Prompt #8: Practicing Knowledge

By: Shane S.

Even before we begin our specialized classes and internships, we practice the field we will be journeying into. Every day, we may not realize it, but we notice things and do things only people of your own interest would recognize. I had an experience today that reflected my interest in the medical field and the specialization of thought we feel every day.

Over the past week and a half, I've had a congested nose and a sore throat. I didn't think anything of it as these illnesses happen this time of year and go away on its own. Today I woke up and my nasal canals were slightly swollen and sore. I knew right from there this wasn't a run-of-the-mill cold.

First thing I did was research what illness it could possibly be. I knew it wasn't strep throat as I've had that many times, and when I catch it, I become very lethargic and achy. I felt fine, I was just very congested and the inner lining of my nose was swollen. I found information on chronic sinusitis, which would cause a swelling of the nasal canal, but in that case, there would be swelling around my eyes and on the visible part of my nose. I knew that wasn't what I had caught/ developed.

On the website I found, it did mention rhinitis as another possible diagnosis. I researched that and found that rhinitis was caused by allergies, which I don't have. I did, however, find information on non-allergic rhinitis, which would be a mild case of a sinus infection. All the symptoms matched up, congested nose, sore throat, moderate swelling.

Even with my own diagnosis, I thought it would be best to get a professional to look at my illness. The physician concluded that I had a sinus infection. I brought up what I had researched and said I thought it was non-allergic rhinitis. He was shocked I was that specific in my own diagnosis, and followed up by saying that was indeed what I had, he just simplified it.

As a pre-medical student, I do things a normal person wouldn't necessarily do. Even if I know I'm going to schedule an appointment with a doctor, I still do my own research as to what condition or sickness I have. I go in-depth and examine all of my symptoms and research what matches best. This is the same as someone who is in the engineering field looking at new models of cars and recognizing problems with them. We all do things in our own ways and we all think differently than one another. These thoughts are formed by our interests and goals to be what we want to be.

URL: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/basics/definition/con-20022039
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/nonallergic-rhinitis
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