Understanding Sudden Nausea and Vomiting: Causes and Solutions
Sudden onset of nausea and the urge to vomit? At first, I would feel the urge to vomit after brushing my teeth at night (but not in the morning). After a week, I sometimes suddenly feel nauseous; if I vomit, I feel fine, but if I don't, I feel uncomfortable. Most of the time...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● There are many causes of nausea. Considering your age, gastrointestinal issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia, and peptic ulcers should be the primary focus. A smaller portion may be caused by medications, or conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Nausea and Vomiting: Causes and Solutions
Can Viagra and Sleep Meds Be Safely Used Together?
Drug interactions with Viagra (sildenafil)? I previously went to the hospital for insomnia and was prescribed sleeping pills. If I engage in sexual activity with my girlfriend before bed (but I need to take Viagra), and then take the sleeping pills afterward to help me sleep, wil...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● Viagra and common sleeping medications such as (1) benzodiazepines: Clonazepam (Rivotril), Brotizolam (Lendormin), Fludiazepam (Erispan), Alprazolam (Xanax), Estazolam (Eurodin), Lorazepam (Ativan), Diazepam (Valium) and (2) non-benzodiazepine medications like Zolpidem (Stilnox...[Read More] Can Viagra and Sleep Meds Be Safely Used Together?
Understanding Redness and Itching After BCG Vaccination: What to Know
Redness, swelling, and itching at the site of the BCG vaccine injection? Recently, I've suddenly felt a lot of itching in the upper part of my arm. A friend noticed that the area where I received the BCG vaccine has swollen. Is this a sign of something or an infection? My da...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
For children, if there is redness and swelling accompanied by a high fever lasting more than five days, Kawasaki disease should be considered. It is relatively less common in adults. If there is only redness and swelling without other symptoms, observation may be appropriate; in ...[Read More] Understanding Redness and Itching After BCG Vaccination: What to Know
Morning Back Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention?
Lower back pain Hello: Recently, I have been experiencing lower back pain almost every morning upon waking up, which lasts for about 30 minutes to 1 hour before easing or disappearing. However, there have been a few instances where the pain was severe enough to wake me up, making...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● Most cases of lower back pain are due to musculoskeletal issues; however, if the pain wakes you up at night or improves after getting up and moving, it may resemble morning stiffness. Conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis should be prioritized for ex...[Read More] Morning Back Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention?
Understanding Unexplained Hunger and Weight Fluctuations: A Guide
Physical discomfort? Hello doctor, I have been eating three meals a day regularly, but recently I often feel hungry two to three hours after eating. I'm not sure if it's true hunger or if my gastrointestinal system is uncomfortable. My weight has also been unstable, som...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
Hello, if you often feel hungry, it's important to ensure that you are meeting your daily caloric intake. In nutrition, the commonly used unit of energy is the kilocalorie (kcal), often mistakenly referred to as "calories." Nutrients that provide energy, such as ca...[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Hunger and Weight Fluctuations: A Guide
Understanding Persistent Fever in Infants: Home Care Tips for Remote Areas
Due to the child's illness, they have been experiencing a persistent fever for three days. It is inconvenient to seek medical care in a remote area, so I am reaching out to the physician for assistance? The child is approximately 11 months old and has had a previously normal...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
Hello, when a child is sick, it is most important to monitor their activity level and appetite. If their appetite is poor, there is a concern for potential nutritional deficiency and dehydration. If a rash appears after a fever has subsided, it may be roseola or another viral ras...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Fever in Infants: Home Care Tips for Remote Areas
Understanding Weight Loss and Digestive Issues: A Guide for Concerned Partners
Family medicine issues? My girlfriend has been losing weight recently for unknown reasons, and her digestion is poor. Today, she only ate a pack of crackers, a hot dog, and a bottle of iced tea, totaling around 1700 calories. After eating the hot dog, she couldn't eat dinner...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
Hello, it's clear that you really care about your girlfriend. Poor appetite and weight loss indeed require medical attention. The priority is to address any physical discomfort, as some issues may stem from emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety, or a particular con...[Read More] Understanding Weight Loss and Digestive Issues: A Guide for Concerned Partners
Understanding Unusual Symptoms After Antibiotic Use: A Guide
Body issues Hello Doctor, I just finished taking antibiotics last Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, I felt a cool sensation in my mouth and tongue. By Monday, I experienced a bitter taste, and on Tuesday, it was a combination of bitter and sweet. Today, I even have a metallic taste...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
Hello, the issues mentioned above are similar to this one, please refer to https://goo.gl/wb3Ssj. The metallic taste is likely a side effect of the antibiotic, which should gradually improve. Based on your age, the likelihood of diabetes is low. More severe diabetes is characteri...[Read More] Understanding Unusual Symptoms After Antibiotic Use: A Guide
Managing Post-Infection Symptoms: A Guide for Patients
How to maintain health? Hello, Doctor. At the end of last month, I was diagnosed with urethritis, and the next day I had diarrhea, which was diagnosed as norovirus. On April 7, I was diagnosed with nephritis and have been taking antibiotics for over two weeks. I stopped taking an...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● If there were no oral-related symptoms prior, the most likely cause of the altered taste is due to antibiotics. This could be a side effect of the antibiotics themselves, affecting the taste buds; alternatively, antibiotics may disrupt the oral microbiome, leading to an overgro...[Read More] Managing Post-Infection Symptoms: A Guide for Patients
Overcoming Dental Anxiety: Finding Solutions for Pain-Phobic Patients
Fear of pain prevents me from doing many things and makes me very anxious? Hello, doctor. I am unsure which specialties to consult, so I am asking here first. I am a severe malocclusion patient, but I have been extremely afraid of pain since childhood, so I have firmly rejected a...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
Hello. I understand your situation. I have encountered many patients who have undergone surgeries, experienced fractures, childbirth, orthognathic surgery, and chemotherapy for cancer. Pain is inevitable, but each person has a different tolerance for pain and requires different m...[Read More] Overcoming Dental Anxiety: Finding Solutions for Pain-Phobic Patients
Understanding Tension Headaches: Symptoms, Triggers, and Anxiety Links
Headache and fever? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing tension-type headaches, especially on exam days, and I also tend to get headaches after spending a long time in an air-conditioned room. These symptoms usually resolve after I wake up from sleep. Recently, while at home, ...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● There are many causes of headaches, with common types including migraines and tension-type headaches. Migraines are moderate to severe headaches that can last from 4 to 72 hours, often unilateral, and may be accompanied by pulsating pain, nausea, vomiting, and exacerbation due ...[Read More] Understanding Tension Headaches: Symptoms, Triggers, and Anxiety Links
Understanding Left Chest and Upper Back Pain: Causes and When to See a Doctor
Pain in the left anterior chest and upper back? In recent days, I have experienced pain when pressing below the underwire of my left bra, along with pain in the upper left back. There are no lumps or swelling. What could be the cause? Which department should I visit for medical c...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● Considering your age, the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases or severe pulmonary conditions is low. The pain in your left chest and upper back is more likely to be musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal in nature. ● Excerpting from my previous article, which addresses issues si...[Read More] Understanding Left Chest and Upper Back Pain: Causes and When to See a Doctor
Dealing with Hand Numbness: When to See a Doctor and Treatment Options
Hand issues? Waking up every day with numbness in your hands for several consecutive days, and experiencing numbness while working, is concerning. To improve this condition, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Bloodletting is not a commonly recommended treatment...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
There are many causes of hand numbness, including cervical degeneration, nerve compression (which corresponds to different areas of numbness in the hand), as well as conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, degenerative arthritis of the hand, a...[Read More] Dealing with Hand Numbness: When to See a Doctor and Treatment Options
Red Vertical Lines on Nails: When to See a Doctor for Dizziness?
If you are experiencing a large number of red longitudinal lines on your nails that resemble bruising, along with dizziness, you should consult a specialist in dermatology for the nail symptoms and possibly a hematologist for the dizziness and any underlying blood-related issues?...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● The presence of red lines in the nails is most commonly caused by trauma leading to the rupture of microcapillaries beneath the nail. Other less common causes include infective endocarditis, psoriasis, and autoimmune diseases. ● If there is a sudden appearance of numerous red l...[Read More] Red Vertical Lines on Nails: When to See a Doctor for Dizziness?
How to Treat a Ganglion Cyst on the Hand: Specialist Guidance
Ganglion cyst Hello, I have developed a ganglion cyst on the back of my hand. If I want to have it removed, which department should I visit at Cathay General Hospital? Thank you!
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
Hello, you can consult an orthopedic or general surgery department at the hospital. If the hospital has subspecialties, please seek advice from a hand orthopedic or hand surgery physician. If surgery is not an option, you may consult the rehabilitation department for aspiration o...[Read More] How to Treat a Ganglion Cyst on the Hand: Specialist Guidance
Understanding Blood Oxygen Levels: Which Specialist to Consult?
Blood oxygen saturation Which medical specialty should I consult for blood oxygen saturation testing? Many smart wristbands on the market claim to have blood oxygen measurement functions; are the measurements from these smart wristbands accurate?
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● Blood oxygen saturation monitoring is typically required in medical settings such as emergency departments and intensive care units, where there is concern for patients experiencing respiratory failure or inadequate blood oxygen levels. Routine outpatient clinics generally do n...[Read More] Understanding Blood Oxygen Levels: Which Specialist to Consult?
Understanding Throat Discomfort and Neck Tension: A Patient's Journey
Sensation of a foreign body in the throat with tightness in the back of the neck? Hello Doctor: I tend to be overly anxious and have a history of gastrointestinal bloating, constipation, headaches, and chest tightness due to spinal and cervical misalignments. Long-term use of Wes...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● It is important to determine what you may have choked on to rule out any issues with obstruction in the esophagus or trachea; however, since you have undergone a CT scan of the throat, it should initially rule out foreign body issues in the larynx. You may want to consult an ot...[Read More] Understanding Throat Discomfort and Neck Tension: A Patient's Journey
Persistent Bloating: Understanding Gastrointestinal Issues and Solutions
Bloating for several days? I have been experiencing bloating for about five days now, which has caused me to lose my appetite and have trouble sleeping. The bloating is located in the area below my chest and above my navel. During my recent visit to the doctor, I was diagnosed wi...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
Considering your age and condition, it is likely that you are experiencing gastrointestinal issues, which may include dyspepsia, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or peptic ulcers. Generally, gastrointestinal problems tend to improve gradually; however, if sympto...[Read More] Persistent Bloating: Understanding Gastrointestinal Issues and Solutions
Sudden Facial Swelling in Teens: Causes and When to Seek Help
Sudden swelling of the cheek? My 16-year-old son suddenly developed swelling in his cheek after returning from a tomb-sweeping visit on Sunday afternoon. The swelling is not painful, itchy, or red. We visited a nearby clinic's ENT department, but the doctor couldn't ide...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● To assess the degree and location of the swelling, if one side of the cheek suddenly becomes swollen, it is more likely due to an infection or inflammation. For example, swelling can occur from mosquito bites while visiting a cemetery, or it may be due to cellulitis of the chee...[Read More] Sudden Facial Swelling in Teens: Causes and When to Seek Help
Health Concerns: Can Contaminated Money Affect Your Breakfast?
Health issues I would like to ask the doctor: If a breakfast shop collects money and does not wash their hands before preparing food, could the bacteria or viruses on the money cause discomfort after eating? Additionally, if the money comes into contact with cooked food, can the ...
Dr. Chen Taicheng reply Family Medicine
● Poor hand hygiene can transfer viruses and bacteria to food, causing gastrointestinal discomfort for consumers; however, the dietary habits and gastrointestinal health of Taiwanese people are generally well-trained in the current dining environment. ● Cooking food thoroughly ca...[Read More] Health Concerns: Can Contaminated Money Affect Your Breakfast?