sisätaudeissa

Sisätaudit, or internal medicine, is a medical specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the internal organs of the human body. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are known as internists. They deal with a wide range of conditions that affect the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and other internal systems.

The scope of internal medicine is broad, encompassing many subspecialties. These include cardiology (heart diseases), pulmonology (lung diseases), gastroenterology (digestive system diseases), nephrology (kidney diseases), endocrinology (hormone disorders), hematology (blood disorders), oncology (cancer), rheumatology (joint and autoimmune diseases), and infectious diseases. Internists often manage complex conditions that may involve multiple organ systems.

Diagnosis in internal medicine relies heavily on patient history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. These can include blood and urine tests, imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, as well as biopsies and endoscopies. Treatment plans are individualized and may involve medication, lifestyle changes, or referrals to subspecialists.

Internists play a crucial role in adult healthcare, acting as primary care physicians or consultants for other medical specialists. They are trained to handle both common and rare diseases, and often manage chronic conditions that require long-term care and monitoring. The field emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care, considering the patient's overall health and well-being.