1950: You are weak and itchy
Examination
- OK, now that the complete history and full exam have been completed, I'll need to run a test. Go to the bathroom and give me a urine sample. You'll find a cup in there. Just leave the cup on the sink. And that'll be it for today -- I'll see you in two days.
Diagnosis
- two days later...
How are you feeling today? Ah, during your exam two days ago I noticed that your tongue was coated, that your blood pressure was higher than normal, and that your breath had a certain odor. These, in addition to your other symptoms, led me to suspect a problem with your kidneys. That's why I asked for a urine test. The test found high amounts of red blood cells, as well as a protein called albumen. I'm afraid this is an indication of advanced kidney failure.
Treatment
- A few years ago, a diagnosis of advanced kidney failure was a death sentence. But the development of an artificial kidney, a dialysis machine that removes wastes from the blood, is beginning to change that. I'm going to refer you to a kidney specialist. With regular, frequent visits to the hospital, we should be able to prolong your life.
Prognosis
- Several years later...
You're looking well! Hey, the other day I asked a patient if he had broken any bones recently. He said, "You mean my own?" All right. So that's not my best joke. Anyway, the results from your latest blood-level-nitrogen test look fine. In other words, the dialysis is doing what it should -- removing waste products from your blood.
Start Over | 1900 | 1950 | 1998