The reports have revealed that about 90% of Americans eat more sodium than is appropriate for a healthy diet. Do you know that excessive sodium intake increases blood pressure?
Do you know that If you’ve had a catheter for a long period of time, it can increase your chances of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI)? Any bacteria present on a catheter can infect your bladder.
The common cold is an infection of the nose and throat caused by more than 200 different viruses. Rhinovirus is the most common cause, accounting for 10% to 40% of colds. Other common cold viruses include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronavirus.
Not all fevers are bad. In fact, they are one of the body’s protective mechanisms. Most fevers between 100°F and 104°F turn on the body’s immune system and helps it fight the infection.
Migraine, which is characterized by a severe headache sometimes accompanied with nausea and vomiting, can be extremely debilitating. While migraine itself has no cure, doctors of internal medicine can prescribe medications that can reduce its frequency and severity.
Have you heard about Croup? Also known as laryngotracheobronchitis, it is a type of respiratory infection that is usually caused by a virus. It causes a distinctive barking cough and a breathing problem in children.
The body’s immune system usually recognizes viruses and bacteria as foreign and immediately fights them off. In the case of cancer, however, the cells are mutated versions of our own healthy cells so they may not be recognized as invaders.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the last 2 decades, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has become more overweight or obese.
Because migraine pain is often located over the sinuses, people frequently mistake it for sinus pain. However, over 90% of people who think they have sinus headaches actually have migraines.
Do you know that you can keep your high blood pressure under control by simply having 30-60 minutes of physical activity each day and reducing the amount of sodium intake?
According to the reports, more than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it. In fact, diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
How can Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) be prevented? To help prevent UTIs, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid delaying going to the bathroom for extended amounts of time. Also, empty your bladder completely before going to sleep.
Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians that specialize in diseases of the joints, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As such, they are the ones to see if you suffer from inflammatory or autoimmune conditions.
What is gestational diabetes? It is a condition in which your blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born but increases your risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life.
According to the American College of Physicians: “Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness.”
One of the treatments that an oncologist may pursue for a cancer-stricken patient would be immunotherapy. While the science behind it is complex, this medical technique essentially involves recruiting a person’s immune system to hunt and kill cancerous cells.
While a general internist will be able to treat a patient effectively, there are instances when he or she has to defer to a specialist. This is particularly true for very complex cases, as a more focused physician should be able to do more.
Studies have shown that drinking a glass of cranberry juice each day may help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI). Cranberries contain compounds that may prevent certain bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract wall.
What is aspiration? It means the person is inhaling foreign objects. Usually, it is food, liquids, saliva or vomit. Symptoms of aspiration include coughing, difficulty breathing and choking.
Someone has rightly said, “An apple a day does keeps the medicines away”. Do you know that apples are known for reducing bad cholesterol levels to keep your heart healthy?
The immune system is very complex, so you’re going to need a specialist to deal with any issues. These doctors—immunologists—are experts on the body’s defenses so they will know what to do to manage your condition.
If your illness has co-morbidities, your internist may choose to seek the help of other specialists. A gastroenterologist, for instance, may enlist the help of an oncologist should his or her patient show signs of bowel cancer.
What is the normal body temperature of a child? It is about 98.6°F when taken orally and 99.6°F when taken rectally. If your child’s face feels hot to the touch or if she looks red or flushed, she may have a fever.
Internists—physicians who specialize in internal medicine—work on treating the body’s internal organs. However, as there are many organ systems that make up the whole, a doctor may choose to focus his or her work on one particular aspect.
