Understanding Porphyria: Symptoms, Treatments, and Life Expectancy Explained
Porphyria is a group of rare inherited or acquired disorders that result from a buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin Hello Dr. Hsiao: I would like to ask about the differences in symptoms between "erythropoietic protoporphyria" and "porphyria cutanea...
Dr. Xiao Huibin Reply:
Porphyria is a rare disease with an incidence of approximately 1 in 300,000. It is caused by abnormal enzyme activity in the synthesis of heme, leading to an excessive accumulation of porphyrins or their precursors in the body. Some patients have extremely sensitive skin, where e...[Read More] Understanding Porphyria: Symptoms, Treatments, and Life Expectancy Explained
Overcoming Fear: Managing Rare Postpartum Anxiety and Breathing Issues
Anxiety Hello Dr. Chen! A friend of mine has been experiencing severe anxiety after childbirth, leading to panic attacks. She has undergone a full medical examination at the hospital, but no underlying medical conditions were found. She is particularly afraid of closed spaces, su...
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
Panic disorder falls within the scope of psychiatric treatment; please consult a psychiatric specialist for further guidance.[Read More] Overcoming Fear: Managing Rare Postpartum Anxiety and Breathing Issues
Understanding Tuberous Sclerosis: Managing Symptoms and Medication Effects
急 is not a complete Hello, I apologize for bothering you. I have a 9-year-old boy who is currently in the second grade of elementary school. He just advanced to the third grade. When he was four years old, he experienced absence seizures and involuntary hand movements, after whic...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong Reply:
Dear Mr. Chen, I am on my way to Paris. The system is asking me to respond to your question. The computer in Paris does not support Chinese characters. I am unsure if you will be able to understand this message. If possible, please ask them to invite another doctor to answer yo...[Read More] Understanding Tuberous Sclerosis: Managing Symptoms and Medication Effects
Understanding Rare Diseases: Is My Daughter's Condition Tourette Syndrome?
Heart My daughter is 12 years old. Last summer, her right leg started to shake involuntarily. The duration varies; sometimes it stops after 5 minutes, and other times it can last for 25 hours. All physical examinations have come back normal. Could this be Tourette syndrome?
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
The following conditions can cause tremors in the hands and feet: 1. Tourette syndrome 2. Focal motor epilepsy 3. Peripheral nerve dysfunction: Often seen in various early peripheral neuropathies, commonly accompanied by muscle cramps or twitching symptoms 4. Essential tremor: A ...[Read More] Understanding Rare Diseases: Is My Daughter's Condition Tourette Syndrome?
Understanding ALS: Debunking Myths About Bloodletting Treatments
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) According to what you said, using a tourniquet to squeeze out blood is completely ineffective, right?
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
There is no empirical evidence to prove its effectiveness or ineffectiveness; this situation falls under human experimentation and is not recommended for use.[Read More] Understanding ALS: Debunking Myths About Bloodletting Treatments
Understanding Glycogen Storage Disease Type VII: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis
Glycogen storage disease type VII Glycogen storage disease type VII (GSD VII), also known as Tarui disease, can present with symptoms such as muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, and myoglobinuria, particularly during infancy. There is currently no cure for this condition, and ...
Dr. Lin Qingyuan Reply:
Glycogen storage disease type VII, also known as Tarui's disease, is indeed a very rare condition. According to data from Europe and the United States, it predominantly occurs in individuals of Jewish descent, with an incidence of approximately 2.3 cases per 100,000 live bir...[Read More] Understanding Glycogen Storage Disease Type VII: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis
Does Blood Restriction Delay Onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) If blood is squeezed out, will it delay the onset of the disease or is it completely ineffective?
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
There is no empirical evidence to answer this question.[Read More] Does Blood Restriction Delay Onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
Understanding Gai's Bacillus: Prevention and Treatment of Rare Disease
Gastroenteritis bacteria What is Clostridium perfringens? How can it be prevented? If an infection occurs, how should it be treated?
Dr. Chen Ming Reply:
Hello, Xiaoling. I apologize for the delay in responding to your message, as I was working at National Taiwan University Hospital for the entire last year and have just returned to Changhua Christian Hospital. Regarding the organism you referred to as "伽氏桿菌," its scient...[Read More] Understanding Gai's Bacillus: Prevention and Treatment of Rare Disease
Is There a Cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Yet?
Hello? Currently, there are no medications available that can completely cure amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
The same question was answered yesterday.[Read More] Is There a Cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Yet?
Exploring Blood Letting for ALS: Benefits and Side Effects
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Is using bloodletting therapy effective, and what side effects might it have?
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
There is no evidence that this treatment is effective.[Read More] Exploring Blood Letting for ALS: Benefits and Side Effects
Understanding ALS: Current Treatments and Prevention Strategies for Longevity
Hello? Currently, there is no cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), but there are medical treatments available that can help manage symptoms and potentially prolong survival. Riluzole is the most commonly prescribed medication, which may slow the progression of the diseas...
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
Many neuromuscular diseases cause progressive muscle atrophy, including progressive muscular atrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and motor neuron diseases, among others. Among these, motor neuron diseases progress the fastest. Motor neuron disease refers to the progressive degenera...[Read More] Understanding ALS: Current Treatments and Prevention Strategies for Longevity
Understanding Muscle Wasting Disease in Children: Treatment and Prevention Tips
Sarcopenia What is the likelihood of a 10-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy not having a successful treatment? Additionally, how can we prevent the condition from worsening? Please help us.
Dr. Jian Yingxiu Reply:
Please follow up with your physician for regular check-ups and rehabilitation therapy. For more information, please refer to the genetic disease counseling window at (http://www.genetic-counseling.com.tw) under the disease introduction section for "Duchenne/Becker Muscular D...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Wasting Disease in Children: Treatment and Prevention Tips
Hope for CJD Patients: Exploring Treatment Options and International Care
Küppers' syndrome Dr. Chen: Hello, thank you for your prompt response, which has given us a glimmer of hope. I would like to ask Dr. Chen when this treatment method will be available in our country? Alternatively, could you assist us in exploring the possibility of seeking t...
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
First, it is necessary to classify Kufs disease as a rare disease in order to import medications directly without going through clinical trial phases. Unfortunately, our applications to the Department of Health have been unsuccessful for two consecutive years, and we must continu...[Read More] Hope for CJD Patients: Exploring Treatment Options and International Care
Understanding Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Current Treatments and Research Updates
Kujak's syndrome Dr. Chen: Hello, I heard that you are an expert in researching Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). My father has been ill since the end of February this year, and it has been five months. He was previously treated at your hospital and is currently in a nursing ...
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
A potential new treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) has finally been discovered. CJD and human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are both fatal conditions and currently classified as untreatable rare diseases. A research group led by Nobel laureate Prusiner at t...[Read More] Understanding Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Current Treatments and Research Updates
Which Medications Can Cause Kidney Damage? Symptoms and Solutions
Can medications cause kidney disease? Which medications can cause kidney disease? I experience pain when urinating, with a bit of blood in my stool, and I have significant pain in the middle of my abdomen. Could this indicate a problem with my kidney function? What should I do?
Dr. Hong Yaomin Reply:
Your inquiry covers a wide range of topics; here is a brief response. If you would like to discuss further, please feel free to call (07) 3422121 ext 20501. Medications that may harm the kidneys include: pain relievers, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);...[Read More] Which Medications Can Cause Kidney Damage? Symptoms and Solutions
Can External Trauma Trigger Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms Immediately?
Myasthenia Gravis Hello Dr. Chen: I hope it's not too presumptuous to ask you a few questions. Is it possible for myasthenia gravis to be triggered by external forces or stress caused by trauma (such as a car accident, impact injury, or falls)? Can it manifest immediately? I...
Dr. Chen Shunsheng Reply:
Myasthenia gravis is primarily caused by anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies, which damage the post-synaptic cleft acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal (striated) muscles, leading to muscle fatigue and weakness. This condition is unrelated to exter...[Read More] Can External Trauma Trigger Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms Immediately?
Is Hydrofluoric Acid Skin Contact Life-Threatening?
Is skin contact with hydrofluoric acid life-threatening? Hello, doctor: Regarding the use of hydrofluoric acid for cleaning and rust removal in the semiconductor industry, if it comes into contact with the skin, in addition to causing chemical burns, is there a potential risk to ...
Dr. Hong Yaomin Reply:
Hydrofluoric acid is an inorganic acid widely used in the semiconductor industry (for applications such as etching electronic chips and cleaning rust). It is a highly toxic and dangerous chemical. The primary routes of exposure are through skin contact, eye contact, and inhalatio...[Read More] Is Hydrofluoric Acid Skin Contact Life-Threatening?
How Dangerous Are Bee Venom Reactions and What to Do If Stung?
How severe can a bee venom reaction be? Hello Dr. Hong: There have been reports in the newspapers of cases where hornet stings have led to strokes. How severe can the reactions to bee venom be? What should one do if stung by a bee? Could you please provide some information? Thank...
Dr. Hong Yaomin Reply:
Mr. Ding Chia-Tai: The hornet is a type of wasp, and the mildest consequence of a sting is a localized swelling reaction caused by the venom. Immediately after being stung, there may be localized pain, itching, and redness, which can subside within a few hours. Some stings may le...[Read More] How Dangerous Are Bee Venom Reactions and What to Do If Stung?
Understanding Focal Cortical Dysplasia: A Rare Condition in Children
Localized cortical sclerosis of the posterior brain? The 13-year-old girl is currently in the first year of junior high school. She experienced seizures after the age of 12 (treated at Chiayi Christian Hospital). During those months, she had frequent seizures, which later transfo...
Dr. Hou Zhigong Reply:
Dear Parents, Your daughter has been diagnosed with epilepsy and visual impairment (difficulty seeing), along with cortical sclerosis in the occipital lobe of the brain. Cortical sclerosis is a radiological term that often leads to various neurological disorders, such as seizure...[Read More] Understanding Focal Cortical Dysplasia: A Rare Condition in Children
Understanding the Risks of Paraquat Poisoning: What You Need to Know
Paraquat is a highly toxic herb Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide that poses significant health risks if ingested. It is known to cause severe damage to the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Symptoms of paraquat poisoning can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, vomiting...
Dr. Hong Yaomin Reply:
I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Paraquat Poisoning: What You Need to Know