Internal medicine specialists are also called internists, and they only treat adult patients. Internal medicine focuses on preventing and treating conditions that affect the body’s internal organs and systems. Internists can evaluate symptoms involving multiple organ systems, making them well-suited primary care physicians. Here’s more information on internists and what services they provide to benefit your health:
Focusing on Routine Health Check-ins
Routine check-ins give people regular access to a physician who knows their medical history. During these visits, an internist may review current medications, update vaccination records, and discuss recent health changes. An internal medicine physician can also evaluate acute health needs as they arise, from respiratory infections and minor injuries to digestive issues or sudden blood pressure changes. Some acute concerns can be addressed in a single visit, but others require follow-up testing or a specialist referral.
Regular visits also help establish a health baseline for each patient. Each visit records key information about health factors like weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and lab values. An internist can compare new results against this baseline record to identify trends. If they notice a gradual rise in blood sugar or cholesterol, the internist looks for any trends across several years of records. Tracking these trends gives the internist information to guide future treatment recommendations.
Focusing on Prevention
Preventive care aims to identify health risks before they develop into more serious concerns. Internists assess each patient’s risk factors, including family history, age, lifestyle habits, and existing conditions. Based on this assessment, an internist can recommend specific preventive screenings, including:
- Blood Pressure Checks
- Cholesterol Panels
- Colorectal Cancer Screenings
- Diabetes Testing
Preventive visits may also include conversations about nutrition, physical activity, sleep, tobacco use, and alcohol use. When a screening result falls outside the expected range, the internist can order additional testing or recommend seeing a specialist. Recommended screening schedules vary by age, sex, and individual risk. Internists also follow national vaccination guidelines for adults, so they can help patients stay current on immunizations such as flu, tetanus, and shingles vaccines.
Focusing on Chronic Care
Chronic conditions are long-term health conditions that require ongoing management, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces little or no insulin, while type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin effectively. Although the causes differ, both conditions require regular blood sugar monitoring.
An internist may order periodic A1C tests, which reflect average blood sugar levels over roughly three months. They can also review medication or insulin plans and adjust them as needed. Because diabetes affects other parts of the body, an internist may check kidney function, examine the feet, and monitor blood pressure during routine visits.
Some patients with diabetes also see an endocrinologist, and the internist can coordinate care information between providers. Many patients manage more than one chronic condition at the same time, but an internist can review various conditions and medications together. This broad view allows the doctor to identify overlapping treatments or possible drug interactions.
Find an Internal Medicine Practitioner
If you are looking for a new primary care doctor, contact an internal medicine practitioner near you. Internists provide routine check-ins, preventive screenings, and chronic condition management within a single practice. Bring a list of current medications, past medical records, and any questions you have to that first appointment. This helps you remember to address all of your concerns and make the most of your consultation.
