What Conditions Does an Internal Medicine Specialist (Internist) Treat?
An internal medicine specialist — often called a consultant physician or internist — is trained to manage illness across the whole body, not just one organ or system. In Mauritius, internists see patients from age 12 upwards, making them a suitable point of contact from adolescence through to old age. That's what makes internists well suited to conditions that are complex, chronic, or don't fit neatly into a single category. Here's a look at the main areas an internist typically covers.
Many internists also build additional training or expertise in one particular field on top of this broad foundation — for example gastroenterology, infectious disease, or rheumatology — while still practising general internal medicine. Dr. Joorawon Aslam's areas of particular interest are infectious diseases and rheumatological conditions.
Infectious diseases
Internists assess and treat infections of all kinds, from common illnesses to more persistent or unusual presentations, and guide appropriate antibiotic use. This is one of Dr. Joorawon Aslam's particular areas of interest, developed further through his role leading infection control and antimicrobial stewardship at hospital level. Read more about why antibiotic resistance is a growing problem.
Joint pain and rheumatological conditions
Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness can come from wear-and-tear or from an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory condition — and telling the two apart shapes the whole treatment plan. Internists evaluate gout, inflammatory arthritis, and other rheumatological conditions. See wear-and-tear versus autoimmune joint pain and osteoporosis in women for more.
Diabetes and metabolic conditions
Diagnosing diabetes, adjusting treatment over time, and screening for complications before they cause symptoms is a core part of internal medicine. Learn about the early warning signs of diabetes.
Blood pressure and heart-related risk
Hypertension is assessed and managed with a mix of lifestyle guidance and medication where needed, aiming to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk. See whether lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure.
Asthma and chest disease
Ongoing respiratory conditions, including asthma, are reviewed for trigger control and long-term management, which matters especially in a tropical climate. More in managing asthma in a tropical climate.
Neurological complaints
Internists evaluate common neurological symptoms and help determine which need urgent attention versus an unhurried work-up. See neurological warning signs you shouldn't dismiss.
Digestive and gastrointestinal conditions
Persistent digestive symptoms are assessed to distinguish harmless causes from those that need further investigation. Read when persistent digestive symptoms need medical evaluation.
General consultations and second opinions
Beyond specific conditions, internists are also a good option for comprehensive check-ups, second opinions, and coordinating care when someone is managing several conditions at once — for example, diabetes alongside joint pain. This whole-patient view is often what uncovers a connection between symptoms that looked unrelated at first.
If you're not sure whether your concern fits one of these areas, it's perfectly reasonable to ask directly before booking.
Have a question about your own symptoms? Message directly and ask.
Message on WhatsAppThis article is general health information and does not replace a medical consultation. In a medical emergency, call SAMU (114) or go to your nearest hospital.