10 Dec

Mental Health: The Overlooked Chronic Condition

debtCancer, diabetes, and heart disease are all chronic illnesses that garner a great deal of attention from the medical community and media. After all, chronic disease impacts 50 percent of Americans. Foundations exist to battle the chronic diseases, and education is widespread for patient information.

There is one chronic condition, however, that is often overlooked or forgotten: mental health conditions, especially in our nation’s youth.

The Impact of Chronic Mental Health Conditions Read More →

15 Nov

What is Internal Medicine

woman with doctorWhen doctors receive their training and certification, it is usually in a certain field like surgery, pediatrics, or geriatrics. You’re probably familiar with a family doctor who can take patients young and old and pediatric doctors who focus strictly on the care of children. Internists, or doctors of internal medicine, focus strictly on the health of adults. Internists are unique for a few other reasons that make them a valuable asset for any adult aiming to maintain health, recover from illness, and anything in between. Read More →

17 Sep

How to Prepare for Your Internist Appointment

annual examWhen you are sick it can be easy to get caught up in the hassle of trying to get a doctor’s appointment. But if you rush the process, you might not get as much out of the appointment as you really need. Before you head to see the internist, take a few moments to prepare yourself for the appointment.

Preparing for a Doctor’s Visit

Before you head to the doctor, you need to deal with some practical things. Make sure that the doctor accepts your insurance, and determine what your co-payment will be, if you have one. When you call to make your appointment, make sure to give the office Read More →

03 Sep

What Does an Internist Do?

doctorWhen you have a medical problem, it can be difficult to determine what kind of doctor you need simply because there are so many different specialties. In many cases, your primary care physician will be able to handle the problem or will be able to refer you to someone who can. One of the most common referrals PCPs make is to internists. Read More →

18 Aug

Do You Really Need a Flu Shot? Some Common Questions Answered

shotDr Kavita Rao, like many other medical professionals in the US, offers flu shots – and actively recommends that people have one. However, flu shots are often shrouded in mystery; with the most common question being ‘do you really need one?’ Here’s the answer to that question, plus a few other misunderstandings cleared up along the way!

The Most Commonly Asked Questions about Flu Shots Read More →

04 Aug

Being Breast Aware – The Importance of Regular Breast Examinations

gynecologyBreast cancer, along with skin cancer, is the most common form of the disease in the US. Each year, there are approximately 231, 840 new cases of breast cancer in this country alone, and 40,290 deaths caused by the condition.

Regrettably, many of those deaths could have been prevented, had the woman in question been more aware of abnormalities occurring in her breasts. This is why being breast aware is so important. Read More →

28 Jul

Caring for Someone with Dementia? An Internist May be Able to Help

dementia1Caring for someone with dementia is an enormous responsibility, particularly as the condition progresses. Dementia causes gradual cognitive decline, which means that the sufferer may slowly start to struggle with even basic everyday tasks. If the condition isn’t managed successfully, it can be hugely difficult for the carer, emotionally, mentally and physically.

Coping as a Carer with the Help of an Internist

If the person suffering from dementia is a parent or grandparent, it’s only natural that you want them to receive the best possible care. Whether you’re taking a lot of the responsibility on yourself or hiring a carer to help, it’s really important to get the right medical expertise to support you. Read More →

09 Jul

So You Have High Blood Pressure – What Now?

heart healthHigh blood pressure, or hypertension to give it the proper medical term, is a serious condition, which can prove life-threatening if not handled correctly. This is particularly the case if your blood pressure is 160 / 100mmHg or above.

However, with the help of your internist, it’s perfectly possible to lead a healthy life and to devise a plan of action to help reduce your high blood pressure as soon as possible. Read More →

25 Jun

How to Effectively Manage Your Diabetes

diabetes therapyWhen you’ve been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s incredibly important to not only consider short-term treatment, but long-term management. Your internist will work with you to develop a comprehensive care plan, which will help to ensure you remain in optimum health.

Understanding Your Condition

The best way to manage your diabetes is to understand the nature of your condition. Your internist will provide you with relevant information; and there are also other steps you can take to familiarize yourself with it. Local support groups are a great place to start, as are informative classes and online forums. Read More →

11 Jun

The Importance of Having an Annual Well Woman Examination

gynecologyWhen you’re outwardly displaying signs of illness; such as sickness, pain or injury to the body, it’s likely you’ll book an appointment with a medical expert to get things checked out.

However, when it comes to certain parts of the body, this isn’t so easy. Health problems can develop internally, often without producing any signs or symptoms until they’re well established. This is why having a regular well-woman examination is so important. Read More →