An internist is a doctor who practices internal medicine – a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating illnesses and conditions that affect adults. As primary care doctors, internists are the first doctors that adult patient visits when they feel ill or sustain an injury.
An internist can treat various health conditions, from mild to complex. Let’s talk about some common health conditions of adults that an internist can treat and where you can go to seek the expertise of an internal medicine provider if you’re located in and around Irmo, SC.
Respiratory Problems
Internal medicine doctors can effectively manage and treat a wide range of problems associated with the lungs, chest wall, thoracic cavity, and upper airways. Common conditions they may treat include asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.
Internists can do a thorough evaluation to find out your respiratory system problem and conduct some tests such as breathing tests, pulmonary function tests (PFT), and computerized tomography. An internist also devises a treatment plan according to your unique needs. They manage and treat your respiratory illnesses with medications, such as steroids, bronchodilators, etc.
Internal medicine provider may also specialize in treating pulmonary problems and is called pulmonologists.
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases are disorders caused by living organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. It is also a subspecialty of internal medicine. Internists are uniquely equipped to deal with the occupational, environmental, and host factors predisposing to infections.
To address infectious diseases, internists conduct tests, determine the agent causing the symptoms, and develop a treatment plan that may include medications such as antibiotics.
Cardiovascular Disorders
It’s no denying that several cardiovascular issues require treatment from a heart specialist, but an internist can also manage several mild to moderate issues related to your heart and blood vessels.
For instance, if you have a cardiovascular problem such as hypertension, an internist can manage and treat it. They will monitor your blood pressure, prescribe medications and recommend lifestyle changes to help manage your condition.
Moreover, they may also coordinate with your cardiologists to manage your cardiovascular issues, such as coronary artery disease, heart failures, heart defects, and arrhythmias.
Endocrine Disorders
Your endocrine gland plays a great role in regulating several important body functions such as metabolism, growth, development, mood, and sexual functions. Common endocrine disorders that an internist can treat are diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto’s disease.
Your internists can do several tests, such as blood tests, thyroid scans, ultrasound, blood sugar tests, and others, to diagnose and treat your endocrine system problems.
An internal medicine doctor can also specialize in endocrinology.
Internist In Irmo, SC
If you are in search of a highly reputable internal medicine facility, look no further than SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation. Our highly trained and skilled internal medicine providers use the best and most advanced approaches to the treatment of diseases and conditions of adults and prevent them from progressing.
To make an appointment with our internists, call today at (803) 749-1111 or request an appointment now via our online form. We look forward to serving you!
