What does an internal medicine specialist do?
Internal medicine is one of the most diverse specialties in medicine, which brings together and systematizes other specialties as well. Its specialities are cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, diabetology and gastroenterology. In our outpatient clinics, both general internal medicine and special specializations are available.
In case of what problems should we consult an internist?
The field of examination of internal medicine is the internal organs.
A visit to an internist is justified if the patient has no specific idea, what could be the source of his or her complaint. Such symptoms may include the following:
- abdominal or chest pain
- frequent headache or dizziness
- fever, diarrhoea, nausea
- loss of appetite, indigestion, bloating
- respiratory complaints, dyspnoea
- blood pressure problems
- weakness, feeling tired, hiccups
Where can I get this medical specialty?
Common internal medicine examinations
A general internal medicine survey usually consists of the following examinations:
- detailed family and individual medical history,
- blood pressure and heart rate measurement,
- examination of the function of the cardiovascular, respiratory and abdominal organs,
- determination of body weight, height, waist circumference, BMI, body fat percentage,
- vaccination control,
- informative neurological and locomotor examination
- In the knowledge of the complaints, medical history and survey data, as a screening or to find out the cause of the symptoms, the internist may order additional laboratory and imaging examinations or specialist consultations.
Resting ECG
Displays the electrical activity of the heart in the form of curves. The number of heart beats per minute, their regularity, pacing of the heart, conduction of arrhythmias, arrhythmias, lack of oxygen to the heart muscle, damage can be examined. Among many other conditions, it provides information on the size of the walls of the chambers that make up the heart, but also on the effects of the medicines used on the heart or their side effects.
- Spirometry
Respiratory function tests are both useful in diagnosing the cause of unclear respiratory symptoms and in monitoring the condition of patients with known respiratory disease.
Bone Density Measurement
Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mass and lime content, which is associated with an increased risk of abnormal and spontaneous fractures. The name of the disease also means perforated, hollow bone. Bone mineral content is measured by examining bone density using so-called osteodensitometry (ODM) devices.
24-hour blood pressure monitor (ABPM)
The device is used to record blood pressure during normal daily activities for 24 hours. Blood pressure also changes normally at different times of the day, but it is also affected by physical activity, stress, eating, etc. The procedure is used to check the set antihypertensive treatment and to detect intermittent blood pressure abnormalities.
A blood pressure cuff is placed on the patient’s arm to measure and store blood pressure at specified intervals. In the meantime, the patient can perform his or her usual daily tasks.
