Who is an internist?
The term internist refers to doctors who have studied internal medicine and specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases related to internal organs. The human body has various internal organs which may get infected due to chronic diseases. These include kidney failure, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, thyroid, blood pressure, arthritis, and different respiratory conditions. Internists are skilled and experienced doctors trained to treat chronic diseases and provide preventive care for mild conditions. However, internists specialize only in treating adults; they do not offer consultations for kids and teenagers.
Internists may treat two conditions simultaneously; for example, they can provide thyroid treatment and preventive care for mouth sores. They generally develop long-term relationships with their patients over a while.
Generally, internists closely study a patient's condition and update their medications depending on the improvements. They treat chronic diseases and notice any abnormalities that might indicate another dangerous disease. In some cases, they recommend specialists who will provide you with appropriate treatment and care. They operate in different work settings, including hospitals, private clinics, intensive care units, surgical care, and rehabilitation centers.
Education and training of internists
Internists must go through years of rigorous study, practice, and examinations. They have to complete almost 11 years of education and pass specific tests. The process internists must follow as mentioned below:
- Four years of an undergraduate degree in a science field
- Clearing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and enrolling in a medical school
- Four years of medical education and clinical training, wherein the first two years focus on theory and the last two on clinical training. The classwork involves getting familiar with pathology, biochemistry, radiology, etc. The practical education pertains to diagnosing and treating various diseases under supervision.
- Completing a residency program lasting 1–3 years, they gain basic knowledge of internal medicine and multiple sub-specialties.
- Passing various examinations and acquiring the state license and board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
- Obtaining additional fellowship training of 1–3 years if an internist aspires to explore a particular sub-specialty, including hematology, radiology, oncology, cardiology, rheumatology, geriatrics, and critical care
What subspecialties can internists pursue?
Internists can pursue a number of subspecialties, including the following:
- Adolescent medicine: Internists specializing in this field work with patients from the age of 10-11 right up to their transition into adulthood.
- Allergy and immunology: Internists pursuing this specialty receive in-depth training to diagnose, treat, and manage health asthma, allergies, and immunologic disorders.
- Cardiovascular disease: Cardiologists focus on diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel diseases, such as heart rhythm abnormalities and coronary artery disease.
- Critical care medicine: Internists specializing in this area diagnose and treat severely ill or injured patients, including those who have experienced trauma. While not necessary, many critical care medicine specialists focus on a specific type of condition or patient population.
- Endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism: Commonly referred to as endocrinologists, internists pursuing this specialty work with patients experiencing endocrine gland issues, including metabolic and hormonal disorders.
- Gastroenterology: Gastroenterologists treat conditions affecting the digestive organs, including abdominal pain, liver disease, and ulcers.
- Hematology: This subspecialty focuses on blood disorders like anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia. Hematologists often examine specimens under microscopes and analyze lab results to diagnose and treat various conditions.
- Nephrology: Nephrologists focus on diagnosing and treating kidney disorders, including complex illnesses that require dialysis.
- Rheumatology: Rheumatologists diagnose, treat, and manage conditions that impact the muscles, joints, and related tissues.
When should you visit an internist?
Internists have expertise in treating various ailments and mild conditions affecting the human body. There are multiple reasons to schedule appointments with an internal medicine doctor near you. Some causes can result from a benign condition, while others may denote the symptoms of a chronic disease. Here are a few reasons why people should visit an internist.
- Abdominal pain: Experiencing pain in the abdomen can have many causes, such as muscle pain, heavy cramps, and gastrointestinal problems. It can also be a symptom of stomach infection, UTIs, or something more severe. If you are experiencing tender pain, immediately consulting an internist is a good idea. Sometimes, they might refer you to a specialist for further treatment.
- Chest pain: This is one of the most common conditions caused by indigestion, anxiety, acidity, and overstressing. Even so, you must consult a doctor if you have constant pain in an area. The condition, like muscular pain, could be minor or denote heart problems.
- Allergies or inflammations: Many people have sensitive skin, causing skin issues quickly. Allergies and rashes are prevalent but can be intense in some cases. A food allergy test is a reliable way to get to know and keep a check on your food and lifestyle habits. If the rashes are causing frequent itching and uneasiness, consult an internist. They may recommend you to a dermatologist if needed.
- High blood pressure: Also known as hypertension, this condition is unsuitable for mental health. The blood pressure opposing the artery surface is too high in this condition. The situation does not always have apparent symptoms, but if you experience headaches, blurry vision, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc., you must consult an internist.
- Excessive cholesterol levels: The blood's levels of fats (good and bad) and lipids are needed to measure cholesterol. It is ideal to have high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL denotes the percentage of good cholesterol, whereas LDL indicates bad cholesterol.
What procedures can an internist perform?
Internists are qualified to perform various medical procedures while ensuring patient comfort and safety. Some of them include:
- Administering adult vaccinations: The internist may give you shots to prevent infections such as diphtheria and tetanus, flu, hepatitis A and B, HPV (human papillomavirus), pneumococcal, shingles, and whooping cough (pertussis).
- Providing injections for pain management: They can give cortisone shots for joint pain and trigger point injections for muscle pain.
- Conducting health screenings: Internists prevent diseases by screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancers of the breast, cervix, rectum, and colon.
- Performing procedures for minor injuries: If you fall, meet with a minor accident, or have infections that need immediate attention, you can rely on your internist. Some common procedures include the removal of foreign bodies from skin and eyes, abscess (pus) drainage, minor fracture care, and laceration repair (stitches or staples).
- Executing more complex medical procedures: They may also be involved in strategies to manage more complicated medical situations. It includes endotracheal intubation, intravenous (IV) line insertion, urinary catheter placement, skin biopsies, and excision of skin lesions.
What questions can you ask an internist?
Your internist is committed to helping you improve and maintain your health and well-being lifelong. However, to achieve that goal, you must actively participate. One way of doing that is to follow the prescribed treatment plan diligently. Another way is to learn more about your health from your internist. Consider asking them these questions during your next visit:
- What should my health goals be?
- Which health screenings would you recommend for me?
- Do I need to take any vaccines?
- Am I at risk for any health conditions in the future?
- Are my vital signs typical?
- Is my weight concerning?
- How can I improve my diet?
- Can you suggest ways to have sound sleep?
- How can I quit smoking and drinking?
- What is the best exercise plan for me?
- Are there any reliable resources for learning more about my health?
- Is there anything else about my health that I should know?
What is hypertension?
Hypertension manifests when the pressure in the blood vessels exceeds 140/90 mmHg. It is a prevalent condition that can have severe consequences if left untreated. Individuals with high blood pressure often do not exhibit overt symptoms. This makes regular blood pressure checks essential to reach a diagnosis. Typically, blood pressure has two measures: systolic pressure, indicating the force when the heart contracts, and diastolic pressure, reflecting the heart's resting period between beats.
A diagnosis of hypertension is when, on two separate occasions, the systolic blood pressure equals or exceeds 140 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure is similar to or surpasses 90 mmHg. Regular monitoring and appropriate management are crucial for maintaining your cardiac health.
High blood pressure can be due to several reasons, including growing age, genetic predisposition, obesity, lack of physical activity, a high-salt diet, and excessive alcohol consumption. Lifestyle changes like quitting tobacco, eating a balanced diet, and routine exercise can help reduce blood pressure issues. However, some individuals may still require medication.
How often should you visit an internist for hypertension?
Regular blood pressure screenings by an internist near you can be vital to safeguarding your overall health. The frequency of these screenings depends on your age and general well-being. It is advisable to request a blood pressure reading from your internist at least once every two years, starting at 18. If you are 40 years or older, or between 18 and 39, but with a family history of hypertension or other risk factors, you may consider having your blood pressure checked annually.
Individuals with existing high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease may receive more frequent recommendations for blood pressure monitoring from their healthcare provider.
Blood pressure measurement is typically a part of annual checkups for children aged three and above. Regular blood pressure monitoring is critical for the timely diagnosis and management of potential future complications.
Finding the best internist near you in Indianapolis, IN
It has become essential to take full body check-ups and consult an internist as a precaution. But finding a good one in one's neighborhood, say Indianapolis, could be challenging. But you need not worry—Zocdoc is here to provide a hassle-free platform to find specialists who meet your medical needs.
All you need to do is register for free on the platform and search using your requirements. There are filters for the condition, location, preferable appointment date and time, and even insurance coverage plan. Once you have entered your needs and preferences, Zocdoc will display a list of doctors near you, including internists.
Each doctor's profile will have relevant details such as gender, qualifications, specifications, spoken languages, the insurance plan they accept, and more. You can also explore verified reviews and ratings left by previous patients to identify the best internist near you.
Using Zocdoc’s insurance detector, you can easily find out which doctors accept your health insurance. If you do not see your plan listed on Zocdoc, try clicking a picture of your medical insurance card (this does not apply to vision or dental insurance) and uploading it. The website will scan the image and show you your most likely plan. If you face any challenges taking or uploading the picture, get in touch with Zocdoc’s service team. For other insurance-related queries, check out Zocdoc’s patient help center.
Once you have reviewed the profiles and shortlisted the internist who suits you, you can book an appointment. Zocdoc also facilitates video-call meetings—check this by looking for a purple video icon in the doctor's profile. Remember to confirm whether the doctor accepts your insurance coverage plan so that it is easy for you to claim your bills.
Once you decide on the desired internist near you, you can book an in-person or a video-call appointment with them. The best part is that all the bookings on Zocdoc are accessible, secure, and free.
Facts and figures on common diseases in Indiana
Cardiovascular diseases are the top cause of death in many parts of the US, including Indiana. According to America's Health Rankings data, in 2022, about 10.2% of adults were informed about a heart stroke, attack, or coronary disease. People of Indiana suffering from cardiovascular conditions include 11.1% of male adults and 9.3% of female adults.
As per a 2022 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the death rate in Indiana due to heart disease hiked up to around 185. Also, there were about 15,385 deaths per 100,000 population. The data shows that cases relating to heart attacks, cancer, diabetes, thyroid, lung, and kidney failures are increasing significantly.
Sources
WebMD
MedicalNewsToday
Memorial Regional Health
South Carolina Internal Medicine, LLC
Radar Medical Group
America’s Health Rankings
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Intercoastal Medical Group
Total Access Medical
CNET
St. George’s University
Mayo Clinic
World Health Organization
