Internal medicine physicians diagnose and treat adults exclusively, often managing difficult medical problems and illnesses.

To do this, they continually update their knowledge in many areas, including diseases of the heart and blood vessels, cancer, diabetes, digestive diseases, hormonal disorders, infections, kidney diseases, respiratory disorders, allergies, blood diseases, and arthritis from adolescence to the elderly from the office to intensive care.

Internal medicine physicians also teach patients about wellness (disease prevention and the promotion of health), women's health, substance abuse, mental health, as well as effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.

You might be referred to an internist if you have need help solving puzzling diagnostic problems.

They handle severe chronic illnesses and situations where several different illnesses may strike at the same time. Internal medicine physicians provide diagnosis, treatment and or management of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, cancer, diabetes, digestive diseases, hormonal disorders, infections, kidney diseases, respiratory disorders, allergies, blood diseases, and arthritis from adolescence to the elderly from the office to intensive care.

Choosing an internal medicine physician

Practicing preventive care is fundamental to good health - and so is choosing the right physician.

If you don't have a physician whom you visit regularly, don't wait until a serious health problem prompts you to select one. You're ultimately responsible for the choice of your health care provider, whether you participate in a managed care health plan that provides you with a list of participating physicians, or you have traditional insurance and can choose any doctor. Be selective. After all, your health is very important.