Understanding Bronchitis: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Help
Bronchitis? Hello Doctor: Recently, members of my family have gradually developed coughing symptoms. My older brother and younger brother are getting better, but my mother and I are still coughing. My condition is more severe; I can't help but cough, and it feels like my ent...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: There are many possible causes for a cough. Given your situation, it is advisable to first visit a pulmonologist at the hospital for a chest X-ray to conduct an evaluation. The most common condition is chronic bronchitis following a cold, but it could also be due to other ...[Read More] Understanding Bronchitis: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Help
Understanding Lung Patterns: Interpreting Increased Lung Markings vs. Infiltrates
Chest examination The X-ray examination shows increased lung markings, while another hospital mentioned lung infiltration without mentioning lung markings. Are lung markings and lung infiltration interpreted as the same thing? Will it resolve on its own? What kind of pathological...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: The pulmonary markings seen on a chest X-ray refer to the vascular patterns in the lungs. Even if the report indicates an increase in these markings, it usually leans towards being non-pathological. Infiltrates typically suggest some degree of inflammation or infection in ...[Read More] Understanding Lung Patterns: Interpreting Increased Lung Markings vs. Infiltrates
Understanding Chest Examination Results: Key Findings Explained
Chest examination Hello Doctor, I recently experienced chest pain and underwent some examinations. I would like to ask you to check for any abnormalities, thank you (I have diabetes). Chest examination (including various angles and positions) Findings: - Spinal asymmetry. - N...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: The chest X-ray report shows that the spine is asymmetric, while the heart and mediastinum are within normal limits. No fractures are observed in the bones. There is some mild pleural thickening at the apices of both lungs, and the right lower lung field shows slightly coa...[Read More] Understanding Chest Examination Results: Key Findings Explained
Why Sleeping on Your Left Side Causes Breathing Issues at Night
Sleeping on the left side can cause shortness of breath and wheezing sounds? It only occurs at night and is severe enough to cause difficulty breathing. When it happens, lying on my right side alleviates the symptoms.
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: Experiencing shortness of breath at certain angles, especially more pronounced at night, is likely indicative of asthma. It is recommended to return to the pulmonology clinic for an asthma evaluation and subsequent treatment.[Read More] Why Sleeping on Your Left Side Causes Breathing Issues at Night
Understanding Intermittent Cough: When to See a Pulmonologist
Intermittent cough lasting for 1-2 weeks? Hello, doctor. I usually experience chronic post-nasal drip symptoms, and I tend to sneeze two or three times upon waking up. However, the post-nasal drip only occasionally leads to a cough lasting a couple of minutes, and it does not per...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: It is recommended to first visit the pulmonology outpatient clinic for relevant examinations: (1) a chest X-ray, (2) some blood tests to check for signs of infection, inflammation, or allergic reactions, (3) a pulmonary function test, and (4) a sputum analysis to determine...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Cough: When to See a Pulmonologist
Intermittent Left Chest Pain: Stress, Nerves, or Something More?
Intermittent sharp pain in the left chest? The individual has no prior medical history but recently discovered that their mother has stage IV lung adenocarcinoma. They have started researching related information and are uncertain whether their symptoms are due to excessive stres...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: In stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, it is important to consider whether there is bone metastasis. The following situations should be taken into account regarding chest pain: (1) Cardiac issues: A cardiologist has been consulted, and relevant tests have been conducted, so it i...[Read More] Intermittent Left Chest Pain: Stress, Nerves, or Something More?
Managing Chest Pain and Discomfort After CPR: Effective Solutions
Chest discomfort and pain caused by CPR compressions? Hello doctor, I was admitted to the hospital due to a myocardial infarction, and after more than two hours, my heart stopped. After resuscitation by the medical team, I am currently experiencing chest tightness, chest pain, an...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: During CPR, pressure is applied to the sternum, heart, and lungs, which may lead to symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. At this point, it is important to first assess which organs or the sternum may have been injured. Understanding the ca...[Read More] Managing Chest Pain and Discomfort After CPR: Effective Solutions
Understanding Left Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Sharp pain on the left side of the chest? Two months ago, I experienced a sharp pain on the left side of my chest once. Today, while sitting in a chair, it happened again when I stood up. It felt like an invisible needle was piercing the area where the heart and lungs overlap on ...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: The common causes of chest pain can be categorized into three types: (1) caused by cardiac diseases, (2) caused by thoracic diseases, and (3) caused by neuropathic pain. It is recommended that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) and related cardiac examinations, as well...[Read More] Understanding Left Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Chest pain? Hello: I have been experiencing sharp pain and discomfort in my left chest for over two months, occurring every few days. Although I have had similar experiences in the past, they would only happen once every 1-2 years. Today, I suddenly felt sharp pain in my right ch...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: When experiencing chest pain, it is important to consider: 1. Cardiac diseases 2. Thoracic diseases 3. Neuromuscular causes. It is recommended to first visit a cardiologist for an examination. If the heart is found to be normal, then proceed to see a pulmonologist for a ch...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Persistent Dry Cough and Itchy Throat: When to See a Pulmonologist?
Dry cough, itching in the upper palate, itchy tongue, itchy esophagus, and itchy stomach; it feels like the entire throat is very itchy? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing a dry cough for over a month. During this time, I visited both an obstetrician-gynecologist and an ear, ...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: 1. Symptoms such as a dry cough, itching in the upper palate, itching of the tongue, itching in the esophagus, and itching in the stomach suggest that your throat feels very itchy. The possible conditions for these symptoms are: (1) a viral infection or (2) an allergic rea...[Read More] Persistent Dry Cough and Itchy Throat: When to See a Pulmonologist?
Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Anxiety or Underlying Health Issues?
Shortness of breath? Hello doctor, I would like to ask about something. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic became severe in Taiwan, I have been experiencing feelings I have never felt before, whether it's psychological or due to actually contracting the virus. Recently, I have...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: Based on your description, it seems that you are indeed quite anxious. I recommend that you take some time to relax. You can monitor your temperature daily to check for any signs of infection. However, if you continue to have symptoms and feel uneasy, you can visit a pulmo...[Read More] Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Anxiety or Underlying Health Issues?
Understanding Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Infectious Risk
Questions related to tuberculosis (TB)? I would like to understand if, when my chest X-ray shows abnormalities (with no significant shadows in the past), my sputum smear is negative, and my sputum culture is positive, I have been confirmed as a tuberculosis patient, and whether I...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: The recent X-ray shows abnormalities, whereas previous X-rays were normal, which is significant. A positive sputum culture raises a high suspicion for the possibility of tuberculosis. However, bacterial identification from the culture is necessary to confirm the diagnosis,...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Infectious Risk
Understanding Blood Test Results: Can GERD Affect Your Health?
Blood test Hello Doctor, a few days ago I went to the emergency room due to fever, chest tightness, pain, and difficulty breathing. I had blood tests and an X-ray. It was found that my white blood cell count was slightly elevated, and my troponin (Tn) level was over a thousand, w...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng reply Pulmonology
Hello: Upon checking, there is no Tn index. Please confirm if the value is correct. Thank you![Read More] Understanding Blood Test Results: Can GERD Affect Your Health?