Free Web NovelChapter 564: Chapter 258: The Illness That Stumped Dr. Shao, Keshan Disease (Part 2)
"Probably! I started feeling a bit unwell before dinner. I thought it was because I was bare-chested while working and then cleaned myself with cold water, so I caught a cold."
With the consultation reaching this point, Li Jingsheng began to ponder.
Taking cold medicine had no effect; it’s not a big issue in itself.
Severe cold, incorrect medication, or purchasing counterfeit cold medicine from small factories could all lead to poor treatment results.
He integrated the patient’s symptoms and medical history information.
Low blood pressure, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, mild chest tightness, yellowish vomit.
Low blood pressure became the focus.
The patient may have had low blood pressure symptoms even before the onset,
or it may be a sudden drop in blood pressure after the onset last night.
Li Jingsheng began diagnosing based on both hypotheses.
A rare disease that once rampaged through the country and then gradually disappeared came to his mind.
Reading more books in usual times can indeed be quite helpful.
It ensures that when encountering difficult cases, one isn’t caught without knowledge.
He will definitely continue to maintain the good habit of reading in the future, diligently accumulating more and more medical insights and knowledge.
"I’ll take an X-ray to check the situation inside the chest. How about that? I suspect your illness might be related to the heart or cardiovascular system." Li Jingsheng sought the patient’s opinion.
"Okay."
The patient agreed readily.
"Our clinic charges separately for tests; an X-ray or ultrasound costs 100 yuan each. Please scan the code to pay."
Han Siying is becoming more and more competent now.
Knowing to persuade the patient to pay the examination fee from the side.
If Li Jingsheng, as the boss, were to bring it up, it would more or less seem a bit degrading.
When the nurse or medical assistant raises it, it avoids leaving a bad impression of Li Jingsheng on the patient.
Some patients are quite sensitive; if a doctor asks for examination fees before finishing the consultation, it could make them feel the doctor is only concerned with making money.
This could greatly reduce the mutual trust between doctor and patient.
"I can’t scan, can I pay cash?"
"Sure!"
Han Siying took 100 yuan from the patient and brought it to the cashier.
Currently, Tang Ping mainly handles the cashier duties.
Actually, cash payments are rare; most payments are made via scanning. Li Jingsheng didn’t hire a separate cashier to save a salary.
When necessary, all clinic employees can manage the cash register.
But the person Li Jingsheng trusts most is Tang Ping.
Even Xiaogao, Li Jingsheng is cautious about.
Money and wealth have influenced people’s minds since ancient times.
Rather than waiting for a mistake to dismiss or even prosecute them, it’s better to prevent beforehand and avoid giving them the chance to err.
Small clinics differ from large hospitals; recruiting each employee is not easy.
Each one is regarded as an invaluable talent in Li Jingsheng’s eyes.
So he treasures them greatly.
After taking an X-ray of the chest, Li Jingsheng discovered that the patient’s whole heart was enlarged to some degree, with localized stiffness at the heart shadow’s edges and weakened heartbeats.
With these findings, he became more certain that the patient probably had what’s commonly termed "yellow vomit disease."
Also known as Keshan disease.
This is a rare cardiovascular condition that can induce heart failure, even thrombosis, and without timely treatment, can lead to rapid death.
The patient’s many symptoms match that of Keshan disease closely, and now the X-ray also indicates heart enlargement.
Moreover, there is stiffness at the heart shadow’s edges.
A preliminary diagnosis confirms this disease without doubt.
The cause of this disease is still undetermined.
Medical sciences believe it’s closely related to selenium deficiency.
Yet many patients have unclear causes.
Additionally, this illness has at least four types: acute, subacute, chronic, potential.
This patient should fall under the acute Keshan disease category.
Luckily, the cold medicine didn’t work, prompting a timely visit to the clinic.
Fortunate also to encounter Li Jingsheng, a skilled doctor proficient in cardiovascular diagnoses, or else dire consequences could have occurred.
Meeting Dr. Shao or Boss Zhao, these veteran doctors, would likely prevent any danger.
They are incredibly vigilant.
They would surely suggest further examination at a large hospital instead of rashly treating for the sake of one or two hundred yuan.
"Your disease, I suspect, is acute Keshan disease, as it may lead to death if not treated promptly. I can try medication; if it remains ineffective, you must visit a large hospital for further treatment. How does that sound?"
Li Jingsheng sought the patient’s opinion.
"What is Keshan disease?"
"It’s colloquially known as yellow vomit disease, a cardiovascular disease. The X-ray showed apparent heart enlargement. If the treatment here is effective, medication will quickly alleviate your symptoms."
"Alright, please prescribe the medication for trial. Is it expensive?"
This is the patient’s first inquiry about the cost.
"Not expensive now, but if shock or severe condition arises requiring hospital rescue, costs would be very high, possibly entering the ICU. Spending money is minor; preserving life is crucial."
Li Jingsheng explained.
"Then treat me! If the money I have isn’t enough, I’ll call for someone to bring more. I have a wife and children at home, and an elderly mother to care for; I can’t die."
The man is quite practical.
He shoulders the entirety of the family responsibility.
"I will try my utmost to treat you; don’t worry too much. With rich experience in treating various Keshan diseases now, generally, as long as treatment and intervention are timely, the chance of turning severe is low."
