Understanding Neck Lumps: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Neck mass? Hello doctor, I have had a lump on the upper right side of my neck for about three months. It is slightly painful when I press on it. I initially thought it was caused by a previous adenovirus infection (in December), but after taking medication, my cold resolved, and ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Amy: There are many causes for neck masses; common ones include lymphadenitis, thyroid enlargement or nodules, hemangiomas, fibromas, lipomas, neurofibromas, lymphomas, and inflammation of subcutaneous glands, among others. Due to the variety of potential causes, it is a...[Read More] Understanding Neck Lumps: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Managing High Cholesterol: Should You Choose Medication or Lifestyle Changes?
High cholesterol I have had high cholesterol issues since childhood. After taking lipid-lowering medication for about a year, my cholesterol levels returned to normal. My doctor believes I can try stopping the medication. Since stopping, I have been exercising regularly and follo...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Fei: 1. According to the regulations of our national health insurance, patients with cardiovascular diseases or diabetes whose total cholesterol level exceeds 160 mg/dL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) exceeds 100 mg/dL may be eligible for pharmacological ...[Read More] Managing High Cholesterol: Should You Choose Medication or Lifestyle Changes?
Understanding Low Blood Sugar and Seizures in Teenagers: A Case Study
High school student with hypoglycemic coma? Hello Doctor, my daughter, who is in her first year of high school, suddenly reported feeling dizzy and weak while studying at home in mid-December. I intended to check her blood pressure (her school health check and regular measurement...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Zhang: 1. There are many causes of hypoglycemia; among them, iatrogenic hypoglycemia is the most common, primarily caused by oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin. If this is not the case, a thorough consideration of other factors is necessary. Generally, hypoglycemia can...[Read More] Understanding Low Blood Sugar and Seizures in Teenagers: A Case Study
Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Counts: What You Need to Know
Leukocytosis Hello Doctor, my girlfriend recently went to the hospital for a blood test and found that her white blood cell count is elevated. Is there anything I should be aware of? Her father passed away from blood cancer and bone cancer, which was attributed to an overdose of ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. You: Certain types of breast cancer, blood cancer, and bone cancer may be related to genetics or family history; however, the evidence is not always definitive. Nonetheless, physicians will still take this into consideration during medical history inquiries. Many cases ...[Read More] Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Counts: What You Need to Know
Understanding HIV Transmission Risks in Sports and Everyday Situations
Several questions regarding HIV transmission? 1. Hello, doctor. I have a few questions. First, are there any documented cases in medical history where HIV was transmitted through playing basketball? Since basketball is a contact sport, there can be minor injuries during the game,...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Inquirer: 1. The HIV virus is primarily transmitted through blood or serum; however, for successful transmission to occur, the virus must be intact and present in sufficient quantities. Additionally, the infected individual's wound must come into contact with the viru...[Read More] Understanding HIV Transmission Risks in Sports and Everyday Situations
How to Diagnose My Health Issues: Weight Gain and Urinary Concerns
How can I get a diagnosis? Hello Doctor, I have had a question for a long time. My weight suddenly increased by over 20 kilograms in the past few years. During my health check last year, the report showed that my blood sugar was normal, but my urine glucose was ++. At that time, ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Gigi: According to medical principles, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that can lead to irregular menstruation, obesity, masculinization, and even infertility. It is often associated with diabetes or insulin resistance-related glucose intoleranc...[Read More] How to Diagnose My Health Issues: Weight Gain and Urinary Concerns
Can You Get Hepatitis B from Using Someone Else's Pimple Extractor?
Hepatitis B infection If someone accidentally uses a comedone extractor that was previously used by a person with hepatitis B, but it was not used immediately after them, is there still a risk of infection?
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Apple: 1. The hepatitis B virus is primarily transmitted through serum. Therefore, sharing needles, razors, and other items that come into contact with blood or serum can potentially lead to infection. 2. Since nearly all citizens born in our country after 1985 have ...[Read More] Can You Get Hepatitis B from Using Someone Else's Pimple Extractor?
Understanding Winter Blood Pressure Changes in the Elderly
Winter Blood Pressure Issues in the Elderly Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about blood pressure issues in the elderly. I found some information online stating that it is normal for blood pressure to be higher in winter. Since I work in a nursing facility, there has been signi...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Zhen: V = I × R (Voltage = Current × Resistance) Similarly: BP (Blood Pressure) = CO (Cardiac Output) × TPR (Total Peripheral Resistance) = (SV (Stroke Volume) × HR (Heart Rate)) × TPR R = 8ηL/πr^4 Where R: Resistance; η: Viscosity; L: Length; π: Pi; r: Radius of th...[Read More] Understanding Winter Blood Pressure Changes in the Elderly
Understanding Kidney Health: Interpreting Your Lab Results and Concerns
Kidney problems I received my health check report on December 29. My kidney function indices are BUN 11.8, Creatinine 0.66, uric acid 5.81, and urine leukocytes (+) with 6-8 leukocytes in the urine. The rest of the urine test results are normal. Can you tell me if I have kidney d...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Miss Zhang Xuanxuan: Based on the information you provided, there is no evidence to suggest that you have kidney disease. Your health check physician is correct; it is possible that the urine was contaminated. It could also be due to slight increases in perineal secretions, ...[Read More] Understanding Kidney Health: Interpreting Your Lab Results and Concerns
Understanding Dizziness When Lying Down: Causes and Solutions
Dizziness when lying down? In recent days, whenever I lie on my side to sleep, I experience dizziness. Initially, it was only on my left side, but now it also occurs on my right side! Now, even when lying flat, I feel dizzy! During these episodes of dizziness, my vision spins unc...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Chen: Changes in posture can lead to dizziness for various reasons, including peripheral causes such as vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, otolith dysfunction, and hearing loss. Central causes may also be involved, such as brainstem lesions, nerve compression, ...[Read More] Understanding Dizziness When Lying Down: Causes and Solutions
Can I Rule Out Infection After Multiple Negative Tests?
Will there be a turnaround? Doctor, I had a high-risk exposure on October 7th. I took an RTPCR test on October 18th and November 9th, and I also had P24 antigen and antibody tests done at 10 days, 33 days, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks, all of which were negative. I hav...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Akai: 1. Your question was already addressed on December 4, 2017. In addition to considering HIV, there are many other potential diagnoses that need to be clarified regarding your symptoms of fever, lymphadenopathy, and diarrhea in order to provide appropriate treatmen...[Read More] Can I Rule Out Infection After Multiple Negative Tests?
Managing High Nighttime Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetes Patients
Diabetes and Blood Sugar Issues (Elevated Blood Sugar Levels Before Bedtime) Hello Doctor, my father is about 58 years old and had a stroke two years ago. Hospital examinations indicated that diabetes led to hypertension. After rehabilitation, he was able to live independently an...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. A-Hsiang, Before bed, the blood glucose level was 200 mg/dL, and the fasting blood glucose level in the morning was 105 mg/dL. Clinically, for diabetic patients who manage their condition solely through diet and exercise, these levels are acceptable. Normal postprandial...[Read More] Managing High Nighttime Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetes Patients
Managing High Blood Sugar: When to See a Doctor and Dietary Tips
Blood sugar issues? Hello, doctor. After my health check-up, I found that my blood sugar levels were elevated, so I completely stopped eating sweets. However, I often feel very hungry after meals. Although it doesn't significantly affect my daily routine, I would like to ask...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Ahong: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dL after fasting for more than 8 hours, b. Plasma glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, c. HbA...[Read More] Managing High Blood Sugar: When to See a Doctor and Dietary Tips
Understanding Hypothyroidism: Should You Take Medication or Seek Further Testing?
Hypothyroidism issues? Hello Doctor, I am currently undergoing infertility treatment, so I need to check if there are any issues with my thyroid. Hospital A tested and found that I have hypothyroidism, with a TSH level of 7.026 (the standard range is 0.35-5.5). They prescribed EL...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Miss Xiao Gua: 1. Personally, I am unsure how to answer your question. 2. I can only tell you that, according to general medical principles, hypothyroidism is characterized by decreased levels of T3 (triiodothyronine), decreased levels of T4 (thyroxine), and increased lev...[Read More] Understanding Hypothyroidism: Should You Take Medication or Seek Further Testing?
Understanding Ultrasound Imaging: Distinguishing Between Cysts and Bubbles
Ultrasound Interpretation Hello, Doctor. I recently visited the urology department and after having a scrotal ultrasound, the doctor pointed to a nearly black, round object about 1 cm in size near the epididymis and said it was a bubble, which is a degenerative phenomenon and qui...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Ali: 1. Your question is indeed difficult to answer. In hospitals, scrotal ultrasound examinations are primarily performed by urologists in the surgical department; therefore, their experience is likely to be much greater than that of internists. 2. From the perspectiv...[Read More] Understanding Ultrasound Imaging: Distinguishing Between Cysts and Bubbles
Understanding Elevated IGF-1 Levels: Concerns and Follow-Up Recommendations
Questions related to IGF-1 levels? Hello Doctor: I previously visited the endocrinology department due to weight loss and fatigue. The doctor ordered a blood test, and only one result, IGF-1, was above the standard range (exact value unknown). The doctor is concerned about a pote...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Chelle: 1. In medical terms, the hypothalamus in the brain secretes releasing hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone. Growth hormone not only acts directly on target organs but also stimulates the liver and other tissues to secrete insuli...[Read More] Understanding Elevated IGF-1 Levels: Concerns and Follow-Up Recommendations
Can I Trust My Test Results? Understanding Persistent Symptoms and Diagnosis
Can it be confirmed or not? Doctor, I am from Tainan. On October 7th, I was at high risk. On October 14th, I experienced abdominal pain and diarrhea. On October 18th, I went to a testing facility for an RTPCR test (negative), and the P24 test was also (negative). On November 2nd,...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. A-Kai: 1. HIV RT-PCR is primarily used in the early stages of HIV infection, approximately around 7 days post-exposure. If infection has occurred, the viral load is very low, so PCR is utilized in the laboratory to amplify the viral quantity, allowing for the detection ...[Read More] Can I Trust My Test Results? Understanding Persistent Symptoms and Diagnosis
Do Hepatitis B Carriers Still Need the Vaccine?
Carriers of Hepatitis B virus? Do carriers of hepatitis B still need to receive the hepatitis B vaccine?
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Chi: 1. Hepatitis B carriers are identified by the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their bodies, without the production of antibodies against the surface antigen. Therefore, they do not need to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine. 2. Hepatitis B carrie...[Read More] Do Hepatitis B Carriers Still Need the Vaccine?
Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns
Health check shows elevated uric acid and cholesterol levels? Hello Doctor: I recently had a health check, and my uric acid level is 7.1, which is above the normal range. Isn't the normal value for women supposed to be less than 6.6? I currently do not have any symptoms of g...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Kiki: 1. Elevated uric acid levels primarily refer to high concentrations of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid precipitates in joint tissues (such as the big toe joint, the back of the foot, or finger joints), it can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to go...[Read More] Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns
Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns
Health check shows elevated uric acid and cholesterol levels? Hello Doctor: I recently had a health check-up, and my uric acid level is 7.1, which is above the normal range. Isn't the normal value for women supposed to be less than 6.6? I currently do not have any symptoms o...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. KiKi: 1. Elevated uric acid levels primarily refer to high concentrations of uric acid in the blood. If uric acid precipitates in joint tissues (such as the big toe joint, the back of the foot, or finger joints), it can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to gout....[Read More] Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns