You may still often wonder what is meant by internal medicine and what are examples of diseases that require the treatment of an internal medicine specialist. Come on, find out more here.
Internal medicine or internal medicine is a medical specialty for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in adults. Medical conditions or diseases that are included in the medical specialization of internal medicine will be handled by an internal medicine specialist or also known as internist.
Internal medicine specialists have comprehensive knowledge and competence regarding the medical management of diseases that affect various organs in the body.
According to the regulations of the Indonesian Medical Council, internal medicine specialists play a role in handling various health problems and improving the quality of public health for young adults to the elderly in the field of internal medicine.
Internal medicine specialists can take further studies or subspecialty to become consultants in more specific disciplines, for example in the field of kidney-hypertension or cardiology (heart).
Internal medicine specialists can refer or recommend patients to sub-specialists in internal medicine for certain more severe cases.
Patients who have been treated by a sub-specialist in internal medicine can be referred back to a specialist in internal medicine for routine health care and monitoring.
General practitioners who you visit often also have expertise in internal medicine, but usually general practitioners have limitations in terms of health facilities and competence.
Therefore, general practitioners usually only determine the diagnosis of the disease and temporary treatment. Furthermore, the patient should be referred to a specialist in internal medicine for further examination and treatment.
So, What are the Medical Conditions Covered in an Internal Medicine Specialization?
Among the hundreds of diseases that can be treated by internal medicine specialists, here are some groups of diseases that fall within the disciplines of internal medicine:
- Clinical immunology allergy field related to diseases of the body's immune system, such as allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiency diseases.
- Gastroentero-hepatology related to the digestive system and liver, including in treating and preventing disorders of the pancreas, gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Examples of diseases include pancreatitis, hepatitis, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
- geriatric field related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in the elderly, especially those related to the aging process. Examples of diseases include malnutrition, urinary incontinence, and osteoarthritis.
- Hypertension kidney field involving kidney problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or more complex blood pressure problems, such as patients undergoing kidney transplantation or hemodialysis patients. Examples of diseases include acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure, and urinary tract stones.
- Hematology and medical oncology that deals with the diagnosis and prevention of blood diseases (hematology) and cancer (oncology), including diseases such as anemia, hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma, and cancer.
- Areas of the heart and blood vessels associated with disorders of the heart and blood vessels of the body. Examples of diseases include heart failure, coronary heart disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, and rheumatic heart disease.
- Endocrine-metabolic-diabetic field related to disturbances in metabolism, namely biochemical processes and the work of hormones in the body. Examples of these diseases include diabetes, thyroid disease, and diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Pulmonology related to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the respiratory system. Examples of diseases include asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and interstitial lung disease.
- Rheumatology field which deals with the non-surgical evaluation and treatment of rheumatic diseases of the body's connective tissues, eg joints. Examples of diseases include: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, lupus, and fibromyalgia.
- Infectious tropics associated with infectious diseases that are often found in Indonesia. Examples of diseases include dengue fever, worm infection, and typhoid fever.
By knowing what diseases are classified as internal medicine, you no longer need to feel confused when a general practitioner refers you to an internal medicine specialist who has the competence to handle these diseases.
