Exploring the Possibility of Multiple Sclerosis in Rare Disease Cases
Possible Multiple Sclerosis Hello Doctor, I am a 43-year-old male. Eight years ago, I underwent an MRI that showed compression in my cervical intervertebral discs C3-4-5-6. At that time, I experienced mild pain and weakness in my left arm, along with numbness in my left fingers. ...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Hello: Patients with multiple sclerosis may experience vision impairment (optic neuritis), which is one of the most common symptoms. Other symptoms include limb weakness, balance disorders, mobility issues, numbness, sensory abnormalities, slurred speech, dizziness, and dysfuncti...[Read More] Exploring the Possibility of Multiple Sclerosis in Rare Disease Cases
Concerns About Medication Overdose in 9-Month-Old with Rare Disease
Will a 9-month-old infant experience a drug overdose if medication is administered early? My son is 9 months old and has KCNT1. He is taking the following antiepileptic medications: Quinidine / 0.2 tablets (three times a day at 9 AM, 3 PM, and 9 PM), Vigabatrin / 0.25 tablets (9 ...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
The child's medication is currently administered twice a day, with a 12-hour interval. The efficacy of the medication is related to its metabolic half-life in the body after administration. For instance, some antihypertensive medications have a longer half-life and can be ta...[Read More] Concerns About Medication Overdose in 9-Month-Old with Rare Disease
Understanding Huntington's Disease: Risks, Inheritance, and Family Impact
Huntington's disease Hello Doctor, my mother has Huntington's disease, and my aunt passed away from it when she was young. My grandfather also died from Huntington's disease, and they all showed symptoms. However, my uncle did not develop the disease. I researched ...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
In recent years, there have been further advancements in the genetics of chorea, particularly Huntington's disease, which can now be tested in Taiwan. The testing and diagnostic process involves numerous ethical considerations that need to be fully understood before proceedi...[Read More] Understanding Huntington's Disease: Risks, Inheritance, and Family Impact
Understanding ALS: Concerns and Symptoms in Young Adults
Suspecting that you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? Hello, Dr. Lai. I am 23 years old and about to become a fresh graduate. Around mid-April, I experienced persistent twitching under my right eye and in my left calf. Since this had never happened before, I became quite ...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Hello, many people experience the situation you described. The subtle muscle twitching is medically referred to as "fasciculation." This twitching is quite common in healthy individuals, with eyelid twitching being the most well-known occurrence. It can also happen in t...[Read More] Understanding ALS: Concerns and Symptoms in Young Adults
Understanding ALS: When Symptoms Persist Despite Normal Test Results
Suspecting that you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? I started experiencing weakness in my hands and feet in December 2017, and it has progressively worsened. I feel that my limbs are becoming less agile, and I have also developed muscle twitching, numbness, and soreness...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is characterized by significant muscle weakness and/or atrophy. Other prominent symptoms include difficulty swallowing, cramps, or muscle stiffness. Muscle weakness may affect the limbs and/or result in...[Read More] Understanding ALS: When Symptoms Persist Despite Normal Test Results
Rare Ear Diseases: Understanding Uncommon Conditions and Symptoms
Rare diseases of the ear? Could you please tell me about rare diseases related to the ears or rare neurological disorders associated with the ears? For the past few years, I have been experiencing eye movements accompanied by sounds in my ears. Last year, I developed a blockage i...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Your issue is indeed rare, and there are no symptoms in rare neurological diseases that match your description. It may be advisable to consult with an ophthalmologist or an otolaryngologist to see if they can investigate the correlation of your symptoms.[Read More] Rare Ear Diseases: Understanding Uncommon Conditions and Symptoms
Exploring Genetic Testing for Rare Diseases: Beyond Wilson's Disease
Wilson's disease? Genetic testing? Hello Doctor: Previously, I experienced involuntary hand tremors that caused significant distress, so I consulted a neurologist. Blood test results showed low levels of copper and ceruloplasmin, raising suspicion for Wilson's disease. ...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Wilson's disease genetic testing is currently available at the Changhua Christian Hospital Genetic Counseling Center, the Genetic Medicine Department of the National Taiwan University Hospital, and the Molecular Biology Section of the Laboratory Medicine Department at China ...[Read More] Exploring Genetic Testing for Rare Diseases: Beyond Wilson's Disease
Understanding Contrast Agents: When to Expect Your Test Results
Contrast agent issues Hello, doctor: After the outpatient examination, contrast media needs to be administered. First, may I ask if the report can be available the next day after the contrast media is administered in the morning, or can it also be available in the afternoon clini...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Radiology reports can vary depending on the hospital. In facilities with fewer cases, reports may be available the same day, while in hospitals with a higher volume of cases, reports are typically available the following day. Outpatient physicians usually have the ability to inte...[Read More] Understanding Contrast Agents: When to Expect Your Test Results
Detecting Rare Diseases: What Instruments Can Identify Covert Surveillance?
What type of instrument is needed to detect it? I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Your issue may be considered a hallucination in medical terms. It would be advisable to consult a psychiatrist to assess the situation further.[Read More] Detecting Rare Diseases: What Instruments Can Identify Covert Surveillance?
Understanding Rare Neurological Disorders: From Dystonia to Sleep Issues
Facial nerve palsy, extrapyramidal syndrome, chorea, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy? Doctor, I have been suffering from this illness for a long time—vertebral body syndrome, chorea, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy. I didn't mean to come into contact with amphetamines,...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
What is your main issue? The likelihood of young-onset Parkinson's disease is very low, and chorea and epilepsy are completely different conditions. Sleep is another issue, and dependence on amphetamines is also a concern. You should first go to the hospital to address your ...[Read More] Understanding Rare Neurological Disorders: From Dystonia to Sleep Issues
Understanding Rare Neurological Disorders: Seeking Answers for My Mother's Symptoms
Please provide the content you would like me to translate? My mother has been troubled by frequent hand cramps for nearly ten years. She has been regularly seeing a neurologist in Taichung, but there seems to be no improvement. The neurologist in Taichung diagnosed her with "...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Based on the description in the letter, the frequent muscle cramps in the hands, along with the symptoms of uncontrollable cramps leading to a few minutes of unconsciousness, could potentially indicate epilepsy. Epilepsy is characterized by abnormal electrical discharges in the b...[Read More] Understanding Rare Neurological Disorders: Seeking Answers for My Mother's Symptoms
Understanding Rare Symptoms: Dizziness, Ear Pressure, and Anxiety
Dizziness, a heavy feeling in the ears, inability to control one's will, palpitations, fear, and stomach discomfort? The symptoms you are describing, including dizziness, a feeling of heaviness in the ears, loss of control over one's will, palpitations, fear, abdominal ...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Your symptoms are difficult to categorize as a specific disease; a psychiatrist may be the most helpful for you based on their expertise.[Read More] Understanding Rare Symptoms: Dizziness, Ear Pressure, and Anxiety
Understanding Rare Brain Disorders: Symptoms and Diagnosis Challenges
Brain diseases My sister had a car accident before, but she was fine, so we didn't pay much attention to it. After a year, one day she suddenly started to react slowly, and then she couldn't recognize who you were or say your name. We took her to the hospital for examin...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Regarding your question, since we have not seen the patient, we cannot make a complete assessment of the EEG. However, the electrodes placed on the scalp can observe the electrical activity of the brain, which is the best auxiliary tool for diagnosing epilepsy, rather than for tr...[Read More] Understanding Rare Brain Disorders: Symptoms and Diagnosis Challenges
Understanding Weakness in Elderly: Causes and Solutions for Mobility Issues
Elderly individuals - weakness in the limbs? An elderly man in his eighties is experiencing weakness in his limbs, unsteady walking (with swaying), and occasionally knocking things over. His medical history includes: 1. Hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. 2. In May of this...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Your father's limb issues are likely due to: 1. Diabetic polyneuropathy -> which can cause limb weakness; 2. Heart failure -> which can also lead to limb weakness; 3. Cerebellar dysfunction -> which can result in unsteady gait and difficulty with fine motor skills. ...[Read More] Understanding Weakness in Elderly: Causes and Solutions for Mobility Issues
Medication Options for Managing Restless Leg Syndrome: Sinemet vs. Requip
Medications for Involuntary Movements Hello, doctor. I have been diagnosed with restless legs syndrome and currently prescribed Sinemet 25-100. However, another physician suggested that I switch to Requip FC 0.25 mg (Ropinirole). What is your opinion?
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
One theory of restless leg syndrome is the abnormality of the dopamine system. Sinemet is a medication that provides dopamine, while Requip is a dopamine receptor agonist, both of which increase the effects of dopamine.[Read More] Medication Options for Managing Restless Leg Syndrome: Sinemet vs. Requip
Understanding Rare Headaches: When Pain Radiates to Your Teeth
Headache Hello Dr. Lai: I have been experiencing headaches for over a year, and my pain is quite unusual. Once, while washing my hair, I suddenly pulled on my scalp forcefully at a specific point on the right front part of my head, and that pain suddenly radiated to the nerves in...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Your pain is indeed unusual. The forehead is controlled by the first branch of the trigeminal nerve - the ophthalmic branch, while the teeth and lower jaw are managed by the third branch - the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. Typically, the ophthalmic branch does not af...[Read More] Understanding Rare Headaches: When Pain Radiates to Your Teeth
Understanding Rare Seizures in Children: Insights on Fever and Epilepsy
Please provide the content you would like me to analyze? Hello, my child has experienced two episodes of fever that resulted in seizures. The last time, the medication stopped the seizure after three minutes, but this time, after two injections, the seizure lasted nearly half an ...
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Dear Mr. Yeh, I apologize for the delayed response to your question regarding the diagnosis of epilepsy. The primary basis for diagnosing epilepsy includes clinical symptoms (such as the observed manifestations), electroencephalogram (EEG) results, age, and potential causes of o...[Read More] Understanding Rare Seizures in Children: Insights on Fever and Epilepsy
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 Rare Disease
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 Brain Cysts: Growth Potential and Treatment Options
Will a brain cyst grow larger? Will a brain cyst grow, and how should it be treated?
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
Typically, it will not grow larger, and if there are no clinical symptoms, no treatment is necessary.[Read More] Understanding Brain Cysts: Growth Potential and Treatment Options
Can You Get a Health Checkup at Night? Understanding Rare Diseases
Is there a physical examination in the evening? Is there a physical examination in the evening?
Dr. Lai Xiangrong reply Rare Disease
There are several types of health examinations: 1. For examination and certification purposes, typically conducted in family medicine, which can also be provided during evening outpatient services. 2. Health check-ups may require scheduling, and the availability varies by hospita...[Read More] Can You Get a Health Checkup at Night? Understanding Rare Diseases