Internal Medicine

Internal medicine and primary care for adults is an important aspect of healthcare. This field focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health conditions. Primary care for adults is essential for the maintenance of good health and the prevention and management of chronic illnesses. It is important for adults to see their primary care physician regularly.

Even if you are only at an average risk for certain conditions, don’t delay meeting with your doctor. At TexomaCare, our physicians will help stay you up to date on screenings and address any potential health concerns early on.

Conditions We Treat

Our internal medicine physicians diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease where the airways become inflamed and swollen, which makes breathing difficult. Patients with asthma may experience a range of symptoms, including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. While there is no cure for asthma, treatment and medication can help manage and prevent symptoms.

Infections

We provide 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 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. Pneumonia can be a serious condition, especially in young children, older adults and people with other health issues. There are vaccines to help prevent some types of pneumonia.

The flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. Symptoms are usually worse than the common cold and may include body aches, chills, fever, headache and sore throat. While most people will recover from the flu on their own, the condition can cause serious complications. The CDC recommends annual flu shots.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder where the body can’t properly regulate its blood glucose levels. Glucose, which is a simple sugar, comes from eating carbohydrates. The body creates and stores glucose to use as energy. Insulin is needed for glucose to enter cells and be transformed into energy.

With diabetes, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the body doesn’t respond to the insulin it produces. However, if glucose doesn’t get into the body’s cells, blood glucose levels in the blood become elevated. Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can be very harmful to the body.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes require different diabetic care.

• Type 1 diabetic care typically consists of daily insulin injections to keep blood sugar level within normal ranges. 
• Type 2 diabetic care recommends physical activity to increase sensitivity to insulin. Losing weight and improving nutrition can also help control the disorder. In some cases, medication or insulin are used.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition. It occurs when the blood flows through the veins or arteries at a higher pressure than normal. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious issues, such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. 

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

Eating a healthy diet, exercising more, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress can help lower blood pressure. There are also medications that can help lower blood pressure if lifestyle changes alone are not effective.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC. In addition, the American Heart Association estimates that one in five Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. Our physicians can diagnose and treat many heart diseases and conditions and coordinate with other healthcare professionals as needed.

Primary care physicians may perform routine tests and procedures to better understand heart disease concerns. For example, blood pressure checks and blood tests monitor the health of patients.

In some cases, more advanced imaging techniques may be needed. CT scans, for example, may be necessary to visualize the internal organs and blood vessels. These scans can help your doctor diagnose and treat conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Cancer Screenings

Another key responsibility of internal medicine specialists is to offer health and cancer screenings for patients. Screenings are crucial for the early detection and treatment of diseases and cancers. Screenings can catch cancer at its early stages. Early detection and treatment of cancer can significantly improve a patient’s chances of recovery and survival.

Doctors of internal medicine recommend cancer screenings for cancers based on your age and family history. Screenings can help detect breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, among other conditions. They will refer you to a specialist if it is determined to be necessary.

Common screening tests include:

• Mammogram (breast cancer)
• Low-dose computed tomography (lung cancer)
• Pap test or pap smear (cervical cancer)
• Colonoscopy (colorectal cancer)

Locations

TexomaCare Denison
Texoma Medical Plaza
5012 S US Hwy 75
Denison, TX 75020
903-416-6025 (Landrum)
903-416-6010 (Sanders-Truly-Watkins)
903-416-6015 (Balch-Bheemanathi-Ohnes)

TexomaCare Madill
500 Brookside Drive
Madill, Oklahoma 73446
580-795-5506