Internal Medicine: Conditions Treated & What to Expect

Internal medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the study and treatment of diseases that affect the internal organs of the body, mainly those relating to the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, renal, and endocrine systems. It is distinct from surgical disciplines which mainly focuses on the physical treatment of external body parts or through operations and surgeries rather than on the disease of internal organs directly.

Here are some common conditions that internal medicine doctors diagnose and treat:

Cardiovascular System

- Hypertension (high blood pressure)

- Coronary artery disease (heart attack)

- Heart failure

- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)

- Valvular heart disease

Gastrointestinal System

- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

- Peptic ulcers

- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)

- Diverticular disease

- Liver disease

- Pancreatitis

Respiratory System

- Pneumonia

- Asthma

- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

- Tuberculosis

- Lung cancer

Renal System

- Kidney failure

- Chronic kidney disease

- Urinary tract infections

- Nephrotic syndrome

Endocrine System

- Diabetes mellitus

- Thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism)

- Pituitary disorders

- Adrenal disorders