What an Internist?

An internist is a physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of internal diseases. They are often referred to as general internists because they care for adults with a wide range of conditions, including both common and complex diseases.

Internists are not the same as primary care physicians, although their roles can overlap. Primary care physicians, such as family doctors and general practitioners, typically provide routine care and preventive services to people of all ages and conditions. Internists, on the other hand, focus on the diagnosis and treatment of internal diseases in adults.

Here are some of the conditions that internists commonly treat:

* Infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, influenza, and tuberculosis

* Diabetes

* Hypertension (high blood pressure)

* Heart disease, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure

* Lung disease, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

* Kidney disease

* Gastrointestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease

* Rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

* Hematological disorders, such as anemia and leukemia

* Cancer

Internists use a variety of methods to diagnose and treat internal diseases, including:

* Physical examinations

* Medical history interviews

* Laboratory tests

* Imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans

* Biopsies

* Medications

* Surgery

Internists often work in collaboration with other medical specialists, such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, and gastroenterologists.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an internal disease, you may want to make an appointment with an internist. He or she can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment plan.