Internal medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions that affect adults. Internal medicine Lansdowne doctors diagnose and treat conditions affecting the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, digestive system, urinary tract, and other organs in the body. This can include anything from allergies to cancer to diabetes.
What do internal medicine services include?
Annual physicals
Most physicians recommend annual physicals at least once a year to monitor patients’ health status. This type of exam includes a thorough examination of the overall health of a patient, including checking vital signs, listening to the heart and lungs, examining the skin for redness or lesions, looking for any lumps or bumps on the body, checking body weight and height, and taking blood pressure readings. A patient’s annual physical is tailored to their personal medical history and risk factors for specific diseases.
Vaccinations
Vaccines prevent the spread of disease. They are useful in preventing disease and protecting people who have already been exposed to a disease. Vaccines are also used to treat infections caused by viruses and bacteria. Doctors often recommend routine vaccinations for people at high risk for certain diseases. These include:
- Routine vaccinations for children (birth to 18 years old)
- Immunizations for adults who work with or around people who are sick
- Immunizations against seasonal flu (the flu shot), which protects you from getting the flu if you are exposed to the virus
- Vaccines for some cancers, including cervical cancer
Chronic disease management
Chronic disease management is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the healthcare needs of individuals with long-term, chronic medical conditions. Chronic disease management providers evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. This type of care is often provided in a coordinated care setting to help individuals manage their health needs over time.
Preventive care
This includes screening for diseases and conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. This is particularly important for people with certain risk factors, such as those who have had a heart attack or stroke, are obese, or have other health problems that can be linked to their lifestyle. It also involves early detection of diseases’ signs or symptoms so they can be treated before they cause problems. For example, if someone has high blood pressure, it may not be dangerous until it reaches a certain level. Early detection and treatment can prevent complications from occurring later on.
Follow-up care
After treatment has been completed, follow-up care is needed to ensure that the patient’s condition has been successfully treated and that all complications have been prevented from returning. This includes monitoring vital signs and other laboratory values, checking for signs of infection or other complications, and conducting physical examinations at appropriate intervals every few weeks or months.
Internal medicine physicians are concerned with all aspects of the body’s functions and structures, from the digestive tract to the nervous system. They diagnose and treat diseases that affect these organs and systems, as well as conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. They may also help patients manage chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, or asthma. To benefit from internal medicine services, contact CN Internal Medicine experts.
