Internal Medicine
Internists diagnose and medically treat disease while also providing primary care for adults. Whether an issue is routine or a complicated problem, Internists handle everything from simple care to even screening patients for cancer and will refer you to a specialist if it is determined to be necessary.
Internal medicine physicians can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions and illnesses, including:
Asthma
Making breathing difficult, Asthma is a chronic disease where the airways become inflamed and swollen. Patients with asthma can experience many symptoms, such as:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a progressive disease that makes breathing more difficult with two types – chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Each type can cause many symptoms, such as:
- A cough with mucus
- Wheezing
- Struggling with breathing
- Chest tightness
Pneumonia and Influenza
Pneumonia is a lung infection that’s caused by bacteria, a virus or by inhaling a liquid. Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Problems breathing
- Chest pain
Influenza, or the flu, is a common respiratory infection caused by a virus. Symptoms may include:
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolism disorder where the body is unable to regulate its blood glucose levels. Glucose comes from eating carbohydrates. For glucose to enter cells and be transformed into energy, insulin must be present. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the body doesn’t respond to the insulin it does produce.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition where the blood flows through the veins or arteries at a higher pressure than normal. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, including heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. Healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising more, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress can help lower blood pressure.
Heart Disease
The leading cause of death in the United States according to the CDC, heart disease should be taken seriously. One in five Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association®, and internal medicine physicians can diagnose and treat many heart conditions and coordinate with other healthcare professionals, including surgeons and emergency care physicians, as needed.