Concerns After Eating Expired Nuts: Taste Changes and Health Effects
After consuming a 450g can of spoiled black nut granola, I feel that my sense of taste is off and my body seems to be deteriorating? One day, I found a can of nuts that I had purchased a while ago (similar to commercially packaged powdered milk cans) and thought it should be fine...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The main concern with accidentally consuming spoiled canned nuts is the risk of bacterial infection, which commonly presents with symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea. However, since you do not have gastrointestinal discomfort and your symptoms of altered taste have...[Read More] Concerns After Eating Expired Nuts: Taste Changes and Health Effects
Can COVID-19 Cause Bruise-Like Marks on the Chest?
Pneumonia issues I would like to ask about whether COVID-19 can cause marks on the chest that resemble those from gua sha. My boyfriend was diagnosed on Monday, and yesterday he noticed light marks on his chest that look similar to gua sha marks. They are not very prominent, but ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Skin manifestations are rare in COVID-19 infections; when they do occur, the most common presentations are rashes or erythema. Of course, the marks on your boyfriend's chest that resemble abrasions are also a possibility. It is advisable to monitor your boyfriend'...[Read More] Can COVID-19 Cause Bruise-Like Marks on the Chest?
Understanding Decreased Appetite and Weight Loss in Older Adults
Weight loss and decreased appetite? Hello, my mother has recently been feeling increasingly thin, although her weight hasn't decreased. We have noticed that her arm muscles feel soft, and her buttocks seem to have slimmed down. Additionally, she hasn't had much appetite...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: There are many reasons that can cause weight loss and loss of appetite, including endocrine disorders (such as diabetes and thyroid issues), gastrointestinal diseases, heart diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases, cancer, infectious diseases, and side effects of medicat...[Read More] Understanding Decreased Appetite and Weight Loss in Older Adults
Understanding Numbness and Appetite Loss: When to Seek Medical Help
Numbness in the hands and feet, along with loss of appetite? A year ago, I experienced shortness of breath, chest tightness, and numbness in my hands, feet, and knees. I went to a family medicine clinic where I had a chest X-ray and heart rate monitoring. The doctor said there we...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Since your discomfort includes symptoms of the upper respiratory tract and considering the current severity of the pandemic, it is recommended that you first conduct a rapid test to check for COVID-19. If the rapid test is negative and there are no significant findings fro...[Read More] Understanding Numbness and Appetite Loss: When to Seek Medical Help
Which Medical Specialty to Consult for Abdominal Pain and Digestive Issues?
For abdominal pain, it is recommended to see a gastroenterologist? Hello doctor, three days before my period this month, I drank pasteurized milk, about two bottles a day, each bottle being 240ml. On one of those days, I also ate three and a half soft-boiled eggs. The day before ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Regarding your discomfort, it is primarily considered that it may be related to gastrointestinal diseases. Given your age, the likelihood of cancer is lower. It is recommended that you consult a gastroenterologist. Additionally, your weight loss may simply be due to dehydr...[Read More] Which Medical Specialty to Consult for Abdominal Pain and Digestive Issues?
Safe Medication Guidance for COVID-19 Patients with Multiple Conditions
COVID-19 medication consultation Hello Doctor, I inquired about my mother's confirmed diagnosis yesterday, and I appreciate your response! I would like to ask about my mother's telemedicine appointment today. Since I am not nearby and the video signal was intermittent, ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: I will answer your questions in three parts: 1. Paxlovid and liver and kidney function: Paxlovid can be used at full dosage in patients with mild renal impairment and mild to moderate hepatic impairment. In patients with moderate renal impairment, the dosage should be ad...[Read More] Safe Medication Guidance for COVID-19 Patients with Multiple Conditions
Managing COVID-19 Risks for Diabetic Patients: A Care Guide
Diabetes and confirmed COVID-19 infection? Hello Doctor, my mother is 64 years old and has diabetes and hypertension. She has been regularly visiting a family physician and is on long-term medication for control. However, in September 2020, she experienced pancreatitis (suspected...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: After contracting COVID-19, the two main concerns are monitoring the progression of the illness and medication treatment: 1. Monitoring the progression of the illness: This can be divided into subjective and objective components. Subjective component: If your mother experi...[Read More] Managing COVID-19 Risks for Diabetic Patients: A Care Guide
Struggling to Breathe: Understanding Yawning Difficulties and Solutions
Inability to yawn / Breathing issues Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing a sensation of not being able to take a deep breath for about five years. It feels like I am inhaling, but I don't feel like the air is actually getting in. I also find it difficult to yawn completel...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Based on the symptoms you described, it is recommended that you consult an otolaryngologist.[Read More] Struggling to Breathe: Understanding Yawning Difficulties and Solutions
Dietary Guidelines After COVID-19 Recovery: What to Avoid?
Are there any dietary restrictions after recovering from a confirmed diagnosis? Hello Doctor, my boyfriend's symptoms have significantly improved seven days after his diagnosis. Currently, he only experiences a dry cough when he talks too much. This Saturday (June 11) will m...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: After recovering from a confirmed diagnosis, there are actually no specific dietary restrictions. However, if your boyfriend occasionally experiences a dry cough, you may want to be cautious about certain fried, overly sweet, and cold foods, as they could trigger or exacer...[Read More] Dietary Guidelines After COVID-19 Recovery: What to Avoid?
Am I Suffering from Gastroenteritis or GERD? Understanding My Symptoms
Am I suffering from gastroenteritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Hello, doctor. Recently, I've been experiencing stomach pain after meals for the past week, along with a feeling of bloating and even nausea that sometimes leads to vomiting. Occasionally, I also ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Based on the symptoms you described, it seems more like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as abdominal pain and diarrhea from gastroenteritis typically resolve on their own within a few days to a week, unless there is persistent vomiting, watery diarrhea, or blood/bl...[Read More] Am I Suffering from Gastroenteritis or GERD? Understanding My Symptoms
Long-Term Facial Muscle Weakness: Which Specialist Should You See?
If you are experiencing long-term facial muscle weakness, you should consult a neurologist? Hello, doctor. I've loved using computers since I was young, and my improper posture has led to stiffness in my right shoulder and upper back. I used to experience numbness frequently...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Your symptoms can be summarized as sensory abnormalities in the right side of your back, right shoulder, right side of your neck, right side of your face, and right eye, along with abnormal movements of the right eye. I personally believe this may be related to a neurologi...[Read More] Long-Term Facial Muscle Weakness: Which Specialist Should You See?
Is It Safe to Stop Wearing Masks at Home After a Negative Test?
Is it okay to not wear a mask at home after testing negative on a rapid test seven days after being diagnosed? My boyfriend tested positive for COVID-19 on the seventh day, and his rapid test result before bed was negative. His thought process is: "Starting tomorrow, I can l...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Since your boyfriend is a confirmed case, according to the current 7+7 quarantine regulations, based on your description, your boyfriend has completed the initial 7 days of home care and can actually end the isolation period, entering the subsequent 7 days of self-health m...[Read More] Is It Safe to Stop Wearing Masks at Home After a Negative Test?
Understanding Prediabetes Symptoms: Key Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Symptoms of Prediabetes Last December, I visited a urologist due to symptoms of frequent urination and erectile dysfunction. At that time, my blood glucose level was 108 after fasting for 8 hours. The doctor prescribed medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia, which improved m...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The typical initial symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, and weight loss (in later stages). The acanthosis nigricans you mentioned is a possible but not common manifestation. As for slow wound healing and blurred vision, these...[Read More] Understanding Prediabetes Symptoms: Key Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Exposure to COVID-19: Assessing Your Risk After Contact with Positive Cases
Contact with confirmed cases? Doctor, I would like to inquire about my mother who tested positive in a rapid test. I went to the hospital to register and pick up antiviral medication, and I was surrounded by confirmed cases, standing less than two arm lengths away from them for o...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. Risk of infection: This can be discussed in terms of factors that lower and increase the risk of infection: - Factors that lower the risk of infection: You are wearing two layers of masks. - Factors that increase the risk of infection: The distance from confir...[Read More] Exposure to COVID-19: Assessing Your Risk After Contact with Positive Cases
Vaccinated but Infected: Understanding Breakthrough Cases After BNT Booster
Just got vaccinated and then contracted the virus? My boyfriend just received his third dose of the BNT vaccine on May 26 (the first two doses were also BNT). He developed a fever on the night of vaccination, and the fever persisted the next day. We thought it was just a normal v...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Although your boyfriend contracted the virus after receiving the third dose of the vaccine, the vaccine is still effective. Both vaccination and infection with COVID-19 stimulate the production of antibodies in the body, and their effects do not cancel each other out. In t...[Read More] Vaccinated but Infected: Understanding Breakthrough Cases After BNT Booster
Vaccinated but Infected: Understanding Breakthrough Cases After BNT Shot
Just got vaccinated and then contracted the virus? My boyfriend just received his third dose of the BNT vaccine on May 26 (the first two doses were also BNT). He developed a fever on the night of vaccination, which persisted into the next day. Initially, we thought it was just a ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Although your boyfriend contracted the virus after receiving the third dose of the vaccine, the vaccine is still effective. Both vaccination and COVID-19 infection stimulate the production of antibodies in the body, and their effects do not cancel each other out. In the fu...[Read More] Vaccinated but Infected: Understanding Breakthrough Cases After BNT Shot
Understanding High Phosphorus Levels and Kidney Echoes in Health Checkups
Health check-up issues Hello, I received my health check report this month, and it shows that my electrolyte test indicates elevated phosphorus levels. What does this mean, and how can I improve it? Additionally, my urine tests are normal, but the ultrasound results show a high e...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. The causes of elevated electrolyte phosphorus levels are usually related to kidney disease and parathyroid disorders. You may want to refer to your health check report for any abnormalities in kidney function, urinalysis, and electrolyte calcium levels. If the phosphoru...[Read More] Understanding High Phosphorus Levels and Kidney Echoes in Health Checkups
Managing Persistent Dry Cough and Blood-tinged Phlegm After COVID-19
Dry cough and hemoptysis after diagnosis? My boyfriend was diagnosed the day after he started experiencing symptoms. On the first day, he visited a pandemic response clinic and received medication. His initial symptoms included occasional dry cough, productive cough with some blo...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. Your boyfriend's blood-tinged sputum may be caused by repeated dry coughing leading to throat injury. However, if the dry cough worsens or the amount of blood in the sputum increases, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately. 2. The most common side ef...[Read More] Managing Persistent Dry Cough and Blood-tinged Phlegm After COVID-19
Understanding COVID-19 Transmission Risks in Close Proximity Situations
COVID-19 I am concerned about the recent severe COVID-19 situation in Taipei and whether this scenario could lead to droplet transmission, especially since there are elderly individuals at home. Here’s the situation: while I was eating, a colleague who was not wearing a mask walk...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Based on the situation you described, if your colleague has tested positive, there is still a possibility of transmission to you. Given the severity of the current pandemic, if you have concerns about exposure to a confirmed case or are experiencing any symptoms, it is adv...[Read More] Understanding COVID-19 Transmission Risks in Close Proximity Situations
Understanding High WBC and Ketone Levels: What Your Test Results Mean
Ketones and elevated white blood cell (WBC) count? Hello Doctor, here are the results from my blood and urine tests conducted yesterday: - WBC esterase: Trace - Ketone: 4+ (160) - Protein: Trace (15) - Segment: 76 - Creatinine: 0.53 - Lymphocyte: 17.9 - Eosinophil: 0.6 - Basophi...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: An elevated white blood cell count typically indicates an infection or inflammation in the body. Given your symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea, there may be a concern for gastrointestinal infection or inflammation, as well as potential issues with other intra-abdomina...[Read More] Understanding High WBC and Ketone Levels: What Your Test Results Mean