Chapter 2841: 2747.2637 Wheat Allergy (Alliance Leader Time Sandglass Water Flow Bonus 5)

2747.2637 Wheat Allergy (Alliance Leader Time Sandglass Water Flow Bonus 5)

"Flour allergy..." This term Song Ying had never heard before.

Is it the flour usually spoken of? If flour were allergenic, Song Ying really couldn't think of anything edible.

Of course there would still be many things edible, but flour-based foods like New Year's dumplings would henceforth be off-limits.

"Saying flour allergy is not rigorous." Zheng Ren said, "The scientific term is gluten sensitivity; gluten protein is a class of protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Generally, after protein enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is digested into individual amino acids, then absorbed by the small intestine to become nutrients."

"Gluten protein cannot be completely broken down into single amino acids; it retains small fragments containing a few amino acids, called peptides. These peptides can trigger the body's immune response, which is also why some proteins retain certain biological activity after oral ingestion."

"Nitpicker!" Su Yun looked disdainfully at Zheng Ren and said.

If someone else had said that, Zheng Ren would have tolerated it. But for a guy who turned ETC into a spirit to call himself a nitpicker—where's the justice?!

"Uh... Boss Zheng, Xiao Su, could you keep it simple? It's too technical; I, a layperson, don't understand." Song Ying wasn't polite either; not understanding meant not understanding, so she directly asked.

"Gluten sensitivity is also an overly broad concept; in fact, detailed classification can be divided into celiac disease, non-celiac wheat sensitivity, wheat allergy, and so on—three categories." Su Yun said, "The girl I mentioned was ultimately diagnosed with wheat allergy; ingesting even a bit of gluten causes breathing difficulties, even life-threatening."

"Wheat..." Song Ying sighed, "But wheat is eaten often; how could she not have known before?"

"Many people only discover a food allergy in their twenties or thirties. This isn't strange; perhaps it's a change in immune function, or perhaps a dietary issue." Zheng Ren said, "Allergic reactions range from mild to severe; the patient before us is highly suspected of having celiac disease related to gluten sensitivity."

Song Ying didn't ask why; she just silently watched Boss Zheng and Su Yun. They were also waiting, appearing calm but actually somewhat distracted.

For them, eating really isn't important; judging whether a condition is correct is what matters most. Song Ying inwardly wryly smiled; indeed, no madness, no survival.

Even when they started eating, Zheng Ren and Su Yun remained distracted.

"Zheng Ren, what are you thinking about?" Xie Yiren asked, taking Zheng Ren's hand.

"A case, possibly flour allergy." Zheng Ren chuckled, saying, "Don't think about it, just eat."

Only then did the table have a hint of vitality.

Song Ying sincerely thanked Xie Yiren; it seems the old saying holds true: the strongest fortresses are breached from within. To win over Boss Zheng, one must first win over Xie Yiren.

Boss Zheng is like a stone; aside from medical matters, he seems to have no interest at all. Su Yun might have more hobbies, but this person is too sly; it's hard to increase favor without being obvious.

Just using a Moutai with an iron lid is absolutely insufficient, especially since today Song Ying learned some details about the trip to Europe, and his thoughts started to stir.

Looks like we'll still have to take the 'madam' route—spending more time with my beloved, Xie Yiren, and Chang Yue. When women get together, strolling streets and shopping, they should get along fine.

It was just a rough idea; Song Ying sipped wine while chatting casually. He simply asked about Bota Private Hospital and its lab, and after hearing Su Yun's description, he formed a certain notion.

Such a lab absolutely couldn't be built with one's own finances; only top-tier global conglomerates have the capability.

Song Ying inwardly sighed; Boss Zheng is playing too high-end now—if one isn't careful, any thought of following his investment would be useless.

After more than an hour, Zheng Ren received a call; he immediately had Su Yun open the email to view the attached video.

Song Ying watched the screen's light shine on their faces, feeling somewhat strange inside.

"The jejunum's middle and distal segments show intestinal lumen dilation, fluid accumulation, and barium deposition." Su Yun said.

"Hmm, the intestinal loops show a snowflake-like distribution; mucosal folds thicken or the intestinal wall smooths out in a 'lead pipe' sign; barium passage is delayed, basically indicating celiac disease on imaging." Zheng Ren said solemnly.

"The TSH values being off also have an explanation: poor gastrointestinal absorption."

"It's advisable to go to the city for relevant tests; many examinations can't be done in a psychiatric hospital." Su Yun said, "Boss, your clinical experience isn't rich enough this time."

Zheng Ren smiled, nodded, and had no thought of winning or losing.

"Can't you show a bit more dejection? Or… you make me feel like I haven't won at all. Put some heart into it—I'm asking if you can!" Su Yun said disdainfully.

"What's the matter?" Chang Yue asked.

"Nanshan City Psychiatric Hospital has a patient with persecutory delusion accompanied by progressive wasting; Boss Zheng looked at the records and didn't know what the problem was. Coincidentally, I'd seen a wheat‑allergy patient before and have studied this."

Su Yun said proudly.

To him, this was a major victory; the seemingly invincible, stone‑like Boss Zheng is actually a paper tiger!

Chang Yue frowned and asked, "If there are mental issues and wasting, isn't that due to poor diet? How does it relate to allergy?"

"You don't get it." Su Yun said, but as Chang Yue reached up to push her glasses, she smiled and continued, "Celiac disease is a systemic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple organs; the primary site is the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and other digestive symptoms. Besides the digestive system, it can also affect nerve cells, skin, bones, liver, etc."

"Sounds like diarrhea, not as severe as wheat allergy, but once psychiatric symptoms appear, that's truly frightening." Su Yun gestured while explaining to Chang Yue, "Who would have thought persecutory delusion comes from eating flour?"

"No way; if there were a problem, flour wouldn't have to be eaten every day." Chang Yue asked doubtfully, "I think that's not rigorous."

"How did you also learn to nitpick?" Su Yun said scornfully, "I recall mentioning before that someone could be allergic to lifelong blood‑pressure medication; are you studying medicine?"

Chang Yue pushed her glasses, offered no rebuttal, and picked up a bottle of iron‑capped Moutai.

……

……

Note: An article published in NEJM in 2016.