Balancing Sweet Treats and Health: Tips for Pastry Chefs
Sweets and Body Composition Hello Doctor, I am a chef working as a pastry chef in a French dessert shop. I pay great attention to health, but due to my job, I have to taste every dessert. Of course, I know that sugar should be avoided as much as possible. Could you please advise ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Chen: 1. Generally speaking, one gram of starch produces four kilocalories, one gram of protein also produces four kilocalories, while one gram of fat produces nine kilocalories. Given that you are aware of the ingredients used in the French pastry shop, you should be a...[Read More] Balancing Sweet Treats and Health: Tips for Pastry Chefs
Post-Meal Blood Sugar: Walking Benefits and Glucose Fluctuations Explained
Measuring postprandial blood glucose? Hello Doctor, I have been controlling my diet. If I eat at 12 PM and measure my postprandial blood glucose at 2 PM, I usually start walking around 1:30 PM, which means I will be slightly active for about half an hour before the measurement. I...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Gao: 1. A moderate walk after meals can effectively lower postprandial blood glucose levels; there should not be any major issues. In fact, individuals with regular exercise habits tend to have increased sensitivity of insulin receptors, which helps maintain stable bloo...[Read More] Post-Meal Blood Sugar: Walking Benefits and Glucose Fluctuations Explained
Understanding Chest Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention
Chest pain Recently, I have experienced occasional chest pain, a condition that hasn't occurred for a long time. The most severe episode happened during my middle school years when I suddenly felt chest pain and difficulty breathing while asleep. I quickly drank some water, ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Miss Anonymous: 1. There are many causes of chest pain, which can originate from superficial chest wall issues (such as shingles, costochondritis, shoulder arthritis, spinal nerve compression, breast lesions, etc.) or from deeper organ-related pain (such as angina, myocard...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention
Understanding Prediabetes Symptoms: Insights from Military Health Exams
Pre-diabetic symptoms in military service medical examinations? Hello Doctor: I have a few questions for you. I am 23 years old, with a BMI of 18.6 and weighing 48 kg. Before my health check, I ate half a lunch box, and the report showed urine glucose converted to 200 mg/dl, indi...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Anonymous: 1. The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) results after a 12-hour fasting show fasting blood glucose: 102 mg/dl, 1 hour: 152 mg/dl, 2 hours: 122 mg/dl, and HbA1c: 5.3%. This result does not meet the criteria for a diabetes diagnosis. It can be classified as i...[Read More] Understanding Prediabetes Symptoms: Insights from Military Health Exams
Understanding Fatigue: Causes and Solutions for Persistent Weakness
Generalized weakness? Hello, Dr. Hsiao! I am 19 years old and have a normal sleep schedule of about 8 hours. I wake up feeling well-rested, but after a while, I start to feel fatigued again. Taking a nap in the afternoon helps somewhat, but I still feel tired shortly after. Recen...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Anonymous: 1. Fatigue is something that almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives, and most diseases can cause fatigue. Typically, fatigue is temporary, self-limiting, and the primary cause can often be identified. Based on the nature of the causes, fati...[Read More] Understanding Fatigue: Causes and Solutions for Persistent Weakness
Understanding Abdominal Distension: Causes and Concerns for Women
The abdomen feels bloated, and there is discomfort when pressure is applied? Recently, I have noticed a sudden increase in the size of my lower abdomen. As a naturally slim woman, my abdomen used to be completely flat, but now it appears more protruded than before. When I have a ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Lulu: 1. There are many causes of abdominal discomfort, which are often difficult to diagnose. However, symptoms that physicians tend to pay more attention to include fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, belching and bloating, dry mouth, diarrhea, hematemesis, melena, we...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Distension: Causes and Concerns for Women
Normal Bedtime Blood Sugar Levels for Non-Diabetics Explained
Bedtime blood glucose What should a normal bedtime blood sugar level be for a person without diabetes? Thank you, doctor.
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Miss Su: 1. Generally speaking, blood glucose levels gradually rise after meals, peaking around two hours postprandially. If insulin secretion and action are normal, blood glucose levels should not exceed 140 mg/dL and will then gradually decline. However, due to the body...[Read More] Normal Bedtime Blood Sugar Levels for Non-Diabetics Explained
Understanding Mucous Blood in Diarrhea: When to Seek Medical Attention
After experiencing diarrhea, the discharge is thick, foul-smelling, and contains blood? I would like to ask the doctor, I started experiencing abdominal pain and diarrhea one or two days ago. However, I don't have to run to the bathroom constantly; it improves after resting....
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. [Passing thick, foul-smelling, bloody stool after diarrhea] may occur following an episode of acute gastroenteritis, which could be due to bacterial gastroenteritis or possibly viral gastroenteritis. Of course, there are many other conditions that need to be considered in the ...[Read More] Understanding Mucous Blood in Diarrhea: When to Seek Medical Attention
Understanding Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels: 1 Hour vs 2 Hours
Blood glucose levels one hour and two hours after meals? Doctor, is it normal for blood sugar levels to be higher one hour after eating compared to two hours after eating? If I measure my blood sugar and find that my two-hour post-meal level is higher than my one-hour level, what...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. Generally, blood sugar levels rise gradually after meals, peaking two hours postprandially, and then gradually decline. If high-sugar or high-calorie foods are consumed, and there is sufficient insulin secretion in the body, blood sugar levels may spike rapidly; in some cases,...[Read More] Understanding Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels: 1 Hour vs 2 Hours
Understanding White Mucus on Lips: Causes and Treatments
There is white mucus on the lips? I'm not sure why there is white mucus on my lips that has also formed a membrane-like substance.
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. The complaint of having white mucus on the lips that can also form a membranous substance is rarely documented in medical literature for differential diagnosis. This indicates that it may simply be a manifestation, potentially normal or abnormal. Unless accompanied by other sp...[Read More] Understanding White Mucus on Lips: Causes and Treatments
Pain in Left Foot's Middle Toe: Causes and Treatment Options
The middle toe of the left foot is bent, and there is a pain sensation in the sole of the foot? Hello, doctor. On my way home tonight, I noticed a pain in the front part of my left foot while walking. After getting home and paying closer attention, I found that the pain originate...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. [Sudden pain in the left third toe, especially painful during dorsiflexion.] Medically speaking, inflammation refers to the presence of redness, swelling, heat, and pain in tissues. Your complaint may indicate some form of inflammation. However, I recommend that you consult yo...[Read More] Pain in Left Foot's Middle Toe: Causes and Treatment Options
How Post-Meal Exercise Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Exercise and Blood Sugar Hello doctor, I have noticed that if I exercise after eating, my blood sugar remains within the normal range. However, if I remain seated and inactive after a meal, my blood sugar tends to be higher. Is this situation normal? Why does post-meal activity l...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. Moderate exercise can utilize glucose as the primary energy source and increase the sensitivity of insulin receptors, thereby lowering blood glucose levels—both fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose two hours after meals. Consistent and regular exercise can also...[Read More] How Post-Meal Exercise Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Understanding Blood Sugar Management: Key Indicators and Medication Options
Blood sugar issues Dear Dr. Hsiao, I have been concerned about my blood sugar levels since my health check in 2004, when my fasting blood glucose was 100. I only started medication in 2015, but my weight has decreased from my usual 38 kg to the current 34 kg. For the past ten ye...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. For a 65-year-old diabetic patient, a fasting blood glucose level of 155 mg/dL, a postprandial blood glucose level of 169 mg/dL two hours after eating, and a hemoglobin A1c level of 6.6% indicate relatively good control. Each of these values carries individual significance, an...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Management: Key Indicators and Medication Options
Understanding Cholesterol: Debunking Myths for Diabetics
Cholesterol issues Hello Dr. Hsiao: I have diabetes, and my total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are all elevated. Both my doctor and diabetes health literature suggest that I should not consume too many high-cholesterol foods. However, I came across an article o...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. Essentially, there are many articles online with a diverse theoretical foundation; although they have their sources and basis, I prefer not to comment on them personally. 2. According to current research reports, the sources of cholesterol indeed include dietary intake and e...[Read More] Understanding Cholesterol: Debunking Myths for Diabetics
Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: When to Seek Treatment
Elevated white blood cell count? During middle school, a blood test revealed elevated white blood cell counts. Now, in my senior year of high school, a physical examination showed a white blood cell count as high as 18,000. After a follow-up blood test, the count decreased to 10,...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. Leukocytosis generally refers to a total white blood cell count exceeding 10,000/mm³. Most cases are due to inflammatory responses, while a smaller portion is caused by leukemia. 2. The clinical steps to diagnose leukocytosis begin with a blood test to examine peripheral blo...[Read More] Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: When to Seek Treatment
Understanding Leg Swelling: Causes and When to Seek Help
Similar to edema? Hello, for the past two days, my calves have been unusually swollen and painful when pressed. This occurs after dinner and after taking a shower before going to bed, but in the morning, everything seems fine. What could be the cause of this?
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. There are many causes of lower extremity edema; common ones include poor venous return, heart failure, cirrhosis, impaired kidney function, excessive salt intake, certain medications, and pregnancy, among others. Rare causes may include tumors, lymphatic obstruction, and paras...[Read More] Understanding Leg Swelling: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Yellow Discharge: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Options
Yellow discharge from the genital area? Hello Doctor: In recent months, as mentioned in the subject, I have been experiencing continuous discharge of yellow fluid from my lower body, along with significant abdominal swelling. I often need to change pads multiple times a day. I su...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Generally, an increase in vaginal discharge is referred to as leukorrhea, which is common among women. Possible causes include infections (such as bacterial, viral, or parasitic), hormonal changes, physiological responses, cancer, and more. It may also be a symptom of pelvic infl...[Read More] Understanding Yellow Discharge: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Options
Understanding OGTT Results: What Your Glucose Levels Mean
OGTT test and results Hello Doctor, I went to the laboratory for an OGTT, and they gave me a glucose solution with 50g of glucose powder. The results are as follows: HbA1c 5.0%, Fasting 87 mg/dL (70-110 mg/dL), 30 minutes post-ingestion 138 mg/dL (80-170 mg/dL), 1 hour post-inges...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. In clinical medicine, regarding the glucose tolerance test for diabetes, various dosages and reference values for test results have been developed over the past 60 years. In fact, endocrinologists may not remember every testing method and dosage. The commonly used testing meth...[Read More] Understanding OGTT Results: What Your Glucose Levels Mean
Can Hepatitis B Carriers Transmit the Virus to Partners Without Antibodies?
Hepatitis B carrier I am a carrier of hepatitis B. If the person I like does not have antibodies, can I transmit the virus to them? I have had tests done before, and the doctor said there were no issues.
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
1. The causes of hepatitis B infection can be divided into vertical and horizontal transmission. The former refers to infants being infected by hepatitis B carrier mothers at birth or during the perinatal period, while the latter includes sexual intercourse, blood transfusions, s...[Read More] Can Hepatitis B Carriers Transmit the Virus to Partners Without Antibodies?
Understanding OGTT Results: Can Normal Glycation Indicate Diabetes?
OGTT test and glycation? Hello doctor, if the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is normal at 5.1%, but the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) exceeds 200 mg/dL, would that be classified as diabetes? Is this a possibility? Thank you.
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dL after fasting for at least 8 hours, b. Plasma glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), c. HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (thi...[Read More] Understanding OGTT Results: Can Normal Glycation Indicate Diabetes?