Understanding Rash and Rapid Heartbeat in Elderly Patients: What to Know
Widespread rash and a heart rate of 160 beats per minute? Hello, my father is 81 years old and has been experiencing constipation. He has had nasal polyps for many years, and over the past year, he has often had dry mouth and a bitter taste. On the morning of September 19, he dev...
Dr. Liu Jinyong Reply:
Constipation; constipation is a common symptom often caused by changes in bowel habits. Patients describe bowel movements as infrequent, incomplete, or characterized by excessively hard stools; they may also report needing to exert abnormal effort to complete a bowel movement. A ...[Read More] Understanding Rash and Rapid Heartbeat in Elderly Patients: What to Know
Understanding High Blood Pressure: Insights from Family Medicine and Dietary Considerations
Regarding blood pressure..? Hello Dr. Huang, Last time I wrote to you asking why my blood pressure is elevated. You suggested that I first see an ophthalmologist because you mentioned that high blood pressure can be related to eye pressure (since I had surgery on my left eye and...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
Essential hypertension can be classified into primary and secondary hypertension. Secondary hypertension can often be treated once the underlying cause is identified; if the cause cannot be found, it is referred to as primary hypertension, which requires long-term medication to c...[Read More] Understanding High Blood Pressure: Insights from Family Medicine and Dietary Considerations
Understanding Fluctuating Weight in Teenagers: When to Seek Medical Advice
Fluctuating weight? Hello, doctor. My sister has been experiencing unstable weight since she started junior high school, and now she is in her second year of high school. She doesn't have any specific eating habits, whether it's not eating enough or overeating; her diet...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
Wenwen: Fluctuations in weight can be caused by improper weight loss, hormonal imbalances, or kidney function abnormalities, which may lead to the accumulation or reduction of fluids and fat. It is recommended to engage in moderate exercise, maintain a regular and balanced diet, ...[Read More] Understanding Fluctuating Weight in Teenagers: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding High Blood Pressure: Causes, Risks, and Prevention Tips
High blood pressure? Dear Dr. Huang: A few days ago, I experienced sudden severe pain in my left flank and went to the hospital. After an X-ray, the doctor mentioned that I might have kidney stones and advised me to schedule an appointment with a urologist for further examination...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
Xiao Qiang: There is a correlation between intraocular pressure and hypertension, so an eye examination is recommended. The most common causes of hypertension include genetics, environmental factors, increasing age, obesity, renal dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, and endocri...[Read More] Understanding High Blood Pressure: Causes, Risks, and Prevention Tips
Essential Components of a Balanced Diet: What to Include Daily?
Dietary Nutrition Hello Dr. Tsai: Is a balanced diet one that requires daily intake of fish, meat, eggs, dairy, beans, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains? What does "whole grains" refer to? Tom
Dr. Cai Jueren Reply:
Yes, we need to consume a balanced diet of these foods every day. Grains and tubers are also staple foods, such as noodles, rice, and flour products. Additionally, starchy foods like sweet potatoes, taro, potatoes, yams, mung beans, red beans, and job's tears also belong to ...[Read More] Essential Components of a Balanced Diet: What to Include Daily?
Post-Esophageal Reconstruction: Dietary Challenges and Solutions
Dietary Issues Following Esophageal Reconstruction Dear Doctor, My mother suffered burns to her esophagus and stomach in mid-February this year due to consuming "Tong Le." She underwent surgery for resection. In mid-July, she had an esophageal reconstruction. For the f...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
Mr. Li from Kaohsiung: Generally, esophageal reconstruction surgery can only be performed six months after an esophageal burn. The treatment is a long and arduous journey, and patients must also face the issue of esophageal stricture. In addition to patiently cooperating with the...[Read More] Post-Esophageal Reconstruction: Dietary Challenges and Solutions
How to Improve Severe Constipation and Abdominal Weight Gain?
Could you please provide more details about your condition so I can suggest ways to improve it? Hello Dr. Huang, I have been suffering from severe constipation since middle school. It may be due to dietary issues, stress, or a lack of exercise, which has led to an increase in my...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
CANDY: Constipation, overeating, high stress, and lack of exercise can certainly lead to weight gain. Regular dietary control and exercise are crucial. If you are unable to manage it on your own, you may seek further evaluation and treatment at a weight management clinic. Sincere...[Read More] How to Improve Severe Constipation and Abdominal Weight Gain?
Effective Weight Loss Strategies: Why Your Efforts May Not Show Results
Weight loss-related issues? Hello, my current height is 162 cm and my weight is 58 kg. I started increasing my exercise and reducing my food intake one and a half months ago. On average, I attend three aerobic dance classes per week, each lasting one hour. Additionally, I try to ...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
Jenny: Your standard weight range is approximately 48 to 63 kilograms. At 58 kilograms, you are within the standard range, so losing more weight may not be easy. Exercising three times a week is sufficient, but increasing it to five times a week would be ideal. Regarding your die...[Read More] Effective Weight Loss Strategies: Why Your Efforts May Not Show Results
Managing Sleep Deprivation: The Role of Vitamins B, C, and E
Please provide the content you would like me to translate? Thank you for the doctor's response. I bought vitamins B, C, and E because I have three jobs and study at night school, which has led to severe sleep deprivation (one of my jobs is a night shift at a gas station). So...
Dr. Xu Li'an Reply:
Hello Rain, you are really working hard and putting in a lot of effort. Please make sure not to overexert yourself. Vitamins B, C, and E can be taken together without needing to wait half an hour in between. I'm not sure how your blood test results came out. If you have any ...[Read More] Managing Sleep Deprivation: The Role of Vitamins B, C, and E
Can You Take Vitamin B, C, and E Together? Expert Advice
Regarding vitamins..? Hello Dr. Hsu: I previously ordered DHC's B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E, each for a month's supply. However, I'm unsure whether I can take them together or if they should be taken separately. Could you please take a moment to cl...
Dr. Xu Li'an Reply:
Hello Rain, usually vitamin B and vitamin C are taken together because they are both water-soluble. One tablet a day is sufficient; there's no need to take more since excess amounts will be excreted, which is a waste of money. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is fat-soluble and...[Read More] Can You Take Vitamin B, C, and E Together? Expert Advice
Impact of Fasting on Urine Test Accuracy: A Patient's Concern
Urinalysis Hello: I did not eat anything after midnight the night before my health check-up. I urinated at 7 AM the next morning and did not eat again until I urinated at 10:30 AM, which was used for the urine test. I would like to ask if the urine collected after fasting for ten...
Dr. Lin Mingxing Reply:
Dear Dr. Lin Ming-Hsing, Director of Family Medicine at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health: I have a point of clarification: triglycerides are not detected through urine tests but rather through venous blood sampling. Although the concentration of triglycerides in the blood i...[Read More] Impact of Fasting on Urine Test Accuracy: A Patient's Concern
Understanding Your Health Check Results: Key Questions and Insights
Health check results A few days ago, I sent you a letter, but since I haven't received a response, I am sending it again. Hello: Important medical history: Congenital heart disease, corrected Tetralogy of Fallot. Current symptoms: I often experience cramps in my left leg...
Dr. Cai Jueren Reply:
Dear Ms. Ahua, In response to your questions, I will address them one by one: 1. Your health check report indicates a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 70.4 (<80), which suggests microcytic anemia. Aside from thalassemia, other potential causes for the decreased MCV include d...[Read More] Understanding Your Health Check Results: Key Questions and Insights
Understanding Breast Development Issues in Women: Causes and Solutions
Breast development Hello, doctor. I would like to inquire about a normal thirty-year-old woman who has not developed breast tissue. Is this due to a lack of mammary glands, or could there be other underlying conditions causing this? How can she achieve normal growth and developme...
Dr. Huang Mingde Reply:
Female development is related to diet and genetic inheritance. After reaching a certain age, it is advisable to consult a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation. Mr. Wuming is recommended to seek advice from a plastic surgeon.[Read More] Understanding Breast Development Issues in Women: Causes and Solutions
How Many Calories Should I Consume as a Sedentary Exam Taker?
How many calories should I consume in a day? Hello, Doctor! I am currently 158 cm tall, weigh 62 kg, and have a body fat percentage of 35%. My daily activity mostly involves sitting (as I am preparing for a national exam). Besides walking my dog for about 10-20 minutes, I do not ...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
Your ideal body weight (BMI: 18.5-24) is approximately 46-60 kg. It is recommended that your daily caloric intake be between 1370-1650 calories, and that you maintain regular meal times with appropriate portion sizes. Your feelings of depression and fatigue may be due to insuffic...[Read More] How Many Calories Should I Consume as a Sedentary Exam Taker?
Effective Treatments and Diet to Boost Low Platelet Counts
Platelets What treatments or dietary changes can help increase platelet counts? The patient has been hospitalized for over a month, with platelet counts currently at 6,000 and now at 14,000, but there hasn't been much improvement.
Dr. Cai Jueren Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, The normal platelet count for both males and females ranges from 150,000 to 400,000/μL. You mentioned in your inquiry that your platelet count is 14,000, and currently only 6,000. Is this correct? A platelet count below 20,000/μL may lead to spontaneous bleeding,...[Read More] Effective Treatments and Diet to Boost Low Platelet Counts
Which Medical Specialty Should I Consult for Persistent Cough?
Which department should I register for? Hello, doctor. Since I caught a cold during the New Year, I have been coughing continuously for almost a month now. I have seen three doctors, one of whom said it was due to enterovirus and allergies. Last week, I went to Mackay Memorial Ho...
Dr. Lin Mingxing Reply:
Dear Dual, Based on your symptoms, subacute bronchitis is quite likely. Viral upper respiratory infections typically cause spasms within a few days if they are caused by common viruses. However, some viruses (such as the influenza virus) can sometimes invade deeper respiratory t...[Read More] Which Medical Specialty Should I Consult for Persistent Cough?
Understanding Leg Pain: Causes and Care for Aging Parents
Foot pain Hello, I would like to ask about my father: Recently, he has been experiencing significant pain in the thigh and calf muscles above the knee joint, making it very uncomfortable for him to go up and down stairs. After a consultation, the doctor suggested that it might be...
Dr. Hong Shouhong Reply:
Hello, thank you for your letter regarding your father's foot and leg pain. There are several points to consider, such as how long the pain has been occurring, whether it started suddenly or gradually worsened, any history of sports injuries or improper posture, the duration...[Read More] Understanding Leg Pain: Causes and Care for Aging Parents
Can Air Travel Through the Body? Understanding Bloating and Sensations
Air Can air move to other parts of the body? I have been experiencing bloating for three months, and it hasn't improved. Initially, it was due to a vegetarian diet, but after returning to a normal diet, it got a bit better, yet it hasn't completely resolved. Is this nor...
Dr. Cai Jueren Reply:
Reply to Lisa: The most common cause of gastrointestinal bloating is related to the types of food consumed and the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Foods that are prone to cause gas include legumes, onions, leeks, cola, and other carbonated beverages. If you continue to ex...[Read More] Can Air Travel Through the Body? Understanding Bloating and Sensations
Understanding Nausea and the Inability to Vomit: Common Causes and Solutions
Often feel nauseous and have the urge to vomit, but nothing comes up? Hello Dr. Huang, For at least 1 to 2 years, I have frequently experienced nausea and the urge to vomit while brushing my teeth or even at other times, but I am unable to actually vomit. At times, it feels as i...
Dr. Huang Jianling Reply:
Ms. Lin: It may be a sensitivity to the toothpaste, which can irritate the throat and cause feelings of nausea. If there are phlegm blocks, inflammation, or swelling in the throat, it can create a sensation of a foreign body. You may consider visiting an otolaryngologist for exam...[Read More] Understanding Nausea and the Inability to Vomit: Common Causes and Solutions
Is Weight Loss Clinic Covered by Health Insurance in Taiwan?
Weight Loss Clinic Hello Dr. Lin, I would like to ask if weight loss clinics are covered by health insurance. If it requires out-of-pocket payment, what would the approximate cost be? Thank you for your response!
Dr. Lin Mingxing Reply:
Dr. Lin Ming-Hsing, the Director of Family Medicine at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, responded to Dear Xiao Pang: Essentially, the nature of the weight loss clinic is to help you rule out the presence of pathological obesity (e.g., endocrine disorders or ...[Read More] Is Weight Loss Clinic Covered by Health Insurance in Taiwan?