Internal Medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada

Physicians who diagnose and medically treat disease and provide primary care for adults are called Internists. These internal medicine doctors handle routine and complicated issues, screen patients at risk for cancers including breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, among other conditions, and will refer you to a specialist if it is determined to be necessary.

Conditions Treated

Internal medicine physicians and general internists can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions and illnesses, including:

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition where the blood flows through the veins or arteries at a higher pressure than normal.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, including:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Kidney failure

Note: A blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher is considered high, while 180/120 is considered dangerously high and requires immediate attention.

How To Lower Blood Pressure

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising more
• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing stress
• Medication

Diabetes

A metabolism disorder, diabetes is where the body is unable to regulate its blood glucose levels. With diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not respond correctly to insulin and the high glucose levels can damage the organs.

Asthma

A chronic disease, asthma makes breathing difficult when the airways become inflamed and swollen.

Asthma symptoms include:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive disease that makes breathing more difficult, there are two types of COPD: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Symptoms include:

• Mucus while coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness

Pneumonia and Influenza

Internists care for many common infections, including pneumonia and the flu.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that’s caused by bacteria, a virus or by inhaling a liquid. Symptoms of this condition may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Pneumonia can be serious, especially in young children, older adults and people with other health issues.

Influenza, or the flu, is a common respiratory infection caused by a virus. Symptoms are usually worse than the common cold and may include:

• Body aches
• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat

Disease prevention is key, so make sure to focus on preventive care and get immunized against the flu. Doctors specializing in internal medicine can do this for you.

High Cholesterol

A high blood cholesterol level is known as hypercholesterolemia. Symptoms can include:

• Fatty skin deposits on the hands, knees, shoulders and more
• Cholesterol deposits in the eyelids
• Chest pain

Thyroid Issues

It is important to seek treatment as early as possible, as problems with your thyroid can range from small issues to much larger problems. Internal medicine specialists can diagnose and treat thyroid problems and get you the care you need for the challenge you may face.

Heart Disease

The American Heart Association® estimates that one in five Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Americans. Internal medicine physicians can:

• Diagnose heart conditions
• Treat heart conditions
• Coordinate with other healthcare professionals as needed

Internal medicine healthcare services are available from many of The Valley Health System’s Hospitals and The Valley Health Physicians Alliance.