This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Du Heng’s mind raced as he contemplated whether to use Director Wu’s approach to solve the problem or to answer with Sun Jiaxiang’s attitude.

It was clear that the situation was age-related organ failure, caused by the failure of a particular organ or multiple organs in this particular patient. And this kind of failure is irreversible, with almost no solution.

However, the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine treatment isn’t about reversing the disease. Instead, it uses the properties of medicines to correct and adjust the imbalances of the five viscera and six bowels, thus achieving a balanced state. This is the fundamental difference between traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine.

But the patient’s identity was too special, making Du Heng hesitate. At this point, the level of medical expertise might be just one aspect of things. However, after quick consideration, Du Heng still decided to follow his instincts. He was a Doctor. His duty was to heal and save lives. He wasn’t good at other things, nor could he understand them. With that in mind, he stopped dwelling on it and focused on his professional duties.

”Sir Sun, this only contains a basic introduction to the patient’s condition, and not much can be learned from it. I would like to personally perform a check-up on the patient,” Du Heng looked at Sun Jiaxiang and softly expressed his thoughts.

Sun Jiaxiang wanted to nod, but he held back and looked at Director Meng beside him.

Director Meng did not agree immediately but whispered, ”Hold on a moment,” before turning and walking out of the office, leaving Du Heng bewildered.

However, Sun Jiaxiang seemed unsurprised and took advantage of Director Meng’s absence to start chatting with Du Heng. ”Xiao Du, since you have already read the disease record, let me give you a brief introduction to the treatment process we’ve undertaken.”

Du Heng did not speak but merely looked at Sun Jiaxiang and gave a gentle nod.

Sun Jiaxiang slowly said, ”There’s not much to say about the Western medicine side, as you won’t use it. I’ll focus on the traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

”The initial symptoms were restlessness and insomnia at night. Based on pulse and tongue signs, it was diagnosed as heart fire resulting from qi deficiency. However, after treatment following this approach, he only experienced a brief period of recovery before his condition reverted to its previous state.

”At the same time, he began to experience constipation.”

Du Heng pondered for a moment before asking, ”Did he have any underlying diseases earlier on?”

Sun Jiaxiang shook his head. ”No underlying diseases. However, due to his age, problems of qi deficiency and blood deficiency occurred several years ago, but with proper management, there were no major issues. Starting two years ago, his intestinal function began to deteriorate, with his intestinal motility weakening day by day.”

Du Heng stood up from the computer and slowly walked over to Sun Jiaxiang, stopping in front of him. ”Did they undergo treatment with laxatives and Intestine Moisturizers afterward?”

”Yes. Not only did traditional Chinese medicine address this, but Western medicine also used medications.” Sun Jiaxiang frowned slightly. ”The Committee includes Gastrointestinal experts, so the medication itself shouldn’t be an issue.

”However, the results were less than ideal. His condition only changed from constipation to having a bowel movement every five or six days. And recently, he became constipated again.

”By the way, during the period when he had bowel movements, his stool was granular, and he only passed a few pellets each time.”

”Gastrointestinal heat accumulation?”

Du Heng voiced his guess but immediately shook his head after saying it, as that diagnosis seemed inappropriate.

Restlessness, palpitations, heat in the lower abdomen rising straight to the Heart, and now constipation, with the patient already in a shallow coma—all this indicates that the constipation, restlessness, and insomnia are linked. These outcomes must not be independent. Therefore, treating it as simple Gastrointestinal heat accumulation wouldn’t solve the problem of excessive heart fire. Moreover, Sun Jiaxiang just mentioned that both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine had provided treatment with laxatives and Intestine Moisturizers, but the effect was poor. This indicates not only the patient’s intestinal weakness but also insufficient bowel moisture. As the patient is an old man, already with deficiencies in both qi and blood, this kind of external intervention is like drinking poison to quench thirst—it consumes the old man’s already scarce original qi. Therefore, considering all factors, the patient’s condition mustn’t be just simple excessive heart fire or Gastrointestinal heat accumulation. There must be other factors involved.

Du Heng figured it out within seconds, and then Sun Jiaxiang spoke softly, ”Indeed, as you said.

”Among us, some think it is caused by excessive intestinal fire combined with qi deficiency; others think that the previous treatment to reduce the heart fire disrupted his original qi, which then led to Gastrointestinal heat accumulation.”

As he spoke, Sun Jiaxiang sighed helplessly, ”But as you can see, no matter what method is used, his condition hasn’t improved. The most important thing is that he now has heart failure, and that...”

Du Heng also stopped talking.

Treating old men, especially those with deficiencies in both qi and blood who develop organ failure, is a headache for any doctor.

Du Heng had not personally performed a check-up on the patient. Although he had some hunches, it wasn’t appropriate to voice them yet. If he was right, it would seem like showing off and being impulsive. If wrong, it would make people think he was unreliable, a braggart, and an attention-seeker. Either outcome wouldn’t be good for Du Heng’s future development. So, until he saw the patient, he resolved not to say anything more.