When it comes to your health, having a provider who truly understands your history, lifestyle, and unique health needs can make a world of difference. That’s why people often visit the Internal Medicine Clinic.
If you’re an adult looking to stay healthy, catch potential issues early, or manage ongoing health concerns, an internal medicine physician can become your go-to partner in care. Whether you’re 25 or 75, it plays a vital role in helping you live a healthier, more balanced life.
Understanding Internal Medicine
Internal medicine is a specialty focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease in adults. While internists practice internal medicine, it should not be confused with interns (students in their first year of training). An internist is a fully licensed physician, often with further training in diagnosing and managing complex adult diseases. Internists are trained to manage a wide array of conditions, from short-term complaints such as infections and the flu to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
In short, your internist is your main healthcare provider—every time you have an annual visit, routine screenings, or if something does not feel right.
Why Does Internal Medicine Matter?
As we age, our health needs constantly change. The routine screenings we need in our 30s and 60s are different. Therefore, having a physician who knows your complete medical history—and follows you throughout your change is invaluable.
Here’s what a typical internal medicine provider might help you with:
- Yearly physical exams
- Preventive care and screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer screenings, etc.)
- Immunizations (flu shots, pneumonia, tetanus, and more)
- Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses
- Long-term management of chronic diseases
- Medication prescriptions and refills
- Coordination with specialists and other care providers
What Kind of Chronic Conditions Are Treated by Internal Medicine Specialists?
If you’ve been diagnosed with these long-term health conditions, your internal medicine provider becomes your partner in delivering the best care.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Thyroid disorders
They’ll help you monitor symptoms, adjust medications, track your progress, and connect with specialists if needed. Regular visits help prevent complications and improve your quality of life, especially if you’re managing more than one condition at a time.
What To Expect During A Routine Visit to an Internal Medicine Clinic?
When you visit your internist, it is not just about looking after your illness. It is about checking your overall health. These routine visits will be different depending on your age, medical history, and lifestyle, but a visit will generally include:
- Review of your medical history, during which your internist will ask about past illnesses and surgeries, medications, allergies, and the health history of your family.
- Vital signs and physical examination, including blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and a physical exam, are performed to check that everything looks and feels normal.
- Lab work and/or diagnostic testing, such as blood tests, urine tests, and sometimes imaging such as X-rays or ultrasounds, which help to get a clearer picture of your health.
- Preventative screenings, including diagnosis for cholesterol, diabetes, and other age-related conditions.
- Updates on your vaccines depending on your age and risk status.
- Discussions about lifestyle and medications, including your diet, physical activity, stress levels, and any medications you are taking, and assist in making changes if indicated.
Conclusion
Internal medicine is about more than just treating illness—it’s about building a relationship with a provider who understands your health needs at every stage of adulthood.
Routine checkups and communicating with your internist allow you to make the most of your time with a health care provider. You don’t have to worry about your health concerns alone. With the right care and a trusted provider in New York for urgent care, your health improvement becomes a team effort, with you at the center.
