Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 904 Addison's Disease, a Folk Remedy from Shaanxi (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets: 3K Chapters)

You have to admit a genius is a genius; their comprehension is truly rapid.

The core point has been found in just a few sentences.

Then Fang Yan continued speaking to Comrade Wan:
"Besides rich and greasy foods, raw and cold foods can also damage the spleen and stomach's yang energy, aggravating phlegm and dampness. Even if you are busy with work, try not to eat these kinds of foods."

"Did you hear that? You just like eating cold canned food," Chairman Qian said to Comrade Wan.

The latter scratched his head somewhat awkwardly:
"Is this traditional Chinese medicine doctor really that amazing? He just felt my pulse and he seemed to be able to tell everything."

Comrade Zhou, who was standing to the side, added with a smile:
"Only highly skilled traditional Chinese medicine practitioners can achieve this."

Those around him nodded in agreement, especially Comrade Jing, whose work environment had just been observed.

Fang Yan continued speaking to Comrade Wan:
"In addition, it is best to eat small meals frequently, because the patient has a weak spleen and stomach, belching and constipation. Easily digestible foods can reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract."

"For example, it would be best to make something like yam paste, which is both good for health and can also cure diseases."

"In addition, dampness can easily aggravate phlegm and dampness, so the living environment should be kept dry and well-ventilated, and you should avoid getting wet in the rain or staying in damp places for a long time. Finally, a moderate afternoon nap helps nourish liver blood, and if possible, you can take a nap, which is also good for maintaining a good mood."

Upon hearing the dialect, Comrade Wan nodded:
"Okay, I'll take note!"

Then Fang Yan gave him the written medical records and prescriptions.

Comrade Wan took it, stood up, and shouted to the last one:
"Old Hu, it's your turn."

The last person came over.

Fang Yan recognized him; everyone else present was involved in nuclear weapons manufacturing, but this man was the one who tested nuclear explosions.

He was in charge of nuclear physics experimental research and nuclear testing technology, and organized the construction of multiple nuclear physics laboratories. He undertook neutron physics, radionuclide measurement and other nuclear testing work, and solved major technical problems in the research of fusion detonation thermonuclear reaction.

Further work will be carried out to measure various characteristics of the strong pulsed mixed radiation field, and to participate in the establishment of the inertial confinement fusion laboratory.

He, the senior engineer in charge of measurements, deserves much credit for enabling all nuclear tests to be completed within the stipulated time.

He's only in his forties, but he looks quite old.

Perhaps because he often works outdoors, his face is dark and dry, his overall complexion is dark, he is thin, and he looks tired.

"Hello, Dr. Fang!" The voice was clear and cold, with a penetrating quality.

However, it was obvious that he was not breathing well.

"Hello, Comrade Hu," Fang Yan replied to him.

Then, after a pause, he asked:

"I don't know what part of your body is uncomfortable."

Comrade Hu said to the dialect:

"You see, I'm very dark, my whole body is dark... this is my illness."

"Huh?" Fang Yan was stunned for a moment.

Is this for skin whitening?

The others also looked completely bewildered.

At this moment, Liu Duzhou, who was standing behind Fang Yan, whispered a reminder:
"Is it... acanthosis nigricans?"

Fang Yan immediately realized what was happening and quickly looked at Comrade Hu's neck, and sure enough, he found that the black areas were even darker.

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin disease characterized by hyperpigmentation and velvety thickening of the skin.

There are many causes, with obesity being the most common. Obese individuals have elevated insulin levels, which may stimulate the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, leading to acanthosis nigricans.

Comrade Hu's thin build clearly doesn't match.

Endocrine disorders such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hypopituitarism can affect hormone levels in the body and also trigger acanthosis nigricans.

In addition, the side effects of certain medications, such as glucocorticoids, niacin, and insulin, may also lead to acanthosis nigricans.

This symptom commonly occurs in skin folds such as the neck, armpits, groin, elbows, and popliteal fossa, and can also appear on the face, back of the hands, and areola.

The skin exhibits pigmentation ranging in color from light brown to black. The skin is thickened, rough, and has a velvety appearance. The surface has many small, papillary protrusions, and in severe cases, it can form wart-like growths.

If the condition is caused by obesity, the symptoms of acanthosis nigricans will gradually improve by losing weight through diet control and increased exercise.

If it is caused by an endocrine disorder, it is necessary to actively treat the primary disease, such as controlling blood sugar and regulating thyroid function.

Drug-induced acanthosis nigricans may be relieved by discontinuing the relevant medication if the patient's condition permits.

Just then, Comrade Hu said:

"No, I remember during the last checkup, they said it wasn't acanthosis nigricans."

"Huh?" The homeroom teacher, Lao Liu, was taken aback.

He Puren, standing to the side, also lowered his voice to remind him:

"Yes, his whole body is black, while acanthosis nigricans only blackens certain areas."

Class teacher Lao Liu said:

"Your whole body is black, isn't it from the sun?"

“It’s not all from sun exposure,” Comrade Hu said.

Comrade Hu thought for a moment:

"During the last checkup, the hospital said I have this... what's it called again... Asen... what, it's the same disease that Eugene Shoemaker from America also has." Fang Yan then realized what was happening and said:
Addison's disease!?

Comrade Hu slapped his thigh:
"Yes, yes, that's it! Addison's disease! The name is too hard to pronounce, I really can't remember it."

Old Liu, standing behind Fang Yan, was a little confused, as were the others. They asked in hushed tones:

Who is Eugene Shoemaker? What is Addison's disease?

At this moment, Chairman Qian said:

"Eugene Shoemaker was an American geologist and one of the pioneers and founders of the emerging discipline of planetary science. He worked at NASA and was deeply involved in NASA's early lunar exploration projects and the Apollo moon landing program."

Everyone looked at him; he was one of the five founders of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the United States.

After NASA was established in 1958, JPL became its research and development and operation center for planetary spacecraft. As one of the founders of JPL, he laid an important foundation for NASA's development and had a clear understanding of some of the agency's affairs.

Then Chairman Qian looked at Comrade Hu and Fang Yan and said:
"But I really don't know much about his illness."

Fang Yan did not answer, but instead spoke to Comrade Hu:
"Open your mouth and stick out your tongue so I can see."

The latter listened and did as instructed, even thoughtfully extending his hand to the dialect consultation table.

At this moment, everyone noticed that Comrade Hu had black spots of varying degrees on his gums and tongue.

It looks like it's been stained with ink.

It looks creepy.

At this point, Fang Yan said:
"Addison's disease, also known in Western medicine as primary chronic adrenocortical insufficiency, is an endocrine disorder caused by impaired adrenal cortex function, leading to insufficient secretion of cortisol and aldosterone."

"This type of skin and mucous membrane pigmentation is one of the most characteristic manifestations of Addison's disease."

"Due to the increased secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone and melanocyte-stimulating hormone, diffuse pigmentation occurs on the skin and mucous membranes, commonly seen in exposed areas, areas of friction, gums, oral mucosa, etc., and the color can be brown, bronze, black, etc."

"Clinical manifestations also include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, blurred vision, fainting when standing up suddenly, palpitations, chest tightness, heart palpitations, sweating, and hand tremors."

At this moment, the dean also realized what was happening and said:
"I know about this disease. It is relatively rare in China. It usually occurs after exposure to chemicals. Western medicine treats it by supplementing physiological doses of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids to maintain normal physiological functions. Patients need to take medication for life."

Comrade Hu nodded and said:

"Yes, the hospital there did indeed prescribe medication for life, saying that I might have accidentally come into contact with some chemicals, and through a urine test, they found that the level of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in my urine within 24 hours was 3.5 mg, while the normal range is 5-15 mg, which is below the acceptable level."

After saying that, he asked in dialect:

"Dr. Fang, I wonder... if this can be cured?"

After hearing his words, Fang Yan said:
"It just so happens that we're having a lucky day. Others might not be able to treat it, but I happened to have seen a similar case recently..."

After speaking in dialect, he turned to look at Lei Lian, who had remained silent behind him.

He said to her:
"Lei Lian, do you still remember your grandfather's folk remedy?"

Caught off guard by the question, Lei Lian was momentarily stunned. She blushed, then stammered, "..."
"Then... does my grandfather have it in his folk remedies?"

"..." Fang Yan was speechless.

He had just wanted to give Lei Lian a chance to shine, but she seemed to have forgotten the folk remedies her grandfather had collected.

“Melanosis! Remember?” Fang Yan reminded Lei Lian.

Lei Lian suddenly realized:

"Oh! I vaguely remember that!"

Okay, I have a vague impression but I can't remember it.

Fang Yan turned to Comrade Hu and said:
"This illness was diagnosed by a folk remedy collected by the grandfather of the female classmate behind me. He was an old Chinese medicine doctor from Shaanxi. He diagnosed it as liver stagnation and spleen deficiency, which, in the Five Elements theory, is called water counteracting earth."

"When water counteracts earth, the body will turn black. This is based on the theory of the Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The color can be faded by supplementing earth to control water."

"According to the Five Elements theory, water belongs to the kidney and earth belongs to the spleen. Water counteracting earth indicates that the kidney water is excessive and restrains the spleen earth, so it is necessary to supplement the spleen earth to control the water."

"Your skin is dark, which indicates a deficiency of kidney yang. Your complexion is watery, and your thinness and weakness are due to spleen deficiency, lack of qi and blood production, and weakness of the fire of the gate of life, resulting in a lack of stimulating function."

"The overall treatment plan is to warm and tonify the Mingmen point, strengthen the earth element to control water, and resolve blood stasis and reduce bruising."

Upon hearing this, Comrade Hu looked enlightened and asked:
"What does that folk remedy look like?"

He said in dialect:

"One ounce and three and a half mace of black beans, plus a pair of pork kidneys and two and a half mace of eucommia bark, three times a week."

"Huh?" Everyone around was stunned.

Goodness, this is really out of the way.

Fang Yan addressed the crowd:

"Don't rush. Once you understand the theory, I'll prescribe a traditional Chinese medicine formula to assist you..."

After saying this, he continued:
"Using Fuzi Lizhong Decoction combined with Zhenwu Decoction should work."

P.S.: I still owe you 13000 words after finishing this chapter.

That's all for today, please come early tomorrow.

Lao Feng is working hard to write tomorrow's code.

(End of this chapter)