What Does Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine) Look For?

Internal Medicine (internal medicine) is a specialty that covers the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases related to the internal organs of the body. Internists deal with a wide range of health problems and often serve as the first point of contact.

Internal medicine is responsible for monitoring and managing general health. This includes general health screenings, routine check-ups and evaluation of various symptoms. Monitoring and treatment of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol also fall under the scope of internal medicine.

Internal medicine specialists play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. Since these diseases often require long-term treatment and follow-up, internal medicine specialists plan and manage the treatment processes of patients.

Gastrointestinal disorders are an important part of internal medicine. Conditions such as stomach and intestinal diseases, reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and liver diseases are common problems encountered by internal medicine specialists. Advanced tests such as endoscopy can also be used in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

Hormonal imbalances and disorders related to the endocrine system also fall within the field of internal medicine. Conditions such as thyroid diseases, metabolic disorders, obesity and osteoporosis are monitored and treated by internists. Diabetes management is particularly important in this field.

Internal medicine specialists also play a role in treating bacterial, viral and other infections. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of various infectious diseases such as urinary tract infections, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS. Infections are controlled with antibiotic therapy and other medications.

Rheumatologic diseases are also an area of interest for internal medicine. Joint pain, arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases are evaluated and treated by internal medicine specialists. These diseases are usually chronic and may require long-term follow-up and treatment.

Internal medicine plays an important role in the management of this wide range of diseases. Internal medicine specialists assess patients’ general health, monitor and treat chronic diseases, diagnose disorders of various organ systems and treat acute conditions such as infectious diseases. This makes internal medicine a critical specialty in the field of medicine.

When Should I Make an Appointment for Internal Medicine?
Symptoms that may require an appointment in Internal Medicine are as follows:

Persistent or Severe Abdominal Pain

Unidentified Abdominal Pain: Abdominal pain, especially if it lasts more than a few days or recurs repeatedly.
Digestive Problems: Persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
Chronic fatigue and weakness

Lack of Energy: A feeling of fatigue and exhaustion that persists despite sleeping well.
Anemia Symptoms: Persistent fatigue with pale skin, shortness of breath and dizziness.
Fever and Infection Symptoms

Persistent Fever: High fever that lasts more than a week or is unexplained.
Infection Symptoms: Fever, chills or night sweats without a specific source of infection in the body.
Chest pain and heart palpitations

Chest Pain Chest pain, especially severe or radiating to the left arm, neck, as it may be a sign of a heart attack.
Irregular Heartbeat: Heart palpitations, rapid or irregular heartbeats.
Breathing Problems

Shortness of breath Sudden onset or persistent shortness of breath, especially at rest.
Cough: Chronic cough lasting more than a few weeks or accompanied by coughing up blood.
Sudden or unexplained weight loss

Extreme Weight Loss: Rapid weight loss without change in diet or exercise.
Loss of Appetite: Long-term loss of appetite and associated weight loss.
Skin Changes

Color Changes: Yellowing of the skin (jaundice), bruising or unexplained rashes.
Difficulty in Wound Healing: Cuts or wounds take longer than usual to heal.
Hormonal and Metabolic Problems

Thyroid Symptoms: Neck swelling, fatigue, hair loss, weight changes.
Diabetes Symptoms: Excessive thirst, frequent urination, sudden weight changes.
Digestive System Disorders

Liver Problems: Yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
Intestinal Problems: Bloody stools, black stools or severe abdominal cramps.
General Health Checks

Routine Checkups: Even if you do not have a specific health problem, regular check-ups to check your general health status and detect possible diseases early
Family History of Disease

Genetic Diseases: If there is a family history of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, it is important to take preventive measures and have regular health checks.