An internal medicine doctor may specialize in one of many subcategories. Here are some examples.
Internal medicine doctors are those who take care of adult patients. Their study focuses on one or several portions of the human body. The term -internal medicine- came from a German word meaning a physician who combines research with patient care. These physicians are extremely well trained in diagnostics, treatment and prevention of illnesses, so much that they often serve as consultants to others in the medical field. Within this classification of doctors, there are thirteen subspecialties which require an additional one to three years of education. They are:
1) Cardiologist: In the specialty of cardiology, a practitioner would care for all that is related to a person’s heart and pulmonary system. Heart disease and stroke are some of the most prevalent killers in today’s world, so the expertise of these docs is widely sought after.
2) Sports medicine: Whether injuries are from running, tennis, football, soccer, or any other malady that occurs due to physical fitness regimes, these practitioners are adept at health care for weekend warriors and professional athletes.
3) Adolescent Medicine: Adolescents may not be considered to be fully grown adults, but many of their bodies have reached physical maturity. When a teen has outgrown the pediatrician’s office, he or she may seek health care from this brand of internist.
4) Allergist: Allergies and immune issues are taken care of by this category of doctor. Allergy testing and immune response require precision and skill in diagnosing proper steps and treatments to alleviate symptoms.
5) Geriatrics: With the aging of our population, many elderly people need the skill of an internist within the geriatric classification.
6) Gastroenterology: The intestinal tract and colon are kept healthy or treated when problems occur by this group of internist physicians.
7) Infection disease: Illnesses aren’t always so easy to treat due to today’s super-bugs and antibiotic resistant strains of disease. Internists can help contain these contagious infectious strains.
8) Hematologists: These physicians study the blood and take care of diseases and conditions which are related to it.
9) Rheumatology: Arthritis affects many people in the form of swollen and painful joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers often seek help from these internal medicine specialists as needed.
10) Pulmonologist: The lungs can be afflicted with everything from chronic asthma to emphysema. These specialists can help their patients to breathe more easily.
11) Oncologists: Cancer specialists help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous development in nearly every body part. Chemotherapy and radiation are the normal courses of treatments to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells.
12) Kidney Specialists: These internists are called Nephrologists. The kidneys must be kept well functioning in order to clear away toxins from a body. When kidneys shut down, the body goes into deep distress.
13) Endocrinology: Diabetes has risen sharply in the United States due to a variety of reasons including unhealthy diets, lifestyle and stress. Endocrinologists treat diabetics and those with glandular disorders.
Internal medicine doctors can offer their broad and deep range of knowledge in all of the above subcategories. Patients and other health care providers often come to them for answers.
It’s very important to know the areas that a internal medicine doctordoctor specializes in an event that a health problem comes up as it relates to that specific physician.For more information, visit http://www.angieslist.com