What is internal medicine?
Internal medicine is a very broad category of study. Essentially, it means the provider deals in the diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases. Internists, like Dr. Estimé, focus on the medical management of a variety of problems that affect one or more body system. An internist might treat:
- Heart problems
- Respiratory diseases
- Kidney ailments
- An autoimmune condition
It's a study which includes multi-system disease processes. For example, diabetes is an endocrine system disease, but one that puts the patient at risk for kidney problems, vision loss, skin wounds, and heart disease. One healthcare professional like Dr. Estimé has the training to handle all these problems at one time, in one office.
How much training do specialists in internal medicine need?
A specialist in internal medicine is no different than any other doctor. Dr. Estimé holds a four-year medical degree and has completed both an internship and three-year intensive residency in internal medicine. He also has a master's degree in health administration. Dr. Estimé is well versed in the area of internal medicine.
Are internists family doctors?
Not, really, no. However, they are often designated as primary care physicians. If you think of a pediatrician as a doctor who specializes in children, then you can consider an internist a doctor who specializes in adults. Dr. Estimé treats patients from adolescents to the elderly.
What does Dr. Estimé do as an internist?
Dr. Estimé, like many internists, takes a holistic and patient-centered approach to medicine. This means he works with patients to resolve a variety of health issues and to promote general wellness. Some areas of treatment he works directly in include:
- Wound care
- Birth control
- Pain management
- Arthritis
- Diabetes management
- COPD
- Dementia
- GERD
- Hypothyroid
This is just a fraction of what a specialist in internal medicine is capable of helping in. Dr. Estimé is your go-to doctor for just about any condition. If you are unsure if Dr. Estimé handles your specific problem, you can always call and make an appointment. If he feels he needs a consultation with another medical specialist, he can arrange that for you and coordinate the care as the internist.
