When you visit Matthews Internal Medicine you’ll be meeting with a particular kind of doctor, an internist, also known as an internal medicine doctor. If you’re unfamiliar with what an internist does, you might not be able to make the most out of the doctor-patient relationship. That’s why we’re here to answer the question “What is an internist?” once and for all.
They Work With Adults
The main thing to know about an internist is that they work with adults. A general practitioner, on the other hand, works with patients of all ages. This is one of the key differences between the two. An internist is equipped with the knowledge and experience to tackle some of the most common health issues faced by adult patients, along with some of the more uncommon ones depending on their specialty and training. We’ll get to that later.
Are Usually the First Point of Treatment
The internist is usually the first point of treatment for many patients. What we mean by that is when people get sick or feel like something is off, their first stop is their internal medicine doctor. Often your internist can diagnose the problem and solve it, or they can at least refer you to someone else who has the skills and knowledge needed to help you.
Cover a Wide Range of Conditions
An internist needs to have a wide breadth of knowledge and can help patients with a wide variety of medical conditions. They may not be super specialized, but they can diagnose many different types of diseases and medical disorders themselves. An internist can also help with things like preventative care, which can include weight management, smoking cessation, and other programs that can help you live a healthier lifestyle.
Often Have a Sub-specialty
While internal medicine doctors have a wide knowledge base, they can also have their own sub-specialty. An internist can specialize in cardiology, immunology, gastroenterology, and many other areas. You can find an internist that specializes in an area that best helps them treat your particular medical issues.
Deal with Long-Term Conditions
Your internist can also deal with long-term medical conditions, like diabetes. Because of their wide base of knowledge, an internal medicine doctor has the resources needed to treat most of the chronic medical conditions of their patients. In addition, due to your internist’s long relationship with you, they’re also best equipped to diagnose you with various medical conditions. That’s because they know what’s “normal” for you, whether you’re discussing cholesterol, blood pressure, or any other medical parameter. An internist can quickly notice a change and put you through the tests needed to properly diagnose the medical problem that’s causing a sudden spike in blood pressure or other anomalous reading.
Your Local Internists in Matthews, NC
If you’re looking for a versatile doctor who possesses a wide breadth of knowledge, it’s time to set up an appointment with Matthews Internal Medicine. We’ll help you find a doctor who helps you manage medical conditions and live a healthier lifestyle, and we can make it easy to find someone who has the experience needed to best handle your medical needs.