Prof. M.D. Yıldız Okuturlar

A 28-year-old nomadic beekeeper from rural Anatolia presented with recurrent episodes of dizziness and confusion that coincided with his migration routes. Dr. Okuturlar discovered an unusual allergy to a specific regional pollen that interacted with his traditional honey-based diet, causing transient hypoglycemic episodes. Treatment involved dietary modification while preserving his livelihood, using local medicinal herbs he could forage himself.

A 72-year-old retired master calligrapher with Parkinson's disease developed mysterious tremors only when attempting his craft. Dr. Okuturlar identified a rare medication interaction between his Parkinson's drugs and the traditional iron-gall ink he'd used for sixty years, which he was inadvertently absorbing through his fingertips. A switch to synthetic inks combined with adjusted timing of medication resolved the specific craft-related tremors while maintaining general symptom control.

A 19-year-old competitive freediver training in the Bosporus presented with recurrent syncope after deep dives. Through meticulous investigation, Dr. Okuturlar diagnosed him with a previously undetected patent foramen ovale that only manifested symptoms under extreme pressure changes. Rather than ending his career, she coordinated with cardiology to develop a modified training protocol that kept him below dangerous depths while pursuing competitive shallow-water disciplines.

A 45-year-old Istanbul tram driver developed unexplained weight gain and fatigue that followed his specific work schedule. Dr. Okuturlar traced his symptoms to circadian disruption caused by alternating between day and night shifts every 48 hours, which had triggered a rare metabolic syndrome. She worked with his union to design a personalized, gradual shift rotation that his employer implemented, leading to complete symptom resolution without medication.