Reasons to See an Internal Medicine Doctor
Internal medicine is a medical specialization in which doctors diagnose and treat humans using scientific knowledge and clinical expertise. Dr. Sylvia Okoye, MD., and Dr. Joseph Okoye, MD., are dedicated to providing you with comprehensive health care at Eastway Medical Clinic. We are conveniently located at 1220 Eastway Drive Charlotte, NC 28205. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online.
Table of Contents:
Why would I be referred to internal medicine?
What is internal medicine concerned with?
What procedures does an internal medicine doctor perform?
What is the difference between an internal medicine doctor and a primary care doctor?
An internal medicine doctor, also known as an internist, is a medical professional who specializes in the inner workings of the body. This includes internal organs such as the heart, liver, kidney, and lungs, and all corresponding internal systems. Internists help diagnose and manage diseases related to the organs and have a high level of knowledge regarding how they interact with and affect the rest of the body. At Eastway Medical Clinic, we’re proud to offer access to experienced and knowledgeable internal medicine doctors. Our medical team can help you get the answers that you’re looking for and will get you back on the road to healthier living. If you would like more information about our services or would like to book an appointment, please contact us here. For your convenience, we also offer online booking.
You may be referred to an internal medicine physician if your condition requires specialized knowledge and clinical expertise to be diagnosed and/or treated. Internists are highly skilled and trained in treating complex medical problems, such as chronic illnesses or those who have multiple diseases that require treatment. They are also extremely knowledgeable in health promotion and disease prevention for a more well-rounded level of care.
Your primary care doctor may refer you to an internal medicine physician to help them solve problems regarding your health and identify the best treatment going forward.
Internal medicine physicians are concerned with combining analytical examination, laboratory science, and compassionate care when it comes to treating both common and complex medical issues in adults. They take a comprehensive look at how all the systems in your body are working and identify which areas are causing issues.
Internists are trained to provide a wide array of procedures from multiple medical disciplines. They may take additional training to grow their knowledge and expertise over time, or they may choose to subspecialize in a certain area.
Internal medicine may focus on one or many of the following:
• Cardiology
• Clinical allergy and immunology
• Critical care medicine
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology and metabolism
• Gastroenterology
• General Internal Medicine
• Geriatrics
• Hematology
• Infectious diseases
• Medical oncology
• Neurology
• Respiratory medicine
• Rheumatology
If you’re looking for insight and treatment for a specific condition, it’s always worth contacting the facility before booking an appointment to ensure the internal medicine physician specializes in your area of concern.
An internal medicine doctor can perform a plethora of medical procedures as they have an abundance of knowledge about the inner workings of the body. They can diagnose common and complex medical conditions and are also well-versed in providing preventive healthcare services. This includes vaccinations, nutritional counseling, wellness checkups, and screenings.
Internal medicine doctors routinely administer the following procedures:
• Adult vaccinations. This includes, but is not limited to, shots for the flu, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, HPV (human papillomavirus), pneumococcal, shingles, and whooping cough (pertussis).
• Therapeutic injections. This includes injections for pain management such as cortisone shots and trigger point injections.
• Diagnostic procedures. This includes laboratory tests (such as blood or urine), imaging tests (such as mammography, EKGs, or CT scans), endoscopies (such as a colonoscopy or bronchoscopy), and hormone tests.
• Health screenings. Such as blood pressure and cholesterol screening, colorectal cancer screening, mammograms, and gynecological cancer screening.
• Minor in-clinic procedures. This includes the removal of foreign bodies from the eyes and skin, treating warts and skin tags, abscess drainage, repairing skin lesions, and simple fracture care.
• Preoperative evaluation. Those who have pre-existing conditions often need to visit an internist before their surgery to ensure there are no complications. An internist assesses the condition, establishes if surgery is a safe route, and gives necessary directives to the surgeon.
Primary care doctors (also known as general practitioners) and internists can serve as your first line of defense when your health goes wrong. They’re both medical doctors, have an abundance of knowledge and experience when it comes to diagnosing and treating medical conditions and can provide a high level of care.
The biggest difference between an internal medicine doctor and a primary care doctor is that an internist generally only treats adults. In contrast, primary care doctors typically provide care for patients of all ages, including adults, adolescents, and children.
At Eastway Medical Clinic, we are staffed with primary care physicians and internal medicine doctors who will provide you with the highest quality of care. We are here to safeguard your health at every stage of development so that you feel comfortable and confident moving forward. For more information, contact our team today or book an appointment online at your earliest convenience. We are conveniently located at 1220 Eastway Drive Charlotte, NC 28205. We serve patients from Charlotte NC, Newell NC, Mint Hill NC, Matthews NC, Allen NC, Harrisburg NC, and surrounding cities.