All You Need to Know About an Internist or Doctor of Internal Medicine
Internists are doctors of internal medicine specialized in the internal organs of the body. They have in-depth knowledge of the health issues affecting adults and provide treatment for adults. Most internists treat a wide range of diseases. However, some specialize in certain subspecialties like cardiology, hematology, gastroenterology, etc. A specialist internist will undergo one to three years of additional training than that of a general internist. Further, you can easily find a general internist or a specialist in your city. For instance, if you are in Doha, you can find an internist at the nearest medical centre in Doha.
Though you may visit an internist for several reasons, there are specific problems for which you will have to see an internist, such as abdominal pain and chest pain. Abdominal pain can be due to minor issues like a strain in the muscle or major illnesses like appendicitis. And upon consultation, an internist will determine the cause of the abdominal pain and provide treatment accordingly. Likewise, chest pain can be caused by gastrointestinal problems or even due to conditions affecting the heart. If the pain is not severe, you can visit an internist and figure out the reason for the pain. However, if it is a heart attack, it is an emergency, and so you need to call the emergency number immediately. And when consulting an internist, make sure you visit the best hospital in your city. For example, if you are in Doha, find the best hospital in Doha and see an internist there.
The things you can expect when visiting an internist might differ considering why you are making the visit. Still, some procedures can be common regardless of your condition. For instance, an internist will inquire about your medical history, the medications you take, and the symptoms you experience. Moreover, a physical exam will be performed to understand the state of your health.
The physical exam will consist of observing your overall appearance, posture, and the way you move. Furthermore, to find out the presence of irregularities such as heart murmurs, irregular heartbeat, wheezing, crackles, and shortness of breath, they will listen to your heartbeat and breathing. Besides, your eyes, nose, throat, mouth, and even skin and nails will be observed as well. And for a particular health issue, you may be asked to do tests required for that specific condition. It can be a test of your urine or even an imaging test depending on the illness. Screening tests may also be advised to check your overall health. An internist may ask for a follow-up visit or suggest another specialist as well. If you already visit other specialists, your internist may also consult them for better coordination of the care provided.
To conclude, an internist can give you the care you need as well as help you prevent diseases. Also, you will get to improve your mental health besides physical health. And if you are advised to take medications, make sure you get your medicines from the right pharmacy. Say you are in Qatar, you can find a list of pharmacies available by simply searching “ pharmacy in Qatar“.
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