Reasons to See an Internist in Reseda CA

A patient may be referred to a physician that has specialized in internal medicine if they have been diagnosed with a condition or illness that affects one or more of their internal organs, including the lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. It is common for chronic illnesses that directly affect one organ, such as diabetes, for example, to indirectly affect the functioning of one or more of the other organs, so an internist will be recommended in order to observe and treat the entirety of the body’s systems in relation to these organs to help them manage their chronic condition or illness. They will essentially become the primary health care professional that is caring for this specific condition for the patient and can consult with other specialists if the condition progresses or advances. The most common reasons why a patient may be referred to an internist to receive more specialized medical care include diabetes, heart disease, endocrine issues, hypertension, kidney issues, elevated cholesterol, and blood disorders.

There are several benefits to visiting an internist rather than just a general primary care physician for the treatment of chronic illnesses or general issues with the internal organs, the predominant benefit including just having more specialized, expert care in treating and preventing health conditions for which your chronic illness increases the risk of developing. An internist will have much more experience and knowledge in your specific condition and will be able to more accurately predict how your body may react to different methods of treatment. They will also have more knowledge of how a specific condition can affect the surrounding organs, preventing the development of commonly associated conditions from developing. This all means that patients are more likely to receive accurate diagnoses, receive more effective treatments, have access to other specialists in a timely manner as conditions progress, and will already have an open line of communication with a medical professional that is both aware of their existing health conditions and medical history, making communicating any changes, no matter how subtle, much easier to convey.

An initial appointment with an internist will be very similar to first appointments with any health care provider in that you will need to provide an extensive report of all relevant medical information including medical history and current existing conditions. The internist will also likely perform a detailed evaluation of your current health condition, including assessing blood pressure, perhaps completing a blood test or urine sample, and measuring weight. This full evaluation may require you to come back or be referred to another specialist if lab testing is required just to ensure that the internist has the full picture of your health and lifestyle to provide accurate and effective treatment. Once all of the initial assessments and conversations have occurred, and the internist is aware of the current health condition, a treatment plan can be developed based on the specific needs of the patient. An internist will likely provide long-term care for their patients since most conditions or illnesses that they treat are chronic or lifelong.

It is common for patients to see an internist when they are referred to one by their primary care physician, but really anyone who has been diagnosed with a chronic condition or has an increased risk of developing a chronic condition that affects one or more internal organs can visit an internist to at least establish a relationship and long-term treatment plan. Even if you have had the chronic condition for a long time already, seeing an internist can provide you with more effective treatment options that will also work to prevent the development or advancement of other related conditions.

If you have any additional questions, visit us at Rachman Medical Group, please give us a call during our business hours. We look forward to your visit to Rachman Medical Group soon! We serve patients from Reseda CA, San Fernando CA, Twin Lakes CA, Hidden Hills CA, and Burbank CA.