Understanding Facial Swelling and Allergies: Causes and Concerns
Allergy + facial edema Hello Dr. Zhao, Thank you for your previous response! I have some follow-up questions regarding allergies and facial edema that I would like to ask you. My family doctor has become quite annoyed with my inquiries, saying I have too much knowledge and doesn...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome primarily refers to the obstruction of blood flow in the superior vena cava due to lung cancer at the apex, leading to conditions such as facial and upper limb edema. This persistent edema can be life-threatening, unlike episodic edema, which dif...[Read More] Understanding Facial Swelling and Allergies: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Tuberculosis: Impact on Engagement and Marriage Plans
About Tuberculosis (TB) Hello: My fiancée and I are getting engaged on October 10 and married on October 24. However, yesterday, September 28, she underwent an examination at Tainan Hsin-Lou Hospital and was suspected of having tuberculosis (TB). She has already started medicatio...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Unless it is multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the infectious period is generally 1 to 4 weeks, with an average of about 2 weeks until there is no longer any infectiousness. Additionally, the transmissibility of pulmonary tuberculosis is quite low; even open pulmonary tuberculosi...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Impact on Engagement and Marriage Plans
Understanding Unexplained Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Unexplained chest pain? Hello, doctor: This evening while practicing the piano, I suddenly experienced severe pain in my left chest, near the heart. It felt like a cramp, and I could only maintain a certain position without moving to avoid the pain. I also couldn't take a fu...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
When considering general chest pain, one must take into account various sources such as the chest wall, heart, respiratory organs, esophagus, and surrounding tissues. Additionally, women may experience breast tenderness before menstruation, which can also lead to chest pain. In...[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Chest tightness or chest pain? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing a feeling of tightness and pain in my chest for over two weeks now. Initially, I thought it was due to exercise, but it hasn't improved over time. When sitting, I often feel my heart beating strongly, and ...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
On October 5th, another woman raised a similar question, and the response provided at that time is as follows for your reference. (When considering general chest pain, one must take into account various sources of pain such as the chest wall, heart, respiratory organs, esophagus,...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Low Eosinophil Levels: Impacts and Precautions
Eosinophils Hello Dr. Zhao, I noticed that my blood test report from last month showed a low eosinophil count of only 0.3%. I would like to ask if this has any adverse effects on my health. Are there any precautions I should take in my daily life? Thank you for your assistance.
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Hello! Eosinophils are a remnant of human evolution. Early humans had poor hygiene and often suffered from parasitic infections. It is hypothesized that the role of eosinophils is to attack parasites (while neutrophils can only target bacteria and cannot attack larger parasitic o...[Read More] Understanding Low Eosinophil Levels: Impacts and Precautions
Understanding Gastrointestinal Issues: Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions
Gastrointestinal issues? Hello Dr. Zhao, I have been experiencing gastrointestinal issues for quite some time, but I have never seen a doctor. I have many questions and would like to know if having bloating and unusual sounds from my stomach (similar to hunger growls or gurgling ...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Hello! Your symptoms are not indicative of malabsorption; otherwise, you would have experienced nutritional weight loss by now. These symptoms are consistent with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is actually a quite common condition—about one in ten patients in a gastroenter...[Read More] Understanding Gastrointestinal Issues: Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions
Understanding Facial Swelling: Allergies or Other Underlying Issues?
Facial edema Hello Dr. Zhao, About a week ago, my face started to swell. It happened right after I had dinner at an Italian restaurant, so the doctor suspected it was a food allergy. After taking Prednisone for three days, the swelling is not as severe as it was initially, but t...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Hello! Your symptoms sound like angioedema (also known as angioneurotic edema or Quincke's edema). It is a type of allergic reaction caused by a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor, leading to the release of histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream after exposure t...[Read More] Understanding Facial Swelling: Allergies or Other Underlying Issues?
Understanding Rapid Gastrointestinal Motility: Dietary Tips and Tea Effects
Could you please clarify the issue of rapid gastrointestinal transit? A female friend of mine went to the hospital for an examination, and the doctor said she has rapid gastrointestinal motility. Are there any dietary restrictions for rapid gastrointestinal motility? Additionally...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Generally, when we talk about rapid gastrointestinal motility, we refer to the colon rather than the stomach or small intestine. The primary function of the colon is to absorb water, so even if motility is fast, it is not a concern. Another commonly used term is "irritable b...[Read More] Understanding Rapid Gastrointestinal Motility: Dietary Tips and Tea Effects
Why Am I Experiencing Delayed Urination at 30?
It takes a long time to urinate? I have a question: why do I have to wait a long time when I urinate, and it feels like I have no strength? I'm only 30 years old. Can someone help me with this? Thank you.
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
At this age, urinary difficulties are unlikely to be caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Possible causes include neurogenic bladder dysfunction, the presence of stones, foreign bodies, or tumors within the bladder, as well as urethral stricture. If there is a history of spina...[Read More] Why Am I Experiencing Delayed Urination at 30?
Understanding Skin Pain Associated with Cold Symptoms
Skin pain caused by a cold? Hello Dr. Zhao, I have a question regarding a cold: Over the past year, whenever I catch a cold, in addition to the usual symptoms of runny nose, nasal congestion, mild dizziness, excessive phlegm, and general discomfort, I have been experiencing &qu...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
What you are referring to is abnormal sensation, which is known as paresthesia in English. It can be caused by poor blood circulation throughout the body, atherosclerosis due to deposits of cholesterol or thrombosis, vitamin deficiencies, poor nutritional status, diabetes, hypoth...[Read More] Understanding Skin Pain Associated with Cold Symptoms
Understanding Gallium-67 Scans: Risks and Differences from CT Imaging
excuse me? 1. Will undergoing a Gallium-67 whole body tumor scan have any adverse effects on the body in the future? Additionally, what are the differences between a Ga-67 tumor scan and a CT scan? 2. I have been experiencing persistent lymphadenopathy in the head and neck regio...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Gallium-67 (Ga-67) binds to transferrin in the blood and accumulates in areas of inflammation, infection, or tumors. The radiation dose used for detecting inflammation or infection is 3-5 mCi (millicuries, where 1 mCi = 1000 microcuries), while the dose for tumor detection is 5-1...[Read More] Understanding Gallium-67 Scans: Risks and Differences from CT Imaging
Understanding Symptoms: Swelling, Headaches, and Insomnia in Adults
Generalized edema, headache (dizziness), insomnia, etc? Hello, my mother is 43 years old and has been feeling unwell lately, experiencing symptoms such as insomnia, headaches (dizziness), and sometimes waking up in the morning with generalized edema. During a previous health chec...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
There are many causes of edema, including common kidney diseases (renal failure, nephrotic syndrome), heart diseases (heart failure), liver diseases (cirrhosis), endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, hyperadrenalism, menstruation), systemic malnutrition, poor blood circulation, an...[Read More] Understanding Symptoms: Swelling, Headaches, and Insomnia in Adults
Why Am I Gaining Weight Despite My Diet and Exercise Efforts?
Why do I keep gaining weight despite trying to lose it? I am 166 cm tall and weigh 63 kg. Since starting my regular weight loss plan a week ago, I have noticed that my weight has not only failed to decrease but has actually increased. I am currently not working and attend night c...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Hello! If tumors grow within the body, their unlimited growth can deprive normal cells of nutrients, causing weight loss rather than weight gain. There are many causes of obesity; in addition to diet and exercise, the medical community has identified at least six genes associated...[Read More] Why Am I Gaining Weight Despite My Diet and Exercise Efforts?
Persistent Fever: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Proper Diagnosis
Persistent fever Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing frequent fevers over the past few days. I sweat and feel better when lying down, but the fever returns shortly after. Today marks the fourth day. I currently live in Taichung City, and yesterday I visited the family medicine...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Hello! Recurrent fever, joint pain (discomfort in the spine), cough with chest pain, and sputum (even in small amounts) may indicate bacterial pneumonia or atypical pneumonia. Please first visit a general internal medicine or pulmonary medicine department to arrange for a chest X...[Read More] Persistent Fever: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Proper Diagnosis
Understanding Sarcoidosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease I have been experiencing fatigue, weight loss, low-grade fever, and night sweats for the past few months, but I have not had a cough or cold. After an examination, my doctor said that both my white blood cells and red blood cells ar...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Sarcoidosis is quite rare in Taiwan, with occasional reports from Japan, primarily affecting African Americans and Scandinavians. It is an idiopathic, non-caseating granulomatous disorder that can involve multiple organ systems, previously thought to be related to birch pollen al...[Read More] Understanding Sarcoidosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Understanding Intermittent Chest Pain and Discomfort in Mitral Valve Prolapse
Cardiac discomfort? Hello Doctor: I have symptoms of mitral valve prolapse, and I would like to inquire why I feel that my chest pain occurs intermittently. When it doesn't flare up, I feel fine, but when it does, the pain is unbearable and quite frequent. Additionally, ever...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Mitral valve prolapse often leads to transient arrhythmias, which can cause various symptoms or vague discomfort that is difficult to pinpoint. By the time a patient arrives at the hospital for examination, the arrhythmia may have resolved. Repeated visits to the doctor can somet...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Chest Pain and Discomfort in Mitral Valve Prolapse
Understanding Neck Pain During Physical Strain: Causes and Solutions
Neck pain (during exertion) 1. I have been experiencing soreness in my spine, specifically in the center between my shoulder blades, whenever I pull my shoulders back. This condition has persisted for a year and a half. 2. On the morning of May 15, 2005, I noticed that whenever...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Most of your symptoms are likely caused by cervical disc herniation, which compresses the nerves extending towards the shoulders and head. In addition to neck pain, shoulder stiffness, and occipital headaches, if the nerves extending towards the wrists and back are also compresse...[Read More] Understanding Neck Pain During Physical Strain: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Right Chest Pain: Possible Causes and When to Seek Help
Chest pain Recently, I've been experiencing pain in my right chest, especially when I lower my shoulder; it hurts the most then. I can't really pinpoint the source of the pain when I touch it. It's strange because I don't recall any sports injuries. What could...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Chest pain can be caused by serious conditions such as acute myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, rib or intercostal tumors, or pneumothorax. It can also result from less severe issues like chest wall pain (including menstr...[Read More] Understanding Right Chest Pain: Possible Causes and When to Seek Help
Can IV Drips Cause Sudden Death in Infants? Understanding the Risks
Can intravenous therapy cause sudden death? Hello, Dr. Zhao! Recently, I saw in the news about a four-month-old baby who suddenly died while receiving an IV in the emergency room. However, the report mentioned that the hospital suggested it could be due to meningitis or enterovir...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
Direct intravenous injection can lead to sudden death due to allergic reactions or the presence of drugs that can cause cardiac paralysis, such as potassium ions. The infusion rate of intravenous fluids is gradual, not a large volume all at once. For sudden death to occur, a cert...[Read More] Can IV Drips Cause Sudden Death in Infants? Understanding the Risks
Can Weak Congenital Health Be Improved Through Lifestyle Changes?
Can congenital weakness be improved through postnatal interventions? I have been weak and sickly since childhood, with very poor physical stamina, and I tend to gain weight easily. Even a short jog leaves me breathless, and I feel very uncomfortable while gasping for air (I do no...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang reply Internal Medicine
(APOT and AGPT should refer to SGOT and SGPT.) Congenital deficiencies can certainly be improved over time, including both physical weakness and intellectual capacity. However, I must draw your attention to your abnormal liver function, which may indicate the early or recovery ph...[Read More] Can Weak Congenital Health Be Improved Through Lifestyle Changes?