Risks of Flushing IV Lines with Saline in Pediatric Patients
Intravenous therapy When a child is hospitalized and receiving intravenous fluids, if the IV line becomes occluded, the nurse may flush it with saline solution. Is there a significant risk of blood clots entering the bloodstream in this situation? What precautions should be taken...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. QQ: 1. Since your child is hospitalized, your concerns should be directed to the nursing staff or the attending physician. 2. If I am not mistaken, you may be worried about blood clots obstructing veins or arteries. Embolism refers to the blockage of a blood vessel by...[Read More] Risks of Flushing IV Lines with Saline in Pediatric Patients
Understanding Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, and Dizziness in Young Adults
Chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and dizziness? Hello doctor, I am 21 years old. Every morning when I wake up, I almost always experience chest tightness, and sometimes I feel sharp pain in the left side of my chest or in the center. Even when I am sitting still...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Yang: 1. When a clinician addresses the issue of chest pain, the first four critical conditions to rule out are myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, and aortic dissection. If none of these conditions are present, differential diagnoses should be cons...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, and Dizziness in Young Adults
Understanding Muscle Soreness After a Bike Accident: Causes and When to Seek Help
Muscle soreness after a fall? Hello, Director. A couple of days ago, I had a motorcycle accident and sustained abrasions on my limbs. There are no bruises or obvious wounds on my body, and I do not experience tenderness. I also have no pain while breathing. However, I am wonderin...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Hello, if you still feel unwell after a few days of observation, it is recommended to visit a family medicine clinic for evaluation. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Muscle Soreness After a Bike Accident: Causes and When to Seek Help
Essential Tips for Preventing Infections During Military Service
Questions about self-protection during service? Hello Doctor, I will soon be serving mandatory military duty. While I have some concerns about physical training and fitness, my main worry is the possibility of inadvertently contracting certain infectious diseases (especially sexu...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. JAM: 1. Condyloma acuminata (genital warts) and syphilis are primarily transmitted through intimate sexual contact. The pathogen for the former is the Human papillomavirus (HPV). If you are concerned, you can consider receiving the three-dose vaccine series (each dose c...[Read More] Essential Tips for Preventing Infections During Military Service
Does Eating Pineapple Affect Urine Odor? Understanding the Connection
After eating pineapple, urine may have a pineapple scent? Hello, doctor. As the title suggests, my urination is normal usually, but today after eating pineapple, I noticed a similar smell in the bathroom, and I'm a bit worried if there might be an issue with my body. Three y...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Anonymous Sir: 1. The food or beverages we consume undergo processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in the body, with most being eliminated through urine. Some substances are transformed into various metabolites, while others are metabolized but reta...[Read More] Does Eating Pineapple Affect Urine Odor? Understanding the Connection
Fever Mimicking Cold Symptoms: When to Seek Medical Advice
Fever resembling a cold? Measure palm temperature every 1 to 3 hours, which ranges from 39.3 to 39.5 degrees Celsius; forehead temperature is between 37.3 and 37.9 degrees Celsius; temple temperature ranges from 37.2 to 38.4 degrees Celsius. Rapid test for COVID-19 is negative. R...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Yun: If you are experiencing persistent fever, headache, sore throat, runny nose, and cough, it is important to consider the possibility of infections from pathogens other than COVID-19 and influenza, as well as rare causes. Additionally, rapid testing for COVID-19 can y...[Read More] Fever Mimicking Cold Symptoms: When to Seek Medical Advice
Excessive Yawning and Tears: Is It Normal and How to Improve?
Medical Consultation: Family Medicine Issue - Yawning I would like to ask the doctor, even after getting enough sleep, I still find myself yawning excessively and tearing up, to the point where I can yawn 5 to 6 times in a row, and my mask gets wet from the tears. Is this normal?...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Lin: 1. Essentially, the physiological mechanisms behind yawning are not yet fully understood in the medical field. It may be triggered by insufficient cerebral blood circulation or the accumulation of carbon dioxide, prompting yawning to expel carbon dioxide and inhale...[Read More] Excessive Yawning and Tears: Is It Normal and How to Improve?
Understanding Elevated Fasting Blood Sugar: What You Need to Know
Health examination red flags Hello doctor, I recently had a health check-up for my part-time job, and the report showed a fasting blood glucose level of 106. However, none of my relatives have a history of related illnesses, and my blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference are...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Student, 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 at least 8 hours, b. Plasma glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, ...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Fasting Blood Sugar: What You Need to Know
How to Choose the Right Specialist for High LDL-C Levels
Abnormal LDL-C - How to make an appointment at the outpatient clinic? Hello: During last year's health check-up (September 2022), I noticed several abnormalities, among which my LDL-C has been above the normal range for several consecutive years. I later attended a consultat...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
1. If a patient is experiencing chest tightness, chest pain, or acute coronary syndrome, it is recommended to directly schedule an appointment with a cardiologist. 2. If there are no heart-related diseases and only abnormal cholesterol levels are present, then a cardiologist, end...[Read More] How to Choose the Right Specialist for High LDL-C Levels
Understanding Blood in Urine: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
Identifying the source of hematuria? My father recently experienced hematuria, and despite family urging him to seek medical attention, he has been unwilling to do so, which has made us very upset. He described his hematuria as being a deep red color and stated that it was consis...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
1. Poisoning or rhabdomyolysis can lead to dark or red-colored urine; however, the term hematuria specifically refers to the presence of red blood cells in the urine. Gross hematuria is visible to the naked eye, while microscopic hematuria is detected under a microscope. 2. The...[Read More] Understanding Blood in Urine: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
Essential Health Checkups: Addressing Your Concerns and Symptoms
Physical examination Hello Doctor, I have health anxiety, so I am very sensitive to changes in my body. I am particularly afraid of serious illnesses like cancer and often overthink minor issues (the family medicine doctors I’ve seen say I tend to overreact). I have undergone man...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Chen: 1. A superficial lipoma in the abdominal area, if it has not increased in size or shown any other significant changes, is generally not a concern. However, if it continues to grow, it is advisable to follow up with a general surgery outpatient clinic at a regional...[Read More] Essential Health Checkups: Addressing Your Concerns and Symptoms
Assessing Hepatitis B Transmission Risk from Blood Splash to Eyes
Blood splashed into the eyes of a patient who is a carrier of hepatitis B? If a patient is a carrier of hepatitis B but has low infectivity, and there was a splash of blood during a blood glucose measurement that got into the eyes, but the individual has been vaccinated against h...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Miss Hsiao-Hsuan: 1. Since 1985, almost all newborns in our country have received complete vaccinations against hepatitis B. Therefore, since your test still shows the presence of hepatitis B antibodies, the chance of contracting hepatitis B is nearly nonexistent. 2. The...[Read More] Assessing Hepatitis B Transmission Risk from Blood Splash to Eyes
Understanding Persistent Dry Mouth: Causes and When to Seek Help
Dry mouth and dry tongue? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing persistent dry mouth lately. I drink at least 1500cc of water a day, plus a cup of unsweetened tea, but no matter how much I drink, my mouth still feels dry. I have no issues swallowing, and I don't feel thirst...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Wei: 1. There are many causes of dry mouth and dry tongue; common ones include diabetes, dehydration, side effects of medications, Sjögren's syndrome, smoking, aging, endocrine disorders (such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes insipidus), and psychosomatic disorders,...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Dry Mouth: Causes and When to Seek Help
Should You Get Checked for Shortness of Breath After COVID?
Is it necessary to undergo further examination for easy shortness of breath? Symptoms: Since my diagnosis last May, I have noticed that I easily become short of breath, such as when climbing stairs or talking, and sometimes I feel the need to take a deep breath even when I am not...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Hao: There are many causes of dyspnea; common causes include heart, lung, kidney diseases, or various metabolic disorders; of course, there are also many rare causes. If you have been experiencing these symptoms for six months, regardless of whether you have had COVID-19...[Read More] Should You Get Checked for Shortness of Breath After COVID?
Understanding Your Symptoms: Night Sweats, Eye Discomfort, and Digestive Issues
What’s wrong with me? 1. For three consecutive weeks, I have been experiencing night sweats and waking up almost gasping for air, with blood oxygen levels typically ranging between 90-93%. My heart rate is normal, but I then feel extremely cold and shiver, no matter how I cover m...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Leslie Lin: Your complaints are very diverse, including issues related to the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, and even the nervous system. It is difficult to determine the cause based solely on this information. Often, it is necessary for a p...[Read More] Understanding Your Symptoms: Night Sweats, Eye Discomfort, and Digestive Issues
Can You Safely Use Viagra with Blood Pressure Medications?
Medication Consultation Currently, I am taking BLOPRESS 8mg (Candesartan) once daily and Norvasc 5mg (Amlodipine) half a tablet daily for hypertension. Can I also take Viagra (Sildenafil) or similar medications? If so, will there be any side effects? Thank you!
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Tianren: 1. Currently, there are three commonly approved PDE-5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: Sildenafil, Vardenafil, and Tadalafil. All three PDE-5 inhibitors have similar efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction, and their side effects are comp...[Read More] Can You Safely Use Viagra with Blood Pressure Medications?
How to Properly Disinfect Showerheads to Prevent Infection Risks
Questions about environmental cleanliness? If you are concerned about the possibility of indirect infection from a showerhead contaminated with the blood of an individual with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), is it sufficient to disinfect the exterior of bathroom fixtures ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Anonymous: 1. Generally speaking, the pathogens of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), whether bacterial or viral, have a difficult time surviving outside the human body; therefore, the transmission of STIs typically requires intimate contact. 2. Approximately 70...[Read More] How to Properly Disinfect Showerheads to Prevent Infection Risks
Understanding Cholesterol Changes: Causes and Solutions for Your Health
Increased cholesterol Hello Doctor, since I turned 30, I have been getting annual check-ups. My total cholesterol has been around 200-220 (with HDL around the 80s and LDL around 100, and the doctor said my HDL is good, so it's not a concern). However, I noticed in last year&...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Ann: 1. Your total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels are elevated, and it is advisable to first manage this through diet and exercise. It is recommended to reduce the intake of high-cholesterol and trans fats (commonly found in creamers, bu...[Read More] Understanding Cholesterol Changes: Causes and Solutions for Your Health
Understanding Forearm Pain After IV Glucose Administration
Forearm pain A few days ago, I received a glucose infusion at the hospital, and I experienced pain at the injection site. The nursing staff explained that it was due to the hypertonic solution, but they quickly adjusted the flow rate, which gradually alleviated the pain. However,...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Ms. Judy: 1. Common side effects or complications of intravenous therapy often arise from the infusion itself, the medications added, improper placement of the intravenous catheter, extravasation of the infusion from the venipuncture site, localized infections leading to c...[Read More] Understanding Forearm Pain After IV Glucose Administration
Do You Need Approval for Paying Out-of-Pocket Rabies Vaccination?
Is it necessary to submit an application for receiving a rabies vaccine at one's own expense? Hello, Doctor. I was bitten by my neighbor's dog on the evening of July 12. Since I was wearing long pants, I only had a small bruise and a minor abrasion. The next day, I went...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. Hsiao: 1. The risk of rabies in Taiwan is currently limited to wild animals in the central, southern, and eastern mountainous regions, primarily involving the badger as the main infected species, with a few cases in the white-nosed coati. The current regulation states t...[Read More] Do You Need Approval for Paying Out-of-Pocket Rabies Vaccination?