The Mountain Doctor's Health Check

As the Season Begins: These Are the Illnesses the Mountain Doctor Treats Most Often

For 17 seasons so far, Hans Sigl has played the role of the Mountain Doctor, Dr. Martin Gruber, in the series of the same name. After returning to his hometown as a surgeon and learning that he is the father of little Lilli, he takes on the role of the Mountain Doctor. Together with his family, he lives at the Gruberhof on the Wilder Kaiser and experiences both personal and professional highs and lows. Over the past few years, he has treated various patients in his practice and had to rescue others in the mountains.

Since the new season of “Der Bergdoktor” premieres in January, we’ve done the comparison for you to see which illnesses are diagnosed most frequently, what symptoms Dr. Gruber’s patients present with, and which patients appear particularly often in the TV series. To do this, we compared a total of 159 episodes across 18 seasons—including the diagnoses from the first three episodes of the upcoming season, which are already known. Not every episode provides a diagnosis that can be included. There may be multiple symptoms for each diagnosed illness or injury. Different types of cancer are listed separately, when identifiable.

On this page, you’ll find everything about the diagnoses Dr. Martin Gruber has made so far in the TV series.

Brain tumors are among the most commonly diagnosed diseases

In recent years, Dr. Gruber has had his hands full as a mountain doctor, treating various patients in pain and making diagnoses—and these have been quite challenging in the past: The doctor has had to identify many diseases, including rare ones. According to the comparison, two diseases were among the most common emergencies: A brain tumor was discovered in a total of six patients during treatment. Six others have contracted a virus in the seasons aired so far. In the special episode of the same name, this leads to a fatal outcome and a quarantine following a mass infection at a wedding reception. According to the analysis, however, physical ailments are not the only focus of the TV series: mental or psychosomatic disorders, with six instances, are also among the most common diagnoses.

Dr. Gruber is confronted with cases of cancer—which are not specified in the series—a total of five times. The Mountain Doctor must treat the same number of seriously injured patients. Five patients have suffered from kidney failure across all seasons. In the upcoming season, a female patient also collapses due to renal insufficiency and subsequently requires a donor kidney.

This table shows how frequently all diseases are diagnosed in the TV series:

Rabies and pneumonic plague are also featured in the TV series

In addition to the most common diagnoses, isolated cases of rare diseases have been featured in past episodes and keep the audience on the edge of their seats. A total of four patients have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disease. Four people also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, for example, as a result of the death of their own daughter.

Pneumonic plague is actually a rare infectious disease that is prevalent only in certain regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. However, Dr. Gruber has to deal with a case of this disease. In the third season, a patient with pneumonic plague is admitted to the hospital and fights for his life there. Rabies is similarly rarely diagnosed in this country; in the first season, there is a suspected case involving a woman who has to be rescued from the forest.

Shortness of breath is the most common reason patients seek out the Mountain Doctor

Many of the medical cases in the popular TV series are preceded by symptoms that are sometimes vague, posing challenges for Dr. Gruber during diagnosis. Complaints of shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, as well as fatigue and exhaustion, are particularly common (29 and 28 cases, respectively). Twenty-one patients treated by the Mountain Doctor struggle with episodes of weakness or fainting, followed by loss of consciousness, which occurs in 18 cases. Fourteen patients each complain of dizziness and headaches when they visit Dr. Gruber’s office.

This table reveals which other symptoms appear in the TV series:

These rare symptoms add suspense

A hike through the Alps, a climbing trip, or a mountain bike ride can be a wonderful outing—or end in a dangerous accident. In “Der Bergdoktor,” however, the latter leads to a great deal of drama—though in most cases, it still ends happily. This is also reflected in the symptoms: After a rockslide during a snowstorm, for example, a mountain guide must be rescued by Martin and his brother Hans Gruber.

A patient who lives in a mountain hut is treated by Dr. Gruber after suffering a seizure. Serious injuries often result from falls: one of the most dramatic was the paragliding crash involving Martin and his friend Andrea. In season two, the Mountain Doctor fights to save Andrea, who is critically injured, but has to wait hours for help.

These are the patients on “Der Bergdoktor”

When it comes to the patients, the Mountain Doctor’s brother, Hans Gruber—who is often out on mountain rescue missions—frequently ends up needing treatment himself in the series: A total of three times, Hans has to go to Dr. Gruber or even the emergency room after sustaining injuries from accidents.

The two brothers’ mother also suffers from smoke inhalation at the end of the eighth season after Arthur Distelmeier—a former neighbor and rival of the Gruber family—sets his own farm on fire while drunk. Lisbeth tries to save him, putting herself in danger in the process, and has to recover from the smoke inhalation for a long time, while Arthur dies in the hospital.

Our conclusion: Do it for your health.

Our analysis underscores how important it is to take active steps to improve your own health. Regular exercise and targeted recovery help prevent injuries and keep your body performing at its best. At BLACKROLL®, we believe that prevention and a mindful approach to your own body are the keys to a healthy and balanced life. Together, we’ll give you the motivation to take care of your health—today and in the future.