Internal Medicine
What is internal medicine?
Internal medicine is a medical speciality that deals with the primary care of adults. This field of medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating various conditions affecting the body’s internal organs一heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, nerves, and vascular system.
Internal medicine also provides primary care to adult patients and deals with a wide array of acute, chronic, and complex illnesses. Some of its subspecialties include the following:
Cardiovascular disease
this speciality focuses on the treatment and management of heart-related illnesses, such as coronary heart diseases, vascular disorders, and pericardial disease.
Endocrinology
this subspecialty deals with illnesses affecting the endocrine or glandular system. This includes diseases that cause metabolic dysfunction and hormonal dysregulation, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, goiter, and reproductive disorders.
Gastroenterology
is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the care of the digestive system and the treatment of diseases affecting its organs. Some examples include gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pancreatitis, and nutritional problems.
Hematology
a hematologist focuses on researching, diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases involving the vascular system (blood).
Medical oncology
is a branch of internal medicine that specializes in treating all forms of cancer.
Infectious disease
this subspeciality focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of contagious diseases caused by a virus, bacteria, function and parasite. Some examples include HIV, measles, flu, and coronavirus.
Nephrology
is a branch of adult internal medicine that ensures the health and normal function of the kidneys.
Allergy and immunology
a branch of internal medicine that deals with the treatment of diseases that affects the immune system. This includes allergies and immunologic disorders.
Geriatrics medicine
is a speciality that focuses on the care and health and wellness of senior patients. This includes maintaining their functional independence and preventing the onset of lifestyle diseases.
Rheumatology
it deals with complex illnesses affecting the joints, muscles, and connective tissues. This includes arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases.
What does an internist do?
An internal medicine doctor or internist can be your first point of contact for any discomfort and undiagnosed illness. They can provide treatment and management techniques for conditions affecting your organ systems and skin. Some of the services an internist can provide include:
- Whole-person care
- Chronic medical care
- Acute medical care
- Pain management
- Annual wellness check-ups
- Immunizations, including early and periodic screening
- Diagnostic tests, such as blood work and imaging exams.
- Behavior healthcare needs
Your internists will conduct a check-up and order some tests to diagnose your disease accurately. They will then create a treatment plan to address your specific needs or refer you to an internist specializing in your particular problem area.
When should you see an internist?
Any discomfort in any part of the body should warrant a visit to your internal medicine doctor. Talk to our expert physicians by contacting us or visiting our facility closest to your location:
Internal medicine in Baytown, TX
UrgentCareMDs also offer other high-quality services such as pre-operative screening, Covid testing, STD testing, school physicals, and more!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.