually lose memory, communication skills, the ability to reason, and the facility to complete the tasks of everyday living.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the inability of the body to create or use insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that enables sugar or glucose, to enter the cells. Diabetes is a serious, chronic metabolic disorder in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to the insulin being produced.
Ear Infections
Ear infections, also known as otitis media, are one of the most common childhood medical problems. Ear infections are the most frequent cause of doctor visits for children. In fact, three out of four children in the United States will have at least one ear infection by the time they reach the age of three.
Employment Physicals
Many employers require an employment physical to determine the suitability of an individual for a job. A pre-employment physical exam may be requested to ensure new hires are physically capable of performing their work and meet general health standards. Employment examinations may include physical examinations, health inquiries, psychological tests, drug testing, and mental health assessments. These exams compare the health of the potential employee with the expected demands of the job, to ensure that the individual is fit to do the job.
Food Allergies
A food allergy is present when the immune system has an abnormal reaction to proteins in a particular food. Food-allergy symptoms, which can be triggered by ingesting even minute amounts of the food, usually happen within minutes but may, occasionally, happen a few hours later. Food allergies can begin in childhood or in adulthood, with some people suddenly having allergic responses to foods that have never caused problems. In other cases, allergies appear after a food is consumed for the first time. Certain food allergies that affect young children may eventually go away.
Flu Vaccination
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious virus that appears seasonally. It spreads from person to person and can cause mild to severe illness. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. For some people, the flu can lead to serious complications, and possibly even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized annually from flu-related complications. Flu season may start as early as October and usually subsides by May.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the pressure of the blood flowing against the artery walls is above the normal range. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the blood flow resistance in the arteries. If the heart pumps more blood than normal, and the arteries are narrower than normal, the result is high blood pressure. Untreated high blood pressure can cause serious health problems, including heart attack, kidney failure and stroke. There are two types of high blood pressure: primary and secondary. Primary hypertension is high blood pressure that develops gradually over the course of time, and secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that results from an underlying...
High Blood Pressure FAQs
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the pressure of the blood flowing against the artery walls is above the normal range. Blood pressure is measured in two sets of numbers. The first number is the systolic reading, which is the pressure when the heart is beating. The second number is the diastolic number, the pressure when the heart is resting. High blood pressure occurs when the systolic reading is at 140 or higher and/or the diastolic reading is 90 or above.
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is produced by the liver, the intestines and nearly all tissues in the body. Cholesterol is needed for the production of hormones, vitamin D and the bile necessary to digest the fats in food. Cholesterol also protects cell membranes from changes in temperature. While a certain amount of cholesterol is needed, too much cholesterol is unhealthy. An excessive amount of cholesterol can block blood flow in the arteries. This lack of blood flow can lead to a stroke. While there are no symptoms of high cholesterol, a simple blood test can provide patients with results. Cholesterol levels can be controlled or reduced with an active and healthy lifestyle. In some cases, medication may be necessary to control high levels of...
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is the sudden or gradual decrease in hearing. Hearing loss can be mild or severe, reversible, temporary or permanent, and may affect one or both ears. The most common cause of hearing loss is age, affecting up to 25 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 75 and up to 50 percent of those over the age of 75. Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, results from changes in the ear which cause gradual hearing loss. Some individuals are hearing-impaired or deaf as a result of a congenital defect or because of an illness, such as Ménière's disease.
Autism
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), encompasses a range of pervasive developmental disorders. These disorders vary in degree from mild forms like Asperger's syndrome to severe impairment.
Autism is characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction and by repetitive behavior patterns. The disorder has become very common, occurring in more than 1 percent of children. Autism is four times more likely to occur in males. Besides Asperger's syndrome, there are several other types of ASD, including pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, childhood disintegrative disorder, and Rett's syndrome.
Long-Term Care
Long-term care involves a comprehensive range of services and support for patients who need assistance caring for themselves. These services can be beneficial for a patient with a chronic illness, or serious injury or disability, who is unable to care for him- or herself for an extended period of time. Although long-term care is most frequently used by older adults, patients of any age may need long-term care, especially following serious injury or debilitating illness. Long-term care may be provided in a facility, such as a nursing home or rehabilitation center, or a patient's home.
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is a goal that many people try to achieve in order to avoid the symptoms and complications of high blood pressure. Yet when blood pressure is too low, it can be a serious medical condition, potentially causing permanent damage to the heart and the brain.
Medical Laboratory Testing
Laboratories are a vital part of the world of medicine since modern medical laboratories do important diagnostic work for specialists in every medical field. While many medical laboratories do a variety of tests, some laboratories specialize in particular types of testing.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a condition or illness. Nausea is a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach that is accompanied by the sensation of a need to vomit. Vomiting is the emptying, either voluntarily or involuntarily, of the stomach contents through the mouth.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle and at a high risk for fracture. In all individuals, bone breaks down over time, but is replaced with new bone tissue. As people age, bone loss occurs at a faster rate than new bone mass is created, resulting in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the result of increasing bone loss and is more common in older people, especially women.