Description

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.

Diseases / Illnesses Treated

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

Procedures Performed

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

Tests Performed

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