Who is an internist?
An internist is a healthcare professional who specializes in internal medicine. They are qualified to diagnose and treat health conditions related to the internal body organs and systems and other common illnesses that affect adults. They do not treat patients below 18 years of age. Their expertise lies in caring for patients with one or more chronic diseases. Hence, they mostly tend to older people who need continuous healthcare support.
One of their other focus areas is health promotion and preventative healthcare services—you can visit them for routine checkups, health and cancer screenings, and immunizations. They can also guide you on your lifestyle and diet choices. Although they cannot perform surgeries, they can perform minor office procedures such as simple fracture care, removing foreign objects from eyes and skin, abscess drainage, and skin biopsies.
Typically, internists run their private practice. But, many may work in settings such as hospitals, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers, or hospice care centers.
What are some sub-specializations of internal medicine?
After earning their degree and completing residency, some general internists opt for an additional 1-3 years of training and subspecialize in a specific area of internal medicine. The American Board of Medicine exclusively certifies the following subspecialties:
Cardiology studies heart, blood vessels, and circulatory system diseases. Endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism subspeciality studies endocrine system ailments. The focus of gastroenterology is on digestive system diseases. Blood and blood diseases are the subjects of hematology.
Infectious diseases study disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Nephrology focuses on the kidney and its conditions. Oncology focuses on cancer. Pulmonary disease studies conditions affecting the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system—lastly, rheumatology studies joints, muscles, and bone illnesses.
The American Board of Medicine also certifies the following subspecialties in connection with other specialty boards:
- Adolescent medicine focuses on patients' health care in adolescence and young adulthood.
- Allergy and immunology: It studies the immune system and its disorders.
- Critical care medicine: It focuses on treating seriously ill patients at risk or recovering from life-threatening disorders.
- Geriatric medicine: It concentrates on health care for elderly patients.
- Hospice and palliative medicine: It focuses on remedies for people living with one or more severe illnesses.
- Neurocritical care: It focuses on treating life-threatening diseases of the nervous system.
- Sleep medicine: It is the study of sleep disturbances and disorders.
- Sports medicine: aims to treat and prevent sports and exercise injuries.
- Women's health: It is another sub-specialization that studies female reproductive health and its disorders.
What conditions does an internist treat?
Suppose you have chosen an internist as your primary care provider. In that case, you can visit them for routine and preventive health care checkups. They can also effectively treat a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions. In case they sense a need for specialist intervention, they will write referrals for you.
You can seek care from internists when you are down with flu, common cold, strep throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other common conditions. They can also treat skin disorders, sinus infections, and chronic allergies and manage sports and exercise-related injuries. They are qualified to assess mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Internists can treat chronic conditions related to various internal organs and systems, including:
- Heart and arteries: coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
- Kidneys: chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, kidney stones
- Lungs: lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
- Blood: anemia, hemophilia
- Bones and joints: arthritis, osteoporosis
- Endocrine system: diabetes, thyroid disorders
- Digestive system: ulcers, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome
- Male reproductive system: erectile dysfunction
- Urinary system: urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections
- Nervous system: headaches, stroke
Signs that you should consult an internist near you
Need help with which doctor to consult? Here are some signs and symptoms that may indicate that you may benefit from visiting an internist:
- Digestive problems: recurring digestive problems could indicate an underlying digestive disorder. Conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract could be as small as acidity to more severe conditions such as food intolerances or cancer. Due to the potential severity of digestive problems, patients should seek an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible to learn about their treatment choices.
- Chronic Pain: Chronic discomfort is probably due to an underlying medical ailment. An internal medicine specialist can treat both the underlying illness and the chronic pain itself. Osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia are two common diseases that can result in chronic pain.
- Constant fatigue: Constant fatigue can be attributed to various conditions, such as an underactive thyroid, sleeping issues, or anemia. It is best to visit a specialist who can find the root cause of the symptom, especially if it's hindering day-to-day activities.
- Breathing problems: Patients with respiratory issues are frequently initially identified with a specific illness, such as asthma. In addition, if a patient has trouble breathing, along with other symptoms, they could be diagnosed with pneumonia. A specialist like an internist can thoroughly test and analyze based on the specific symptoms.
What should you keep in mind when choosing an internist?
Here are some tips you should follow:
- Insurance coverage: A practical consideration is your insurance coverage. You should select an internist who accepts your plan to maximize the benefits received from your insurance and pay the least out-of-pocket for your care. Using Zocdoc, you can check for all the in-network internists.
- Check for the provider's experience and expertise: Experience is essential when discussing your health. Health treatments and diagnoses are likely better if an internist has more expertise with a condition or procedure. Zocdoc lets you view individual provider profiles with detailed bios, where you can determine how many patients the internist has treated with your problem.
- Consider the provider's credentials: Board certification is crucial when choosing an internist. It lets you know whether the doctor has the licensure, education, and practical experience required to practice internal medicine.
- Option for telehealth: Telehealth involves using communications technology, such as smartphones, two-way video, and email, to diagnose and treat some illnesses. Ask the doctor whether telehealth services are available. Telehealth doesn't replace in-person, hands-on doctor visits, but it does result in fewer visits for many patients. Having a "virtual visit" with your doctor while sharing symptoms and vital signs you collect at home can help you manage some diseases.
What can you expect from your visit to an internist?
You can expect a comprehensive medical history examination during your first visit to an internist. This step is essential to understanding your health profile. It's important to bring along any past medical records and medication prescriptions to help the internist gain a complete insight into your health background. This initial stage sets the base for a personalized approach to your care.
After reviewing your medical history, the internist may suggest various diagnostic tests based on your condition and symptoms. These tests are valuable tools to assess your health status and detect any underlying problems needing attention. Some commonly recommended tests include:
1. Blood tests: These tests play a crucial role in diagnosing diseases and health conditions. By analyzing blood samples, internists can detect specific illnesses and assess risk factors associated with conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Blood tests also provide insights into hereditary factors, helping to understand your health better.
2. Urine tests: Internists use urine tests to gather important information about your health, including detecting diseases like chronic kidney failure and identifying indicators of kidney disease or infections. Elevated glucose levels in urine can also indicate diabetes, while these tests also assist in diagnosing liver disease and metabolic disorders.
3. MRI scans: Internists often rely on MRI scans to get detailed images of internal body structures, which help diagnose various conditions. Compared to X-rays, MRI scans provide clearer images and more accurate diagnoses, helping to guide treatment decisions effectively.
After completing the diagnostic tests and receiving the results, the internist will use this information to develop a tailored treatment plan. If necessary, he may refer you to a specialist with expertise in your condition. Also, depending on the complexity of your situation, the internist may recommend follow-up visits to track your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
5 ways an internist helps you manage diabetes
Internists are essential in helping patients manage diabetes effectively. With over 100 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes, every person’s situation is unique. Here are five ways an internist near you can assist with diabetes management:
Focusing on your overall health
Diabetes is only one aspect of your overall well-being. Internists assess your physical, mental, and emotional health to provide comprehensive care. They perform regular physical exams to check for any diabetes-related issues affecting other parts of your body. Addressing potential complications helps you stay on track toward a stronger, healthier lifestyle.
Recommending diet plans
A balanced diet is essential for fighting diabetes; internists work with you to create a balanced meal plan. They’ll start by discussing your current eating habits, including your preferences and any special diets you follow, such as vegan or vegetarian.
Based on this, they may suggest a diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while advising you to limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and certain high-sugar treats. While occasional indulgences are fine, sticking to a healthy plan helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Monitoring for potential complications
Diabetes can further lead to other health problems, such as hearing loss, foot issues, and cardiovascular conditions. An internist near you will monitor your health closely to spot potential risks early. If complications arise, they’ll work with you to manage the situation and coordinate with other specialists.
Assisting with daily blood sugar management
For many people with diabetes, monitoring blood sugar is a daily task. Internists guide you through this process, whether you need to check your levels manually or use an automatic insulin pump. They help you manage your blood sugar effectively and help you maintain steady insulin levels throughout the day.
Empowering you with knowledge
Ultimately, you know your body better than anyone else. Internists emphasize the importance of listening to your concerns and answering your questions. A supportive internist near you will make you feel like a valued care team member, helping you actively manage your diabetes.
Where can you find the best internist near you in White Plains, NY?
Living with chronic diseases takes a toll on your overall well-being and affects many aspects of your life. Most of these, however, could be managed by seeing an internal medicine doctor near you for frequent checks and screenings. They can become your trusted healthcare provider, providing comprehensive and ongoing care for a lifetime.
Using Zocdoc, you can find the best internist for your healthcare needs in your location in a few minutes. If you are looking for internists in and around White Plains, New York, add the area and your symptoms in the search box. You can also add your insurance carrier and plan to find only in-network providers.
When scheduling an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll typically be asked to provide your insurance details or confirm that you'll be paying out-of-pocket. Some healthcare providers require insurance information upfront to secure the appointment. However, if you prefer not to share your insurance or plan to pay without using it, you can find another provider on Zocdoc that accommodates your preference. For more queries, you can visit the Zocdoc patient help center page.
When you click the 'Find' button, an extensive list of internists will appear. You can save time using Zocdoc filters to narrow your search results. There are various preferences to choose from—gender of the provider, time of the appointment, hospital affiliations, languages, and distance of the provider's office. You can also specify the reason for your visit.
Many Zocdoc experts are available for online consultations—check the video visits section if you want to book one. You can proceed further once the search results match your preferences. To help you make an informed decision, Zocdoc has provided you with more details on every expert.
Clicking on any provider's name will direct you to their unique page with information about their office location, education, training, specialization, accreditations, experience, and awards. Patient ratings and reviews can provide more details about their professional approach. The FAQs may answer any of your other queries.
Once you have found the desired internist near you, immediately book your appointment with Zocdoc. It's easy, secure, and 100% free!
Chronic disease statistics in New York State
As per the National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), a division of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the significant causes of death in America in 2022 are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Six out of ten Americans are believed to have a chronic ailment, and four out of ten have two or more. The most often found risk factors include excessive alcohol use, poor nutrition, smoking, passive smoking, and tobacco use.
According to the 2020 New York State Department of Health report—Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), around 7.3% of the adult population in New York (approximately 1,118,000 adults) had a heart attack, angina/CHD, or stroke. Out of those who suffered from a heart attack or coronary heart disease, nearly 17.9% were diabetic, about 14.1% had high blood pressure, and around 7.3% were obese.
The New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2019 report on the prevalence of diabetes found nearly 1.6 million adult New Yorkers (10.5% of the total population) were diagnosed with diabetes. It does not include gestational diabetes, prediabetes, or borderline diabetes. When comparing the prevalence of diabetes among New York State adults by their Body Mass Index (BMI), around 18.7% were obese, and about 11.5% were overweight.
Sources
Medical News Today
American College of Physicians
Intercoastal Medical Group
New York State Department of Health[1]
New York State Department of Health[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Millennium Medical Care[1]
Healthgrades
Millennium Medical Care[2]
Johnson Memorial Health
