Your internal medicine specialist, or “internist,” plays a vital role in your general health — especially if you have ongoing medical issues that require monitoring and maintenance care or are at risk of developing health problems due to conditions like diabetes. In addition, if you do not feel well and have issues identifying the cause of your symptoms, visiting an internal medicine specialist will help you get to the root of the problem and receive treatment.
Below, these internal medicine specialists in Northwest Indiana are going to discuss two primary reasons why scheduling a visit with a licensed internist is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
Accurate Diagnosis
An internal medicine specialist is a physician who is trained to diagnose and treat patients with specific illnesses and diseases. Some of the most common conditions they diagnose and treat include chronic pain, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, asthma and cancer.
When you visit an internal medicine specialist in Northwest Indiana, he or she will evaluate your overall health status by assessing your medical history, performing a physical examination and ordering laboratory tests or imaging studies when necessary.
Unlike other specialties, internists have additional training in managing a patient’s care over time. This is because they typically see their patients once every few months rather than only seeing them once a year (or even less frequently).
Internal medicine specialists take the time to explain things and make sure you understand what they are telling you. If you have questions about your diagnosis or treatment plan, they will answer them thoroughly so you can make informed decisions about your healthcare needs going forward.
Preventive Care Services
Preventive care is one of the most important aspects of maintaining your overall health. That’s why we recommend scheduling routine visits with a reputable internal medicine specialist in Northwest Indiana.
An internal medicine specialist will help identify and monitor a wide range of chronic conditions and recommend a treatment plan. For instance, if you are at risk for colon cancer (also called colorectal cancer) because of age, weight or diet-related factors (like lack of fiber), your internal medicine specialist may recommend a colonoscopy. They also administer vaccinations and provide patient counseling about healthy living habits, such as dieting and exercise.
You also benefit from preventive care visits by having routine checkups that allow you and your internal medicine specialist to determine how well your medications are working, and if there are any changes needed. During a checkup, your internal medicine specialist will ask about changes in health or lifestyle. If your doctor has ordered blood work, it will be reviewed during this visit.
If necessary, your internal medicine specialist in Northwest Indiana may even refer you to other specialists in the area who can address your specific medical concerns.
Ready to Schedule a Visit with an Internal Medicine Specialist in Northwest Indiana?
Now that you have a better idea as to how you can benefit from visiting an internal medicine specialist in Northwest Indiana, are you ready to make an appointment? If so, our highly trained internists at 219 Health Network would be happy to meet with you. Our specialists are trained to diagnose, treat and follow up with patients with serious illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders and much more.
Contact us today at (833) 219-0001 to make an appointment.