General Medicine

General Medicine, also known as Internal Medicine, is a medical specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and non-surgical treatment of adult diseases. Physicians who specialize in general medicine are called internists.

Fever- Fever is the most common disease affecting people. To evaluate fever, your doctor may ask medical history and symptoms. The doctor conducts a physical examination and recommends undergoing a blood test if necessary. For low-grade fever, the doctor may not prescribe many medications. For high fever, medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are given.

Asthma- It’s a chronic disease which affects the airways of the lungs. This condition makes the airway narrow, swell and produces extra mucus. This creates difficulty in breathing, causes wheezing and cough. For some people, asthma is a major problem which troubles their daily normal activities and can also lead to an asthma attack.

Hypertension- Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common cardiovascular disease. For most adults, there is no specific reason to cause hypertension. The blood pressure tends to develop with increasing age. Secondary hypertension appears suddenly and causes high blood pressure. Thyroid problems, sleep apnea, kidney problems, certain drugs, and medications, etc can be a cause of secondary hypertension.

Thyroid malfunctions- Thyroid gland is responsible for the metabolic process in the body. Thus the disorders in thyroid gland slow down the body's metabolism rate. The most common thyroid problem is abnormal production of thyroid hormones which leads to conditions like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. These problems may result in various physical problems such as weight loss or weight gain, excess fatigue and if it is left untreated it may lead to cancer.

Liver Diseases- Liver is an important organ which is essential for digesting food and eliminating toxic substances from our body. There are a variety of factors responsible for liver problems. Genetic factors, excess alcohol, viruses, drugs may severely affect the liver functioning. Untreated liver disease may lead to liver failure, which is a life-threatening condition.

Heart Diseases- There are many types of heart diseases which are caused due to the damages to parts of the heart, damages to coronary arteries or due to insufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen. Overweight, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, junk foods, etc., are some of the risk factors of heart disease. Heart disease can be treated with medications or surgery.

Apart from these diseases, high cholesterol, influenza, headache, chest pain, abdomen pain, cough, respiratory infections, pneumonia, anxiety, and other diseases are covered and treated under general medicine.

Key Focus Areas in General Medicine:

Chronic diseases: diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease

Infectious diseases: pneumonia, tuberculosis, dengue, COVID-19

Preventive care: vaccinations, health screenings, lifestyle counseling

Multi-system diseases: conditions affecting multiple organ systems (like autoimmune disorders)

Acute care: managing sudden illnesses like infections, respiratory issues, or minor injuries

Common Responsibilities:

Conducting physical examinations

Diagnosing a wide range of illnesses

Managing ongoing health conditions

Coordinating care with specialists when needed

Prescribing medications and lifestyle modifications

Skills Required:

Strong clinical knowledge across multiple body systems

Excellent diagnostic and analytical skills

Ability to manage complex and chronic conditions over time

Communication and counseling abilities to educate patients