Understanding Blood Sugar Spikes After Pain Management in Diabetics
Factors Affecting Blood Glucose Levels I would like to consult a doctor. My mother has been experiencing lower back pain and has seen an orthopedic doctor. She received an injection and is taking muscle relaxants. Since my mother has diabetes, her blood sugar levels are regularly...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
Pain can cause an increase in blood sugar levels, and certain injections, such as steroids, can also raise blood sugar levels. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Spikes After Pain Management in Diabetics
Understanding Blood Test Results: What High RBC and Basophils Mean
Blood test? Hello, doctor. This time I suddenly experienced dizziness and vomited twice. I went to the hospital for a blood test, and the results showed RBC 5.11, Basophils 1.9, total cholesterol 202, and triglycerides 219, all highlighted in red. Both RBC and Basophils are sligh...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
If you still experience discomfort, please return for a follow-up appointment to have your attending physician assess your condition and address your concerns in person. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Blood Test Results: What High RBC and Basophils Mean
Understanding Urinary Albumin Levels: What Does a 30 Mean for Your Health?
Urinary albumin Hello Doctor: This morning I went to the medical laboratory for a simple health check, and I just received the report showing a highlighted value of "urine albumin at 30," with a normal range of 10. This has made me very anxious, and I would like to ask ...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
It is recommended to go to the hospital for another test to determine the need for dialysis based on blood toxins, such as creatinine. Simply looking at urine cannot guarantee health and safety.[Read More] Understanding Urinary Albumin Levels: What Does a 30 Mean for Your Health?
Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome: Symptoms, Medication Concerns, and Risks
Symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome and medication issues? Hello Doctor, I was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome two years ago, initially experiencing only dry mouth. By June, I developed stiffness in my finger joints (sometimes only in the morning, sometimes lasting half a ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1. Based on the blood test report and the current symptom of dry mouth, do I need to take quinine? If I do not take it, what potential complications might arise in the future? (I have been hesitant to take medication sinc...[Read More] Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome: Symptoms, Medication Concerns, and Risks
Understanding HIV Testing: Key Questions and Answers for Patients
HIV testing issues? 1. I used the Abbott HIV fourth-generation rapid test on day 90 and day 99 after a high-risk exposure, and both tests were negative. Additionally, I had no risk behaviors during these 99 days. Can I be certain that I have ruled out the risk of infection? 2. A...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello, 1. Currently, if using a fourth-generation rapid test, a negative result at four months can essentially rule out HIV infection. Therefore, a negative result at 99 days may still carry a very low probability of encountering an extended window period (though this is also e...[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: Key Questions and Answers for Patients
Understanding Blood in Stool: Causes and When to Seek Help
Rectal bleeding Hello Doctor: I was shocked to find blood in my stool tonight. There was about 2cc of blood mixed with the stool in the water. At first, I thought it might be my menstrual period or that I had eaten dragon fruit, but then I realized my period just ended yesterday ...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: If there is blood covering normal stool, and the bleeding is mostly near the anal opening, the most common cause is a rupture of internal hemorrhoids (which are usually painless), possibly due to a harder stool during a bowel movement. It is advisable to observe if it happ...[Read More] Understanding Blood in Stool: Causes and When to Seek Help
When to Start Medication for Sjögren's Syndrome: A Patient's Dilemma
When is the appropriate time to initiate medication treatment for Sjögren's syndrome? Hello, Doctor Gao: Two years ago, a family member was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome. At that time, the only symptom was mild dry mouth, so no medication was prescribed. However, in...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. If there are signs of disease activity in Sjögren's syndrome, including abnormal blood test results and associated clinical symptoms such as skin petechiae and pulmonary symptoms, the risk of developing related complications, including lym...[Read More] When to Start Medication for Sjögren's Syndrome: A Patient's Dilemma
Persistent Symptoms: Constipation and Discomfort for Three Days
Hello, this symptom has been persistent for three days? On the first day, I suddenly experienced constipation along with difficulty in bowel movements; sitting down was very uncomfortable. The next day, I used a mentholated oil to relieve the bloating, which helped me pass gas, b...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
A user is experiencing anal pain with a sensation of a foreign body, making it difficult to sit down. After defecation, an unknown fluid is being discharged. Based on your description, it is not possible to determine the condition. It is recommended to consult a colorectal surgeo...[Read More] Persistent Symptoms: Constipation and Discomfort for Three Days
Needle Stick Injury: When to Seek Medical Attention and Which Specialist to Consult
Needle puncture issues Hello, Doctor. I accidentally pricked my finger with a needle while disposing of it in a sharps container. Later, I felt a slight tingling sensation, but there were no visible signs of injury or significant bleeding. I'm concerned that it might be a ps...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Consultation and examination can be scheduled with Infectious Disease, Family Medicine, or Emergency Medicine. 2. Follow-up appointments are scheduled at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months.[Read More] Needle Stick Injury: When to Seek Medical Attention and Which Specialist to Consult
Can You Contract HIV from Shaving Cuts? Understanding the Risks
HIV transmission routes (abrasions) 1. If you accidentally cut the skin around your eyebrows while using an eyebrow razor that has been contaminated with HIV-infected blood, there is a potential risk of HIV transmission. However, the risk is considered to be very low, as HIV does...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. If it is a personal item, there is a potential risk of HIV infection. 2. If it is a shared item, there is still a possibility of contracting HIV, so it is recommended to consult and get tested at a nearby medical facility.[Read More] Can You Contract HIV from Shaving Cuts? Understanding the Risks
Do ESR Test Results Vary Significantly Between Different Hospitals?
Will the ESR test values vary significantly between different hospitals? Hello Dr. Tseng, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Since I need to have ESR and CRP tests done periodically, I would like to ask you: Can the results of the ESR test vary significantly due to diffe...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
The same individual may have varying ESR values on different days due to different physical conditions. However, if the same blood sample is tested using the same testing equipment at different hospitals, the values should be similar. Unless different testing tools are used or th...[Read More] Do ESR Test Results Vary Significantly Between Different Hospitals?
Preventing HLA-B27 Gene Transmission: Options for Future Generations
How to prevent the inheritance of the HLA-B27 gene to the next generation? Hello Doctor, I am a 26-year-old male who has been suffering from ankylosing spondylitis since I was 17. I am concerned about the HLA-B27 gene being passed on to my future children, which could cause them ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1. Currently, there is no method to prevent the inheritance of the B27 gene to the next generation. 2. Techniques such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, along with PGS and Ultra PGD, may be able to address the presence of a baby with the HLA-B27 gene. This involves t...[Read More] Preventing HLA-B27 Gene Transmission: Options for Future Generations
Understanding Recurring Ankle Swelling: Possible Causes and Solutions
Repeated mild swelling and subsiding of the ankle in a short period of time? Hello, Doctor. Let me summarize my condition. On the evening of October 18, I experienced pain in the left heel while walking, and my ankle was slightly swollen that night. On October 19, I felt a sharp ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 2. Recently, I have also noticed that after experiencing coldness in my hands and feet, I feel a sharp pain on the inner side of my left ankle. Is this related to gout or other diseases? --> It should not be related....[Read More] Understanding Recurring Ankle Swelling: Possible Causes and Solutions
Preventing Hereditary Ankylosing Spondylitis: Genetic Testing Options
Preventing the transmission of ankylosing spondylitis to the next generation? Hello Doctor, I am a 25-year-old male. I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis since I was 17, and I am concerned about passing on this genetic condition to my future children. I have heard ab...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1. Can chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis performed after pregnancy determine with nearly 100% accuracy whether the fetus is a carrier of ankylosing spondylitis? --> I am not sure about this. 2. Is it truly...[Read More] Preventing Hereditary Ankylosing Spondylitis: Genetic Testing Options
Understanding High Cholesterol: When to See a Specialist
High cholesterol Total cholesterol 235, triglycerides 128, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) 40, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) 169.4, has hypertension, and occasionally experiences a strong heartbeat. Which specialty should I consult, and what kind of issue is this?
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: You can first see a cardiologist. There is an issue with high cholesterol. You also have a sensation of a strong heartbeat, so it would be advisable to consult a cardiologist to check for any abnormalities.[Read More] Understanding High Cholesterol: When to See a Specialist
Can Handling Snails Lead to Guangdong Blood Fluke Infection?
Touching a snail that is eating does not directly lead to a risk of parasitic infection. However, snails can carry parasites, such as those that cause schistosomiasis, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated water or soil. It is important to practice ...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis is unlikely; it typically requires the consumption of raw snails and occurs in individuals with compromised immune systems. 2. If experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, or diarrhea, seek medical consultation and testing at a...[Read More] Can Handling Snails Lead to Guangdong Blood Fluke Infection?
Choking on Saliva: Risks of Aspiration and When to Seek Help
Choking on saliva while swallowing, leading to difficulty breathing? About twenty minutes ago, I choked on my own saliva. This isn't the first time it has happened; each time, I cough to the point where I feel like I can't breathe and I'm close to suffocating. This...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Our trachea is quite sensitive, and even if we choke on water, it is often just a small amount that can be coughed out quickly. The amount of saliva is even less, making it unlikely to choke on a large volume of water, so there is no need to wo...[Read More] Choking on Saliva: Risks of Aspiration and When to Seek Help
Understanding High MPV and Low Platelet Count: Causes and Concerns
A high mean platelet volume (MPV) combined with a low platelet count (PLT) can indicate several underlying conditions. This combination may suggest that the bone marrow is producing platelets in response to a low Hello, doctor. In my recent blood test, my platelet count was 5.8, ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. MPV stands for Mean Platelet Volume, and a higher value indicates that your platelets are relatively younger. This is due to your underlying immune disease, which causes faster consumption of platelets, prompting the bone marrow to rapidly prod...[Read More] Understanding High MPV and Low Platelet Count: Causes and Concerns
Post-COVID Joint Pain: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Early Diagnosis
Joint pain after a confirmed COVID-19 infection? Hello Doctor, I apologize for the lengthy message. I started feeling unwell on November 11th (muscle aches, fever, fatigue, red rashes on limbs, dry eyes, dry mouth). I was diagnosed with COVID-19 on November 13th. On November 16th...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1. Since the joint discomfort clearly occurred after the blood draw, could it be that the inflammatory markers, ANA, and other indices had not yet shown abnormal trends at that time, and only now can we detect abnormaliti...[Read More] Post-COVID Joint Pain: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Early Diagnosis
Do ESR Test Results Vary Significantly Between Different Hospitals?
Is it possible for the ESR values to vary significantly when the same blood sample is tested at different hospitals? Hello, Dr. Gao. I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Since I need to have ESR and CRP tests done periodically, I would like to ask you: Can the results of t...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Each hospital has slightly different testing methods and standard values, so the results may indeed vary. Please pay attention to the normal reference ranges for the tests; if your results fall within the normal range, there is no need for exces...[Read More] Do ESR Test Results Vary Significantly Between Different Hospitals?