An internist is a doctor who is an expert in internal medicine. They are usually your first point of contact for medical attention. Internists specialize in but are not limited to conditions affecting the body's internal organs. They provide treatment and preventive care for almost anything from ear infections to skin problems. However, internists can only treat adults.
The training and education for an internist are similar to other medical specialties. It involves four years of medical school and a three-year residency in internal medicine. Internal residency may take longer than three years for specializations, including surgical treatment. They also qualify for an examination to be certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Following the completion of their residency, an internist may undergo fellowship training in a subspecialty of their choice. Some popular subspecialty areas include cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, immunology, infectious disease, and oncology.
What does an internist do?
An Internist deals with many different types of conditions. You can find an internist in various healthcare settings, such as private offices, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities. General internists have training in treating multiple illnesses, such as chronic illnesses. Other internists who opt for a subspecialty undergo additional training to deal with one area of their choice. They need an in-depth knowledge of medicine to treat patients with varying concerns, such as diabetes and skin infection.
An internist can monitor each condition carefully and, if necessary, update treatment approaches regularly to optimize the management of symptoms. They may also conduct medical or academic research, which can involve various tasks ranging from running clinical trials to analyzing healthcare records.
You may opt for a general practitioner or an internist as your primary care provider. Both have training in treating various medical conditions but have some key differences. General practitioners undergo training in internal medicine and other specialties, such as pediatric care — to care for people across their lifespan — from birth to late adulthood. Their training equips them to treat various health problems for the entire family.
Although a general practitioner can treat patients of all ages, including children, an internist is an expert in adult health issues. They undergo intensive training that equips them to handle all aspects of adult medical care, including joint problems and complex health conditions.
Why should you visit an internist near you?
You may see an internist as your primary care physician for multiple reasons. Abdominal pain is a common reason why people visit an internist. Pain in the abdominal area can indicate something minor, like a stomach virus; however, it may also be a sign of conditions like appendicitis or cancer. An internist will diagnose the pain and tell you what is causing it.
Here are other conditions that internists generally treat:
- Cardiovascular disorders such as coronary heart disease
- Diabetes mellitus results in too much sugar in the blood
- High or low blood pressure with symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue
- Headaches/migraines that cause a severe throbbing sensation on one side of the head
- Influenza with symptoms like fever, chills, and muscle aches
- Kidney problems like kidney stones
- Low back pain
- Pneumonia with symptoms like chest pain while coughing
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Tuberculosis, which may not always have obvious symptoms
- Wound infections
Depending on the concern, you may require treatment options such as medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery. An internist will diagnose your condition and suggest the best treatment alternatives.
What should you expect at an appointment with the internist?
At the first appointment, bring your medical history and mention your current medications, including over-the-counter drugs. Be detailed when the internist asks about your symptoms.
The doctor will look at your vital signs and review your medical history. They might also suggest a physical exam to understand your health. The doctor may listen to your heart during the physical examination to look for unusual activity, such as an irregular heartbeat. They may listen to your breathing to check for shortness of breath or other signs. They may also look at your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat. Lastly, the doctor may check your skin and nails for abnormalities.
In addition to your physical exam, they may order screening tests for specific problems. After a proper diagnosis, the doctor may ask you to return for a follow-up visit or direct you to a different specialist. They may also suggest lifestyle changes for overall wellness as preventive care.
Benefits of visiting an internist near you
Visiting an internist ensures you receive quick medical attention, aiding the correct diagnosis and treatment of your condition. It will also help prevent specific other ailments. Here are some benefits patients receive from visiting internists:
- Precision in diagnosis: Internists can diagnose and treat various diseases. Moreover, they typically specialize in a sub-area like cardiology, immunology, or gastroenterology. It helps them identify and suggest the most appropriate treatment plan as required. In addition, they can also refer you to the right doctor if specialized care is needed, thus helping you save time and effort and appropriately directing them.
- Preventive care: Internists also work towards disease prevention. They can help patients identify risk factors for certain diseases, depending upon their lifestyle and medical/family history, and help them formulate a preventive strategy. It includes managing diet, exercise regimens, and other lifestyle changes to improve overall well-being. The focus here involves a holistic approach that patients can quickly follow.
- Quality communication: Honest communication is a must when dealing with healthcare issues. Internists ensure thorough and transparent communication with patients to facilitate effective treatment and management strategies. Moreover, they encourage their patients to voice their queries and concerns about their medical conditions, treatment plans, options, insurance-related concerns, and preventive matters.
Here's how internists can help control diabetes and prevent heart failure.
Diabetes
- Monitor potential complications
Diabetes increases the risk of various complications in the body, leading to health issues like foot disorders, heart problems, and hearing loss. Internists can help you understand the diabetic risk factors, monitor these complications, and prevent their occurrence.
Internists can help track your physical, mental, and emotional health. They can monitor your diabetes symptoms and check if it affects other body parts. They ensure you stay healthy and active despite your chronic condition. You need to consult an internist if you feel anything abnormal with your body; they can help you with proper care.
- Manage blood sugar levels
Internists can assist you in checking and managing your blood sugar levels. They can help you take supplemented insulin when required. They can even guide you on how to self-check your blood sugar levels and explain the process of using an automatic insulin pump when needed. It can help you lead an active and independent life.
- Prepare an appropriate diet plan
Eating nutritious foods is essential to manage diabetes effectively. Internists can help you prepare a healthy diet and monitor your portion size. They may advise you to include more fruits, whole grains, and fresh green veggies and instruct you to avoid processed foods and soda. Internists can help you maintain a balance in your eating habits. It will help you manage your diabetes symptoms and lead a better, disease-free lifestyle.
Heart failure
Patients suffering from heart conditions are generally prescribed a combination of medicines to suppress the symptoms and enable proper heart functioning. Managing these medications is very important as it helps prevent severe heart complications. Internists can help you take the necessary steps to address the side effects of some medicines and help you lead an active lifestyle.
Obesity or overweightness is the leading cause of heart problems. Internists can recommend effective ways to achieve and maintain healthy body weight. They can create a lifestyle plan and suggest exercises to reduce weight and keep a healthy heart.
Your body needs proper nutrition to enhance the positive benefits of medications. Internists can design a specific meal plan that benefits the heart and the body. An ideal heart-healthy diet should include negligible amounts of sodium, lots of fruits and green vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins.
How to improve gut health?
Simple tips to keep your gut and body healthy include the following:
A healthy diet: A balanced diet keeps the gut healthy and improves overall health and well-being. To achieve this, lower your intake of high fats, high sugar, and processed foods, as these are unhealthy for the gut and the body. Instead, adopt foods like:
- High-fiber foods: Foods such as fruits, nuts, legumes, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains.
- Garlic: Garlic extract helps dramatically increase the gut's bacterial diversity, improving health.
- Fermented foods contain probiotics that promote the growth of good bacteria. These foods include yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
- Collagen-rich foods: These foods are beneficial for the gut and overall health. They include nuts, eggs, meat, broccoli, and citrus fruits.
Eat slowly: Binge eating and gulping down food without chewing can affect the digestive capabilities of the gut. Eat your meals slowly and thoroughly chew the food. This helps with proper digestion and lowers the risks of obesity and diabetes.
Lower stress levels: Chronic stress affects the functioning of the gut. Therefore, make it a point to reduce your stress levels. Walking, meditation, diffusing essential oils, massage, practicing yoga, and limiting alcohol consumption can help you manage your stress levels effectively. Spend more time with friends and family, play with your pet, and laugh more often. These activities will help lower stress and anxiety.
Stay hydrated: Drinking water helps maintain bacterial diversity in the gut and moves digested food through the intestine. Lack of water increases the acidity levels in the stomach, causing inflammation and constipation. An adult should drink at least one gallon of water daily to keep the gut healthy and hydrated.
Get ample sleep: Insufficient sleep can severely impact gut health, causing major sleep issues. An adult body needs about 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Consult a doctor if you have any sleep issues. They may help you with medications.
Finding the right internist near you in Yonkers, New York
An internist can be integral to your health journey — from early diagnosis, easy routine checkups, accurate diagnosis, and faster recovery. Hence, finding the one that matches your requirements and specializes in the same becomes vital. To help you out, Zocdoc connects the top specialists with patients in just a few clicks.
Visit Zocdoc and enter your symptoms, doctor specialist, location, and appointment date in the search bar. If you have an insurance plan, specify it in the search bar so Zocdoc can find medical providers who accept your insurance.
If you want to know your insurance plan, upload an image of the insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
When you click the search icon, Zocdoc will list skilled Internists who meet your requirements. Each provider profile gives you an insight into their education, training, expertise, experience, awards, accreditations, etc. You can also find verified patient reviews and ratings before making an informed decision.
You can further narrow the results by language, gender, availability, hospital affiliation, and whether or not they treat children. Once you have chosen an experienced internist near you, you can book a video consultation or an in-person appointment. Booking an appointment on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free.
Prevalence of common health conditions treated by internists in New York
Reports from the New York State Department of Health state that cardiovascular disease accounted for almost 32% of all deaths in 2020. Moreover, approximately 7.3% of adults in the state reported having a heart attack, coronary heart disease, or stroke in the same year.
About 18.9% of New Yorkers over 65 have had some cardiovascular illness that required special medical attention. In New York, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers. About 6,900 men and 7,300 women were diagnosed with this disease, a leading cause of death, as stated in another New York State Department of Health 2018 report.
An internist also treats sexually transmitted diseases. The 2019 New York State Department of Health report identified that the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea increased for the sixth consecutive year. Moreover, primary and secondary syphilis increased after showing a decline in 2017. Chlamydia was the most prevalent STI in the state. Approximately 53% of STIs were diagnosed among people younger than 26.
A research study by Zippia reveals that over 4,893 Internal Medicine physicians currently practice in the United States. Of them, about 54.29% are female, and around 45.71% are males. These internists are in demand most in the state of New York.
Sources
WebM
Medical News Today
Cleveland Clinic
New York State Department of Health[1]
New York State Department of Health[2]
New York State Department of Health[3]
Zippia
Dr. Briones Medical Weight Loss Center
Johnson Memorial Health
Center For Adult Medicine & Preventive Care
Healthline
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