Gastric discomfort is common among urban dwellers and can affect our daily lives to varying degrees, like distracting us from work and insomnia. The customer, Mr Chan, was worried about gastrointestinal cancer due to recent gastric discomfort. Therefore, he sought help through Cigna's Telehealth Services to find out the cause and treat it as soon as possible.
Worrying about Infection Risk During His First Medical Check-up in Hospital
Mr Chan, a 42-year-old customer, has sought professional assistance through Telehealth Services due to persistent stomachache, bloating, indigestion and constipation. Mr Chan sought medical advice from specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology and planned for in-patient endoscopy of the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon. It was estimated to cost around HKD50,000, including doctors' fees. He felt very nervous about his first check-up of this kind in life. Besides, the severe outbreak of COVID-19 stirred up his worries about the increased risk of infection during his stay in hospital. So, he contacted Cigna for further professional medical advice.
Ask for Professional Advice through Cigna's Telehealth Service
On the referral of Cigna, Cigna's Care Manager provided Mr Chan with follow-up services to educate him on how to relieve tension and anxiety and also advised on measures to help him manage and ease gastric problems, such as avoiding food that is difficult to digest and having frequent but smaller meals. At the same time, the Care Manager tried to find network doctors suitable for the patient in all districts and offered him a range of choices. Within one week, the manager found a day endoscopy center to provide the relevant clinical examinations, the date of which was the same as scheduled for Mr Chan to avoid delay.
The Diagnosis of Gastritis and Colorectal Polyps During a Day Check-up
Discovering that Mr Chan had a gastritis problem and colorectal polyps, the doctor performed a colorectal polypectomy for Mr Chan. Having learned that he did not have a cancer, Mr Chan felt relieved. The doctors inferred that Mr Chan's gastritis discomfort might be due to his busy and tense urban life leading to unhealthy eating habits, including irregular mealtimes. The Care Manager therefore continued to provide emotional support and suggestions and tips for improving his eating habits, including referral to a dietician for follow-up, to help maintain a healthy life.
Mr Chan then sent a thank-you e-mail to Cigna, mainly for the professional medical advice provided by the Care Manager and for arranging for him to be examined at a day center in such a short time, saving him the worries and anxiety about hospitalization.
Gastritis Is Never a Mild Disease as It May Develop into Stomach Cancer
Gastritis is a prevalent urban gastrointestinal disease. Let us not underestimate the effects of gastritis because it can damage the stomach wall. Continuous gastritis will affect the digestive function of the stomach and even develop into atrophic gastritis. If this problem persists without proper treatment, the mucosal cells in the gut may stick to the stomach wall, increasing the risk of stomach cancer. Patients with gastritis have several common symptoms:
- Burning pain in the upper belly
- Frequent burping
- Poor appetite
- Nausea and indigestion
- Intestinal bleeding resulting in black stool
- Vomiting or blood in vomit
- Weight loss
Urban dwellers should keep a good diet, including regular eating, to prevent gastritis. They should never skip a meal or postpone dinner because of working late or over time as it may affect the regularity of the digestive system. Also, please pay attention to the following tips:
- Don't eat too much or too fast at a time to relieve the burden on the stomach
- Avoid eating too much 3 hours before bed and avoid high-fat food
- Quit smoking and drink
- Develop the good habit of regular exercise
- Manage stress and emotions and find appropriate ways to reduce stress to avoid such stress and anxiety affecting the regular operation of the digestive system
Cigna’s Care Manager Provides You with Heart-warming Services
At present, Cigna’s customers can receive our Healthcare Concierge Service when receiving treatment, including a dedicated Care Manager for follow-up. The services are as follows:
- Staffed by registered nurses and provide customers with professional advisory if they are facing health issue
- Understands and analyzes the health condition of customers, and offers network doctor options
- Coordinates and follows up on hospital surgery or treatment arrangements and post-surgery visit
- Provides information on improving health, and post-discharge follow-up in person(for example, arranging post-discharge physiotherapy, nutrition guidance, meal delivery service, and more)
- Refers you to personalized services (for example, local limousine transportation to the hospital, nursing arrangements, virtual consultation, medication delivery, home modification, and more)
- Provides emotional support for customers and their family
- Helps arrange “Cigna Health Services At Home” to reduce the risk of infection
The above content is adapted from real cases. Should you have any questions regarding the above case, please contact Cigna for inquiries.
The content of the article cannot substitute for professional opinions or diagnosis of the attending doctors. Should you have any questions regarding the medical treatment plan, please consult your attending doctor.
The content of the above article is for reference only, and Cigna does not warrant or make any representation regarding the accuracy and completeness of the related content and information. Cigna shall not be liable for any damages, indemnities, costs or other expenses arising out of the related content and information.
Cigna HealthFirst Elite 360 Medical Plan offers comprehensive and personalized medical coverage across the stage prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, with a range of hospital and surgical benefits, optional insurance benefits with an annual limit of up to HK$50 million, personalized health assessment, three critical illnesses(cancer, stroke and heart attack) all-rounded care and international medical concierge service. A 360-degree total health protection that spans across all the key stages of your health journey. Learn more here.
The above insurance product information is directly provided by Cigna, and the relevant information is not the content and features of all the coverage of the insurance product. The designated insurance plan is bound by its policy terms. Please visit the Cigna website and refer to the relevant product brochures and policy terms for details of features, contents, terms, conditions and exclusions of relevant products. The above information cannot be used as an insurance contract executed between Cigna and any person or group or as an offer, invitation or lobbying to enter into any insurance contract.