[This content is a story-based medical science article, please read it rationally, and do not sit down]
"Doctor, please save my son! Our family has gone bankrupt, just to treat him! "
Aunt Li knelt in front of me with tears streaming down her face, her voice choked. I hurriedly helped her up, with mixed feelings. As a neurologist who has been practicing medicine for many years, I know that some diseases are difficult to cure no matter how much money and energy is invested.
This reminds me of another patient, Xiao Zhang, I met the other day. At the beginning of the outpatient clinic that day, a well-dressed young man pushed the door in. "Dr. Zhang, I'm here for a follow-up visit." He said politely.
When I opened the medical records, Xiao Zhang was 28 years old and an executive of a well-known Internet company. Half a year ago, he came to the doctor with recurrent headaches and memory loss, and after a detailed examination, he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
"Xiao Zhang, how are you feeling lately?" I asked softly.
"It's still the same, the headache is much better, but the memory is getting worse and worse." Xiao Zhang smiled bitterly and said, "Doctor Zhang, I heard that there is a new medicine abroad, and the effect is very good, can you prescribe it for me to try?" "
I sighed and said slowly, "Xiao Zhang, I understand your feelings. But at present, there is no specific drug for Alzheimer's disease in the world. Although the new drug has a certain effect, it can only delay the progression of the disease and cannot cure it. "
A hint of disappointment flashed in Xiao Zhang's eyes, but hope quickly ignited again: "Then what if I go abroad for treatment?" I've heard that the medical technology over there is more advanced. "
I looked at the young man in front of me who was full of expectations, and I couldn't bear it. "Xiao Zhang, I have to tell the truth. Even if you go abroad, Alzheimer's disease is incurable, and the current level of medicine in the world has not reached the level where it can cure this disease. "
Xiao Zhang was silent for a long time before he said, "Doctor Zhang, I understand. So what do I do next? "
I patted him on the shoulder and said, "Keep taking your current medications, maintain good habits, and communicate more with your family." Most importantly, learn to live peacefully with illness. "
After sending Xiao Zhang away, I couldn't help but fall into deep thought. In my many years of medical practice, I have met too many patients like Xiao Zhang. They hope to cure their diseases in various ways, even at the cost of breaking the bank. Some diseases are the "forbidden areas" of modern medicine, and no matter how much money and energy is invested, it is difficult to cure them.
In addition to Alzheimer's disease, what other diseases are currently incurable by medicine? I decided to write an article in the hope of helping more people understand these diseases and avoid blind investment and unnecessary financial losses.
The first incurable disease is AIDS. Although current antiviral treatment can effectively control the disease and greatly extend the life expectancy of patients, there is no way to completely eliminate the virus from the human body.
I am reminded of Xiao Li, an AIDS patient I once treated. After his diagnosis, he was so desperate that he wanted to commit suicide, but later received antiviral treatment under the guidance of my family and me. Now he is able to work and live normally, and even started a family of his own.
The second is diabetes. Many people think that diabetes can be cured by just controlling their diet and insulin injections, but this is not the case. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that cannot be completely cured, although blood sugar can be controlled with medication and lifestyle modifications.
One of my old sick people, Uncle Wang, is a typical example. He has been suffering from diabetes for more than 20 years, and although he has been taking medication and controlling his diet, his blood sugar has never been completely normal, but I am impressed by his optimistic and open-minded attitude. "Dr. Zhang," he often said, "I have become old friends with diabetes, and we take care of each other and are safe with each other." "
The third is chronic kidney failure. When kidney function is severely impaired, patients need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. However, neither of these methods can restore kidney function to normal and can only replace part of kidney function.
I once treated Xiao Chen, a young patient with chronic kidney failure. When she first started on dialysis, she was in great pain and felt that she had lost hope in life. After my enlightenment and psychological counseling, she gradually accepted this reality and is now able to face life positively, and has also started a blog online to share her experience and encourage other patients.
The fourth is autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. This type of disease is characterized by the immune system attacking its own tissues, and current treatments are mainly through immunosuppressants to control symptoms, but cannot fundamentally correct the disorder of the immune system.
One of my patients, Xiaomei, is a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. She used to be hopeless because of frequent relapses. I told her, "Xiaomei, although we can't completely cure your disease, as long as you stick to the treatment and maintain good living habits, you can live a normal life." Now Xiaomei has learned to live in harmony with the disease, and she has also set up a patient support group to help more patients.
The fifth is certain chronic viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis B. Although current antiviral therapy is effective in inhibiting viral replication, it is difficult to completely eliminate the virus.
I once treated a hepatitis B patient, Lao Zhang. He was very depressed at first, feeling that he had become a "carrier of the virus". I patiently explained to him: "Lao Zhang, although we can't completely eliminate the virus, as long as you stick to the treatment and maintain good living habits, you can live as long and healthy as a normal person." Now Lao Zhang has accepted this reality, he insists on exercising every day, eating regularly, and living a very fulfilling life.
Speaking of which, I can't help but think of Aunt Li and her son mentioned at the beginning. They have spent all their savings to treat ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and have even borrowed from loan sharks. I held Aunt Li's hand and whispered, "Auntie, I understand your feelings. However, ALS is indeed incurable at present, and even the most advanced medical technology in foreign countries cannot do anything. Instead of spending a lot of money trying treatments with unknown results, focus on how to improve your quality of life. "
Aunt Li listened to my words and finally calmed down. "Dr. Zhang, thank you. Our family really can't go on like this. So what do we do next? "
I explained to her in detail the current treatment options and care methods, emphasizing the importance of psychological counseling. "The most important thing is to learn to live peacefully with the disease. The meaning of life is not about the length of time, but about how you spend it. "
After sending Aunt Li away, I fell into deep thought again. As a doctor, I am well aware of the limitations of medicine. Some diseases, no matter how much money and energy are invested, are difficult to cure. But that doesn't mean we're giving up. On the contrary, we should cherish the present moment, learn to live in harmony with illness, and enjoy every moment of life.
At the same time, I hope that more people will realize this. Don't blindly believe in the so-called "miracle drug" or "new treatment" to avoid unnecessary financial losses. For those diseases that cannot be cured temporarily, we should focus on how to improve the quality of life, rather than blindly pursuing a "cure".
Life is fragile, but it is also strong. Even in the face of incurable diseases, we must learn to accept them calmly and face them positively. Because the meaning of life lies not only in health, but also in how we spend every day, how we treat the people around us well, and how we realize our self-worth.
As a doctor, I will continue to strive to provide the best possible treatment and care to my patients. At the same time, I also hope that through my own efforts, more people can understand these diseases, avoid blind investment, learn to cherish the present, and enjoy the beauty of life.