There’s a lot of medical terms out there, and if you’re looking to improve your health it can be helpful to understand the difference between things like internal and geriatric medicine. Our team at Your Family Medical in Bedford, Benbrook, Boyd, and Flower Mound, TX, is here to help you better understand the differences between them.
What Is the Difference Between Geriatric Medicine and Internal Medicine?
A Closer Look at How They Differ
While there can certainly be overlap between the two, in general, geriatric medicine is geared towards older adults. Its goal is to help older adults navigate the complex medical needs that come along with age.
On the other hand, internal medicine is used to describe the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of internal diseases.
Understanding Geriatric Medicine
Those over the age of 60 may start to experience more health concerns than they used to. It becomes increasingly important to maintain good health in your latter years. Unfortunately, it can also become increasingly complicated to do so.
Within the medical field, geriatric medicine is focused on the unique challenges aging persons face, and how health issues and disease can be managed for the elderly. A geriatrician is someone who specializes in this practice.
What Makes It So Important?
Teaming up with a geriatrician means you will have extensive experience and knowledge on your side. A geriatrician not only can handle pharmacology care and family medicine, but will be educated in both men and women’s general health.
Oftentimes, a geriatrician will have a network of other specialists that they can consult or team up with as needed. Just as each person’s health needs are unique, and this is especially true for the elderly, a geriatrician has the unique skills needed to help aging bodies stay as healthy and functional as possible.
It Offers Personalized Care
At the heart of this medical field is personalized care. A geriatrician needs to understand all of the systems of the body and how they affect each other.
These systems go through changes as we age. Finding the right treatments will require a flexible mind that’s able to take a step back and look at the “big picture.” Geriatricians are held to a high standard of excellence, and are expected to be problem-solvers.
What Exactly Is a Geriatrician?
A geriatrician is a medical expert and professional, trained to both understand and identify medical conditions and how they affect each other. They also have a thorough understanding of different medications and how to safely employ them.
These are important skills for any medical professional, but a geriatrician needs to be especially prepared, as aging bodies are more likely to need multiple treatments at once.
What Steps Are Required To Become a Geriatrician?
To become certified as a geriatrician, a doctor must pass not one, but two separate boards. First they must become certified for family care medicine, and then they must work closely with patients of 60 and above before their certification for geriatrics is awarded to them.
That means when you visit a geriatrician, you’re visiting a certified specialized and family doctor all in one, who can give you the most comprehensive care possible.
What Is the Goal of Geriatric Medicine?
The goal of our geriatricians is to help you stay as healthy and active as possible, so you can enjoy your independence. We believe it’s crucial for those over 60 to continue to live their lives to the highest possible quality. Even if your health needs become complex, our experienced specialists will be there with you every step of the way.
We know how important it is to see each patient as the individual they are, with unique needs and goals for their life. Our job is to come alongside you and create a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs and your lifestyle.
Understanding Internal Medicine
Internal medicine is carried out by internists, who are a specific group of physicians. Internists are trained to use their scientific knowledge and clinical experience to diagnose illnesses and provide accurate and well-rounded care. General internal medicine is usually the focus of internists. Internal medicine covers a range of issues, from minor concerns all the way to serious chronic illnesses.
Who Are Internists?
Internists are experts at getting to the root of a health issue and giving it the proper treatment. Their qualifications allow them to work with any part of the organ system, and they can handle rare and simple illnesses alike.
To summarize, internists are excellent puzzle solvers. When a patient has a range of health concerns that are playing off of each other, an internist may be able to piece together the cause and best treatment options.
What Is the Goal of Internal Medicine?
Since an internist has the qualifications to treat any medical issue, an internist’s goal is to help you maintain your health throughout your adult life by providing care of the highest quality. In addition to understanding how the body works, they also strive to help their patients as individuals by providing personalized care.
Some of the wellness care that can be provided by an internist may include:
- Dermatology
- Ear concerns
- Eye issues
- Internal organ issues
- Issues Affecting the Nervous system
- Men and women’s health
- Mental health
- Preventative care
- Reproductive organs
- Substance abuse
Why Visit Our Team of Internists?
Medical advancements are constantly in development, and we know how crucial these advancements can be for our patients. That’s why our team is dedicated to staying on the cutting edge of all the latest information, so we can treat you as effectively as possible.
We believe people in every stage of life deserve to receive the best treatments available. With our experts working together, we can provide comprehensive care. From diagnosis all the way to treating complicated, multi-faceted issues, our team is ready to help.
The Importance of Regular Check-Ups
Whether you need help from a geriatrician, internist, or both, it’s important to come in for regular check-ups. Many adults see checkups as something for kids. The reality is, regular check-ups should be seen as a routine part of adult life as well. They’re a simple and easy way to stay on top of your evolving health needs and emerging concerns you may have not even noticed.
Stay Ahead of the Game
Medicine doesn’t always have to be reactive, it can also be a proactive measure used to protect your health. Regular checkups can help doctors and patients stay on the same page and work together to establish healthy goals for the future. During routine visits, we can help bring genetic and hereditary risk factors to your attention, so you can be on the lookout for any concerning symptoms.
We can give you advice on a diet and exercise program that will fit into your lifestyle and help support a healthy and active body and brain. The more a doctor knows about your medical history and needs, the more likely they are to recommend health strategies that are going to work for you.
Better Manage Chronic Issues
Patients with chronic pain or conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and arthritis will especially benefit from routine check-ups. Check-ups can offer great peace of mind as you know you’re doing everything possible to stay on top of your health, your options, and your symptoms.
Detect Issues Early On
Even if you think you’re perfectly healthy, we may be able to identify the start of something before it gets too serious. Usually, the earlier a health issue is caught, the easier it is to treat. Some of these conditions may include:
- Impaired vision
- Hearing loss
- Dementia
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Diabetes
The average person isn’t trained to catch early warning signs, but our team is. By coming in for regular visits, you can help decrease your risk of avoidable health complications.
Stay on Top of Vaccines and Screenings
Not all screenings or vaccines are needed yearly, but it can be easy to fall behind. During your regular visits, we can remind you of any vaccines or screenings we would recommend to help protect your health. Your age, gender, and overall health will all play a role in what’s recommended for you. When your doctor is familiar with your health, it can help shape the recommendations they give you.
Help Your Doctor Know You Better
Patients usually want to be seen and heard as an individual. The doctor-patient bond is an important one to maintain. It helps a doctor to better know you as a person, not just words on a chart. Consistent visits also tend to help patients feel more trusting of their doctor’s recommendations, as they’ve been able to build trust over time.
This is one of the many reasons we recommend coming in for routine check-ups. During a health crisis, patients are usually very stressed, and it can add to the stress when they feel like they’re being poked and prodded by strangers. When you know your doctor, you and your doctor become a team, and they’ll be better able to advocate for you and your health throughout your life.
Take Charge of Your Health Needs
If you’re ready to have a team of experts tackle your health concerns, reach out to Your Family Medical in Bedford, Benbrook, Boyd, or Flower Mound, TX today to set up a consultation! We can’t wait to help you improve your health and quality of life.
