High Blood Sugar: Unusual Behaviors and Their Impact on Family
High blood sugar can lead to some unusual behaviors? Hello Dr. Lin: My father is a diabetic patient (blind in both eyes) and has recently been exhibiting repetitive speech and sometimes forgets our family members' names. Since my father cannot see, he used to know the locati...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
High blood sugar levels can sometimes lead to metabolic encephalopathy, resulting in delirium. Once blood sugar is controlled, delirium typically improves. However, if your father's blood sugar is well-controlled but he still frequently experiences episodes of confusion or m...[Read More] High Blood Sugar: Unusual Behaviors and Their Impact on Family
Understanding Sudden Numbness in Your Toe: Causes and Concerns
Numbness? Sometimes, I experience a sudden tingling sensation in one of my toes. It's not all of them, just one toe, and it feels strange. I'm not sure what the cause of this numbness might be.
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Numbness in a toe can be related to improper footwear causing toe compression, prolonged poor posture at work such as walking, squatting, or sitting for extended periods, or even accidental injury or inflammation. If there is more widespread numbness or abnormal sensations, or if...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Numbness in Your Toe: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Old Brain Injuries: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Old injury to the back of the head? There is an old scar on the left posterior part of the brain that has been present for about 20 years. It periodically swells and causes pain, accompanied by dizziness, nausea, and slight visual blurriness. The pain typically lasts for an entir...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Generally, old scars on the head should not cause symptoms such as swelling, pain, dizziness, nausea, and mild visual disturbances. These symptoms are more indicative of a migraine. A migraine is a type of headache of unknown origin that occurs recurrently, lasting between four t...[Read More] Understanding Old Brain Injuries: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Why See an Eye Doctor After Head Trauma and Temporary Blindness?
May I ask further questions? When I was a child, I was hit by a stone, and I experienced temporary blindness, but I was told that it was not related to the incident. However, I have been experiencing a throbbing sensation in my head, and I was advised to see an ophthalmologist. W...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
I apologize, but I cannot retrieve the details of the previous consultation. Could you please provide more information?[Read More] Why See an Eye Doctor After Head Trauma and Temporary Blindness?
Concerns About Mad Cow Disease: Symptoms, Tests, and Specialist Recommendations
I suspect that I have mad cow disease (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease)? Two weeks ago, after having Japanese barbecue with my girlfriend, I experienced a week-long headache and temporary memory loss, where I would forget what I did earlier that day in the afternoon, having no recollec...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, officially known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), was first identified in 1996 in the United Kingdom. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) itself was discovered as early as 1920. Both conditions exhibit similar pathological changes in the ...[Read More] Concerns About Mad Cow Disease: Symptoms, Tests, and Specialist Recommendations
Understanding Dizziness: When to See a Neurologist
Dizziness Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing frequent dizziness or a sensation of floating, and one morning I even fell due to the dizziness. I visited an otolaryngologist, but the doctor said my ears are normal and there is no damage. I would like to ask if I should see a ne...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Hello, dizziness is an uncomfortable sensation that can make a person feel as if the surrounding environment is moving, or that they themselves are moving when they are not; at times, it may also feel like a heavy sensation in the head, or even a feeling of darkness in front of t...[Read More] Understanding Dizziness: When to See a Neurologist
Understanding Sudden Pain and Numbness in the Left Calf
Pain in the posterior left calf? Hello doctor, two nights ago I suddenly experienced sharp pain in the back of my left calf muscle, but it didn't feel like a cramp or muscle soreness; it was mainly localized at a specific point. The pain was more frequent at that time, but i...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Throbbing pain, numbness, electric shock-like pain, burning pain, and abnormal sensations are all types of neuropathic pain. Nerve pain can occur due to injury or inflammation, and proper treatment can alleviate the pain. However, some neuropathic pain arises from the hypersensit...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Pain and Numbness in the Left Calf
Understanding Intermittent Shoulder and Back Pain: Causes and Solutions
Frequent twitching and pain between the shoulders and arms? Hello Dr. Lin, Recently, I have been experiencing intermittent twitching pain between my shoulders and arms. The pain starts from the area between my shoulders and back, then radiates from my armpit down to my lower bac...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Hello: Pain between the shoulders and upper back is often related to prolonged poor posture (such as watching TV or working on the computer for too long). Poor posture can lead to muscle tension, making it easier to sustain injuries or develop inflammation. A smaller portion of t...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Shoulder and Back Pain: Causes and Solutions
Can Tooth Extraction Damage Nerves? Understanding Risks and Symptoms
Is it possible to damage nerves during tooth extraction? First, I would like to ask if it is possible for tooth extraction to damage the cranial nerves. I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted in mid-February (after the Lunar New Year), and later, when the wound accidentally c...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
The nerve responsible for dental sensation is the trigeminal nerve. Tooth extraction can make the trigeminal nerve more susceptible to external environmental influences, leading to pain. Additionally, some soft tissues in the face and throat are interconnected; if there is locali...[Read More] Can Tooth Extraction Damage Nerves? Understanding Risks and Symptoms
Can Parkinson's Disease Be Cured? Exploring Alternatives to Medication
Parkinson's disease Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. In addition to medication, there are several other approaches that may help manage symptoms. These include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, which can improve mobility, da...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Parkinson's disease is a chronic central nervous system disorder, with its etiology hypothesized to be related to the rapid degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to insufficient production of the neurotransmitter dopamine and enhanced choliner...[Read More] Can Parkinson's Disease Be Cured? Exploring Alternatives to Medication
Stem Cell Transplant for Stroke Paralysis: Benefits and Risks Explained
The benefits of stem cell transplantation for stroke-related paralysis? Hello! I would like to ask about the risks and benefits of stem cell transplantation for patients with stroke-related paralysis. If we want to seek help, which hospital and physician should we contact? Thank ...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Currently, stem cell transplantation for stroke is still in the human trial phase, and its efficacy and risks have not been validated through large-scale studies. It is recommended that you consult Dr. Lin Hsin-Jung, the Deputy Director of the Neuropsychiatry Center at China Medi...[Read More] Stem Cell Transplant for Stroke Paralysis: Benefits and Risks Explained
Understanding Involuntary Body Tremors: Causes and Solutions
I experience involuntary shaking throughout my body? In the past, it would happen occasionally while I was studying, but as I got older, the frequency increased. I consulted a neurologist who said there was no problem and that I was just too anxious. However, it has gotten to the...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Involuntary shaking is usually associated with tremors or seizures. If the shaking occurs throughout the body while consciousness is preserved, it is less likely to be a seizure. The causes of tremors can be categorized into four types: physiological tremors, psychological tremor...[Read More] Understanding Involuntary Body Tremors: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Spinocerebellar Ataxia: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prognosis
Spinocerebellar ataxia Hello: After watching the movie "One Liter of Tears," I would like to know some information about this disease. 1. What are the symptoms of this condition? 2. Besides rehabilitation and medication, are there any other treatment options? Is it tr...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Spinocerebellar ataxia is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, currently classified into more than twenty types, each associated with different pathogenic genes. Clinical symptoms include gait instability and coordination difficulties, along with visual degeneration, retinal d...[Read More] Understanding Spinocerebellar Ataxia: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prognosis
Managing Symptoms of Rapid Heartbeat, Headaches, and Fatigue
Symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, headache, and general fatigue can indicate various medical conditions. It is important to consider factors such as stress, anxiety, dehydration, or potential underlying health issues. If these symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to seek m...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
It sounds like these symptoms involving heart rate, sweating, gastrointestinal function, dizziness or headaches, and fatigue may be related to autonomic nervous system dysregulation, endocrine imbalance, or simply due to high stress levels. I recommend that you first develop a re...[Read More] Managing Symptoms of Rapid Heartbeat, Headaches, and Fatigue
Understanding Neurotransmitter Imbalance: Treatment Options Explained
Regarding neurological disorders? Dr. Lin, my condition seems more like a dysfunction of the excitatory and inhibitory functions of the cerebral cortex, as well as a disorder of the subcortical central nervous system. Aside from taking medications that inhibit the parasympathetic...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Currently, there are no medications that can solely treat central nervous system dysfunction without causing other complications or side effects. Generally speaking, maintaining a regular routine, engaging in regular exercise, and not constantly focusing on saliva production may ...[Read More] Understanding Neurotransmitter Imbalance: Treatment Options Explained
Uncontrolled Tongue Movements and Speech Clarity Issues After Brain Surgery
The tongue exhibits involuntary movements and disturbances while speaking? I have a question to ask. About six months ago, my mother noticed that her speech became unclear, similar to having a "thick tongue," and her tongue would move involuntarily while speaking, which...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Involuntary movements of the tongue or mouth are often manifestations of tardive dyskinesia, a type of movement disorder that can occur after long-term use of antipsychotic medications or certain drugs that promote gastrointestinal motility or antiemetics. In some cases, the caus...[Read More] Uncontrolled Tongue Movements and Speech Clarity Issues After Brain Surgery
Understanding Nerve Pain: Causes and When to Seek Further Testing
Neuralgia Dear Doctor: Since August of last year, I have been experiencing pain on both sides of my head (near the ears and temples) every few days. Occasionally, I also feel sharp nerve pain on the top of my head. Soon after, I started to feel soreness in the nerves at the back ...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Bilateral temporal headaches are often tension-type headaches caused by prolonged poor posture or stress. Pain in the posterior neck and occipital region is more commonly due to cervical nerve or muscle issues. The most severe pain upon waking may be attributed to improper sleepi...[Read More] Understanding Nerve Pain: Causes and When to Seek Further Testing
Managing Mild Stroke: Medication, Side Effects, and Alternatives
Medications for Mild Stroke Dear Dr. Lin, My mother previously experienced a mild stroke and sought treatment at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital's neurology department, where the doctor prescribed the following medications for her: Trenfylline, Bokey (循血敏), Wesu tab ...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Hello, Berkey capsules and Xunxue Min are medications used to prevent secondary strokes, not for treating acute strokes. After experiencing a stroke, patients have an increasing annual risk of having another stroke, which necessitates long-term use of these medications to reduce ...[Read More] Managing Mild Stroke: Medication, Side Effects, and Alternatives
Understanding Persistent Dizziness: Causes and Solutions for Your Symptoms
Dizziness I have been experiencing dizziness for the past two weeks. I have seen a doctor and undergone a hearing test, which showed no issues, but the symptoms still persist. It feels like being on a boat, with a sensation of swaying, especially when my body is in motion (for ex...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
The sensation of dizziness can feel like the world is spinning or similar to the feeling of an earthquake or being on a boat. This is caused by a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear. There are many causes of vestibular dysfunction, and people generally fear seve...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Dizziness: Causes and Solutions for Your Symptoms
Understanding Neck Sounds: What Your Doctor Wants You to Know
There is a sound in the back of the neck? Hello Doctor: My father is 65 years old, and recently he told me that he feels a sound in the back of his neck similar to a "ticking" noise, like a second hand ticking. I'm not sure what this could be. Is there any warning ...
Dr. Lin Zijing reply Neurology
Hello, I would like to know if the sounds your father hears are in sync with his heartbeat or if they are more like a whooshing sound. Sounds similar to vascular pulsations could indicate a vascular malformation or an aneurysm. Further auscultation and diagnostic tests are necess...[Read More] Understanding Neck Sounds: What Your Doctor Wants You to Know