Understanding Prolonged Oral Discomfort: Causes and Solutions
Oral issues Hello Doctor, I appreciate your patience in reading this lengthy message. I have been experiencing discomfort in my oral cavity for the past five months. Let me detail my symptoms: all issues are on the left side of my mouth. I feel a mild burning pain and swelling in...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, regarding your concerns, oral issues should be thoroughly evaluated by an oral and maxillofacial specialist. If further follow-up is needed to rule out possible factors, you may consult a rheumatologist to check for any autoimmune diseases. Of course, physiological discomf...[Read More] Understanding Prolonged Oral Discomfort: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Anemia: What to Do When Blood Tests Show Abnormal Results
Blood disorders During each health check-up, I have been told that I have anemia. This time, the abnormal results from my check-up were as follows: Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) 61.4 (normal range 80-100), Hemoglobin 19.9 (normal range 26-34), Red Blood Cell count 6.87 (normal ra...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, to determine if you have anemia, it is important to look at the levels of hemoglobin. However, the units and reference values for hemoglobin in the report you provided seem to differ from commonly used clinical standards. If anemia is indeed present, and the mean corpuscul...[Read More] Understanding Anemia: What to Do When Blood Tests Show Abnormal Results
Persistent Chest Discomfort: Exploring Causes Beyond High Cholesterol
Persistent chest tightness lasting for six months? Hello Dr. Hsiao: For the past six months, I have been experiencing a sensation in the center of my breasts, about the size of a fist. Initially, it felt like a pulsing, but now it is almost a constant dullness without pain, altho...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. BD: 1. Common differential diagnoses for chest tightness or chest pain include coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, pulmonary embolism, aortic aneurysm, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, gallstones, cholangit...[Read More] Persistent Chest Discomfort: Exploring Causes Beyond High Cholesterol
Chloramphenicol Eye Drops: Concerns and Blood Test Recommendations
Chloramphenicol eye drops Hello doctor, I recently visited an ophthalmology clinic due to conjunctivitis, and the doctor prescribed me chloramphenicol eye drops to use four times a day, one drop each time. After using it for 4-5 days, I researched chloramphenicol online and found...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Ryan, 1. Chloramphenicol eye drops are widely used in clinical practice due to their excellent lipid solubility and superior corneal penetration. Based on actual conditions, they can be administered approximately every 1 to 4 hours; the treatment course must be complete...[Read More] Chloramphenicol Eye Drops: Concerns and Blood Test Recommendations
Understanding Your Health Check Report: Key Insights on Kidney Function and Cholesterol
Regarding the health examination report? Hello, doctor. I had an adult health check at the health center in April and have some questions. Currently, the test results show some issues: GOT: 18 (normal range 0-39), GPT: 15 (normal range 0-41), creatinine: 1.0 (<1.3), and glomer...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Anonymous: 1. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): The commonly used formula is MDRD-Simplified GFR (mL/min/1.73 m²) = 186 × Scr⁻¹.154 × Age⁻⁰.²⁰³ × 0.742 (if female). 2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) refers to kidney damage due to long-term inflammation (such a...[Read More] Understanding Your Health Check Report: Key Insights on Kidney Function and Cholesterol
Understanding HSV-2 Transmission Risks and Testing Recommendations
HSV-2 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2) Hello Doctor, two weeks ago I had intimate physical contact with my boyfriend. Although his genitalia did not penetrate my vagina, there was oral sex and digital penetration involved. Afterward, he received his previous medical examination repo...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, unprotected sexual intercourse can be a route for HSV transmission. According to an educational article by Dr. Tsai from National Taiwan University Hospital, the incubation period after initial infection typically lasts from three to seven days, though it can extend up to ...[Read More] Understanding HSV-2 Transmission Risks and Testing Recommendations
What Are the Risks of Delayed Medical Treatment After Shampoo Ingestion?
What are the potential effects of ingesting shampoo if medical treatment is not sought immediately? Hello, doctor! A family member recently ingested approximately 200-300 ml of shampoo at a mental health care facility. The facility indicated that they needed to observe the situat...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Dear Ms. Min, In the case of accidental ingestion of shampoo, it is important to seek medical evaluation to assess gastrointestinal health and to conduct blood tests to check for any impact on liver and kidney function. After your family member ingested 200-300 ml of shampoo and...[Read More] What Are the Risks of Delayed Medical Treatment After Shampoo Ingestion?
Safety Concerns After Breaking a Mercury Thermometer in a Baby's Room
Breaking a mercury thermometer? Hello Dr. Liao, I would like to ask a few questions. A week ago, I accidentally broke a mercury thermometer in a room where my baby was present, and mercury spilled out. I used tape to try to collect the visible mercury, including in the gaps of t...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, mercury is the only heavy metal that is liquid at room temperature. The toxicity of mercury and the organs affected often depend on its form, which can generally be categorized into elemental, inorganic, and organic forms. Elemental mercury in liquid form can easily evapor...[Read More] Safety Concerns After Breaking a Mercury Thermometer in a Baby's Room
Understanding Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments, and Expert Advice
Hair loss issues Hello, doctor. I am 149 cm tall and weigh 48 kg. I work as a civil servant and have been sitting at a desk for a long time. Recently, I was transferred to a busy and high-pressure unit, and sometimes I even forget to eat breakfast due to the rush. I've been ...
Dr. Cai Dongqi Reply:
Hello, regarding dermatology consultation issues, it is recommended that you seek further advice or consult a dermatologist. For health check-ups, it is advised that individuals over 40 years old should definitely undergo them. You can inquire about the relevant items at various ...[Read More] Understanding Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments, and Expert Advice
Understanding Fluctuations in Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels
High blood sugar and high cholesterol? Hello doctor, in 2017 during my company's health check, my fasting blood glucose was 103 and total cholesterol was 214. Therefore, on January 28 of this year, I went to Taipei Medical University Hospital for a blood test for glucose and...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
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 more than 8 hours, b. Plasma glucose level ≥200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, c. HbA1c ≥6.5% (must not ...[Read More] Understanding Fluctuations in Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels
Understanding Extreme Heat Tolerance and Cold Sensitivity: A Medical Inquiry
Health consultation: extreme constitution of being heat-sensitive and fear of cold air conditioning? Hello Doctor, my condition is that I am more sensitive to cold compared to others, but I can tolerate heat well. Additionally, I have a fear of air conditioning. Here is my experi...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Dear Thermophilic Bacteria, Your letter mentions that for several years you have experienced an extreme sensitivity to cold and a fear of air conditioning. Such experiences can indeed be very unpleasant and can lead to strong negative thoughts in air-conditioned environments. Ba...[Read More] Understanding Extreme Heat Tolerance and Cold Sensitivity: A Medical Inquiry
Why Iron Supplements Aren't Improving Your Anemia: What to Do Next
If anemia does not improve with iron supplements, which specialist should you see? Hello Doctor, I visited a dermatologist last year due to severe hair loss. After a blood test, most of my values were normal, but my hemoglobin was at the lower limit and my ferritin was too low. (...
Dr. Xu Peiqi Reply:
The relationship between ferritin, anemia, and hair loss is not absolute. If your primary concern is hair loss, there are many factors involved, and sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint a single cause! However, reducing life stress, improving sleep quality, and supplementing...[Read More] Why Iron Supplements Aren't Improving Your Anemia: What to Do Next
Feeling Constantly Tired: Is It a Liver Issue or Sleep Disorder?
Constantly feeling sleepy? Hello Doctor, I am the patient #143991. When I stay up late (around 1 AM), I feel extremely nauseous and want to vomit either at that moment or the next morning. Could this be related to a liver issue? Two years ago, when I entered university, I had a b...
Dr. Xu Peiqi Reply:
It should not be the case; it is recommended to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and to avoid staying up late as much as possible.[Read More] Feeling Constantly Tired: Is It a Liver Issue or Sleep Disorder?
Can You Take Uric Acid and Liver Health Medications Together?
Can medications for lowering uric acid be taken simultaneously with liver-protective medications? Recently, I have been experiencing frequent foot pain, so I visited a general clinic for medical attention. Following the doctor's recommendations, I underwent blood tests and d...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Wang: **Allopurinol Tablets® (Allopurinol; 100 mg):** 1. Allopurinol is a purine derivative that reduces uric acid synthesis by competitively inhibiting the last two steps of uric acid biosynthesis, which are catalyzed by xanthine oxidase. Uric acid is less soluble th...[Read More] Can You Take Uric Acid and Liver Health Medications Together?
Understanding Open Wounds: Skin Irritation and HIV Infection Risks
Questions about skin abrasions and infections? A skin abrasion without bleeding that is red and painful to the touch is considered an open wound. If this wound comes into contact with HIV-infected blood, there is a potential risk of infection. However, the risk of HIV transmissio...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Anonymous: 1. The skin can be divided into the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is composed of keratinocytes and can be further divided from the deepest to the most superficial layers into the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum...[Read More] Understanding Open Wounds: Skin Irritation and HIV Infection Risks
Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Pregnancy Blood Test Report Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about the following results in red from my prenatal blood test report. Are there any issues? Will it affect the fetus? Do I need to have further tests? - Protein: +/- - Ketone bodies: 3+ - Leukocyte esterase: 2+ ...
Dr. Cai Dongqi Reply:
Hello, based on the values you provided, you may have a urinary tract infection. If you do not have symptoms (such as fever, nausea, vomiting, or frequent painful urination), it is recommended to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently. Regarding thalassemia, it is advisable...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Understanding Your Blood Test Results: Key Insights for Patients
Blood test Hello, Doctor. Here are my lab results with reference ranges: W.B.C - White Blood Cell Count: 5,200.000 /µL (Reference Range: 4,000-11,000) RBC/M - Red Blood Cell Count: 5.320 million/µL (Male: 4.5-6.0, Female: 4.0-5.54) HgB/M - Hemoglobin: 16.000 g/dL (Male: 14-1...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. A-Zhe: 1. In our country, the reference ranges reported by each laboratory are mostly similar; however, there are slight differences. These variations are primarily due to the testing methods used, the instruments, and the testing errors, among other factors. If your mo...[Read More] Understanding Your Blood Test Results: Key Insights for Patients
Understanding Your Anemia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Dizziness and blurred vision? Hello Doctor: Below are my blood test results. Please evaluate what type of anemia I have: RBC—5.76, Hb 9.6, Hct 32.2, MCV 61.2, MCH 20.2, MCHC 32.9, PLT 318, RDW-SD 36, RDW-CV 17.6. My hemoglobin levels sometimes fluctuate between the low 10s and th...
Dr. Huang Xunying Reply:
Due to the severity of the anemia, it is recommended to directly follow up with a hematologist or a family medicine physician. There is a possibility of thalassemia combined with iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, please seek medical attention. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Your Anemia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Which Specialist Should I See for My Joint Pain and Discomfort?
Which department should I see? Hello, Doctor. Allow me to describe the following symptoms: 1. My finger joints are painful, and I initially thought it was rheumatoid arthritis, so I went to an orthopedic specialist for blood tests. However, the tests came back normal, but the fin...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Little Dot: Based on your statements, it is necessary to consider several possibilities, including rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophies, osteoarthritis, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, and others. It is recommended that you first discuss this with you...[Read More] Which Specialist Should I See for My Joint Pain and Discomfort?
Which Specialist to See for Gastrointestinal and Mental Health Issues?
Gastroenterology or Psychosomatic Medicine Hello, doctor. I have been troubled by the following symptoms for over a year and would like to know which specialty I should consult: 1. Unformed stools: I often feel the urge to defecate but cannot do so (constipation?) or experience...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, regarding your question, it is still recommended to prioritize an evaluation by a gastroenterologist to rule out or confirm any significant causes leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. For issues related to anxiety or memory, you may seek assistance from a psychosomatic me...[Read More] Which Specialist to See for Gastrointestinal and Mental Health Issues?