Patient Experience
A 28-year-old competitive freediver from the Black Sea coast presented with recurrent episodes of confusion and headaches after deep dives. Dr. Karaarslan discovered an exceptionally rare form of altitude sickness adaptation affecting her cerebral oxygen utilization, requiring a customized gradual desensitization protocol rather than medication.
A 72-year-old retired Byzantine art restorer arrived with unexplained weight loss and fatigue. His condition was initially misdiagnosed as depression, but Dr. Karaarslan identified a rare fungal infection acquired from decades of working with ancient church frescoes, requiring specialized antifungal treatment and collaboration with infectious disease experts.
A 19-year-old university student from a low-income family presented with severe abdominal pain. While initial tests suggested appendicitis, Dr. Karaarslan recognized the pattern of hereditary angioedema triggered by exam stress, preventing unnecessary surgery and implementing a preventive care plan with donated medication.
A 45-year-old ferry captain presented with intermittent dizziness. Rather than assuming common vertigo, Dr. Karaarslan connected his symptoms to subclinical carbon monoxide exposure from his ship's aging ventilation system, leading to fleet-wide safety improvements.