General Medicine in Dallas

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 Dallas?      

You can leave the medical facility immediately after, plan to stay at least 2 to 5 days in Dallas 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 Dallas

About Dallas

Dallas, or nicknamed as the Big D, is a metropolitan city located in North Texas. The city is known for its massive excellent museums, youthful vibe, edgy culture, and distinctive neighborhoods. Thanks to its charming attractions combined with world-class medical centers, the city is now a rising medical tourism destination. Additionally, the expansion of the medical district in Northwest Dallas has contributed to the city’s popularity as a medical destination. The district is home to numerous significant hospitals and institutions, such as UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital. More and more people, both from other cities in the United States or from other countries in the world, come to Dallas to get treatment with modern medical equipment, professional doctors, and world-class medical centers. Among the surgeries and treatments available, lung treatment is the most sought-after procedure.

Popular Areas in Dallas

• Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden is 66 acres of lush nature that showcases beautiful plants and flowers in themed areas. It has 19 gardens to explore, such as the Woman’s Garden, DeGolyer Gardens, Sunken Garden Crape Myrtle Alee, and Nancy’s Garden. Autumn at the Arboretum is Dallas’ Favorite Tradition during the fall that visitors should not miss. During spring, Pink Hyacinths with violas and daffodils bloom in the gardens, and the whole arboretum is packed with visitors and the nearby streets are closed.
• Nasher Sculpture Center is a museum that houses the Patsy and Raymond Nasher collection of modern and contemporary sculpture. Together, they accumulated one of the most comprehensive private collections in the world. Tourists can admire masterpieces such as works by Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Henri Matisse, Paul Gaugin, and Willem de Kooning, among others. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the building itself is a work of art.
• Pioneer Plaza is the biggest open space in Dallas as well as one of the most visited tourist sites in the city. It is surrounded by super detailed sculptures of cattle, trees, and flowers that are native to the area. Tourists can find a small waterfall and creek in the area. There is also an early period cemetery from the 1800s where former Dallas mayors and Texas Revolution leaders are buried. It is truly the place that honors the tradition and culture of Texas.
• Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is located in the former Texas School Book Depository, which is the very spot where Lee Harvey Oswald, according to government investigations, shot and killed President John F. Kennedy. The museum uses historic films, photographs, artifacts, and interpretive display to exhibit the social and political landscape of the early 1960s, the assassination of President Kennedy and its aftermath, as well as the legacy that he left behind.

Weather and Climate in Dallas

June to August is Summer in Dallas, and the temperatures can soar to over 30 °C. In addition to the heat, the high humidity levels will make the weather feel unbearable. However, it is the most popular time to visit the city. Autumn brings cooler and pleasant weather to the city. The temperatures can drop to 21 °C, and the city will be less crowded than the summer. Winter starts in December and ends in February. Average daytime highs are around 10 °C, but there are days with below-freezing temperatures. The city may also receive a few days of snowfall. From Mach to May is spring and the temperatures are rising to 21 °C, but there is a lot of rain during this season. 

Getting Around in Dallas

The primary international airport is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. It is the ninth busiest international gateway in the United States and operates flights to and from many cities around the world, including London, Dubai, and Tokyo. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, and several budget airlines serve flights from this airport, such as Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.  

The city has a light rail system that connects the downtown with many other areas in the city. It is operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and features four lines (Red, Orange, Green, and Blue) servicing 64 stations. The trains run from 5.00 AM to midnight. There is also another train system known as the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) that connects Dallas and Fort Worth. The TRE trains from Fort Worth and Dallas operate from 5.00 AM to 11.00 PM from Monday to Friday. Dallas Area Rapid Transit also operates an extensive bus system that serves 11,000 stops throughout central Dallas and the Metroplex. Taxis are the easiest way to get around the city, especially for first-time visitors as they are relatively inexpensive with an initial charge of $5 and then $3 for each mile.  

Tourists Visas in Dallas

Canada, Marshall Island, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda are given visa exemption access to enter the United States. Holders of passports issued by 38 countries, such as Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, are selected for the Visa Waiver Program, which means they can enter without a visa. Other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver program need to apply and obtain a visa to enter the country. All visitors may stay for up to 90 days. It is advisable to check the visa policy at your nearest United States Embassy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). It is considered as a global currency used in many international transactions.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are easy to find, commonly at airports, banks, malls, gas stations, and convenience stores. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted and usually required for reservations. Since service employees make minimum wage, tipping is essential.
3. Local Language: English is the most widely spoken language, and more than 29% of the residents speak Spanish. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: Around 55% of the population is religious. Christianity is the largest religion in Dallas, followed by Islam, Judaism, and eastern faith. 
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Texas Independence Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are some of the major public holidays in Dallas. The city hosts numerous annual festivals such as Scarborough Renaissance Festival and Texas State Fair.