At Matthews Internal Medicine, our specialty is right there in the name. Some patients wonder, however, what internal medicine actually is. What does it cover? What kinds of services should you expect from an internist? Here’s what kinds of services you should expect when you visit our office in Charlotte, NC.
Diagnosing Disease
When you go to an internist with a problem, his or her job is to diagnose it. Internists figure out if you have a cold or if the symptoms are indicative of a more serious medical condition. They can run tests and do whatever is necessary to confirm a medical problem, then they get right to treating it. If it’s something that requires a more specialized doctor, internists can generally give you a referral. Basically, whatever medical issue you bring to an internist, she will be either ready to handle or will know someone who can help you with it.
Disease Prevention
Internists can diagnose disease, but they can also help you avoid medical issues in the first place. An internal medicine practice like ours places a heavy focus on preventative medicine. We’ll help you with a weight management program, for example, so that you can lose weight and lower your risk of developing heart disease. We’ll help you with a smoking cessation program that allows you to kick cigarettes for good and lower your cancer risk. Preventative care also covers things like cancer screenings, since cancer is something you want to catch as soon as possible and catching it early can make treatment much easier. We don’t just treat the issues you have. We do our best to make sure that certain medical issues are never a problem for you to begin with.
Chronic Disease Management
Internists won’t just diagnose a problem. They’ll also help you manage it if it ends up becoming a chronic issue. Chronic illnesses are another condition that your internal medicine doctor is ready to assist you with. Conditions like diabetes need to be managed and your internist can make it easier to handle that. Our practice also handles allergy testing and can help you manage those as well. Basically, if it’s a medical issue that you have to deal with in your daily life, an internist can be a great resource.
Establishing Lifelong Relationships with Patients
While this is not a specific medical role, we should point out one key way internists might differentiate themselves from other types of doctors. Because of their wide range of services, internists can establish lifelong relationships with their patients over the course of many years. They get to know their patients well and that makes it easier to spot potential medical issues early on. After all, if a physician knows more about your baseline health and what’s normal for you, it’s easier to notice when something has gone wrong.
The Internists You Need in Charlotte, NC
Now that you know a little more about internal medicine, you probably realize that there’s a lot that an internist can help you with. Schedule an appointment at Matthews Internal Medicine today and know that you’re putting your medical future in good hands. We look forward to meeting you!