Essential Pre-Marital Health Checks for Couples Planning Pregnancy
Pre-marital health checkup Hello, Dr. Tsai. I got married this April and plan to conceive after the end of the year. Since my husband is 41 years old and I am considered a geriatric pregnancy, we did not undergo health checks before marriage. Although both of our companies conduc...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Rachel, Regarding your inquiry, the standard premarital examinations include: A: Tests for both parties: 1. Blood glucose test 2. Urinalysis (primarily to check for proteinuria, hematuria, and other issues) 3. Complete blood count (to check for anemia, especially the p...[Read More] Essential Pre-Marital Health Checks for Couples Planning Pregnancy
How to Find Pediatric Medication Guidelines and Adult Drug Usage in Taiwan
I would like to understand medication for children..? I previously saw news mentioning that many hospitals and clinics in the country use adult medications to treat sick children instead of pediatric medications. The news mentioned that one can check with the National Health Insu...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. ViVi, What you mentioned should be the information from the Health Reform Foundation, which provides a list of institutions that prescribe pediatric medications. The website is as follows: http://www.thrf.org.tw/activity/place.htm. I hope you can find the information yo...[Read More] How to Find Pediatric Medication Guidelines and Adult Drug Usage in Taiwan
Understanding Hepatitis B: Follow-Up Timing and Specialist Guidance
Hepatitis B If you were diagnosed with hepatitis B during a health check-up over six months ago, you should follow up every three to six months. You should see a specialist in either Hepatology or Gastroenterology. The recommended tests may include liver function tests, hepatitis...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Wu, Generally speaking, if your previous liver function tests were normal and there are no abnormalities in the fetal protein levels and abdominal ultrasound, it is sufficient to have blood tests every six months and an abdominal ultrasound once a year. If any abnormali...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B: Follow-Up Timing and Specialist Guidance
Persistent Vomiting After Eating: Seeking Answers for Gastrointestinal Issues
Vomiting after eating? I would like to ask, I always vomit after eating! Sometimes even liquids make me vomit! This has been happening for nearly three years! During this time, I have undergone gastroscopy four times at different hospitals, and the results have consistently shown...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. JC, Regarding your vomiting issue, it is likely related to a functional gastrointestinal problem, or there may be underlying psychological factors involved (such as anxiety or depression). You may consider undergoing a barium swallow study in the gastroenterology depart...[Read More] Persistent Vomiting After Eating: Seeking Answers for Gastrointestinal Issues
Dealing with Persistent Itching: Which Specialist to Consult?
Itching You have a rather awkward issue that has been bothering you for a long time, and you haven't sought medical attention because you're unsure which specialty to consult. Initially, you experienced abnormal itching in your anus, which was so severe that you scratch...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. JC, Regarding the issue of abnormal itching around the anus, the most likely conditions are skin infections, particularly fungal infections. Additionally, less common causes such as pinworm infections can also lead to itching in that area. Psychological factors may also...[Read More] Dealing with Persistent Itching: Which Specialist to Consult?
Understanding Vocal Cord Surgery: Risks, Costs, and Recovery
Vocal cord surgery Hello, I have a specific question regarding vocal cord surgery. Is there any risk associated with this procedure? After the surgery, will the voice change be permanent? Are there any potential side effects? Does health insurance cover the costs? If not, what is...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Hello, Sir: Regarding your question, the common complications of vocal cord surgery include: 1. Difficulty breathing (as the vocal cords are the entrance to the airway) 2. Bleeding (which may cause airway obstruction or aspiration pneumonia) 3. Hoarseness and other changes in voi...[Read More] Understanding Vocal Cord Surgery: Risks, Costs, and Recovery
Understanding Red Spots on the Skin: Causes and Treatments
Red spots appearing on the skin? Hello Doctor: Recently, I noticed some small red spots appearing on my abdomen. At first, they didn't itch, but later they started to become slightly itchy, although not very much. Additionally, red spots have also appeared on my chest and be...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Hsiao-Du, Regarding your skin issue, there are many possible causes, with allergies being the most likely. These can include drug allergies or environmental allergens (such as food, dust mites, etc.). I believe what your physician referred to as "emanating from wit...[Read More] Understanding Red Spots on the Skin: Causes and Treatments
Can Men Take Testosterone Supplements for Voice Deepening?
Can males take male hormones? Hello, I am a 22-year-old male, but my voice has not deepened, which has been bothering me. Can I take male hormones to make my voice deeper? Are there any oral options that are relatively safe? What are the side effects or long-term consequences? Is...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Xiang, Hello! I apologize for the late response. The supplementation of male hormones is generally intended for individuals who have a deficiency in male hormones. If your other secondary sexual characteristics, such as testicular development, body hair, and pubic hair, are...[Read More] Can Men Take Testosterone Supplements for Voice Deepening?
Is It Healthy to Delay Breakfast for Two Hours After Waking Up?
Breakfast eating time Hello, doctor. I have a question that I'm unsure where to place, so I'm asking here. I would like to know if it is acceptable to eat breakfast two hours after waking up when the body is in a normal state? (For example, waking up at 6 AM and having ...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Li, Hello. In the absence of specific medical conditions such as diabetes or peptic ulcers, having breakfast a little later is generally not an issue. If you do not experience any discomfort, I do not oppose this practice. However, if eating breakfast too late leads to ...[Read More] Is It Healthy to Delay Breakfast for Two Hours After Waking Up?
Understanding Numbness and Tingling in the Front of the Thigh
The front of the right thigh is experiencing a transition from numbness to a tingling sensation? Hello: Since the afternoon of September 22, I have noticed that the front of my right thigh feels itchy and somewhat numb, as if there is something in between. Starting from the eveni...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Amy, Regarding your question, there are many possibilities that may depend on the symptoms present. If there is redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the skin, it is likely indicative of inflammation, most probably due to an infection such as cellulitis. In this case, yo...[Read More] Understanding Numbness and Tingling in the Front of the Thigh
Do Quartz Watch Batteries Emit Harmful Electromagnetic Waves?
Do watch batteries emit electromagnetic waves? Hello Doctor: Recently, I came across information online about battery-operated quartz watches potentially emitting electromagnetic waves or radiation that could affect the human body. Is this true? I wear my watch close to my body f...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Jeffrey, Regarding the effects of low-energy electromagnetic waves on the human body, there are currently no definitive research findings. The power used by driving watches is minimal, and the electromagnetic waves they generate are also very small, almost negligible compar...[Read More] Do Quartz Watch Batteries Emit Harmful Electromagnetic Waves?
Understanding Neurological Symptoms: Which Specialist to Consult First?
Distress Over the past year, I have often felt very anxious. A month ago, due to extreme stress, I experienced a cool and tingling sensation on the left side of my occipital region, accompanied by numbness on the left side of my body. This sensation is most pronounced in the morn...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Hello, your symptoms are quite broad, but they also have many neurological manifestations. Therefore, I recommend that you first consult a neurologist to check for issues such as nerve root compression in the upper spinal cord. If the examination shows no significant abnormalitie...[Read More] Understanding Neurological Symptoms: Which Specialist to Consult First?
Safe Oral Testosterone Options and Health Risks for Women
Male hormones For certain reasons, I want to increase male hormones and am unsure which oral hormones are safer. Which type of hospital or department should I visit for this? If women take these hormones, will it pose any health risks?
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Maple Leaf, Regarding your question, I am unsure of the reason you wish to increase male hormones. Women naturally secrete a small amount of male hormones. Self-administering hormone preparations can disrupt the central regulation of endogenous hormone secretion, potentiall...[Read More] Safe Oral Testosterone Options and Health Risks for Women
Does Saliva Increase with Attraction? Exploring the Connection
I would like to ask a serious question? If I notice someone, regardless of whether they are attractive or unattractive, my saliva increases. Does this have anything to do with sexual arousal? (ENT examination of the salivary glands showed no issues.)
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Hello: This question seems difficult to answer. Could you please provide a more detailed description? However, based on the current description, it appears to be unrelated to sexual matters (no mention of arousal, etc.). Thank you. Dr. Tsai Meng-Ju, Department of Family Medicine,...[Read More] Does Saliva Increase with Attraction? Exploring the Connection
Rare Virus Threatens Life: Urgent Call for Medical Insights
Rare virus can be life-threatening within a day? My sibling is only in their early 30s and has developed a rare illness. The hospital has issued a critical condition notice and a consent form has been signed. Kind-hearted individuals are hoping to help save her, and I sincerely a...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Hsiao-Chieh, First of all, I hope your siblings are feeling better now. Based on your description of the condition, it is indeed challenging to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. The foot pain may be a manifestation of muscle inflammation or injury. If there are signs si...[Read More] Rare Virus Threatens Life: Urgent Call for Medical Insights
Understanding Seasonal Eczema: Causes and Solutions for Skin Itching
Skin itching Hello Dr. Tsai, my skin has been behaving strangely for a while now. Every evening when I take a shower, I notice red, raised, linear scars where my belt is, which are itchy; if I don't scratch them, they will fade away. In other areas, if I feel the urge to scr...
Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Jeff, As you described, the raised lesions on the skin in areas subjected to pressure, and even where scratched by nails, are likely manifestations of a condition known as Dermographism. This is a type of urticaria, which is a skin reaction to external physical pressure...[Read More] Understanding Seasonal Eczema: Causes and Solutions for Skin Itching