My Medical Skills Give Me Experience Points Chapter 1430 - 570: Infant Hypertension and the Dangers of Consanguineous Marriage (Part 2)
Previously on My Medical Skills Give Me Experience Points...
While uncommon, childhood hypertension does manifest in some instances.
Hypertension in infants is indeed exceedingly rare.
As they mature, most individuals develop secondary hypertension, stemming from conditions such as aortic stenosis, renal artery stenosis, or renal artery aneurysms, among others.
"At that time, Qilian did not receive treatment. Later, when he was five months old, he showed signs of irritability, crying for no reason, vomiting, sweating profusely, and other obvious symptoms. His family took him to see the doctor again, and he continued relying on medication for maintenance and treatment until he was nineteen."
She recounted Zhang Qilian’s comprehensive childhood medical history to the gathered physicians for the first time in full detail.
Infants born with hypertension present considerable challenges in care.
Often, due to a lack of medical knowledge and the infant's inability to articulate, parents might express frustration to others, lamenting their child's difficult disposition and propensity for crying and fussing.
Even minor disturbances can rouse them, leading to incessant wailing.
In such scenarios, parents must remain vigilant, exercising heightened patience and attentiveness towards their child.
This is because an uncomfortable infant cannot convey their distress as clearly as an adult can.
Crying serves as their sole means of communication.
Should they cease their crying and fussing one day, that development would be far more alarming.
Having endured such a rare affliction from infancy, Zhang Qilian is undoubtedly a figure of great pity. Perhaps it is this childhood marked by illness that has shaped his somewhat unusual character. Zhou Can's initial impression upon meeting Zhang Qilian in the car was of his decidedly cold demeanor.
Indeed, the term "grim" might not fully suffice to capture it.
The word "cold" is a more apt descriptor.
Furthermore, he displays extreme obsession and ruthlessness in his actions.
It is often said that individuals who endure significant hardship from a young age tend to grow up cruel and stern, a notion that appears to hold some truth in this case.
Decades ago, domestic medical standards were comparatively rudimentary.
While they have advanced somewhat now, a disparity with developed nations persists.
When confronting maladies that resist easy treatment, the nation often relies on specialized medical fields, employing a blended approach of Eastern and Western medicine for recovery.
Firstly, it is crucial to explain that proposing the integration of Eastern and Western medicine is born from both an understanding of national circumstances and a pragmatic concession.
The practice of Chinese medicine is in decline, with practitioners skilled in its nuances becoming nearly extinct.
Even the few remaining highly proficient veteran Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners face barriers to continuing their practice due to credentialing restrictions.
Collectively, Chinese medicine has experienced a severe downturn, and its efficacy is often found wanting.
This has eroded public trust in Chinese medicine, leading many to seek Western medical methods first. This unfortunate cycle only exacerbates the decline of traditional Chinese practices.
In the absence of a viable market, Chinese medicine practitioners must find ways to sustain themselves and their families, possibly leading them to seek alternative professions.
This essentially outlines the current landscape of Chinese medicine within the country.
Admittedly, there have been slight improvements recently. Certain insightful individuals have introduced the concept of "Western medicine treats symptoms, Chinese medicine treats the root cause." This approach has proven quite effective, and the reduced side effects associated with Chinese medicine are now generally acknowledged.
This represents a small niche that Chinese medicine has arduously secured for itself.
Having delved into the state of Chinese medicine, let us now examine the standing of Western medicine domestically. Medical instruments, devices, and pharmaceuticals constitute the two primary pillars of Western medicine's therapeutic arsenal.
Due to the nation's historical poverty and underdevelopment, the progress of Western medicine commenced late. Compounded by foreign technological embargoes, the level of Western medical treatment lags significantly behind that of developed nations.
Efforts are underway to bridge this gap, showing some promising signs of progress.
However, substantial deficiencies remain across numerous domains.
Acknowledging this reality is paramount.
Historically, acquiring knowledge in Western medicine necessitated proficiency in English. This meant one had to master the English language before embarking on medical studies.
Consequently, the pursuit of medicine became considerably more arduous for aspiring medical students.
Even presently, certain prestigious international medical journals demand submissions exclusively in English, including renowned ones like SCI and SSCI.
Were this the sole hurdle, it might still be surmountable.
However, the technological blockade imposed on instruments, devices, and medications presents an insurmountable barrier.
A skilled culinary artist cannot prepare a feast without essential ingredients.
Without resolution of these fundamental constraints, elevating medical standards proves exceptionally challenging.
Let us now confront a rather stark medical reality.
When tending to patients in critical condition, medical professionals invariably prioritize imported medications and supplies. This preference stems from the noticeably lesser effectiveness of domestic alternatives, which might offer minimal benefit or even provoke severe adverse reactions. Take, for instance, medications with identical chemical compositions. While modern technology makes ingredient detection a straightforward task, assuming identical efficacy based solely on shared components is a grave miscalculation. Imported pharmaceuticals often incorporate sophisticated slow-release mechanisms, allowing for precise control over the duration of drug absorption by the patient. This represents a substantial technological hurdle that domestic products have yet to surmount. Considering the advantage of over two centuries of accumulated technological advancement, replicating such capabilities within a few decades is indeed a formidable challenge. In essence, it's entirely understandable that our current Western medicine standards lag behind those of developed nations. With the decline of Chinese medicine and the inability of Western medicine to reach its advanced counterparts' levels, the treatment of complex illnesses has become a precarious balancing act. So, what course of action remains? We cannot simply stand by and watch patients succumb, can we? This predicament, however, has spurred innovation among some of our astute countrymen. The concept of integrating Eastern and Western medicine naturally arose, aiming to harness the combined strengths of both disciplines to combat diseases. Though not yet universally embraced, it is widely believed that persistent efforts in this direction will eventually yield remarkable breakthroughs. "Has your husband suffered from hypertension since birth? Is it a hereditary condition? Do his parents or grandparents exhibit similar ailments?" Xue Yan inquired. "No, none of them have the condition. The reason my husband developed the disease might be... his parents were closely related when they married," she replied, a slight hesitation betraying her discomfort when discussing the cause. Ultimately, by facing the reality of the illness head-on, she disclosed the true reason. Marriages between closely related individuals carry significant risks, which is why many nations discourage such unions. It contravenes ethical principles and offers no advantage to the offspring. The incidence of birth defects is exceptionally high in offspring from consanguineous unions, as is the occurrence of various rare diseases and peculiar conditions. "The root cause is now largely identified. The patient's lifelong struggle with hypertension has precipitated systemic arterial disease. We will proceed with necessary examinations to ascertain his suitability for surgery," Xue Yan stated. "I implore all of you!" she exclaimed, intelligently rising, bowing, and departing. This clarification was the sole remaining point of inquiry. "Zhou Can, I understand you are occupied with your duties on the emergency front. However, this patient's condition is extremely precarious; I request your assistance in diagnosis and the formulation of a surgical plan. If circumstances demand, you may need to aid in the completion of the surgery before your departure," Xue Yan requested. "Certainly. Saving the patient's life takes precedence, and I am fully prepared to cooperate," Zhou Can readily agreed. "Given the patient's hypertension history spanning over fifty years, the vascular condition within his body is severely compromised, indicating cardiac surgery as the primary course of action. Heart transplantation should only be considered as a secondary option," he explained. He could already anticipate that the most significant challenge during the operation would stem from the patient's arterial blood vessels. ... An hour later, all the requisite tests for Zhang Qilian were concluded. Director Feng, the anesthesiologist from Tuya Hospital's leading department, joined the surgical consultation and patient assessment. The risks involved are exceptionally high. The family's willingness to assume these risks and their full cooperation greatly facilitate the progress of the surgery. Xue Yan will personally lead the surgical team as the chief surgeon, with Zhou Can acting as the capable second surgeon. The most skilled professionals from the cardiothoracic surgery department have been assembled to dedicate their utmost efforts. Vice Director Ye and Administrative Vice Dean Bai are both placing significant importance on this surgical procedure. This operation is poised to become a vital piece of publicity for Tuya Hospital. The hospital intends to leverage this case for extensive promotional activities, thereby diminishing the standing of the Third Hospital and cementing the golden reputation of Tuya's cardiothoracic and cardiovascular departments. This represents a major strategic decision for the hospital, hence the leadership's profound investment in its success.