Common Adult Conditions Treated by Internal Medicine - A Guide by Dr. Jaspaul S. Bhangoo

Internal medicine is a medical specialty dedicated to diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases affecting adults. This form of medicine also offers comprehensive care for patients suffering from complex multi-system illnesses.

Internists are primary care physicians trained to treat an array of adult conditions. Their training allows them to simultaneously manage conditions affecting multiple organs or systems in the body.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, or type II diabetes, is an increasingly prevalent metabolic condition affecting how your body processes sugar. Without proper management, this disease can lead to severe consequences like kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and blindness if left uncontrolled. Internal medicine physicians (internists) specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses arising from genetics or lifestyle.

Dr. Jaspaul S. Bhangoo emphasizes that internists are trained to assist patients in dealing with the emotional ups and downs associated with managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. They can refer their patients to mental health professionals for additional support and care if needed.

Internists provide more than just diagnosis and treatment of diabetes; they also offer regular check-ups and health screenings to detect disease early or prevent complications altogether. This means patients receive comprehensive care from someone familiar with their medical history; internal medicine specialists typically have hospital privileges so that treatment continues even when hospitalization may be necessary due to health concerns.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure measures how forcefully your blood is pushing against arterial walls, expressed as two numbers. Systolic pressure measures pressure when your heart contracts and beats, while diastolic measures the pressure between beats. Untreated high blood pressure can damage arteries and lead to severe health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, or even dementia. Dr. Jaspaul S. Bhangoo highlights that lifestyle modifications such as eating healthily, quitting smoking, losing weight, or exercising regularly may be effective ways of managing it; in some cases, medication may also be required to control it effectively.

Internal medicine doctors can treat various illnesses and diseases that affect adults. Their training allows them to provide effective treatments, foster long-lasting doctor-patient relationships, and refer patients when necessary; for instance, if someone suffers from high blood pressure, they could get medication prescribed by an internist to treat their condition.

Heart Disease

Adults seeking medical help often visit their primary care doctor first. These medical specialists are experts at treating various diseases and conditions in adults and also focus on how all systems within an individual's body function together so any issues don't lead to additional problems in other areas.

To diagnose and treat heart disease, doctors will assess a patient's body for signs of it through a physical exam and review of family and personal medical histories, along with blood tests to check cholesterol levels or see if their arteries have narrowed or leakage issues.

Dr. Jaspaul S. Bhangoo mentions that cardiovascular issues are best managed when detected early by your physician, so regular checkups and notifying them of any symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath with activity, are essential.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition affecting the airways (the tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs). It's often brought on by breathing irritating substances known as triggers; these triggers irritate airway walls to the point that breathing becomes problematic for those with asthma, leading to symptoms like wheezing and chest tightening.

An internal medicine specialist can quickly and effectively manage asthma by conducting breathing tests such as peak flow evaluation, as Dr. Jaspaul S. Bhangoo suggested. They may also suggest fast-acting medication known as bronchodilators to ease breathing symptoms rapidly.

Some people with mild asthma can go long periods without experiencing symptoms. For those who do experience symptoms regularly, a doctor may devise an asthma treatment plan consisting of lifestyle modifications and medications to manage symptoms. In more severe cases, bronchoscopy may be required, wherein a tube is sent down the throat to remove excess smooth muscle from airway walls.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that renders bones fragile and more prone to breaking (fracture). Healthy bones contain small spaces similar to honeycomb honeycombs filled with calcium and phosphate; over time, these spaces fill up as your body reabsorbs old bone while simultaneously creating new ones; but with osteoporosis, your bone density becomes porous and weaker, increasing your chances of fractures in hips, wrists, or spine.

Bone disease typically develops over time. However, several factors can accelerate its progress, such as aging, family history of bone diseases, low sex hormone levels after menopause, or certain medicines that disrupt calcium/phosphate balance in the body.

Bone density tests can reveal whether or not you are suffering from osteoporosis or are at risk. Doctors can treat the disease through exercises, a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercises, and medications.

Weight Management

Internal medicine practitioners internists are fully prepared to handle various health conditions affecting adults. These doctors can simultaneously diagnose and treat multiple diseases or illnesses to help their patients get well as soon as possible.

Internists are an invaluable resource in managing chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure by offering guidance for lifestyle changes, prescription medication management, and progress monitoring of patient progress, as per Dr. Jaspaul S. Bhangoo. Furthermore, internists may serve as one of the only primary healthcare sources for certain needy patients.

Internal medicine practitioners specialize in treating health conditions that span the whole body, including lung conditions. Suppose a patient suffers from pneumonia (an inflammation of the lungs). In that case, an internal medicine practitioner can provide antibiotics or antifungals to relieve symptoms like fever, cough, chest pain, and chills.