General Medicine in Chicago

General medicine focuses on the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases of the internal organs. A medical doctor who specializes in general medicine is usually called a general medicine doctor or a general physician (GP). Although they mostly treat adults, they may also treat adolescents and children. They treat all medical conditions, including conditions that affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, hematological, or endocrine systems. Some of the most common conditions general medicine doctor can treat include but are not limited to:

• Respiratory system, including lung fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia, and Emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Cardiovascular system, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease (heart attack, angina).
• The neurological system, such as cerebrovascular accident (strokes), dementia, and epilepsy (seizures).
• Gastrointestinal system, including gastroenteritis and liver disease (such as alcoholic liver disease).
• Hematological, such as anemia.
• Endocrinological, such as pituitary disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease.

A general medicine doctor can arrange a wide range of tests, such as electrocardiogram, blood pressure test, urinalysis (U/A), blood sugar level, and fecal occult blood tests. They may also arrange laboratory investigations, such as blood tests or other fluid samples from other parts of the body. Occasionally, they may also arrange a biopsy for diagnosis, which will be sent to a pathologist for analysis. General medicine doctors can also work with radiologists to use X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or ultrasound, as well as nuclear medicine specialists for certain tests, such as PET scans. They may also refer patients to another specialty for special tests, such as a cardiologist for an angiogram and a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.

Common procedures or interventions that general medicine doctor perform are as follows:

• Perform clinical examinations of patients to evaluate, diagnose, and monitor the patient’s condition.
• Interpret findings from investigations, such as blood tests, to help reach a diagnosis.
• Use life support skills and emergency procedures, such as defibrillation, when necessary.

How Long Should I Stay in Chicago?      

You can leave the medical facility immediately after, plan to stay at least 2 to 5 days in Chicago for a follow-up appointment. During the follow-up appointment, your doctor evaluates how your body is responding to treatment or, if you had diagnostic tests, explain the results, and discuss the treatment plan with you. However, if your doctor tells you that no follow-up appointment is necessary, you should be allowed to leave for home on the same day. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time can be different from one person to another, depending on the illness or disease you have and your overall health. You will be advised to take several days off work and avoid strenuous activities to allow your body to recover. Your doctor will let you know the specific time you can return to work and your normal activity. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you an aftercare instruction tailored to your particular condition, which may include activity restriction and recommended diet. Your doctor may likely prescribe medicine as well. It is important to take the medicine as directed and follow all the instructions closely. They will also let you know if you need follow-up appointments. For certain illnesses, they may refer you to a specific specialist.

What's the Success Rate?

For many people, general medicine is the first point of treatment. It has a high success rate in diagnosing and treating many conditions, as well as referring patients to the relevant specialist for specialized treatments. Experienced and skilled general medicine doctors can learn a great deal by simple observation. Looking at hands, nails, skin, mouth, and eyes, as well as examining your lungs, heart, and abdomen can give them some clues and help them decide on the most appropriate tests to undertake to confirm their clinical suspicions. 

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives depend on your condition. For example, you should be able to see a cardiologist for heart conditions without talking to your general medical doctor first. However, in some cases, you may need a referral from your general medical doctor to see other specialists.

General Medicine in and around Chicago

About Chicago

The city of Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States of America, with a population of over 2.7 million people. The city is located on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan and is known as the “Windy City.” It is an international hub for culture, finance, commerce, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and industry. The city offers visitors a wide range of things to do. Whether you want to dine in its exquisite restaurants, have fun in the jazz clubs, wander around the green space, admire its architectural beauty, or go shopping. The city also provides top-notch medical centers that attract medical tourists from around 140 countries, especially from the Middle East region. These medical centers have world-class specialists and advanced technologies. Many patients come for cancer, orthopedic, or other complex treatment that they might not be able in their home country. 

Popular Areas in Chicago

• Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions located on Michigan Avenue. Here, tourists can discover a collection of architecture, art, and landscape design. The park includes Pritzker Pavilion, an amazing silver bandshell that hosts free weekly concerts every summer; Cloud Gate ‘the Bean’ mesmerizing silvery sculpture; Crown Fountain, an imperative work of public art and video sculpture; McCormick Tribute Ice Rink for skaters in the winter; and the tranquil Lurie Garden filled with stunning flowers.
• Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879 and is the oldest museum in the city. It houses more than 300 thousand pieces of art and has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art outside the Louvre. Tourists can get intimate views of some of the world’s most popular artworks, from Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist to Etruscan pottery. Other important artworks in the museum’s permanent collection include Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood, Rainy Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte, and Day of the God by Paul Gauguin.
• Navy Pier was initially constructed as the world’s largest pier in 1914. It was built for shipping and entertainment. During World War II, the pier serves as a training place for pilots. Today, it has become a famous location for tourists to enjoy the cool breeze from the lake. Ride the Centennial Wheel which offers an astounding view of Chicago. The pier also hosts seasonal fireworks and concerts. Tourists can also find public arts on the pier, such as the Captain of the Helm Statue, Bob Newhart Statue, and Crack the Whip Statue.
• Wrigley Field is located on the North Side of Chicago. It is the home to one of the city’s Major League Baseball franchise, the Chicago Cubs. Fans of baseballs will be happy to visit and watch a game here. It was built in 1914 and is one of the oldest major league ballparks. It was the first ballpark to let fans keep foul balls. 

Weather and Climate in Chicago

Chicago experiences four distinct seasons.

• Spring is from April to June. The temperatures are good and enjoyable, making it the best time to visit the city. The average high in May is around 21°C. However, keep in mind that rain showers can occur.
• Summer starts in July and ends in August. The weather can be hot and humid, especially in August. The city is filled with tourists and families during this season. 
• Autumn starts in September to November and the weather is at its best in September, and there are fewer crowds in this season. The temperatures will slowly decrease, sometimes dipping to 4 °C at night.
• Winter will start from late November to March. The winter is cold and snowy, but December is known to be a wonderful time to visit the city because many holiday events and festivals transform the city into a winter wonderland. 

Getting Around in Chicago

O’Hare International Airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the United States. It serves domestic and international flights to many cities in the world, including London, Shanghai, Delhi, and Auckland. Low-cost carriers, such as Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, are a good and affordable option to travel to and from Chicago. 

Traveling around Chicago is fairly easy since the city has numerous public transportations. The buses and trains are operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and they are fast and inexpensive. The trains are known as the “L” trains and it is best to buy a CTA Visitor passes, which has unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. A 1-day pass is $10, a 3-day pass is $20, and a 7-day pass is $28. 

Taxis can be found easily throughout the city. They can get a bit expensive, but they provide a convenient way to get around the city. The fares depend on gas prices and the number of passengers. Apps like Lyft and Uber are more cost-effective and are plentiful.

Tourists Visas in Chicago

Visa exemption access is given to Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda. Citizens of 38 countries (including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom) are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens from other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver agreement are required to apply for a visa. Visitors may stay in the United States for 90 days. It is best to check the visa policy at the nearest United States Embassy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). For the current exchange rate to your local currency, check XE.com.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can easily find ATMs in almost every part of the city. Credit and debit cards are accepted in almost every restaurant, shop, and hotel. Tipping can be mandatory in Chicago, tipping at least 18% is generally expected in restaurants.
3. Local Language: The main language is American English and many people can also speak Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the biggest religion in Chicago, followed by Islam and Judaism.
5. Public Holidays: Some of the major public holidays in Chicago are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.