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Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

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Overview

Internal Medicine deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infective & non infective illnesses in adult patients. Internists (physicians) are skilled in managing patients who are suffering from undifferentiated or multi-system diseases.

Department of Internal Medicine is backbone of any hospital which takes care of admitted patients as well as patients coming in the ou patient department with a broader vision & expertise. Department of Internal Medicine provides comprehensive care with the help of its sub-specialities including emergency & critical care departments to patients with multiple organ systems involvement.

Thanks to our dedicated team of Internal Medicine consultants, our patients get the best treatment irrespective of disease complexity or rarity. Best practices are deployed in managing various communicable or infectious and noncommunicable diseases. These are mainly viral febrile illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, chicken pox, influenza etc., malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis, pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, liver abscess, urinary tract infections. Department also deals with noncommunicable chronic diseases like Diabetes, HTN, COPD, Bronchial Asthma, migraine, stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, arthritis etc.

Internal medicine is a vast medical speciality that involves diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. It has various subspecialties that are as follows:

  • Cardiology deals with the diseases and disorders related to the heart. Some common conditions include heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and valvular heart disease among others.
  • Endocrinology deals with issues related to the endocrine system, i.e., the system of glands that produces hormones like thyroid hormone, growth hormone and insulin. Some common conditions include diabetes and thyroid disease.
  • Pulmonology deals with the medical conditions related to the respiratory tract. Some pulmonological diseases are asthma, tuberculosis, lung cancer and more.
  • Gastroenterology deals with the defects and diseases of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and biliary tree. Some conditions that are treated are cirrhosis, hepatitis, pancreatitis and liver failure.
  • Nephrology deals with the diseases of kidneys. Nephrological conditions include kidney failure, kidney stones, hypertension, nephritis and chronic kidney diseases.
  • Infectious Diseases refer to the diseases that are caused by organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. Some infectious diseases are influenza, chicken pox, measles, dengue fever, tuberculosis, typhoid symptoms, malaria etc.
  • Rheumatology refer to diseases of joints & connective tissue that include rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, Spondyloarthropathies etc.
  • Haematology deals with various conditions like anaemia, leukemia, lymphoma etc.

Here at Max Healthcare, we have excellent team of doctors who provide superior care & management. Our services are not just limited to the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases but also extend to create awareness about a healthy life style & prevention of non communicable diseases.

Internal Medicine: Condition & Treatments

Autoimmune Diseases

The immune system is a collection of special cells and chemicals that fight infection-causing agents such as bacteria and viruses. An autoimmune disorder occurs when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks their own body tissues like the skin or joints as foreign. This causes it to release proteins known as auto antibodies which attack the healthy cells. Autoimmune disorders are broadly grouped into two categories 'organ-specific' means one organ is affected, while in 'non-organ-specific' disorders, multiple organs or body systems may be affected. There are around 80 different autoimmune disorders ranging in severity from mild to disabling, depending on which system of the body is under attack and to what degree. For unknown reasons, women are more susceptible than men, particularly during their childbearing years. It is thought that sex hormones may be at least partly responsible. There is generally no cure, but the symptoms of autoimmune disorders can be managed.

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Common Cold

Common cold generally causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Some people may also experience a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Symptoms generally start about 2 or 3 days after you come in contact with the virus, although it could take up to a week.

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Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a serious disorder that can cause severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. It is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults.

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Fever (Pyrexia)

Fever is generally a medical condition characterized by an elevation of body temperature above the normal range of 36.5-37.5 degree Celsius due to an increase in the temperature regulatory set-point. When body temperature increases, there is a feeling of cold despite an increasing body temperature. It can also be a symptom of other disease, like typhoid fever. If you feel the typhoid fever symptoms, you should consult doctor.

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Glycosuria

In glycosuria, glucose is excreted through the urine rather than being reabsorbed by the kidney. This happens when the kidneys fail to absorb sugars back into the bloodstream or when there's excess sugar in the blood. Hyperglycemia often develops as a result of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, enough insulin is not produced, while in type 2 diabetes, insulin becomes resistant to glucose. As a result, excessive sugar accumulates in the bloodstream and is excreted through the urine. In such cases, kidneys fail to reabsorb these high quantities of sugar and let them pass through the urine. Glycosuria occurs in the urine. For glucosuria to happen, the blood sugar concentration has to exceed 180 mg/dl. Interestingly, glycosuria may occur even when a person does not have diabetes. Such a case indicates impaired renal function. In addition, sugar may be present in the urine in isolation or with other substances. These substances include amino acids and uric acid—for instance, Fanconi syndrome, in which excess substances are excreted through the urine. People who have normal blood sugar levels, but take SGLT-2 inhibitors for diabetes, might also have glycosuria.

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Headache

A headache or cephalalgia refers to pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. Nine areas of the head and neck have these pain-sensitive structures, which are the cranium (the periosteum of the skull), muscles, nerves, arteries and veins, subcutaneous tissues, eyes, ears, sinuses and mucous membranes.

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Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition wherein an individual presents with digestive symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and gas after intake of foods or drinks that are rich in lactose. Lactose is a kind of sugar often found in milk and dairy products like cheese, ice cream, and other products. This condition is also called Lactose malabsorption. It is usually harmless, but the symptoms experienced by the individual can be uncomfortable. This condition runs in families and affects people of all age groups, including children and adults. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body's small intestine doesn't produce an adequate amount of a digestive enzyme called Lactase. The main aim of Lactase is to break down the lactose in the food so that it gets absorbed by the body. Types of Lactose Intolerance Following are the various types of lactose intolerance: Primary lactose intolerance: This is the most common form of lactose intolerance seen among individuals and is caused by a decrease in the production of Lactase with age. As a result, individuals lose the ability to absorb lactose in their bodies over time. This form of lactose intolerance may be genetic to some extent since it is more commonly noticed in some populations than others. Secondary lactose intolerance: This form of lactose intolerance occurs due to some other condition that targets the small intestine, where Lactase is produced. This is because the inflammation in the gut wall leads to a temporary decline in lactase production. Possible causes of secondary lactose intolerance include Crohn's disease Ageing Chemotherapy Celiac diseases Ulcerative colitis Congenital lactose intolerance: This form of lactose intolerance is a lifelong condition and is present among newborn babies. This is a rare, inherited condition in which both parents must possess the gene mutation for congenital lactose intolerance required for the infant to be born with this. These infants cannot breastfeed due to the presence of lactose content in breast milk, and this condition may even prove fatal if not detected early. Side effects may include severe diarrhoea and high calcium levels. Developmental lactose intolerance: This lactose intolerance occurs in infants, too and is typically noticed in premature babies. They are born before their digestive system is fully developed and functional, and it causes symptoms like digestive distress.This condition typically settles slowly on its own as the baby grows, but meanwhile, the infant requires lactose-free formula rather than breast milk. Lactose Intolerance Symptoms The various signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually occur from half an hour to 2 hours after consuming foods rich in lactose. The most commonly seen signs and symptoms are as follows: Nausea Pain in the abdomen Bloating Diarrhoea Gas Growling sounds in the stomach Vomiting Stomach cramps Flatulence Lactose Intolerance Diagnosis Following tests can help the doctor to detect lactose intolerance. These comprise of: Lactose Tolerance Test: This test checks the absorption of lactose by the digestive system. The patient is asked to remain on an empty stomach and not to consume or drink anything for about 8 hours before the test. During the test, the patient is made to drink a liquid which contains lactose. Some blood samples will be taken over 2 hours. These will detect the blood sugar (blood glucose) level. If these levels don't rise, patients may be lactose intolerant. Hydrogen Breath Test: The patient is made to drink a liquid containing an adequate amount of lactose, and afterwards, his breath will be checked several times. High levels of hydrogen in the breath indicate that the patient is lactose intolerant. Stool Acidity Test: This test is used for infants and young children and depicts the amount of acid in the stool. If any individual is not digesting lactose, their stool will have traces of lactic acid, glucose, and other fatty acids. Lactose Intolerance Treatment Ideally, the treatment of this condition depends on the cause of lactose intolerance. However, for congenital lactase deficiency, no such treatment is required. If any injury is caused to the small intestine, the doctors treat the underlying cause of the injury. In the case of developmental lactose intolerance, the condition resolves on its own, and no specific alteration in the diet is required. In other cases, the amount of discomfort caused due to lactose intolerance can be controlled by following a low-lactose diet. These include: Consumption of lactose-reduced milk or ice cream Limitation of other dairy products Addition of powder lactase enzyme in the milk for the breakdown of lactose Maintainance of excellent and healthy nutrition is essential among patients with lactose intolerance. The intake of the following things can achieve it: Cereals Juices Oranges Broccoli and green vegetables Salmon Nuts and Almonds Probiotics can be administered as supplements, either in capsule form or even yoghurt, for various gastrointestinal conditions like Diarrhoea and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. These also help in the digestion of lactose. Lactose Intolerance Risk factors Factors responsible for making children more prone to lactose intolerance include: Increasing Age: Lactose intolerance usually appears in adulthood and is uncommon in babies and young children. Ethnicity: Lactose intolerance is often seen in people of African, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian descent. Premature Birth: In premature infants, there are low levels of Lactase because of the fact that the small intestine doesn't develop lactase-producing cells. They only do so late in the third trimester. Diseases Targeting the Small Intestine: Minor intestine diseases leading to lactose intolerance comprise bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease and Crohn's disease. Certain Cancer Treatments: If the patient has undergone radiation therapy for cancer in the stomach region or in case of intestinal complications from chemotherapy, the risk of developing lactose intolerance increases. Outlook Lactose intolerance generally includes a common set of symptoms caused by a deficiency in Lactase. These symptoms appear after the consumption of foods rich in lactose. Individuals remain concerned about the limitations regarding milk and dairy product intake. However, there are plenty of food and beverages and few treatment options to cure these symptoms and enjoy a healthy life.  Reviewed & Updated On Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Dhall, Director, Internal Medicine on 18-July-2023. Related Blogs What to Eat in Loose Motion - Do's and Dont's Flatulence Gastric Problem Causes, Symptoms & Treatment How Good is Soya Milk and Other Milk Available in Market Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Children: What a Parent Needs to Know Chronic Abdominal Pain in Children

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Loose Motion (Diarrhea)

Loose motions or Diarrhoea is characterised by having three or more loose, semi-formed or liquid bowel movements in a day. Diarrhoea that lasts for a few days is called acute diarrhoea and is easily treatable, but in some cases, loose motions that persist for 3 weeks or more are called chronic diarrhoea. The major cause of concern during loose motions is the development of dehydration (loss of fluids and electrolytes). Chronic diarrhoea can also lead to malabsorption of nutrients. Untreated diarrhoea in developing countries may be a common cause of death, and it is the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide.

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Stomach Ache (Abdominal Pain)

Stomach ache or abdominal pain is a common symptom associated with transient disorders or serious disease. There could be many reasons behind the onset of abdominal pain such as inflammation, distention of an organ, or by loss of bloody supply to an organ. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may be caused by contraction of the intestinal muscles or hyper-sensitivity to normal intestinal activities. Sometime abdominal pains also cause due to bacterial infection like typhoid which also cause headache if you have abdominal pain it can also be a symptom of typhoid fever. 

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Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is an acute illness characterised by fever arising from the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi bacteria. It can also be due to Salmonella paratyphi, being an associated bacterium that usually causes a less severe illness. The bacteria are accumulated in water or food by a human carrier and are then spread to other people in the area. The bacterium strives in the intestinal areas and bloodstream of humans. It circulates between individuals by direct contact with the faeces of an infected person. S. Typhi enters via the mouth and stays for about 1 to 3 weeks in the intestine area. After this, it passes along the wall of the intestine and finally into the circulatory system. From there, it moves into adjoining tissues and organs as well. The immune system of the individual is unable to fight back because S. Typhi can live within the host’s cells, safe from the immune system. Typhoid fever is caused either by drinking or eating the bacteria which is present in contaminated water or food items. People with acute onset of infection can pollute the nearby water supply by means of stool, which has a high concentration of the bacteria. Contamination of the water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. The bacteria can remain for weeks in water or dried sewage.

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Our Medical Experts

Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.

Our Medical Experts

Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.

Find a Doctor
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Real Patients, Real Stories.

This monsoon, Stay Flu-free, stay healthy!

Treated by Dr. R.S.Mishra, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket

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This monsoon, Stay Flu-free, stay healthy!

Treated by Dr. R.S.Mishra , Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket

View all

Internal Medicine Blogs

Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Dengue is one of the most common types of mosquito-related illnesses. There is a rise in cases, especially during and after the monsoon season. It is a viral infection transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and some of its key features are high fever, joint stiffness, body pain, lack of appetite and low platelet count.

Dr. Namrita Singh In Internal Medicine

Dengue Fever: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus), poses a significant public health challenge worldwide.

Dr. Rajiv Dang In Internal Medicine

The Elderly and Monsoon Challenges: Caring for Senior Citizens

As the monsoon season arrives, it brings relief from scorching heat but also poses unique challenges, especially for senior citizens. The elderly are more susceptible to certain health risks during this time due to weakened immunity and age-related health conditions.

Dr. Ambrish Dixit In Internal Medicine

10 Monsoon Illnesses: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

Although the monsoon brings much-needed relief from the scorching hot summer, it also brings with it a plethora of diseases. The stagnant rainwater puddles, overflowing drains and collected water in various objects offer inviting breeding grounds for various insects and pathogens.

Dr. Namrita Singh In Internal Medicine

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