Understanding Rectal Bleeding: Causes and Concerns in Gastrointestinal Health
Sudden rectal bleeding? Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing ongoing gastrointestinal discomfort for the past three months, so I scheduled a painless colonoscopy. After the examination, the doctor said everything was fine, but I still experience bloating almost daily and have c...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello, I often experience abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation. My stools are pellet-like and there is blood in my stool. A painless colonoscopy showed no issues. Common causes of blood in the stool include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, colitis, and proctitis. I rec...[Read More] Understanding Rectal Bleeding: Causes and Concerns in Gastrointestinal Health
Understanding Abdominal Pain and Vomiting in Elderly Patients
Lower abdominal pain and vomiting? Hello doctor, my mother is 80 years old. Last year, she experienced infrequent bowel movements, frequent lower abdominal pain, and dry mouth. Drinking water would also cause her lower abdomen to hurt. Therefore, I arranged for her to have a colo...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello, there are many reasons for constipation in the elderly, including gastrointestinal diseases, poor gastrointestinal function, neurological disorders, endocrine diseases, and medications (such as those for Parkinson's disease and hypertension) that may be related. It is...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain and Vomiting in Elderly Patients
Understanding Mucus in Stool: Causes and When to Seek Help
Recently, there has been mucus in the stool? Recently, I've been feeling something unusual in my abdomen. Sometimes after having a bowel movement, I notice a sticky substance on the toilet paper. The color is sometimes clear and other times mixed with stool. What could this ...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: If you are experiencing unusual symptoms in your abdomen and notice mucus in your stool, it's important to understand that a small amount of mucus is normal. However, if there is an excessive amount of mucus accompanied by a foul odor or blood, you should be cautious ...[Read More] Understanding Mucus in Stool: Causes and When to Seek Help
Unexplained Sensation Near Right Rib: Possible Causes and Insights
There is a foreign body sensation in the right rib area? I feel a sensation of something foreign near my right rib cage when lying down or sitting, but there is no pain. What could this symptom indicate?
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: There may be abnormal sensations near the right rib area due to issues with the thoracic cavity, pleura, abdominal cavity, skin, muscles, or nerves. Wishing you peace and good health. Sincerely, Dr. Lin Ming-Hui, Attending Physician, Gastroenterology Department, Taoyuan Ge...[Read More] Unexplained Sensation Near Right Rib: Possible Causes and Insights
Understanding Stool Shape Changes: Is It a Sign of Health Issues?
The stool is wide at the front and narrow at the back? Hello, doctor. I have a question to ask you. After having a bowel movement today, I checked my stool and noticed that it was yellow, but it had a shape that was wider at the front and narrower at the back. The width of the st...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: If there is a tumor in the colon, the feces may appear thinner due to the tumor growing into the intestinal wall. It will not be wider at the front and narrower at the back. The thickness of the stool is more related to the fiber content in the diet; a high-fiber diet resu...[Read More] Understanding Stool Shape Changes: Is It a Sign of Health Issues?
Can You Get Parasites from Your Cat? Understanding the Risks
Could there be parasites? I recently rescued a stray cat and had her spayed a couple of days ago. She's recovering in a cage, but there was feces on the blanket, and she stepped on it. Yesterday, when I was petting her, she licked me, and I forgot that I had a small cut on m...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: You should be cautious about wound infection if a cat licks your wound. Wishing you safety and good health. Sincerely, Dr. Ming-Hui Lin, Attending Physician, Department of Gastroenterology, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare.[Read More] Can You Get Parasites from Your Cat? Understanding the Risks
Understanding Stool Color Changes: When to Seek Medical Advice
Issues related to bowel movements? Hello, doctor. I have been observing my stool for the past few weeks and noticed that the color is a darker brown, but not to the extent of being black. My diet seems to be fairly balanced, and I have a regular habit of consuming sesame seeds. S...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: The color of stool is related to the foods consumed. Foods that are high in iron tend to produce darker stool. Black sesame may contain higher iron content, resulting in darker stool. Wishing you peace and health. Sincerely, Dr. Ming-Hui Lin, Attending Physician, Departmen...[Read More] Understanding Stool Color Changes: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Bowel Issues: Causes and Solutions for Digestive Discomfort
Bowel movement issues I just had a bowel movement, and at first, it started to come out, but I noticed that the stool was stuck and couldn't break apart. It was hanging in the air (a lump of stool followed by a long, thin piece of stool towards the anus). In the end, I had t...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: If you are experiencing difficulty with bowel movements, with hard stools that are stuck at the anus and not being expelled completely, it may be a sign of constipation. It is recommended to increase dietary fiber by consuming more vegetables and fruits, ensure adequate hy...[Read More] Understanding Bowel Issues: Causes and Solutions for Digestive Discomfort
Understanding Bowel Issues: Causes and Solutions for Digestive Problems
Bowel movement issues I just had a bowel movement, and at first, it came out, but I noticed that one piece was stuck and wouldn't break off, leaving it hanging (a large stool followed by a long, thin stool still inside the rectum). In the end, I had to use toilet paper and m...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: If you are experiencing difficulty with bowel movements, with hard stools stuck at the anus and an inability to fully evacuate, it may be a case of constipation. It is recommended to increase dietary fiber by consuming more vegetables and fruits, ensure adequate hydration,...[Read More] Understanding Bowel Issues: Causes and Solutions for Digestive Problems
Understanding Persistent Bowel Noises After Flu: Causes and Solutions
Borborygmi Hello, doctor. I previously had a severe cough for two to three weeks due to the flu, and I have now recovered. However, my stomach has been making gurgling noises continuously, regardless of whether I am hungry or full, and sometimes it's loud enough for people n...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello, I have experienced abdominal rumbling accompanied by a cold for three weeks, with no other symptoms. Although abdominal rumbling can be embarrassing at times, it indicates intestinal peristalsis. During intestinal infections or in individuals with sensitive constitutions, ...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Bowel Noises After Flu: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Surface Antibodies and Relapse Risks After Hepatitis B Treatment
Taking Huilei (Rituximab) can lead to the production of surface antibodies. The likelihood of relapse after discontinuing the medication? Hello: Four years ago, I started taking entecavir due to acute hepatitis. In January of this year, my E antigen turned negative, and the other...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: Currently, the National Health Insurance recommends that patients with e-antigen positive hepatitis B who turn negative require one year of consolidation therapy. The presence of S-antigen turning negative and the production of S-antibodies in patients infected with hepati...[Read More] Understanding Surface Antibodies and Relapse Risks After Hepatitis B Treatment
Accidentally Eating Raw Angel Shrimp: Should You Seek Medical Attention?
If you have accidentally consumed raw angel shrimp that should have been cooked, should you seek medical attention or take medication? I accidentally consumed raw angel shrimp, which the staff informed me should be cooked. It has been 8 hours, and I don't feel any unusual sy...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello, regarding the consumption of raw angel shrimp, please monitor for any symptoms in the coming days (such as diarrhea, fever, or vomiting). Pay attention to food hygiene, avoid consuming raw foods, and wash your hands frequently. In cases of gastroenteritis, it is recommende...[Read More] Accidentally Eating Raw Angel Shrimp: Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Understanding Two-Toned Stool: What It Means for Your Health
A stool with two different colors? I haven't had a bowel movement for about two to three days. Today, after going to the bathroom, I noticed that my stool had two different colors: approximately one-quarter was light gray and three-quarters was brown. Should I be concerned a...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: The stool color is grayish-white and brown. The color of the stool is related to the foods consumed, including iron supplements, dark-colored vegetables, and fruits, which can result in darker stools. It is advisable to monitor the stool color and check for any other sympt...[Read More] Understanding Two-Toned Stool: What It Means for Your Health
Understanding Pinkish Stool: Is It Hemorrhoids or Something Else?
The surface of the stool has a slight pink color? Hello doctor, I usually have issues with constipation. My bowel movements can be painful and sometimes there is blood, but it is mostly bright red and only appears when I wipe with toilet paper. Recently, I've also experience...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: You are experiencing constipation, painful bowel movements, and blood on the toilet paper after wiping. Common causes of blood during bowel movements and pain include hemorrhoids and anal fissures, which can lead to anemia if they occur repeatedly over a long period. It is...[Read More] Understanding Pinkish Stool: Is It Hemorrhoids or Something Else?
Understanding Hepatitis B Recovery: Why Ongoing Monitoring is Essential
Hepatitis B testing issues? Doctor, I previously had the following test results: HBsAg(-), HBeAg(-), HBcIgG(+). Today, I followed up on my hepatitis B and paid out of pocket for the HBsAb antibody test, which came back positive (399). Other tests for AFP, ALT, and AST were also n...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: HBsAg(-) HBsAb(+) HBcIgG(+) indicates a past infection with hepatitis B, and the individual has now cleared the infection and has antibodies to protect against hepatitis B. However, if someone was a long-term hepatitis B carrier, regardless of whether they have achieved fu...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Recovery: Why Ongoing Monitoring is Essential
Understanding Rectal Foreign Bodies: Symptoms and Concerns
Rectal foreign body I would like to ask about a situation. Three years ago, I underwent a colonoscopy and a small polyp was found, which was cauterized at that time. A large internal hemorrhoid was also discovered, and I attempted a ligation a month later, but it was unsuccessful...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: I have a sensation of a foreign body at the anal opening. I have a history of hemorrhoids and colon polyps. The most common cause of the sensation of a foreign body at the anal opening is hemorrhoids. Is there a possibility of concurrent polyps or tumors? I recommend follo...[Read More] Understanding Rectal Foreign Bodies: Symptoms and Concerns
Understanding Mucus in Stool: Causes and When to Seek Help
Mucus in stool Hello Doctor: Yesterday, after having a bowel movement, I noticed mucus with streaks of blood when I wiped. Today, after my bowel movement, I again noticed mucus, but there were no blood streaks, just a faint reddish tint. The color of my stool is normal. My menstr...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: It is normal to have mucus in bowel movements occasionally. The presence of mucus in stool is generally considered normal. However, if there is an increased amount of mucus, a foul odor, or blood, it may indicate the possibility of colitis. In cases where symptoms are seve...[Read More] Understanding Mucus in Stool: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Mucus in Stool: When to Seek Medical Attention
Mucus in stool Hello Doctor, my bowel movement frequency is once every two days. Occasionally, I notice transparent mucus, but during my most recent bowel movement, I observed yellow mucus mixed with blood streaks. Currently, I do not have any abdominal pain or diarrhea. I would ...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: You have mucus and blood in your stool, without abdominal pain, diarrhea, and negative fecal occult blood test. Possible causes include enteritis and inflammatory bowel disease. You can monitor your condition, maintain a light diet, and ensure adequate hydration and electr...[Read More] Understanding Mucus in Stool: When to Seek Medical Attention
Probiotics for Weight Gain: Effective Strains and Health Checks Explained
Probiotics that improve absorption and aid in weight gain? Hello Doctor, I am 22 years old, 174 cm tall, and weigh 50 kg. My diet is normal, and I have hemolytic jaundice (I return for check-ups every six months, and currently, there are no issues). Due to my low weight, I have c...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello, there are many types of probiotics available as supplements, and their effectiveness depends on individual constitution, as each person's microbiome analysis is different. Current research has not definitively stated that supplementing with specific strains will lead ...[Read More] Probiotics for Weight Gain: Effective Strains and Health Checks Explained
Understanding Rectal Bleeding: Is It Hemorrhoids or Something More?
Rectal bleeding A few months ago, I experienced tearing pain and a sensation of foreign body in the anus during bowel movements, with blood at the end of my stool. After researching, I concluded it was hemorrhoids and self-treated with ointments from the pharmacy and warm baths, ...
Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello, there is rectal bleeding with blood separate from the stool. A 27-year-old female is experiencing rectal bleeding, where the blood is separate from the stool. Common causes of rectal bleeding include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, inflammation, and tumors. If this occ...[Read More] Understanding Rectal Bleeding: Is It Hemorrhoids or Something More?