What Do Internal Medicine Doctors Do?

An internal medicine doctor, also known as an internist, specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of adult diseases. The primary role of an internal medicine doctor is to provide comprehensive care for adults, focusing on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Internists are highly trained to deal with complex medical cases and multi-system diseases that require detailed attention.

Internal medicine doctors are skilled in performing physical examinations, interpreting laboratory tests, and prescribing medications. They also guide patients in lifestyle changes to manage or prevent various conditions. Their expertise is especially important for managing long-term conditions like asthma, arthritis, and gastrointestinal issues, providing patients with a comprehensive care plan to improve their quality of life.

At Internal Medicine and Family Practice, internists are trained to handle both routine health screenings and complicated medical issues. They aim to build lasting relationships with their patients, offering consistent care and treatment. Whether it’s managing chronic conditions, providing preventive care, or assisting with acute health issues, an internist’s role is critical in maintaining overall health. This level of care ensures that patients get personalized attention tailored to their specific health needs, offering both short-term solutions and long-term management.

Internal medicine doctors generally specialize in the care of adults and do not typically treat children. The training of an internist is specifically focused on the unique health needs of adult patients, including the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that commonly affect adults. However, some internists may have training or experience in caring for adolescents, particularly those who are transitioning from pediatric care to adult care, but their primary focus is on adult health.

For children, pediatricians are the healthcare professionals who specialize in managing the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatricians are trained to address developmental, growth, and childhood illnesses, providing age-specific care and immunizations. They also manage chronic conditions that are specific to children, like asthma and childhood diabetes.

At Internal Medicine and Family Practice, the focus is on providing comprehensive care for adults. While internists do not treat children, they work closely with pediatricians and other specialists to ensure that patients of all ages receive the appropriate care. If you’re seeking care for your child, pediatric services would be recommended. However, for adults or adolescents transitioning to adult care, an internal medicine doctor would provide the necessary expertise.

At Internal Medicine and Family Practice, Dr. Wael Mctabi and Dr. Samiullah Choudry treat a wide range of conditions, focusing primarily on adult health. These conditions can include chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, as well as acute illnesses such as respiratory infections, gastrointestinal issues, and injuries. Internists are also trained to diagnose and manage complex, multi-system diseases that may involve different organs or body systems.

Common conditions treated by internal medicine doctors include:

1. Chronic conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, and heart disease are frequently managed by internists.

2. Acute conditions: Respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, flu, and stomach issues can be treated by internists.

3. Preventive care: Internists conduct routine screenings, offer vaccinations, and help manage weight, smoking cessation, and other lifestyle changes to prevent future health problems.

4. Infections: Internists handle both viral and bacterial infections, offering treatments and preventive care like immunizations.

5. Heart and vascular issues: Conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and arrhythmias are often managed by internists, who monitor these conditions over time.

6. Endocrine disorders: Conditions like thyroid issues, metabolic syndrome, and other hormonal imbalances are frequently treated.

At Internal Medicine and Family Practice, our internists offer comprehensive, patient-centered care for a variety of conditions, providing both preventative and therapeutic services. They ensure that patients have access to the best treatments for their health needs, improving long-term health and quality of life.

The main difference between an internist and a general practitioner (GP) lies in their training and areas of specialization. Both professionals provide primary care, but they focus on different patient groups and types of care.

An internist is a physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in adults. Their training is focused exclusively on adult medicine, and they are particularly skilled in managing complex, chronic, and multi-system conditions. Internists are experts in conditions like diabetes, heart disease, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems. Their training is usually more focused on adults, with extensive knowledge in diagnosing and treating conditions that are often long-term and require continuous management. Internists may also manage patients with multiple coexisting conditions.

On the other hand, a general practitioner (GP) is a physician who provides comprehensive healthcare for individuals of all ages, including children, adults, and the elderly. GPs are trained to handle a broad range of medical conditions across different age groups, offering preventative care, treating acute illnesses, and providing general health advice. However, GPs may not have the specialized training required to treat complex adult diseases in the way that an internist does.

At Internal Medicine and Family Practice, the focus is on providing high-quality, adult-focused care. The skilled internists at the practice are equipped to manage chronic conditions and more complicated health issues specific to adults. If a broader, general approach is needed for all age groups, family practitioners at the clinic offer well-rounded services for individuals of any age.

For more information, book an appointment online or contact us. We are located at 1719 Glenwood Ave Joliet, IL 60435. We serve patients from Joliet IL, Plainfield IL, Lockport IL, Channahon IL, Romeoville IL, Manhattan IL and surrounding areas.