Who is an internist?
An internist, an internal medicine physician, specializes in treating conditions affecting the internal organs- the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney. Internists often act as gatekeepers as they closely monitor a patient's body systems and help manage chronic illnesses. As the disease progresses, they consult other specialists for treatment.
Education and training of an internist
To become an internist, you must first earn a four-year undergraduate degree. You must also complete the following steps:
- Attend medical school typically lasting four years
- Engage in a three-year internal medicine residency
- Successfully pass an American Board of Internal Medicine exam to obtain certification
Internists pursuing a subspecialty will require one to three years of education. Cardiology, pulmonary disease, oncology, critical care, and hematology are among the popular specialization areas for internists.
Internist vs. family physician
Generally, people need clarification on a family physician and an internist, as both serve as primary care physicians who provide overall health management, but there is a distinct difference.
Their patient demographics make them different as internists focus exclusively on adults, while family physicians see people of all ages - children and adults. Internists specialize in primary care screening and treating common adult health problems like diabetes and hypertension, as well as a complex combination of conditions. Family physicians have extensive training that equips them to deal with varying health problems for the entire family, focusing on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.
Reasons to consult an internist
Internists play a vital role in managing various aspects of your health, from chronic conditions to preventive care. Here's why you might consider seeing one:
Chronic disease management
Internists specialize in managing ongoing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis. They monitor these conditions closely to prevent complications and ensure they don't worsen over time.
Preventive care
Preventive care focuses on stopping health problems before they start or catching them early. Internists conduct annual checkups, also known as physicals, to evaluate how well your body and organs are functioning. Vaccinations are another pivotal aspect of preventive care, protecting you from illnesses like the flu, pneumonia, or hepatitis. Blood and urine tests help detect chronic diseases, infections, pregnancy, or sexually transmitted diseases. Internists also recommend cancer screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, or prostate exams, to ensure early detection and better outcomes. With these measures, internists help you maintain long-term health and address potential risks proactively.
Mental health support
Some internists, such as psychiatrists, specialize in mental health. They diagnose and treat conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and dementia. They can also address substance abuse, providing a comprehensive approach to mental well-being.
Allergies and infections
Internists manage allergies, including hay fever, sinusitis, asthma, and reactions to foods or medications. They also diagnose and treat infectious diseases, addressing both common and complex cases.
Pain management
An internist can evaluate and treat pain caused by muscle strains, stomach viruses, arthritis, or more severe conditions like appendicitis or cancer. They determine the cause and offer relief or refer patients to specialists when necessary.
Internists provide holistic care and guide you to the right specialists when needed, ensuring optimal treatment for your health concerns.
What do you anticipate when you first visit an internist?
When you visit an internist, you can generally expect the following steps in your care:
The internist will check your vital signs and review your medical history and medication list. They will ask questions regarding your symptoms and overall well-being and conduct a physical exam to understand your health comprehensively. During the physical exam, the internist typically performs the following:
- Observe your general appearance, including your posture and movement
- Listen to your heart to check for any heart murmurs, irregular heartbeats, or other unusual sounds
- Listen to your breathing to detect crackles, wheezing, or shortness of breath
- Examine your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
- Inspect your skin and nails
The doctor may order screening tests like a lipid panel or bone density test for wellness checks. If you have specific health concerns, the doctor will request the appropriate tests, whether a simple urinalysis or a more complex imaging test. Your doctor may advise you to return for a follow-up visit or suggest seeing a different specialist.
If you see other specialists, your internist may consult with them, coordinate your care, and ensure no medication interactions. The best internists are proactive and may offer counseling on lifestyle changes and preventive measures. They also screen for mental health issues such as depression.
How to prepare for an appointment with an internist near you?
When you are sick, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the hassle of booking a doctor's appointment. But if you rush the process, you might need more time to get out of the visit. Here's how to prepare yourself for the doctor's visit:
- Make sure to provide the doctor's office information regarding the reason for your appointment when you book your slot.
- Provide information about your medical history and bring your past medical records and a list of medications (with the dosage) you may be consuming.
- During the visit, give the internist all the information about your symptoms and when they started.
- After listening to you and doing your checkup, the internist may diagnose and prescribe you a treatment. Ask questions to fully grasp the treatment - especially if a new medication is involved.
- Also, ask for a follow-up appointment and make it as soon as you know.
Common chronic conditions that affect older adults
Different chronic ailments affect adults as they get older. A majority of these conditions don't show any initial symptoms. Regular preventive health checkups are the best way to detect these ailments early and prevent them from becoming significant health complications. The most common chronic disorders affecting adults in the 65+ age group that internists manage and treat include the following:
- High cholesterol levels cause fat deposits in the blood vessels, obstructing normal blood flow. It increases the chances of heart attack, heart disease, or stroke. This condition does not produce any symptoms.
- Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the heart pumps more blood into narrow arteries, which resists the flow. Untreated hypertension can lead to many complications, such as heart attack and stroke. Generally, there are no symptoms, but some may experience headaches, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds.
- Coronary heart disease occurs when your blood vessels fail to supply nutrient-rich and oxygenated blood to the heart. It is usually a result of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Complications include blood clots, angina, or a heart attack.
- Heart failure happens when the heart cannot supply enough blood throughout the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, leg swelling, irregular heartbeat, rapid weight gain, and nausea.
- Arthritis: It is a painful disorder of the joints. Arthritis can be of two types: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It causes swelling, inflammation, pain, and joint stiffness that can worsen with time and age.
- Diabetes occurs due to the body's insulin resistance or the failure to produce enough insulin. If left ignored, diabetes can cause severe complications such as kidney disease, blindness, or heart disease.
- Depression: It is a treatable mood disorder that causes symptoms such as perpetual sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, hopelessness, angry or emotional outbursts, fatigue, difficulty making decisions, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances.
- Chronic kidney disease occurs due to the gradual decline in the normal functioning of the kidney, resulting in severe kidney damage. High blood pressure and diabetes increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.
How to find the best internist near you in Hackensack?
Are you looking for treatment related to diabetes or hypertension in Hackensack? Do you want to get treated for your migraine? Are you tired of looking for top-rated internists? With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best internist in Hackensack.
Create a free account on Zocdoc. Choose the condition or specialty (internist), location (Hackensack, New Jersey), date, and insurance plan. An exhaustive list based on your search criteria will appear. If you need help with your insurance plan, use the Zocdoc insurance detector. While adding your insurance information to your Zocdoc account helps you find in-network providers more conveniently, bringing your insurance card to your appointment is still essential, as many healthcare offices require it for verification purposes. For more insurance-related questions, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Each internist on Zocdoc has a profile that includes a brief introduction, education qualifications, practice location, visit reasons, and, most importantly, patient reviews and ratings.
Zocdoc asks patients to leave a review when they finish an appointment. Hence, the best way to find the best internists in Hackensack is to read patient ratings and reviews on Zocdoc. You can filter your results by gender if you're looking for a female internist in Hackensack. You can also book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your internist. Look for a purple video icon on internists' profiles or filter the video appointment selection.
Book appointments with an internist near you who accepts your insurance plan in real-time. All bookings with Zocdoc are 100% safe, simple and secure!
Statistics on prevalent health conditions in Hackensack, New Jersey
A report by Hackensack Meridian Health stated that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most prevalent health conditions faced by adult Americans. About one in three adults have high blood pressure, increasing heart disease risk, kidney failure, and stroke. The CDC also reported that nearly 3 in 4 hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged 65 and older had hypertension.
According to the CDC report in 2017, around 18,840 deaths in New Jersey are due to heart diseases. It is the leading cause of death in New Jersey, followed by cancer. Diabetes is the seventh cause of death in New Jersey, with a rate of approximately 16.7 cases per 100,000.
Between 2015 and 2016, Hackensack endured an STD crisis. In 2016, the city had a rate of approximately 48.8 new STIs per 100,000. According to a report published by the State's Health Department in 2018, around 44% of adults have died due to HIV and AIDS in Hackensack.
As per the New Jersey State Health Assessment Data, the tuberculosis (TB) incidence rate in New Jersey was approximately 14% higher than in the US in 2016. This marked New Jersey as one of the only eight states reporting an incidence rate above the national rate. In 2018, there were approximately 3.2 cases per 100,000 people in New Jersey, whereas in the US, it was 2.8.
According to the State Department of Health, in mid-April 2022, flu cases appeared to peak across New Jersey, with more than 18,300 cases diagnosed through PCR or rapid testing after the decline in COVID-19 cases.
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Kavita Rao, M.D., Gulf Coast Internist
Hackensack Meridian Health
Johnson Memorial Health
Medical News Today
Memorial Regional Health
NJ Health
New Jersey State Health Assessment Data
Safer STD Testing
St. George's University, School of
