Understanding Chest Tightness and Breathing Issues After Night Shifts
Chest tightness and difficulty breathing? After working rotating shifts, including both day and night shifts, for about seven years, and having a smoking habit while drinking a cup of American coffee daily, I recently started experiencing episodes of rapid heartbeat, shortness of...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Huang: 1. The human body has its own physiological clock and circadian rhythms that are inherently aligned with nature. Therefore, long-term night shifts or rotating shifts can have various impacts on sleep, the neuroendocrine system, cardiovascular system, digestive sy...[Read More] Understanding Chest Tightness and Breathing Issues After Night Shifts
Understanding Breathing Issues and Fatigue in Elderly Patients
Wheezing, forceful exhalation? My father is 84 years old and has dementia, hypertension, diabetes, and anemia. Recently, he received a blood transfusion due to low hemoglobin levels. After returning home, he has been experiencing excessive sleepiness, and we are unsure of the cau...
Dr. Cai Dongqi Reply:
Hello, Zhang: 1. First, visit an otolaryngologist to check for any issues in the nasal cavity that may be causing respiratory obstruction or sleep apnea. 2. Experiencing shortness of breath during activity and chest pain may indicate heart failure or angina; please consult a card...[Read More] Understanding Breathing Issues and Fatigue in Elderly Patients
Managing Cholesterol: When to Medicate and Considerations for Pregnancy
Cholesterol issues Hello, doctor. I am 34 years old. In my 2018 health check-up report, my cholesterol was 232 and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was 159. My father has hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. In 2023, I briefly took Lipitor for one month, during which my chole...
Dr. Liu Hongxiang Reply:
Hello, Sasa: The total cholesterol level for the general population should be kept below 200 mg/dL, with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol below 130 mg/dL. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol should be maintained above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women....[Read More] Managing Cholesterol: When to Medicate and Considerations for Pregnancy
What to Do If a Maggot Gets in Your Nose: Risks and Symptoms
Mosquito-borne diseases If a maggot were to enter the nose, the worst-case scenario could involve a range of complications, including nasal irritation, infection, or even more severe conditions such as myiasis, where the larvae can infest tissue. Symptoms may include nasal pain, ...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! This is a hypothetical question. If you see maggots, you may be concerned about myiasis, which typically occurs in individuals with poor immune and hygiene conditions. The life cycle of a fly consists of four stages: egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult. Female adult flies...[Read More] What to Do If a Maggot Gets in Your Nose: Risks and Symptoms
Understanding Bedwetting in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Childhood bedwetting Hello Doctor: I would like to ask about my younger son, who is almost 7 years old and in the first grade. He often wets the bed at night. Should I take him to see a doctor? Which specialty should I consult? He usually wakes up only after he has already wet th...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Common causes of bedwetting in children, aside from psychological factors, may include nocturnal polyuria, overactive bladder, and abnormalities in the brain's awakening centers (where the brain does not sense urine). If your son experiences any of the following sympt...[Read More] Understanding Bedwetting in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Unexplained Fatigue: How Euzip Can Help You Feel Energized Again
Unexplained fatigue can only be alleviated by taking Euzip? Hello Doctor: I am a 31-year-old female. Four years ago, I experienced severe nasal septum deviation and significant work-related stress, which led to a period of severe sleep deprivation and facial nerve paralysis. Sinc...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
It is recommended that you visit an internal medicine or family medicine outpatient clinic for evaluation. Thank you.[Read More] Unexplained Fatigue: How Euzip Can Help You Feel Energized Again
Understanding Blood Pressure: Is My Reading Considered Hypertension?
Blood pressure issues? Hello Doctor, I recently started monitoring my blood pressure. Previously, when I measured it at the hospital, I was unsure if it was due to anxiety, as it would often reach 140/79 or even above 150. After a few days of regular exercise, I measured it at ho...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: The definition of normal blood pressure is a systolic pressure of less than or equal to 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than or equal to 80. The definition of hypertension is a systolic pressure of greater than or equal to 140 or a diastolic pressure of greater than o...[Read More] Understanding Blood Pressure: Is My Reading Considered Hypertension?
Understanding Fluctuations in HbA1c Levels: A Month of Concerns
There is significant fluctuation in glycated hemoglobin levels within a month? Hello Doctor: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions despite your busy schedule. In my family, aside from my parents, my aunts, uncles, and both sets of grandparents have diabetes, so I a...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! First, you should understand that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an indicator of average blood glucose levels over the past three months, so testing on different dates reflects average blood glucose status during different periods. Any factors that affect calorie intake an...[Read More] Understanding Fluctuations in HbA1c Levels: A Month of Concerns
Understanding High Blood Pressure: Why Is Systolic High but Diastolic Normal?
Hypertension issues Hello doctor, I have had high blood pressure issues for about four years, starting when I was in high school, but I didn't pay much attention to it at that time. Recently, I have started to take it more seriously. Every time I go to the hospital, my blood...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: The definition of hypertension is a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. If you only have elevated systolic blood pressure, it may be related to vascular stiffness. Additionally, blood pressure can be influenced...[Read More] Understanding High Blood Pressure: Why Is Systolic High but Diastolic Normal?
Understanding Diabetes Diagnosis: Is One Test Enough?
Diabetes Diagnosis Issues Hello, doctor. I would like to ask a question. Recently, I was diagnosed with high blood sugar during a health check-up. On November 9th, I went to the hospital for a blood test and found that my fasting blood glucose level was 142 mg/dL, and my hemoglob...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Zhang: 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. HbA...[Read More] Understanding Diabetes Diagnosis: Is One Test Enough?
Comparing Fever Suppositories: Voren vs. Paracetamol for Kids
Medication Consultation Hello Dr. Yeh, I have two questions. First, which of the two antipyretic suppositories is more harmful to the body: Voren non-inflammatory suppository 12.5mg or Paracetamol suppository 125mg? I understand that Western medication suppositories can be more...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Suppositories are absorbed through the rectal mucosa after melting, which is faster than oral absorption. Once the medication enters the body, it must undergo hepatic and renal metabolism. As long as the composition of the medication is the same and the mechanism of action...[Read More] Comparing Fever Suppositories: Voren vs. Paracetamol for Kids
Is 5 Hours of Sleep Enough? Understanding Sleep Needs and Health
The relationship between sleep deprivation and sleep duration? It is currently widely believed that a sleep duration of 7 to 8 hours at night is the healthiest; however, there is significant individual variation. Is it necessary to sleep a full 7 hours to be considered healthy? I...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: It is generally recommended that adults (18 years and older) get more than 7 hours of sleep at night. However, since you do not feel tired during the day, it indicates that your sleep quality is likely adequate. Additionally, your habit of taking a midday nap may also affe...[Read More] Is 5 Hours of Sleep Enough? Understanding Sleep Needs and Health
Understanding Facial Numbness After Cheekbone Surgery: Next Steps
Zygomatic bone surgery? Hello Doctor, ten years ago I was in a car accident that resulted in fractures of my zygomatic bone and orbital bone. After surgery, titanium metal was placed in my zygomatic bone, and the nerve part healed on its own after six months. In recent years, I h...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Yao: 1. Based on the symptoms you described, it may be indicative of the distribution of the trigeminal nerve; its branches innervate the gums and the roots of the teeth. Any changes affecting the nerve distribution could lead to sensations of numbness or pain. 2. Of c...[Read More] Understanding Facial Numbness After Cheekbone Surgery: Next Steps
COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Dining Out: What You Need to Know
Regarding COVID-19? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask, I received my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) on September 10, 2021, my second dose (BNT) on November 24, 2021, and my booster dose (BNT) on March 1, 2022. I would like to know if I can go out to eat normall...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: There are actually no regulations on which vaccine you must receive in order to dine out normally. Currently, we are adopting a lifestyle that coexists with the virus. If you are concerned, it is advisable to wear a mask as much as possible. Regarding COVID-19, it is recom...[Read More] COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Dining Out: What You Need to Know
Understanding B12 Deficiency Testing: Key Considerations and Recommendations
Testing for Vitamin B12 Deficiency Hello Doctor: My sisters and I have Mediterranean anemia, and one of them has been a patient with SLE for over twenty years. Some of us have started to experience symptoms and have been informed that there may be a possibility of B12 deficiency....
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Vitamin B12 is related to the metabolism of homocysteine, and these two values are usually assessed together. It is recommended to visit a family medicine clinic for evaluation by a physician, who can arrange further medical services based on the test results. Please note that th...[Read More] Understanding B12 Deficiency Testing: Key Considerations and Recommendations
Conflicting Diabetes Advice: Who Should You Trust for Your Health?
I'm not sure whose advice to follow? Previously, I visited a nearby major hospital's endocrinology department due to thyroid issues. The doctor conducted blood tests and a urinalysis, and while my thyroid function was normal, my hemoglobin A1c was 6.5%. However, my fast...
Dr. Liu Hongxiang Reply:
Hello Lisa, Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is formed by the binding of glucose to hemoglobin in the blood. The average lifespan of red blood cells is 120 days, so glycated hemoglobin reflects the average blood glucose levels over the past three months. Daily fluctuations in blood ...[Read More] Conflicting Diabetes Advice: Who Should You Trust for Your Health?
Understanding Hard Lumps After Groin Impact: Causes and Concerns
A lump or hard mass appears after an impact to the groin area? Last week, while riding my bicycle, the brakes failed, and I accelerated downhill, crashing into an iron gate. I experienced immediate and intense pain in my groin area, which made it nearly impossible to move. When t...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Based on your description, it may be a soft tissue contusion, which could have caused a hematoma leading to localized swelling. It is recommended that you seek medical attention at a healthcare facility. If it is confirmed that there is no bleeding, you should be able to s...[Read More] Understanding Hard Lumps After Groin Impact: Causes and Concerns
Persistent Thirst and Unusual Belly Button Discharge: What to Know
Persistent thirst with discharge from the navel? Hello, Doctor. Recently, I've been feeling very thirsty often, and even after drinking a lot of water, it doesn't help. One day, I noticed a yellowish discharge around my navel (sometimes it appears reddish-brown). I visi...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! For skin issues, it is recommended that you visit a dermatologist. For problems related to thirst, it is advisable to consult with a metabolic specialist.[Read More] Persistent Thirst and Unusual Belly Button Discharge: What to Know
Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Impact on Health and Long-Term Effects
Regarding COVID-19 vaccines? Hello, Doctor! I would like to ask: I received my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) on September 10, 2021, my second dose (BioNTech) on November 24, 2021, and my booster dose (BioNTech) on March 1, 2022. I would like to know what the ou...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! The circulating strains of the COVID-19 virus are rapidly mutating. If you are concerned about contracting the virus and its complications, it is recommended that you receive the latest vaccine as advised by the Centers for Disease Control. Currently, there is no method to...[Read More] Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Impact on Health and Long-Term Effects
Understanding Your Health Check Report: Key Insights and Recommendations
Health Check Report Height: 173.1 cm, Weight: 73.2 kg. Below are the results from the company health check in September 2023, with red flags noted in the report provided in October. I would like to inquire about the doctor's recommendations and understand my health status. T...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
It is recommended to bring your health check-up report to the family medicine outpatient consultation. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Your Health Check Report: Key Insights and Recommendations