Living a healthy life is the ultimate goal for every sane person. However, in order to achieve this, one must make an effort—get regular check-ups, take precautions to stay healthy, and avoid illnesses, among other things.
At the same time, there is a group of adults who don't know the answers to the following questions, which causes them to overlook the importance of consulting an internist:
How can an internist help me get better?
Why should I see an internist in the first place?
What does "internist specialty" mean?
Where can I find the "best internist near me"?
How is the diagnosis done by an internist?
These questions are common among those who have never visited an internist. In any case, we’ve addressed one of these important questions in this blog—how do internists diagnose patients?
Before we dive deeper, let’s first take a look at what’s covered in this blog.
Table of Contents
H1: Introduction: What is Internist and Internist Specialty?
H1: Steps Internists Take to Diagnose Chronic Illnesses of a Patient
H2: Step #1: Patient’s History
H2: Step #2: Physical Tests
H2: Step #3: Lab and Blood Work
H2: Step #4: Imaging Examinations
H1: Bonus Information: Who is the Best Internist Near Me in Coachella and Rancho Mirage?
H2: Step #5: Other Procedures for Detailed Diagnosis
Introduction: What is Internist and Internist Specialty?
Internists: Internists are doctors who play a vital role in the life of any adult. You might wonder how they do that. Well, these healthcare experts, like any other professional, know the ins and outs of their field. An internist helps address health concerns—both common and chronic, life-threatening ones.
When treating health issues, a good internist follows a proper course of action:
- First Step: Diagnosis and understanding of the health issue.
- Second Step: Treatment through various means.
- Third Step: Preventive measures to ensure the problem does not recur.
Fun Fact: An internist is a doctor who falls under the category of primary care. The key difference is that a primary care practitioner (PCP) caters to all age groups and their health concerns, whereas an internist focuses on a specific age group—young adults (ages 18 to 25) and adults (typically ages 25 and older).
Internist Specialty: An internist’s specialty involves focusing on one particular organ or area of health. They can specialize in several sub-specialties. For example:
- Cardiologists: Deal with heart-related problems.
- Endocrinologists: Work with hormonal issues.
- Pulmonologists: Diagnose and treat lung issues.
Steps Internists Take to Diagnose Chronic Illnesses of a Patient
Following are the ways in which the diagnosis of common or chronic health issues is managed:
Patient’s History
As soon as you visit an internist office, the following questions and data are collected.
-
What symptoms are you experiencing currently?
- What is the severity and how did it start?
- Is it changing with time or not?
- Etc.
- Do you have any medical history aligned with the condition at present?
- Are you diabetic, clinically depressed, or hospitalized?
- Did you ever undergo a trauma or head injury, psychiatric treatment, surgeries, etc.?
- Are you on any medication right now? Or, did you take any medication in the past for the long term?
- Side effects of the medications you have taken in the past?
- Did you ever have over-the-counter medications, supplements, etc.?
- Do you have any worth mentioning family history?
- Did internist medicine prescribed for chronic disease to any of your family members?
All these questions give a perspective to the diagnosis. However, there are many other questions that are asked to narrow down the possibilities of a disease.
Patient History
As soon as you visit an internist's office, the following questions and data will be collected:
-
What symptoms are you experiencing currently?
- What is the severity, and how did it start?
- Is it changing over time?
- Are there any other related symptoms?
- Do you have any medical history related to your current condition?
- Are you diabetic, clinically depressed, or have you been hospitalized recently?
- Have you ever undergone trauma, a head injury, psychiatric treatment, or surgery?
- Are you currently on any medication, or did you take any long-term medication in the past?
- Have you experienced any side effects from medications you've taken in the past?
- Have you ever taken over-the-counter medications, supplements, etc.?
- Do you have any relevant family medical history?
- Has any family member been prescribed internist medicine for a chronic disease?
These questions provide valuable insights into the diagnosis. However, there may be additional questions asked to narrow down the possible causes of the health issue.
Physical Tests
What comes next? Physical tests are conducted to provide more clarity and ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis. When you search for the "best internist near me" and visit one, the following tests are typically carried out:
- Physical Signs: A thorough physical examination is conducted to observe visual symptoms. For example, weight loss and vision difficulties may indicate signs of chronic diseases.
- Percussion: The doctor taps on various parts of the body to check for abnormal growths or fluid buildup. This helps detect conditions such as ascites, pleural effusion, and similar issues.
- Skin Checkup: The internist examines the skin for signs like flakiness, rashes, lesions, swelling, and any abnormalities in the eyes, abdomen, or breasts to determine underlying causes.
- Listening Test: An internist specializes in evaluating lung and heart function. Using a stethoscope, the internist listens to the heartbeat, performs palpation, and checks the lungs.
If any serious findings arise during these tests, the patient will be referred for more advanced screenings or imaging tests.
Lab and Blood Work
If you live in Rancho Mirage or Coachella and search for "internist near me," there's a 99% chance you'll see Indus Medical Associates at the top of the search results. Visiting them for a diagnosis might lead to the following lab work:
- CBC (Complete Blood Count): This is often one of the first tests a patient undergoes. It measures the count of red and white blood cells. Low red blood cells can indicate anemia, while low white blood cells help diagnose infections.
- CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel): This test evaluates glucose levels, electrolytes, liver function, and kidney function. It also helps detect imbalances in vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and sodium.
- Lipid Panel: This test measures the total cholesterol levels. The results help assess cardiovascular health and identify metabolic syndromes.
- Thyroid Test: This includes three tests—T3, T4, and TSH—used to diagnose issues like weight loss or gain, mood swings, and fatigue, often linked to thyroid imbalances.
- Microbiological Examinations: Blood and urine cultures are performed to identify the underlying causes of infections, pathogens, and other abnormalities.
Internist medicine plays a key role in ruling out or confirming diagnoses and developing an appropriate treatment plan.
Imaging Examinations
Next comes imaging tests. The following screenings fall under this category:
- X-rays: X-rays allow doctors to examine the internal structure of the body, including bones, joints, and the chest. A chest X-ray can help diagnose conditions like heart failure, lung cancer, fractures, abdominal issues, lung problems, and pneumonia.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRI provides detailed images of various body parts, including the brain, tissues, joints, and spine. It is used to diagnose spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and other conditions.
- Echocardiogram: This is similar to an ultrasound but specifically designed for examining the heart. It checks the overall functioning of the heart and is often used to detect heart failure, heart defects, murmurs, and other heart-related issues.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography): A CT scan combines X-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images of the body. It helps diagnose chronic conditions, internal bleeding, tumors, and long-term pain issues related to the brain, pelvis, chest, and abdomen.
- Ultrasound: Using sound waves, an ultrasound scans internal organs to evaluate conditions in the ovaries, heart, gallbladder, liver, kidney stones, and gallstones, as well as detecting fluid retention.
Once the imaging examinations are completed, the internist uses the results to diagnose the severity, type, and nature of the disease.
Bonus Information: Who is the Best Internist Near Me in Coachella and Rancho Mirage?
The best internist or internist practice near you in Coachella and Rancho Mirage is none other than Indus Medical Associates. It is one of the top healthcare facilities in the area, known for its expert internists, including Dr. Azam and Dr. Parimi—two key figures at the heart of the practice. Both doctors have dedicated their careers to serving patients, promoting community health, and raising awareness about modern health issues.
Other Procedures for Detailed Diagnosis
Here are some additional procedures that may be necessary in certain cases:
- ECG/EKG (Electrocardiogram): An ECG is a procedure used to thoroughly examine the heart. It assesses the heart's current functioning and compares it to previous ECG results. If you’re wondering why a best internist near me might suggest this test, it’s typically to diagnose potential heart issues such as heart attacks, arrhythmias, or heart failure.
- Pulmonary Test: If someone is experiencing conditions like COPD, lung diseases, or asthma, a pulmonary function test is often the first step. This test provides a clear picture of how much air a patient can inhale or exhale, as well as the speed of their breathing. It also helps determine if the person needs any external assistance to breathe.
- Biopsy: In cases of suspected cancer or similar diseases, a biopsy is performed. This procedure involves collecting tissue samples, which are then examined in detail. Biopsies are often conducted during surgery or through procedures like endoscopy.
These procedures provide direct, detailed insights into the organs, tissues, and other body parts, helping the internist to make a more accurate diagnosis.