Understanding Pain at the Back of the Head While Sleeping
Headache when lying on the pillow while sleeping? There is a spot on the upper back of my head that hurts every time I press on it while sleeping. I also feel pain when I apply pressure with my fingers. This has been going on for a while, located about 3 centimeters above the nap...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The localized pain and tenderness in your head may be due to a skin or scalp lesion. However, since it has persisted for a while, I recommend that you visit a family medicine physician for an examination to determine the cause of the pain.[Read More] Understanding Pain at the Back of the Head While Sleeping
Understanding Upper Left Back Pain: When to Seek Medical Advice
Dull and distended pain above the left kidney? The left upper back near the spine is experiencing dull and pressure-like pain. I can feel it when lying down or bending over, and sometimes there is pain in the side ribs as well. I am concerned it might be a pancreatic issue. I hav...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The pain in the upper left area of your back could potentially be related to various issues, ranging from the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, diaphragm, pleura, lungs, heart, stomach, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, to large intestine, among others. Since you h...[Read More] Understanding Upper Left Back Pain: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Occipital Headaches: Causes and Remedies
Occipital headache issues? Hello! Last night around 9 PM, I had instant noodles for dinner and stayed up late working on a report. At that time, I started to feel a slight throbbing pain at the back of my head, which felt cool and pulsating but was bearable. I thought it might be...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Your headache may be caused by fatigue or a viral infection. Additionally, it could be a side effect of B vitamins. However, if this is your first experience with such severe headaches accompanied by vomiting, it is advisable to go to the emergency department for further e...[Read More] Understanding Occipital Headaches: Causes and Remedies
Understanding Hand and Neck Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Hand pain and neck pain? Hello, Doctor. My arm experiences soreness and numbness whenever I stretch it straight; after raising my hand for a while, it easily becomes numb, accompanied by a sensation similar to water flowing over it. This condition has persisted for over a year. A...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The symptoms of arm pain, numbness, and abnormal sensations, along with discomfort in the back of the neck, may suggest a potential issue with the cervical spine nerves. It would be advisable to consult with a neurologist, orthopedic specialist, neurosurgeon, or rehabilita...[Read More] Understanding Hand and Neck Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Understanding Elevated Red Blood Cell and Platelet Counts: Causes and Solutions
Elevated red blood cells and platelets? Hello Dr. Lin, I would like to inquire about the reasons for my elevated red blood cell (RBC) and platelet counts over the past three years. Can these values be improved on my own? Here are my annual test results: —2022 RBC 5.58 (10^6/uL) P...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. In the case of red blood cells, we typically also assess hemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) for a comprehensive evaluation. An elevated red blood cell count may be due to conditions such as thalassemia or polycythemia. 2. If platelet counts are elevated a...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Red Blood Cell and Platelet Counts: Causes and Solutions
Choosing the Right COVID Vaccine Booster: BNT vs. Moderna for Adults
COVID-19 vaccine Hello, doctor. Today the news reported that individuals aged 18 and older who meet the criteria can choose any next-generation vaccine for their booster shot. I have already received three doses: AZ, BNT, and BNT. After seeing this news, I am considering choosing...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The BNT vaccine contains only the "prototype strain mRNA" of the COVID-19 virus, while the Moderna next-generation bivalent vaccine contains both the "prototype strain mRNA" and the "Omicron BA.1 variant RNA." Given the current prevalence of t...[Read More] Choosing the Right COVID Vaccine Booster: BNT vs. Moderna for Adults
Understanding Abnormal Urine Sediment: Causes and Next Steps
Abnormal urine sediment? Dear Doctor, I recently underwent urine and blood tests along with an abdominal ultrasound, and there are two abnormalities: 1. Abdominal ultrasound: The doctor mentioned "chronic changes" in the kidney area. 2. Urine sediment examination: The r...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. An abdominal ultrasound showing chronic kidney changes typically indicates that kidney function has been affected. It is essential to identify the underlying causes of the impaired kidney function, which are commonly diabetes, hypertension, etc. 2. A urinalysis generall...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Urine Sediment: Causes and Next Steps
Three Days of Butt Pain After a Bike Accident: What to Do?
I have had pain in my buttocks for three days after a car accident? Two days ago, I had an accident while riding my bike and fell with my buttocks down and legs up in the air. My legs did not sustain any abrasions, but my buttocks are particularly painful. When I showed my family...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Based on your description, the pain in your buttocks and the sensation of something being pinched may be due to a localized muscle strain. Muscle strains typically improve on their own, and sometimes pain relievers can be taken to alleviate discomfort. However, the recover...[Read More] Three Days of Butt Pain After a Bike Accident: What to Do?
Pain Near the Shoulder Blade: Causes and Solutions for Upper Back Discomfort
Pain in the right upper back near the indentation close to the scapula? Hello Doctor: A few days ago, I woke up and noticed a sharp pain on both sides of my back when I bent down to tie my hair. After about two days, the pain changed to a sharp sensation near the right upper back...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Regarding your issue of sharp pain in the back, if the pain occurs during arm or body movements, it is more likely related to superficial soft tissue problems such as muscles, tendons, or ligaments. However, since you mentioned that the pain also occurs when eating, drinki...[Read More] Pain Near the Shoulder Blade: Causes and Solutions for Upper Back Discomfort
Shingles Contagion Concerns: Vaccination and Safety Guidelines
Shingles transmission issues? Hello, Doctor. Currently, a family member has developed shingles, and I am the only one in the household who has never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. I would like to ask the following questions: 1. Given that a family member has ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. Given your current condition, you will need to receive 2 doses of the varicella vaccine, with an interval of 4 to 8 weeks between doses. The vaccine typically takes about 2 weeks after administration to provide protection, so under your current circumstances, vaccinat...[Read More] Shingles Contagion Concerns: Vaccination and Safety Guidelines
Understanding Shingles Transmission Risks and Precautions: Key Insights
Continuation #188054: Shingles Transmission Issues As you mentioned earlier, I would like to ask about a patient with shingles whose lesions are located on the back and waist. I understand that contact with the vesicles of a shingles patient should be avoided. My question is, eve...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. The varicella-zoster virus primarily spreads through skin contact, respiratory droplets, and airborne transmission. However, shingles, being a reactivation of the virus in a localized area, typically has lower contagiousness compared to the systemic infection of chicken...[Read More] Understanding Shingles Transmission Risks and Precautions: Key Insights
Why Am I Eating More After Recovering from Gastrointestinal Issues?
Increased appetite after recovery from illness? Hello Doctor, a while ago I experienced gastrointestinal discomfort due to autonomic nervous system dysregulation, which made it difficult for me to eat. Now that I feel better, I've been snacking a lot. I have a tendency to ga...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. The amount you eat is actually not very large, but the calorie content is high, and the food choices are poor, such as large fries, bubble tea, and bear-shaped cookies. It is recommended that you maintain a balanced intake of the "six major food groups," which...[Read More] Why Am I Eating More After Recovering from Gastrointestinal Issues?
Understanding Your Health Check Report: Common Concerns and Insights
Questions about health check-up reports? Hello Doctor, I am 186 cm tall and weigh 72 kg. I have a regular exercise routine that includes three aerobic sessions and two strength training sessions per week, with a relatively high intensity. I also pay attention to my diet. However,...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. A fasting blood glucose level of 101 is not something to be overly concerned about. The normal reference range is based on the majority of the population, and a single fasting blood glucose measurement can be influenced by the duration of fasting and the food consumed...[Read More] Understanding Your Health Check Report: Common Concerns and Insights
Understanding Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Gastrointestinal Concerns
Anemia-related issues Hello Doctor, my health check report shows that my average red blood cell volume has been continuously decreasing over the past three years, except for the year 2019, while my platelet count has been steadily increasing. In November of last year, my health c...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. The diagnosis of anemia generally begins with evaluating hemoglobin (Hb) levels. For normal females, a hemoglobin level below 12 g/dL can objectively indicate anemia. Based on your description, your hemoglobin levels should be normal. 2. The decrease in your mean corpus...[Read More] Understanding Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Gastrointestinal Concerns
Understanding Dizziness Upon Waking: Causes and Solutions
Dizziness upon waking up? It was like this: one time I woke up feeling very dizzy, nauseous, and my legs felt weak. After taking a nap, I felt fine again, so I thought it was just low blood sugar. However, it happened again recently, but this time it occurred after I got to schoo...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Based on your age and assuming there has been no prior head/brain injury, the episodes of dizziness and vomiting could potentially be attributed to peripheral vertigo. Common diagnoses include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, and Meniere's di...[Read More] Understanding Dizziness Upon Waking: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Low White Blood Cell Counts: When to Seek Specialist Care
Questions about leukopenia? Hello Doctor, in early September, I had a health check-up as a student, and in mid-October, I received the report which showed that my WBC (white blood cell count) was 3.42, with a reference range of 4.50–10.0, indicating leukopenia. I then went for a ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. The reasons for your low white blood cell count and low segmented neutrophils may include the following considerations: (1) Normal variation: The reference range for blood tests is based on the majority of the population, and you may belong to a small group with i...[Read More] Understanding Low White Blood Cell Counts: When to Seek Specialist Care
Prolonged Cough After COVID-19: Understanding Symptoms and Concerns
COVID-19 I started experiencing symptoms on September 13, and tested positive with a rapid test in the early hours of September 15. During the isolation period, I had fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms. It has been over five weeks since I te...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Your symptoms may be indicative of "Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection," commonly referred to as Long COVID. Generally, symptoms of COVID-19 infection tend to resolve within a few weeks to a month, but some individuals may experience symptoms that persis...[Read More] Prolonged Cough After COVID-19: Understanding Symptoms and Concerns
Understanding Body Aches and Restlessness During Sleep: When to Seek Help
Feeling body aches all over while sleeping and constantly tossing and turning? Hello, doctor. Recently, I've been experiencing body aches while sleeping, particularly in my lower back, back, and legs. I do fall asleep, but I feel like I'm constantly tossing and turning....
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Given your age, the most common causes of generalized body aches are usually due to overwork or intense exercise. If neither of these situations applies, it may be worth considering whether an infection is present, such as influenza or COVID-19, both of which can cause sym...[Read More] Understanding Body Aches and Restlessness During Sleep: When to Seek Help
Impact of Taking 10 Melatonin Pills Before Surgery Under General Anesthesia
Medical consultation I would like to ask what would happen if someone took 10 tablets of Midazolam before undergoing surgery on the femur (under general anesthesia)?
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Common side effects of Flunitrazepam include memory impairment, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, unsteady gait, dizziness, headaches, increased anxiety, tinnitus, liver dysfunction, blood cell reduction, palpitations, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdomi...[Read More] Impact of Taking 10 Melatonin Pills Before Surgery Under General Anesthesia
Understanding Sudden Weakness: When to Seek Medical Advice
Waking up in the middle of the night with weakness in the limbs? My boyfriend, 35 years old, does not smoke or drink. A few nights ago, he woke up in the middle of the night and found it very difficult to get out of bed, needing to lean against the wall for support. After finally...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. Stress and insomnia can indeed affect the body, but your boyfriend's sudden onset of generalized weakness suggests that he should seek medical evaluation to rule out any issues related to the nervous system, cardiovascular system, or endocrine system. 2. It is a go...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Weakness: When to Seek Medical Advice