Is Fiberglass Insulation Dangerous? Concerns About Heart Attack Risks
Will fiberglass cause myocardial infarction? Hello Doctor, today I was installing wall outlets, and the wall is a lightweight partition filled with soundproofing fiberglass insulation. After finishing, my hands were covered in fiberglass dust and shards. I seem to recall my chemi...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hello: It can be said that glass wool cannot penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin to enter the bloodstream and cause myocardial infarction leading to a stroke. There is no need for concern, and there are no reported cases in the literature, unless there is a large wound and ...[Read More] Is Fiberglass Insulation Dangerous? Concerns About Heart Attack Risks
Smoking Cessation Clinics in Fengshan District: Where to Find Help
Which smoking cessation clinics are available in Wujia, Fengshan District? I would like to inquire if there is a smoking cessation clinic in the Wujia area of Fengshan City. I have been wanting to quit smoking for a long time but have not been successful. Recently, I have been ex...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Smoking Cessation
Hello: You can search for smoking cessation clinics online through the National Health Bureau. For the cause of chest pain, you can go to a major hospital for a chest X-ray (visit the pulmonology outpatient department). Thank you![Read More] Smoking Cessation Clinics in Fengshan District: Where to Find Help
Excessive Phlegm: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
Excessive phlegm? Hello Doctor: Since last year, I have been experiencing excessive phlegm production. Previously, I would only have this issue when I had a cold, but now I have phlegm almost every day. I can hear a rattling sound in my lungs (accompanied by my breathing). Is thi...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hello: A cough with excessive phlegm is generally indicative of acute bronchitis. If there are blood-streaked phlegm, it may suggest rupture of microvessels in the bronchi, bacterial infection, or even tuberculosis. It is recommended to visit a pulmonology clinic for a chest X-ra...[Read More] Excessive Phlegm: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
How to Cough Up Sputum When You Have No Phlegm?
How to cough up phlegm? Hello, doctor. I recently had a chest X-ray (frontal view) taken at a health center, and it was found to show non-cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. I then went to another hospital's pulmonology department for a follow-up examination (posterior view), b...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hello: The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis requires not only a chest X-ray but also sputum tests and clinical symptoms (such as cough, fever, and weight loss). If there are no symptoms, the changes observed in the X-ray can be monitored without medication, or medication may b...[Read More] How to Cough Up Sputum When You Have No Phlegm?
Understanding Fluctuating Body Temperature: Causes and Solutions
Slightly low body temperature? Hello, doctor. Recently, I have noticed that my body temperature fluctuates between feeling hot and cold. After measuring, I found that whenever my body temperature drops to 36.5 degrees Celsius, I feel very uncomfortable, experiencing symptoms such...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Based on your description, it could be hyperthyroidism or another endocrine disorder. It is recommended to schedule an appointment with a metabolic specialist for examination and treatment.[Read More] Understanding Fluctuating Body Temperature: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Leg Cramps: Causes and When to Seek Medical Advice
Please help me, doctor? Hello, doctor. Last night while I was sleeping, I moved the blanket with my right foot, and I suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of my right calf. It felt like something was continuously cramping, which was very uncomfortable. I'm concerned about ...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hello: There are many causes for calf muscle cramps, including muscle fatigue, deficiencies in potassium and calcium ions, and the use of medications such as diuretics and bronchodilators. It is recommended to follow up with a neurology outpatient clinic for further evaluation an...[Read More] Understanding Leg Cramps: Causes and When to Seek Medical Advice
Managing High Cholesterol: Alternatives to Statins Without Liver Impact
Taking lipid-lowering medications can cause liver inflammation? Hello Dr. Ke: I have high triglycerides (360) and cholesterol (255), and I have been taking a lipid-lowering medication, LIPITOR (atorvastatin) 10 mg, one tablet daily for three months. After a follow-up test, my tri...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
If you do not have risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension or diabetes, a cholesterol level below 240 is acceptable. If your triglycerides are high but your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is not below 40, treatment may not be necessary. You can initially man...[Read More] Managing High Cholesterol: Alternatives to Statins Without Liver Impact
Understanding Lung Nodules: What You Need to Know and Next Steps
Hello, I have questions regarding pulmonary nodules. Thank you? Hello Doctor: My mother underwent a self-paid health examination at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital two weeks ago. We received the examination report yesterday, which indicated that there is a pulmonary nodule...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
There are many causes of pulmonary nodules, which can be benign or malignant. A computed tomography (CT) scan and other examinations are necessary to differentiate between them. If it is not possible to distinguish between benign and malignant nodules, surgical resection or biops...[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules: What You Need to Know and Next Steps
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Treatment, and Recovery in Elderly Patients
Pleural effusion I previously asked about my grandfather, who developed pulmonary edema due to malnutrition. Last week, he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Hukou Mercy Hospital because of elevated carbon dioxide levels in his body. The doctor indicated that there is no ...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
Hello: The most common causes of pleural effusion (hydrothorax) in the elderly include heart failure, cirrhosis, uremia, and malnutrition. If the effusion is unilateral, one should consider tuberculous pleuritis, pneumonia-related effusion, and cancer metastasis. Treatment should...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Treatment, and Recovery in Elderly Patients
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Nutritional Needs and Recovery Time
Pleural effusion My grandfather is 85 years old. After catching a cold recently, he has been experiencing difficulty breathing. Upon examination, the doctor diagnosed him with pulmonary edema due to malnutrition. My grandfather has a poor appetite and is very picky with his food....
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
Hello: Low levels of protein in the blood, particularly albumin, can lead to bilateral pleural effusion. Hospitalization for intravenous albumin administration is necessary, followed by diuretics to reduce pleural effusion. Once symptoms improve, it is essential to supplement die...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Nutritional Needs and Recovery Time
Assessing Lung Function in Tracheostomy Patients: Risks and Considerations
Tracheostomy assessment of pulmonary function indices? I would like to ask: My father had a tracheostomy a month ago and has been staying in the hospital since then. He has since been transferred to a nursing facility and needs to apply for a disability certificate for his trache...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
Hello: Patients with tracheostomy should apply for a disability certificate based on their underlying condition. It is quite challenging for tracheostomy patients to perform pulmonary function tests. It is essential that their respiratory status is stable, they are not hypoxic, a...[Read More] Assessing Lung Function in Tracheostomy Patients: Risks and Considerations
Understanding Rheumatoid Factor Levels in Health Checkups: What You Need to Know
Regarding health check-ups? Hello Doctor: May I ask what a rheumatoid factor of 9.70 IU/ml in a health check means? What is the normal range? If it is elevated, what symptoms might occur? Is there a way to lower it? Thank you for your response.
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hello: The normal range for rheumatoid factor (RF) at our hospital (and may vary slightly among different hospitals) is <20 IU/mL. Your value is 9.70 IU/mL, which is normal. A mildly elevated rheumatoid factor does not necessarily indicate a problem, and there is no definitive...[Read More] Understanding Rheumatoid Factor Levels in Health Checkups: What You Need to Know
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Pleural effusion I would like to ask! How is pleural effusion formed? Can it cause abdominal pain? Is surgery and anesthesia required? How quickly can pleural effusion develop in a few days? Thank you!
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
Pleural effusion can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest pain, while abdominal pain is less common. Generally, drainage can be performed using needle aspiration under local anesthesia. It is essential to identify the underlying cause (such as tuberculosis, lung ...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Understanding Lung Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Chest pain? I experience a sharp pain in my lungs when I breathe. It usually occurs when I'm not exerting myself, and the pain improves only after I exhale with some effort. Sometimes it affects my left lung, and other times my right lung. It does not occur during exercise, ...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
Hello: Based on your symptoms, deep breathing causing chest pain is generally attributed to myofascial pain syndrome or pleuritis. If you are concerned, you may consider getting a chest X-ray. If the results are normal, treatment can be based on your symptoms, with an emphasis on...[Read More] Understanding Lung Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Understanding Steroid Use for Asthma: Dosage, Side Effects, and Diagnosis
Corticosteroids Doctor, I had a check-up at the hospital a year ago due to chest tightness and asthma symptoms. The bronchial provocation test was positive (with a 26% decrease in FEV1). The doctor mentioned that I have suspected asthma. However, since I did not have any episodes...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hello: Based on your description, your symptoms and lung function suggest asthma. The standard treatment during an acute exacerbation is to take oral steroids for one week (6 tablets per day). Once your symptoms improve, you can switch to inhaled corticosteroids. Rinsing your mou...[Read More] Understanding Steroid Use for Asthma: Dosage, Side Effects, and Diagnosis
Could It Be Tuberculosis? Understanding Symptoms and When to See a Specialist
Could it be tuberculosis? Hello Dr. Ke, my husband has not recovered since catching a cold in mid-March of this year. He has seen both a family medicine doctor and an ENT specialist, and although he was later diagnosed with sinusitis, there is one symptom that concerns me. I am u...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
Hello: Nighttime fever and night sweats occur daily, and tuberculosis is just one possible cause. It is recommended to visit a pulmonologist for a chest X-ray and to undergo further examinations.[Read More] Could It Be Tuberculosis? Understanding Symptoms and When to See a Specialist
Understanding Post-Surgery Kidney Failure: A Case Study in Diabetes
Post-surgery My mother-in-law, who is 70 years old and has had diabetes for 8 years, recently underwent hip surgery. However, post-surgery, she developed renal failure. The doctor informed us that she would need dialysis, even though she did not require it before the surgery. Why...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hello, diabetes can potentially lead to renal dysfunction. General anesthesia during surgery may also contribute to the deterioration of kidney function. Additionally, the use of analgesics, antibiotics, or conditions such as anemia, continuous bleeding, and shock can result in r...[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Kidney Failure: A Case Study in Diabetes
Understanding Chest Pain: What Could a Hard Lump Indicate?
Suddenly felt something hard? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask a question for my husband. While he was sleeping today, he suddenly felt a hard, immovable lump in the center of his chest, just below the area between his lungs. It is about 3 centimeters in size and it hurts. Sinc...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
The location you described seems to be the xiphoid process at the lower end of the sternum. Generally, excessive fatigue can lead to myositis or costochondritis, causing pain. Improvement can be achieved through rest and anti-inflammatory medication. It is recommended to visit a ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: What Could a Hard Lump Indicate?
Managing Pleural Effusion in Advanced Lung Cancer: Key Insights and Care Tips
Pleural effusion Hello, Dr. Ke! My father is 80 years old and in the third year of advanced lung cancer. Since February of this year, he has developed pleural effusion. The attending physician recommended high-protein diet along with diuretics, but the effect has been minimal. He...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Pulmonology
Lung cancer complicated by pleural effusion generally indicates stage III or higher, with a poor prognosis. Typically, after drainage using a catheter, treatment with pleurodesis agents combined with chemotherapy can temporarily control the accumulation of fluid, reducing the fre...[Read More] Managing Pleural Effusion in Advanced Lung Cancer: Key Insights and Care Tips
Understanding Gout: Symptoms, Treatment, and Early Signs of Hyperuricemia
excuse me? Doctor: What are the symptoms and treatment options for hyperuricemia? What are the early symptoms? Thank you for your response.
Dr. Ke Zhengchang reply Internal Medicine
Hyperuricemia primarily poses the risk of causing gout; however, in fact, most cases of hyperuricemia do not lead to gout and are completely asymptomatic. This asymptomatic hyperuricemia does not require pharmacological treatment. Dietary management, typically involving a reducti...[Read More] Understanding Gout: Symptoms, Treatment, and Early Signs of Hyperuricemia