Internal medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with treating the whole patient. An internal medicine physician, also called an internist, can treat many illnesses and conditions, and is skilled in treating a patient who has several illnesses or disorders at the same time. This internist, who can be a primary care physician, emphasizes disease prevention and wellness, but can treat problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs, along with mental health or substance abuse issues.

The internal medicine physician can also treat cancer or diseases of the heart, blood, kidneys, joints, and digestive, respiratory and vascular systems, while concentrating on the wellness of the patient as a whole.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Emphysema, Broncho-Esophagology, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Osteoarthritis , Hyper / Hypoglycemia, cystic fibrosis, Diabetes, Asthma, pectus excavatum, osteoporosis, Macular Degeneration, cancer, infection, Autism, Congestive heart failure, Herpes, Hypertension, Heart Attack, and Anemia.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including Lithotripsy, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP, dialysis, angioplasty, mechanical ventilation, endoscopy, cardioversion, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), cardiac ablation, and intra-aortic balloon pump.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including FAA-Flight Physicial, physicial / check up, Bone density test, dialysis, physicial examination, Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ultrasound, x-ray, biopsy, Blood Test, Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Upper GI (Barium Swallow), electrolyte test, Lower GI (Barium Enema), stool test, pH probe test, and microbiological culture.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Colorado has 1,568 practicing internal medicine doctors. Broken out by city, internal medicine doctor density in La Junta is 5, in Lafayette is 53, in Lakewood is 61, in Lamar is 2, in Las Animas is 1, in Limon is 1, in Littleton is 88, in Lone Tree is 18, in Longmont is 33, in Louisville is 15, and in Loveland is 21.

Colorado is the Centennial state; having won statehood in 1876. Its capital is Denver, called the “Mile High City,” because its altitude at the state capitol steps is 5,280 feet. Colorado’s population is 4,653,023, and over half the state’s population is in the Denver metro area. Known for its Rocky Mountains and abundant outdoor sports opportunities, such as skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting, Colorado also offers tourists Pike’s Peak, the Royal Gorge, and the Red Rocks outdoor amphitheater. Denver is home to an active theater culture, a world-class symphony, and many sports activities. You can visit a gold mine, tour the state capitol building, climb a mountain, or relax in some therapeutic natural hot springs.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Colorado has a population of 4,665,177. Of this population, 1,140,002 are under the age of 18 and 462,190 are at or above the age of 65.