Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine Specialist
Nearly half of all adults have at least one chronic health condition and one-quarter have two or more. As internal medicine specialists, Dr. Monte Ezratty and Dr. Jonathon Harris at Park South Medical have extensive experience helping adults prevent chronic disease and working with them to manage existing conditions. If you have any health concerns, please call the Bronx, New York, office or book an appointment online to get started on the road to health.

Internal Medicine Q & A

Park South Medical

What services do internists provide?

Internal medicine physicians are trained to diagnose and treat common health conditions as well as problems related to specialties such as cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, rheumatology, endocrinology, and psychiatry. Dr. Ezratty and Dr. Harris also focus on providing preventive care so you can maintain optimal health.

Beyond their medical expertise, there is another great advantage to receiving your primary health care from an internist: Their full attention is on the whole person, with the goal of developing a doctor-patient relationship you can depend upon for the long term.  

You should look at an Internist as your health care quarterback, who can treat the majority of your medical problems and when a specialist is needed will refer you to a qualified specialist.

What is chronic disease prevention and management?

Chronic diseases may be preventable. Once they develop, they can be successfully managed. The most common chronic diseases are:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Heart disease
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Respiratory disease

Dr. Ezratty and Dr. Harris are dedicated to helping you prevent chronic disease with a two-pronged approach:

  • Annual health screenings to identify early signs of problems
  • Action plan that supports your ongoing health and wellness

You can often avoid chronic diseases with lifestyle changes, so the doctors develop a prevention plan customized to meet your needs, whether that means dietary changes, losing weight, or other measures.

If you’re diagnosed with a chronic disease, you can count on your Park South doctor to provide ongoing management. Managing a disease means taking the steps required to keep the disease under control and stop it from worsening. In most cases, your doctor can keep you from needing a specialist, but if that need arises, they’ll continue to manage your health care.

Can gastritis become a chronic disease?

Gastritis — inflammation of the inner lining of your stomach — can become chronic, and when it does, it can last for years or even a lifetime. This condition can be caused by:

  • Bacterial infection: caused by Helicobacter pylori
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen
  • Aging: stomach lining thins as you get older
  • Alcohol: excessive consumption irritates or erodes stomach lining

Chronic gastritis requires management to prevent complications such as ulcers and stomach cancer. Like other chronic conditions, the key is developing and following an effective treatment plan that may include medication, changes in your diet to avoid irritating foods, and supplements to replace nutrient deficiencies.

Dr. Ezratty and Dr. Harris look forward to supporting your health — call or book an appointment online for a preventive exam or chronic disease screening.