Examples where patients have benefited from patience, time, and attention

A detailed medical history – including previous diagnoses, medications taken, current complaints, and a simple physical examination – can often be guiding. The goal is to organize the information, recognize connections, and support collaboration with available healthcare services.

53-year-old woman, hospitalized in infectious diseases. Together with two medical students, we conducted a physical examination. During auscultation of the heart, I noticed that the patient's nitrate patch was loose. After reviewing the original medication packaging with the patient, it became clear that for several weeks she had been applying the wrong side of the patch to her skin and discarding the correct side. We successfully instructed her on the proper usage.

51-year-old man, highly intelligent, with Asperger syndrome. He had visited an orthopedic specialist privately three times in Hungary for chronic hand pain. His MRI findings and the procedures were not explained in a way he could understand. He was wearing the recommended wrist splint without improvement. I explained the findings, recommended over-the-counter medication, and showed him physiotherapy exercises from the internet. We achieved symptom relief.

53-year-old woman, in diabetology. I was still a medical student, and my task was to take a medical history and perform a physical examination. I followed my detailed, time-consuming routine and asked if the patient regularly examined her breasts. She mentioned that she had noticed a lump, but it "seemed to be getting smaller" since she started drinking pineapple tea. The patient was immediately referred to surgery, where diagnostics and treatment were prioritized.

21-year-old patient, itching behind the ear. Years ago, surgery was performed on her ears, and some sutures were still in place. Suture removal was done without complications.

33-year-old man, sleep disorder. First diagnosis of high blood pressure.

22-year-old man, severely obese. Headaches during exercise. First diagnosis of high blood pressure.

44-year-old man, night sweats. First diagnosis of high blood pressure.

55-year-old man, severe abdominal pain, suspected viral infection. First diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

46-year-old patient, living with back pain (6/10 intensity) for 5 years. She had never undergone physiotherapy. Many people don’t realize that basic knowledge about the musculoskeletal system enables them to regularly engage in beneficial physical activity. Physiotherapy exercises help secure this knowledge through experience and understanding. There is no health without movement. Movement strongly supports the immune system and directly protects against many diseases.

23-year-old man, diarrhea for 1.5 days, vomiting, severe headaches, dizziness. Viral infection. Dehydration is very common during viral infections. Inflammation, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and heat cause fluid loss. The second fastest method (the fastest is intravenous infusion) to get fluids into the bloodstream is "Oral Rehydration Therapy" (ORT). Sugar water with salt and some potassium. Why? Because glucose (sugar) and sodium (from salt) are actively absorbed from the small intestine into the blood, and water follows passively. This method is almost as fast as an infusion. Sipping ORT throughout the day can effectively stabilize circulation during infections.

19-year-old patient, stuffy nose, headaches. Nasal spray no longer helped, even though it was being used multiple times a day. Rhinitis medicamentosa – nasal mucosal swelling as a medication side effect. There are nasal sprays with vasoconstrictive effects, like xylometazoline. Unfortunately, after excessive use, these sprays make the mucous membrane dependent, leading to reduced effectiveness, and stopping them causes severe swelling. Other prescription-only medications can help during withdrawal.

62-year-old patient, headaches, chest pain. Blood pressure 210/108 mmHg. He didn’t like going to the doctor. Years ago, he took medication for high blood pressure, but stopped because his blood pressure was always fine. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is not curable. It is worthwhile to find the best medications that are well-tolerated and effective. While the protection is artificial, it is successful.

65-year-old patient, recurring heart palpitations, known for a while, has a cold, feels weak. First diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. First diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Initially, we thought the symptoms were due to an infection, but a simple pulse check pointed us in the right direction.

15-year-old patient, nausea, vomited twice, feeling better. Laboratory tests showed only minimal inflammation, but the physical examination revealed clear tenderness over the McBurney point in the abdomen. The patient underwent surgery the same day for appendicitis.

47-year-old patient, admitted to the emergency room for the second time with severe headaches of unclear origin, denied any falls, excluded sinus thrombosis and stroke, normal blood pressure. Only during the second visit did she confide privately that she had been hit by her partner both times. Domestic violence is unfortunately not rare. Certain topics are difficult to talk about, but they are very important.

39-year-old patient, blisters near the right eye, slightly swollen eyelid. Shingles: Herpes Zoster opticus. Immediate treatment is necessary! Antiviral medications work much better when given early. Unfortunately, difficult complications are known.

52-year-old patient, growing circular redness on the left forearm. Status post tick bite. Lyme disease. The earlier antibiotic treatment is started, the faster healing and protection against complications can be achieved.

82-year-old patient, a small wound on the forehead has not healed for months. Shiny growth. Basal cell carcinoma. Surgical treatment is necessary.

72-year-old patient. Uses his COPD inhaler like a menthol spray for fresh breath without inhaling the medication. After proper instruction, his breathing difficulties were significantly reduced.

19-year-old patient, ingrown, purulent, painful toenail. Local abscesses can be treated by a general practitioner, and nail surgeries are usually performed by surgeons after referral from the GP. Betadine, cooling, and elevation are always helpful.

60-year-old patient, had suicidal thoughts due to unbearable pain and lack of sleep after hip surgery. She had nightmares from Tramadol and stopped all pain medication out of fear. She was instructed online about the hospital-prescribed pain management plan: baseline medication and two reserves. We achieved pain control. Sleep became possible again – rapid improvement, with a reduction in medication possible over time. It is important to know which pain medications are tolerable. For some pain medications, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for stomach protection is often helpful.

I frequently encounter patients who have serious complaints or even diagnoses but do not understand or treat them effectively. Everyone is responsible for their own health, but the question is whether the decisions are made consciously.

Everyone has a "home pharmacy": over-the-counter products, medications for treating known illnesses – how could this be optimized?

Everyone has experience with physical activity – which pains can be "worked through," and how?

It is good to gain an overview and understand all the options. How does basic healthcare work? What do specialists, pharmacies, emergency services, and the ER do? What are X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds?

What would you like to know if we had time?

We have time.

I look forward to working with you.