Managing Back Pain and Symptoms During Lung Cancer Treatment
Lower back pain Hello Doctor: In March of this year, I was diagnosed with stage 3B lung adenocarcinoma and am currently undergoing targeted therapy with Alectinib. A CT scan in June showed a significant reduction in the tumor size, and a bone scan in April was normal. My job requ...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Currently, the tumor treatment response seems to be good, and the likelihood of metastasis is low. Weight may be slightly lower in the summer, which is acceptable. It is recommended to avoid prolonged sitting and to engage in moderate exercise daily for improvement![Read More] Managing Back Pain and Symptoms During Lung Cancer Treatment
Understanding Allergies: Chronic Cough and Chest Tightness Explained
Allergy, chronic cough, chest tightness? I have allergic rhinitis that occurs intermittently. Sometimes, I experience allergies when organizing things or taking clothes out of the closet, and I get nasal congestion as soon as I lie down, which forces me to breathe through my mout...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Allergic rhinitis has a higher chance of being associated with asthma. Currently, the symptoms are not very typical. It is recommended to avoid consuming too many cold foods. If you want to confirm whether you have asthma, you can consult a pulmonologist![Read More] Understanding Allergies: Chronic Cough and Chest Tightness Explained
Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Causes and Solutions
Respiratory issues Hello doctor, recently I've been experiencing a sensation of tightness in my body and difficulty breathing just as I'm about to fall asleep, even feeling like my breathing has stopped, which forces me to take deep breaths. After waking up, I feel bett...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Frequent hiccups may be due to gastric distension. It is advisable not to overeat, avoid consuming too many cold beverages, and also be mindful not to gain weight too quickly![Read More] Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Causes and Solutions
Persistent Left Chest Numbness: Causes and When to Seek Help
Experiencing tingling sensations in the left chest? After being diagnosed, I have been experiencing a tingling sensation in my left chest that has persisted for almost a month. Massaging the area has not helped. The tingling sensation is often more pronounced when I lie down at n...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: The X-ray examination showed no issues. The remaining neurological sensations are slightly abnormal, but there shouldn't be any major problems. It's recommended to relax and not to focus too much on the tingling sensation![Read More] Persistent Left Chest Numbness: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Right Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Specialist Recommendations
Pain near the upper right chest, which occurs in certain positions? Hello, doctor. Recently, I've been experiencing a slight stabbing pain in the upper right side of my chest, near the center, which occurs when I stand up, bend over, or raise my arms. Just before this, I had...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: The back strain, gastroesophageal reflux, and recent high stress you described may be related to the chest pain. It is recommended to address these underlying issues and take antacids, which should lead to improvement.[Read More] Understanding Right Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Specialist Recommendations
Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Chest pain? In recent days, I have been experiencing occasional sharp pain in my chest (with a tearing sensation), and sometimes my neck also hurts. The pain intensifies when I am anxious, but I do not experience shortness of breath. Occasionally, I also feel pain while breathing...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Most of it is just nerve pain. It is recommended to eat fewer cold foods and ensure adequate rest at night![Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Family History of Lung Adenocarcinoma: Risks and Screening
Familial inheritance of lung adenocarcinoma? Hello, Director! My mother passed away from lung adenocarcinoma at the age of 83 in 2003. She had a habit of cooking three meals a day and rarely used the range hood. I have seven siblings, currently aged between 79 and 69, with two ha...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Since your mother has lung adenocarcinoma, even though there is a family history of lung cancer, you may consider undergoing a low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scan.[Read More] Understanding Family History of Lung Adenocarcinoma: Risks and Screening
Understanding Chest Pain: Is It Heart-Related or Nerve Pain?
Chest pain? Hello doctor, for the past few days, I've been experiencing intermittent sharp pain in my left chest (as indicated by the point on the finger in the image). I feel a bit uncomfortable when I press on it, and since it's located near the heart, I'm unsure...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Repeated pressure on the ribs and chest wall muscles can easily cause pain. At 21 years old, the likelihood of atherosclerosis, angina, or myocardial infarction is extremely low; it is more likely to be neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain can be exacerbated by stress and em...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Is It Heart-Related or Nerve Pain?
Understanding Pneumothorax: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Military Service Implications
Diagnosis and Treatment of Pneumothorax Seven years ago, I went to the emergency department of National Taiwan University Hospital due to a pneumothorax. After several days of oxygen therapy and X-ray examinations, I was discharged in stable condition. The hospital issued a diagn...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
In my personal opinion, I would like to respond as follows: 1. For recurrent pneumothorax with abnormal air bubble expansion visible on CT scans, surgical treatment is recommended. 2. Regarding the second question, I cannot speak on behalf of Tri-Service General Hospital and the ...[Read More] Understanding Pneumothorax: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Military Service Implications
Soft Lump Under Right Rib: Causes and Concerns for Young Women
A soft mass felt below the right rib cage? Hello Doctor: I am a 21-year-old female. I can feel a soft lump just below my right rib cage when I gently press on it (it is not visible on the surface). It feels very soft, like it contains fluid, and it bounces back when I press down ...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Lipomas do not change shape based on body position. Generally, if they are not growing continuously, you can leave them alone. However, if they do grow, please consult a general surgery outpatient clinic.[Read More] Soft Lump Under Right Rib: Causes and Concerns for Young Women
Understanding Tracheal Foreign Body Symptoms: What You Need to Know
Symptoms of tracheal foreign body obstruction? Hello, Director Yang. A few days ago, while drinking bubble tea, I suddenly felt discomfort in my throat and had a cough. Just as the tapioca pearls went down, I currently don't have any breathing difficulties (I climbed two fli...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: If there are no respiratory symptoms, it should have entered the esophagus rather than the trachea. Just monitor for any respiratory symptoms.[Read More] Understanding Tracheal Foreign Body Symptoms: What You Need to Know
Understanding Left Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns After COVID-19
Left chest pain? I have been experiencing left chest pain since October of last year. I have G6PD deficiency and epilepsy, and I was diagnosed on May 23. I only had a cough and sore throat, and since I didn't receive the antiviral medication, the doctor prescribed traditiona...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Your previous examinations have largely ruled out heart and lung diseases. It seems more like occasional nerve pain or localized muscle pain. You only need to take pain relievers (such as acetaminophen) to alleviate the pain when it becomes more severe![Read More] Understanding Left Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns After COVID-19
Interpreting Chest X-Ray Findings: Insights on Bronchiolitis and More
Inquiry about X-ray report? The chest X-ray (CXR) in the posteroanterior (PA) view reveals the following findings: Normal heart size. There is bilateral parahilar infiltration with increased thickness of the bronchiolar walls, which raises suspicion for bronchiolitis, bronchitis,...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Based on the report, there appears to be no pneumonia or pulmonary nodules; it may simply be due to shallower inhalation, resulting in relatively thicker vascular or bronchial markings. If there are no significant respiratory symptoms, monitoring is sufficient. If symptoms...[Read More] Interpreting Chest X-Ray Findings: Insights on Bronchiolitis and More
Difficulty Breathing and Swallowing After Chest Injury: What to Do?
Difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing? Hello Doctor, 11 days ago, I was hit in the chest by an unknown object while riding my bike. At that moment, I experienced intense pain and immediately pushed it away and discarded it. There was also a thin, transparent foreign obje...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: It is recommended to first see a pulmonologist for a chest X-ray to assess whether it is related to breathing difficulties. If throat or swallowing issues do not improve, you may consider seeing an otolaryngologist![Read More] Difficulty Breathing and Swallowing After Chest Injury: What to Do?
Understanding Your Chest X-Ray Results After COVID-19 Diagnosis
I am a confirmed case; I would like to inquire about the chest X-ray report? Hello, Director. I was diagnosed on May 15th, and due to a persistent high fever, I went to the emergency room two days ago. During the visit, I had an X-ray taken while lying down, and I wasn't ins...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: If there is no persistent high fever or cough accompanied by yellow or green sputum, it is unlikely to be pneumonia. An X-ray showing insufficient inhalation may present images consistent with the aforementioned description![Read More] Understanding Your Chest X-Ray Results After COVID-19 Diagnosis
Understanding Mild Interstitial Lung Markings: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Increased pulmonary markings? Hello, Director! The recent chest X-ray report is as follows: 1. Mild increase of interstitial lung markings in both lower lungs is noted. Suggest correlating clinically and following up. 2. Normal heart size is noted. 3. Degenerative disk disease of...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: The X-ray report only mentions a mild increase in the pulmonary markings in both lungs (which may be due to individual variations in vascular or bronchial markings). Since there are no symptoms, you can wait to return for a follow-up. A repeat X-ray can be done in six mont...[Read More] Understanding Mild Interstitial Lung Markings: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Severe Left Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Severe pain in the left chest? Hello Doctor: I suddenly experienced severe pain in my left chest last night, which felt like a sharp and stabbing pain that radiated to my back. The symptoms have persisted until now; it hurts when I lie down, it hurts with deep breaths, and I cann...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Your symptoms require you to first visit a pulmonologist for a chest X-ray to rule out pulmonary diseases (such as pneumothorax, pleural effusion, etc.) before we can speculate whether it is neuropathic pain.[Read More] Severe Left Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Understanding Iatrogenic Pneumothorax from Acupuncture: Risks and Recovery
Iatrogenic pneumothorax caused by acupuncture? 1. Regarding iatrogenic pneumothorax caused by acupuncture, is there a high possibility of recurrence after recovery? 2. After being hospitalized and receiving oxygen therapy for two days, I was discharged, but I still have symptoms...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: 1. The chance of recurrence is very low, unless you already have small bubbles in your lungs (which is more common in tall and thin individuals, and can be more easily seen on a CT scan), in which case there is a possibility of recurrence. 2. The chest pain symptoms should...[Read More] Understanding Iatrogenic Pneumothorax from Acupuncture: Risks and Recovery
Understanding Chronic Cough and Asthma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Chronic cough and asthma that have been troubling for a long time? Hello Doctor: I have been coughing since mid-February of this year, and it has been over two months. My symptoms include an itchy throat and trachea, coughing, and a lot of phlegm (all white and transparent foam)....
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: The treatment provided by your physician is appropriate, but there may still be other factors that are not well controlled, such as dietary aspects. Western medicine may not emphasize this as much, while traditional Chinese medicine will consider your constitution and prov...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Cough and Asthma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Understanding Drug Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma Treatment
Drug resistance in lung adenocarcinoma? Hello Doctor: I am diagnosed with stage 3B lung adenocarcinoma and currently undergoing treatment with Osimertinib. What are the reasons for developing drug resistance? Does a higher dosage of the medication increase the likelihood of devel...
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: 1. Your prescribing physician will administer medication based on tumor treatment guidelines. Drug resistance arises from mutations in tumor cells and is unrelated to the dosage of standard treatment medications. 2. Cancer patients belong to a population with compromised i...[Read More] Understanding Drug Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma Treatment