Understanding Abdominal Pain and Cold Sweats: Causes and Solutions
Abdominal pain with cold sweats? Hello, I previously asked about small intestine and paralytic ileus issues. Thank you for your detailed response. Following up on my last question, I still have abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant. I had abdominal surgery (total hysterectomy...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
When the intestines undergo severe spasms, symptoms such as cold sweats, generalized weakness, and pallor may occur due to the body's parasympathetic nervous system reflex. The small mass you can feel in your lower left abdomen may be a portion of the intestine that is in sp...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain and Cold Sweats: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Paralytic Ileus: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recurrence Risks
Paralytic ileus Two weeks ago, I started experiencing abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and intermittent cold sweats. Yesterday, a doctor at another hospital diagnosed me with "paralytic ileus" after an X-ray was taken. Six years ago, I had abdominal surgery. Previous...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
If it is indeed a case of paralytic ileus in the small intestine, the symptoms are usually quite severe, and the majority of patients require hospitalization. Vomiting can be intense, making it nearly impossible to eat. The upper gastrointestinal tract may produce vomiting due to...[Read More] Understanding Paralytic Ileus: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recurrence Risks
Seeing Blood in Stool: Should You Worry About Colon Cancer?
Blood streaks in stool? It may be due to having eaten something bad during last night's late meal, as I have been experiencing continuous diarrhea this morning. The stool is very loose, almost entirely liquid, and in the later instances, the color of the stool is very light ...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
Based on your symptoms, you may be experiencing infectious diarrhea, which is often caused by a bacterial infection that damages the intestinal mucosa, leading to the production of mucous stools and potentially blood-streaked stools if there is deeper invasion. This condition is ...[Read More] Seeing Blood in Stool: Should You Worry About Colon Cancer?
Understanding Abdominal Bloating: Causes and When to See a Gastroenterologist
Abdomen and gastrointestinal tract? At the beginning of this year's winter vacation, I don't know what I ate, but my stomach has been hurting, making gurgling sounds, and I've been experiencing diarrhea and excessive gas. This lasted for about a month, and while th...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
Your symptoms in the past few days cannot rule out acute gastroenteritis. As for the diarrhea, bowel sounds, and flatulence you experienced during the winter break, it is possible that you are dealing with functional diarrhea, which is often related to lifestyle and stress. Regar...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Bloating: Causes and When to See a Gastroenterologist
Understanding Elevated Liver Enzymes: Concerns and Next Steps
SGOT: 22, SGPT: 43 On September 21, my health check report indicated that my GOT is 22 and GPT is 43. I do not have Hepatitis B or C. Although my levels are only slightly above the standard values by 3, I am still quite worried. Today, I visited a traditional Chinese medicine doc...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
There are many reasons for elevated liver function tests, with common causes including viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and drug-induced hepatitis. Based on your levels, it does not appear to be viral hepatitis (acute hepatitis A or E can likely be ruled...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Liver Enzymes: Concerns and Next Steps
Should You Start Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis B with Normal Liver Function?
Liver function and liver ultrasound are normal, but there was one instance where the viral load exceeded 10,000 copies. Should medication be taken? Hello Dr. Hsiao: I am a 53-year-old male. I was diagnosed as a carrier of Hepatitis B in 1982, and I have been under follow-up for a...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
According to the current expert consensus, if liver function is normal, antiviral medications are only required if cirrhosis or severe liver fibrosis is present along with a viral load exceeding 10,000 copies/ml. The use of antiviral medications is primarily divided into two diff...[Read More] Should You Start Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis B with Normal Liver Function?
Understanding Health Issues: What Do Bloodshot Eyes and Pain Indicate?
Could you please tell me which part of the body is experiencing issues? (Asking on behalf of a friend) Hello, Dr. Hsiao! I have a friend who works 12-hour night shifts. Recently, I've noticed some slight redness in her eyes, and they appear a bit yellowish. She occasionally ...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
The sclera on the inner side of the eyeball contains a rich network of blood vessels. People often mistakenly assume that a slight yellowing, especially when the blood vessels are congested or there is some subcutaneous bleeding, indicates jaundice caused by liver disease. Howeve...[Read More] Understanding Health Issues: What Do Bloodshot Eyes and Pain Indicate?
Am I at Risk of Contracting Hepatitis B After Exposure?
Will I be infected with hepatitis B? Hello Doctor: Last week, I went to the hospital to check my hepatitis B antibodies, and the doctor said I have a level of 370. These past few days, I think I may have come into contact with the blood of someone with hepatitis B. I would like t...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
Hepatitis B antibodies provide protection against infection with the Hepatitis B virus. You should be more concerned about Hepatitis C, HIV, and other bloodborne diseases, and it is advisable to get tested for those. There is no need for a booster shot of the Hepatitis B vaccine,...[Read More] Am I at Risk of Contracting Hepatitis B After Exposure?
Cold Medications and Their Side Effects: A Guide for Patients with Hepatitis B
Cold medications and their side effects? Question 1: 1. Sulindac 2. BSN 3. Tagamet 4. Strocain 5. Urfamycin 6. Acetin 7. Nocough I visited the doctor for a cold last time, and he prescribed me these medications. What are the potential side effects? I have hepatitis B, bu...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
These medications include one antibiotic, two gastrointestinal medications (one antacid and two ulcer medications), one cough suppressant, one expectorant, and one anti-inflammatory analgesic. These are commonly used medications, and their side effects typically include abdominal...[Read More] Cold Medications and Their Side Effects: A Guide for Patients with Hepatitis B
Post-Operative Care for Peritonitis: Boosting Immunity and Recovery Tips
How should one care for themselves after surgery for peritonitis? Hello Dr. Hsiao: My father was in a car accident over a month ago (colliding with a utility pole), which resulted in a small bowel rupture that went unnoticed, leading to a 20-day delay in receiving medical attenti...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
After surgery for peritonitis, it is recommended to resume eating as soon as bowel motility returns to normal and gas is passed. Due to the surgery and peritonitis, there is a significant loss of body fluids into the abdominal cavity, which often leads to a marked decrease in ser...[Read More] Post-Operative Care for Peritonitis: Boosting Immunity and Recovery Tips
Can I Get Infected with Hepatitis B If I Have Antibodies?
I have type B antibodies; can I still be infected? If my boyfriend has hepatitis B, but I sometimes want to have some intimate contact, will I still be at risk of infection if I already have hepatitis B antibodies?
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
Hepatitis B antibodies are protective antibodies, and having these antibodies should prevent infection by the hepatitis B virus. It is important to confirm whether you have hepatitis B antibodies.[Read More] Can I Get Infected with Hepatitis B If I Have Antibodies?
Can You Get Hepatitis B from Infected Individuals After Vaccination?
Hepatitis B Hello, doctor: I would like to ask, if someone has previously received the hepatitis B vaccine, will they still be at risk of contracting the virus from contact with a person who has hepatitis B? Also, how long do the antibodies produced by the vaccine last in the bod...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
First, it should be confirmed whether there are hepatitis B surface antibodies present. A positive result indicates immunity and that infection will not occur. Additionally, the type of contact you mentioned, such as sharing food, does not transmit the virus. Hepatitis B virus is...[Read More] Can You Get Hepatitis B from Infected Individuals After Vaccination?
Should I Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine If My HBsAg is Negative?
Should I get the hepatitis B vaccine? Hello, doctor: Today I received my health check-up report, and my Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test result is negative. What does this mean? Does it mean I should get vaccinated?
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
HBsAg negative for hepatitis B surface antigen indicates that the individual is not a carrier of hepatitis B. Regarding the administration of the hepatitis B vaccine, it is recommended to test for Anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibodies). If the result is negative, vaccination c...[Read More] Should I Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine If My HBsAg is Negative?
Understanding Weight Gain After Normal Bowel Movements: Causes and Concerns
Metabolic issues I have a few questions. I originally weighed 50 kilograms and often experienced constipation. However, at the age of 23, I suddenly started having regular bowel movements every day. In the span of a year, I gained 10 kilograms. I heard that constipation can lead ...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
Weight gain occurs when the total caloric intake exceeds the calories burned by the body’s metabolism. Nowadays, if one is not careful with their diet, daily caloric intake often exceeds 3,000 calories. For typical daily activities, such as working in an office, the caloric expen...[Read More] Understanding Weight Gain After Normal Bowel Movements: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: When to See a Gastroenterologist
Leukocytosis A white blood cell count of 12,700 could indicate an inflammatory response, which may be related to chronic intestinal inflammation. If the inflammation has not been resolved, it could contribute to elevated white blood cell levels. To seek further evaluation, you sh...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
There are many reasons for an increase in white blood cells. Bacterial infections and inflammatory responses can both lead to elevated white blood cell counts. This condition typically results in a rapid increase, often occurring within a few hours to a day, primarily reflecting ...[Read More] Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: When to See a Gastroenterologist
Understanding Constipation: When to See a Doctor and Which Specialist to Choose
Constipation I used to have irregular bowel movements, so I started using laxatives. Now I'm dependent on them, and I can't have a bowel movement without them. Do I need to see a doctor? Which specialist should I consult?
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
In today's society, the fast-paced lifestyle and a diet leaning towards high-fat, low-fiber Western foods have led to an increase in constipation, particularly among young women. There are many patients with such conditions in gastroenterology. For those with chronic constip...[Read More] Understanding Constipation: When to See a Doctor and Which Specialist to Choose
Can Poor Health Lead to Weight Gain? Understanding Digestion and Appetite
Is it possible to gain weight if you have a poor constitution? Hello doctor, I seem to have a poor constitution. Although I haven't had a thorough examination, I often feel that my sense of fullness lasts a long time after eating, as if I haven't digested my food. When ...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
Based on the symptoms you described, it seems very much like functional dyspepsia. However, this diagnosis is made through exclusion, meaning that other pathological diagnoses (such as ulcers, tumors, etc.) must be ruled out first. Recurrent duodenal ulcers can sometimes lead to ...[Read More] Can Poor Health Lead to Weight Gain? Understanding Digestion and Appetite
Understanding Diabetes Symptoms: What You Need to Know
Doctor, I'm quite scared... What should I do? What are the symptoms of diabetes? I grew up drinking sugary beverages! My friends often tell me to "be careful of diabetes," and I'm very worried because I've heard that people with diabetes tend to die earli...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
Diabetes is characterized by three "polys": polyphagia (increased hunger), polydipsia (increased thirst), and polyuria (increased urination). Drinking beverages does not directly cause diabetes unless there is an underlying issue with insulin secretion from the pancreas...[Read More] Understanding Diabetes Symptoms: What You Need to Know
Managing Severe Bloating: Tips for Gastrointestinal Health
Severe intestinal bloating? I have had gastrointestinal issues for a long time. A year ago, I developed gastritis due to gastroenteritis, and since then, my stomach has been more prone to pain. As a child, I did not like to have bowel movements, so I never developed a regular bow...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
In today's highly competitive society, coupled with significant mental stress and the prevalence of high-fat, low-fiber diets in the West, the incidence of chronic constipation has markedly increased among young people, especially young women. Insufficient intake of high-fib...[Read More] Managing Severe Bloating: Tips for Gastrointestinal Health
Understanding Upper Right Abdominal Discomfort After Late Nights
Staying up late every time? Hello doctor, every time I stay up late, I feel a bloated sensation in my upper right abdomen, or sometimes a tingling feeling. When I press below my ribcage (in the upper abdominal area), it hurts a bit. I thought the liver doesn't have nerves, s...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin reply Internal Medicine
The nerves of the liver are primarily distributed in the capsule on the surface of the liver. If a pathological condition invades the capsule or if there is internal expansion of the liver, such as a large tumor pulling on the capsule, it can also cause pain. The organs in the ri...[Read More] Understanding Upper Right Abdominal Discomfort After Late Nights