Internal Medicine

What is Internal Medicine?

Internal medicine, also known as internal medicine, is a specialty area where a wide range of diseases related to internal organs in adults are evaluated and diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are carried out together. Since the systems that the general internal medicine department deals with are spread over a wide area, there are also sub-branch specialties. Among the sub-branch polyclinics, nephrology looks at the kidneys, gastroenterology looks at the digestive system, hematology looks at blood and clotting disorders, endocrinology looks at the secretory and hormone system, and rheumatology looks at joint diseases. There is also a sub-branch called geriatrics for elderly health. The general internal medicine department is the department where all diseases related to nephrology, gastroenterology, hematology, endocrinology, rheumatology and geriatrics are examined from a broad perspective and the results from different sub-branches are evaluated together. In addition, the referral of patients to the relevant branch after the preliminary evaluation is also done in the general internal medicine department. The diagnosis and treatment of all non-surgical complaints of individuals aged 14 and over are within the scope of the service provided by the general internal medicine department. Our hospital's internal medicine department has a multidisciplinary approach and cooperation with other branches. The services provided to applicants within this scope are as follows:

• Outpatient polyclinic examination service
• Inpatient diagnosis and treatment in the ward
• Follow-up of applicants and monitoring of the treatment process
• Issuing a drug report for chronic diseases
• Evaluation of emergencies related to internal medicine
• Pre- and post-surgical evaluation
• Consultation service with other branches
• Check-ups and health screenings

Diagnostic Methods Used in Internal Medicine

In case of complaints about diseases related to organs in the body, the internal medicine department should be consulted. Florence Nightingale's experienced specialist physician staff asks questions to obtain comprehensive information about complaints for the diagnosis of diseases. In this way, symptoms are detected and necessary information is learned for the examination. An examination is performed for the system where the complaint is located and additional diagnostic tests may be requested if deemed necessary. In the internal medicine department of Florence Nightingale Hospitals, diseases are evaluated multidisciplinary and appropriate diagnostic methods are used for the patient's complaints. The diagnostic methods used in our Internal Medicine department are listed below:

• Blood test: Blood tests can be taken to determine if there is any deterioration in the functions of the systems. Thyroid, liver and kidney values as well as vitamin values can be examined. It can also be used in check-ups or health screenings.
• Examining the digestive system with a camera: Diseases involving the upper part of the digestive system are detected visually with the endoscopy method called esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The large intestine is also examined with the colonoscopy or rectosigmoidoscopy method.
• ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography): Bile ducts and pancreas diseases are examined with the help of a camera. It is a method used in both diagnosis and treatment.
• Liver biopsy: A tissue sample is taken to diagnose liver diseases.
• Peripheral smear and microscopic examination of blood cells: Blood cells are examined under a microscope to diagnose hematological diseases.

What are the diseases treated in Internal Medicine?

The general internal medicine department is a branch where many different system diseases are treated. For complaints concerning the kidneys and nephrology, such as flank pain and burning sensation during urination, the internal medicine outpatient clinic can be consulted. Complaints concerning the abdominal organs and the gastroenterology branch, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting, are also primarily evaluated in the internal medicine department. Patients with complaints regarding bleeding and coagulation disorders should also apply to the internal medicine outpatient clinic for hematological evaluation. The follow-up of patients with diabetes and hypertension is also carried out in the endocrinology and general internal medicine outpatient clinics. In patients applying to the internal medicine outpatient clinic with complaints of pain in the joints, a preliminary rheumatological evaluation is performed and, if deemed necessary, they are referred to rheumatology. The diseases treated in the internal medicine department are as follows:

• Nephrological diseases: Hypertension is a chronic disease characterized by increased blood pressure in the body. In addition, kidney diseases that cause bleeding, burning, and protein leakage in the urine, as well as kidney stones, are also treated in the internal medicine department. The diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cystic kidney diseases, acute or chronic kidney failure, and kidney diseases caused by diabetes are also performed in the internal medicine department.
• Gastroenterological diseases: Constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome are diseases that occur as a result of increased or decreased bowel movements. In addition to these, gastritis, reflux and stomach ulcers are also treated by internal medicine doctors. Many liver diseases that cause liver function deterioration and advanced liver failures such as cirrhosis are also treated by internal medicine doctors. Inflammatory bowel diseases classified as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are also included in this group.
• Hematological diseases: Anemias that may occur due to iron or B12 deficiency, as well as Mediterranean anemia, a genetic disease that causes anemia, are included in this group. Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which are types of lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia, which are types of blood cancer, are among the hematological diseases treated by internal medicine. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other diseases that can cause bleeding and clotting disorders are also treated in the internal medicine department.
• Endocrinological diseases: At the top of this group are diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, which cause deterioration in thyroid values. In addition, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which are diagnosed with high blood sugar levels, are treated by internal medicine. Diseases that cause growth and developmental delays, obesity, and deterioration in cholesterol and triglyceride values are also treated in the internal medicine branch.
• Rheumatological diseases: Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), commonly known as calcification, is evaluated in this group. In addition, rheumatic diseases (fibromyalgia, myalgia, tendonitis) that affect soft tissue and cause pain in the neck, back, arms and legs are also treated in internal medicine. Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis) are also treated by internal medicine.

Procedures and Examinations Performed in Internal Medicine

There are some special examinations used for detailed evaluation of the organs in the body. The special procedures provided in the Florence Nightingale Hospitals internal medicine department are as follows:

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: In this examination, the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum) are examined from the inside with the help of a camera. Polyp formation, ulcers and gastritis are visualized using this method. Endoscopic examination is also used in the removal of foreign bodies and the imaging of stenoses in the esophagus.
• Colonoscopy and rectosigmoidoscopy: This is an examination in which the colon and rectum (the last part of the intestines located between the colon and the anus) are examined with the help of a camera. This examination is useful in cases such as polyps and hemorrhoids. In addition, a polyp sample is taken during this examination.
• ERCP: It is helpful in imaging the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and liver. This method is used in the diagnosis of diseases occurring in these organs and is also used for treatment purposes such as removing gallstones.
• OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test): This is a test used for diagnostic purposes in people with suspected diabetes based on a blood test result. It is applied by measuring the blood sugar level again after consuming a certain amount of glucose (sugar) after measuring the blood sugar during fasting.
• DEXA (Bone densitometry): It is a painless and safe test that measures bone density for the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

What are the Treatment Methods in Internal Medicine?

As a result of the examinations conducted on the complaints of the people who apply to Florence Nightingale Hospitals Internal Medicine Department, the disease that causes these complaints is determined. In the process of determining the disease, if necessary, the most appropriate treatment method is selected after the correct diagnosis is made by working in coordination with other branches. The severity and type of the disease and the patients' compliance with the treatment are effective in choosing the right method. The treatment methods used in the Internal Medicine Department are generally as follows:

• Consultancy and training regarding the disease and treatment method
• Drug therapy (pills, injections, serums, etc.)
• Treatment with special treatment techniques (using ERCP, colonoscopy, etc.)
• Stem cell transplantation
• Dialysis treatment

If deemed necessary, surgical treatment can be initiated by referring to the relevant branches.

What are the Health Technologies Used in Internal Medicine?

Florence Nightingale Hospitals Internal Medicine department uses health technologies and devices developed by utilizing current technology. Since the disease spectrum covered by the internal medicine branch is wide, the most up-to-date devices are used for diagnosis and treatment purposes. These devices used in the Internal Medicine department are as follows:

• Ultrasound: Used to image internal organs using ultrasonic sound waves. It is a useful method for examining soft tissues and organs with spaces inside (such as the bladder).
• Computerized Tomography (CT): It is the imaging of internal organs using special x-ray beams. It is helpful in the diagnosis of many diseases that are within the scope of internal medicine.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): It is a diagnostic device used to image certain parts of the body without using radiation, with the help of a magnetic field.
• Endoscopy and Colonoscopy: Used to examine the esophagus, stomach and duodenum or colon and rectum with a camera. These are devices used for both diagnosis and treatment.

Why Should I Choose Florence for Internal Medicine?

Florence Nightingale Hospitals, an institution that provides services at international standards, has advanced equipment with all its medical units and medical devices. With its friendly and experienced expert staff in the field and a patient-oriented approach, our hospital carries out the diagnosis and treatment process of diseases under one roof. All necessary examinations and procedures can be performed completely during the diagnosis and recovery process. With its experienced doctor staff, treatment is started according to the complaints and needs of the individuals in the Internal Medicine department. In addition, since the Internal Medicine branch includes many sub-branches, it is possible to make a more detailed evaluation by referring to the relevant sub-branch specialists if necessary.

What are the Florence Internal Medicine Team's Specialties and Special Interests?

The Internal Medicine team working within Florence Nightingale Hospitals follows current international diagnostic and treatment approaches. Our team, which is specialized in correct diagnosis and initiation of treatment with the help of technological devices in Florence, includes doctors specialized in many different branches. The specialist units in the Internal Medicine department are as follows:

• General internal medicine
• Nephrology
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology
• Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
• Rheumatology
• Oncology
• Immunology and Allergy
• Geriatrics

What are the other branches related to internal medicine?

It is important to examine internal medicine diseases with a holistic approach, as it examines many organ systems within the body. Therefore, cooperation with other branches is necessary during the diagnosis and treatment phase. In Florence Nightingale Hospitals, diseases are approached from a multidisciplinary perspective in order to evaluate them comprehensively and to identify and treat the conditions that cause patients' complaints. In addition to its sub-branches, the Internal Medicine Department also cooperates with other medical branches within our hospital. These branches are as follows:

Geriatrics: Geriatrics is a branch of science that aims for the healthy aging of people aged 65 and over through preventive medical practices, and also deals with the health problems of this age group (diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of acute and chronic diseases), their social and functional lives and quality of life.

• Radiology: Imaging methods such as computed tomography, MRI, and ultrasound play an important role in diagnosis.
• General surgery: It is effective in cases where drug therapy is not sufficient and surgical treatment is required.
• Organ transplant center: The organ transplant center, which plays an important role in the treatment of patients requiring bone marrow transplantation, has left an important mark on the lives of many people as a result of successful treatments since the day it was established.

Internal medicine is a department that treats many different problems. If you observe any signs or symptoms related to this department, it is recommended that you seek support from specialist doctors by applying to health institutions.