Understanding the Risks of Long-Term Use of Anxiety Medications for Sleep
Medication Consultation Hello, Doctor. Recently, I've been having difficulty falling asleep, so my family medicine clinic doctor prescribed me Ambien to take every night before bed. Initially, I was given a week's supply of seven pills, and I didn't take them every...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Hello! It is advisable to consult your primary care physician. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Long-Term Use of Anxiety Medications for Sleep
Understanding Hair Loss: Thyroid Issues and Vitamin Impact
Severe hair loss? Hello, doctor. I visited a dermatologist today regarding my hair loss issue. The doctor mentioned that if physical factors are ruled out, it might be androgenetic alopecia. I would like to ask you about this. I have hypothyroidism and have been taking medication...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, generally, multivitamins do not contain hormones. If hair loss occurs, it may be related to endocrine system disorders. You may consult a metabolic specialist for further evaluation. Online consultations are not equivalent to in-person medical visits and cannot provide dia...[Read More] Understanding Hair Loss: Thyroid Issues and Vitamin Impact
Can I Safely Combine My Gastrointestinal and ENT Medications?
Medication consultation Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing difficulty swallowing and gastroesophageal reflux, for which I am taking medications from the gastroenterology department, specifically Aiwai Reverse Tablets, Shenda Ulcer Relief Capsules (Omeprazole), and Tongping Ta...
Dr. Liu Hongxiang Reply:
Hello, sir: Aiwai Reverse Tablets, Shenda Ulcer Relief Capsules (Omeprazole), and Tongping Tablets (Lisinopril) are all gastrointestinal medications. Aludene 2mg is also a gastrointestinal medication, so it can be omitted. Tonzouge (400) tablets are pain relievers and can be take...[Read More] Can I Safely Combine My Gastrointestinal and ENT Medications?
Which Specialist to See for Multiple Symptoms: A Guide
Which specialty should I see for various symptoms? Hello Doctor: About a month ago, I started experiencing dizziness. I consulted a neurologist, but no cause was found, and the medication for inner ear dizziness was not effective. Subsequently, I began having vivid dreams and the...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Dear Anonymous Lady, In your letter, you mentioned experiencing dizziness, difficulty sleeping, pain around the ears and neck, and tenderness under your right armpit. These multiple symptoms require a detailed consultation and evaluation by a physician. It is recommended that yo...[Read More] Which Specialist to See for Multiple Symptoms: A Guide
Managing Discomfort: Tips for Relieving Back and Chest Pain
Mild discomfort in multiple areas of the body? Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing lower back pain for over a week. I haven't engaged in any vigorous exercise for the past three months and have mostly been sitting or lying down at home, using my phone and watching TV. I v...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, we believe that many of your doctors have already assessed your condition. Please stay away from your electronic devices and getting up to move around may be the most important treatment. Online consultations are not equivalent to in-person medical visits and cannot provid...[Read More] Managing Discomfort: Tips for Relieving Back and Chest Pain
Understanding Daytime Sleepiness: Causes and Solutions
Daytime fatigue? Hello, doctor. I've been feeling very sleepy during the day for the past two days, constantly yawning and feeling drowsy, even though I didn't have insomnia the night before. Sometimes I also have a slight headache. I'm not sure if it's relate...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Angel: 1. Waking up feeling tired, with headaches or a sense of grogginess, may indicate various medical conditions. Common causes include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, primary sleep headache, brain lesions (such as brain tumors or cerebrovascular disease...[Read More] Understanding Daytime Sleepiness: Causes and Solutions
Should Seniors with Health Issues Get the COVID Vaccine?
I would like to inquire about issues related to the COVID-19 vaccine? Hello, Director. My elderly family member is nearly eighty years old. Due to the negative news reported by the media, they previously decided against getting vaccinated. However, after reassessing the situation...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Mtyofcyc: 1. Patients with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and other conditions are generally advised to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially true for males over the age of 65, and those residing in nursing or long-term care facilities ...[Read More] Should Seniors with Health Issues Get the COVID Vaccine?
Understanding Your Symptoms: Neck Pain, Dizziness, and Fatigue
Physical discomfort? Hello, doctor. Recently, I have been experiencing sharp pain around my lower back, and I feel tightness above my neck, including my ears. When standing or moving, I also experience a sensation of dizziness. My back sometimes feels warm and painful, and I occa...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Kitty: 1. Clinically, it is common to encounter patients with multiple complaints seeking consultation. Their reported symptoms may include insomnia, headaches, muscle tension, back pain, irritability, and fatigue, which have persisted for several months, causing signif...[Read More] Understanding Your Symptoms: Neck Pain, Dizziness, and Fatigue
Managing Weight Loss and Dizziness After Blood Pressure Medication
Weight is gradually decreasing? Hello Dr. Liu, about two years ago, my blood pressure suddenly spiked to nearly 200. Since then, I have started taking antihypertensive medications to control my blood pressure. Currently, I take one pill of Amlodipine and half a pill of Candesarta...
Dr. Liu Hongxiang Reply:
Hello A-Rong, According to your letter, avoiding high-calorie foods and not overeating during meals will help you approach your ideal weight after a period of persistence. Considering the average height of Taiwanese men is 173.5 cm, a weight of 78 kg results in a BMI of 25.9, wh...[Read More] Managing Weight Loss and Dizziness After Blood Pressure Medication
Managing Blood Pressure Medications: Concerns About Heart Health and Stability
Blood pressure medication issues, heart problems, blood pressure, blood pressure medication issues? My mother-in-law's blood pressure in the morning is about 150/79, but in the evening, it drops to 89/54. She is taking medications including Xinsun and Yide Yuyue. However, he...
Dr. Hou Angting Reply:
Due to the inability to access previous medication records, it is recommended to consult the original prescribing physician, who may have more detailed medication records. If there are any concerns, it is advisable to seek a consultation to inquire about the medications. Thank yo...[Read More] Managing Blood Pressure Medications: Concerns About Heart Health and Stability
Understanding Vaccine-Related Fainting: Causes and What to Do Next
Vaccine injection/syncope Hello Dr. Hsiao, my husband received his first dose of the AZ vaccine yesterday, August 4th, at 9:35 AM. After the vaccination, he stayed at the hospital for 20 minutes and then rode his motorcycle home (a 5-minute ride). Once home, he started drinking w...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Lee: 1. Syncope refers to a transient loss of consciousness and inability to maintain posture due to insufficient cerebral blood perfusion. Its characteristic feature is a rapid recovery of consciousness without the need for treatment. Syncope is a symptom, not a diseas...[Read More] Understanding Vaccine-Related Fainting: Causes and What to Do Next
Understanding High Cholesterol: What Your Test Results Mean and Next Steps
Regarding high cholesterol? Hello Doctor, I recently had a health check-up, and my cholesterol levels are as follows: total cholesterol 231 mg/dL; HDL (high-density lipoprotein) 70 mg/dL; LDL (low-density lipoprotein) 134 mg/dL; triglycerides 74 mg/dL. I have noticed elevated cho...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, the overall examination data still indicates hyperlipidemia. If it continues to remain elevated, in addition to dietary control, medication management may also be necessary. Online consultations are not equivalent to in-person medical visits and cannot provide diagnoses or...[Read More] Understanding High Cholesterol: What Your Test Results Mean and Next Steps
Understanding Your Unexplained Physical Symptoms: A Guide for Patients
Occasional minor physical abnormalities? Hello Doctor: Recently, I've been experiencing various health issues. Since the end of May, I've had intermittent chest pain in the middle of my chest. Sometimes it hurts when I move, and other times it hurts even when I'm a...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, based on your description, many psychosomatic symptoms may be difficult to explain with a single diagnosis. If various functional abnormalities have been ruled out through examinations, internal and external stressors could also be a contributing factor to your physiologic...[Read More] Understanding Your Unexplained Physical Symptoms: A Guide for Patients
Pregnancy Planning with a Partner Who Has HSV-2: What You Need to Know
Pregnancy planning with a partner who has HSV-2? Hello, Director. We are planning to have children with my partner. However, my partner (wife) has HSV-2 and had an outbreak a year ago, with current IgG tests still showing positive results. If during the pregnancy planning phase, ...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, the medications mentioned above are antiviral drugs used for treating viral infections, and they are not intended for preventive use. In actual clinical practice, their use for prophylaxis is not recommended. Even if someone has previously been infected, it does not mean t...[Read More] Pregnancy Planning with a Partner Who Has HSV-2: What You Need to Know
Is a Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure After Medication Change Safe?
Issues with Switching Antihypertensive Medications Hello Doctor: My father is 56 years old and has high blood pressure. Previously, he measured his blood pressure about once a week, and it was around 145/85. Recently, he had a follow-up appointment and changed his medication. Tod...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Lee: 1. Regarding your concerns, it is advisable to consult your father's attending physician for more appropriate guidance. 2. Hypertension is classified into primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. The former accounts for approximately 90-95% of hyperten...[Read More] Is a Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure After Medication Change Safe?
Understanding Headaches and Nausea: Common Symptoms and Solutions
Headache with nausea and the urge to vomit? Hello doctor, I suddenly started having a fever on Sunday night, which rose to 39 degrees Celsius within two to three hours. I experienced body aches, dizziness, and nausea, so I quickly went to the emergency room for antipyretic treatm...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Zhong, 1. Nausea is an uncomfortable sensation that feels like you are about to vomit. If it is accompanied by contractions of the gastrointestinal tract and muscles in the chest and abdomen, leading to the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth, it i...[Read More] Understanding Headaches and Nausea: Common Symptoms and Solutions
Understanding Sudden Armpit Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Axillary pain Hello, Doctor. This morning I suddenly felt pain under my armpit, with tenderness present, but I don't feel any lymph nodes or lumps when I touch it. The left side hurts more than the right, and there is no redness or swelling visible. What could be the issue? ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Amin: 1. Common diagnoses to consider for left chest wall pain include herpes zoster, costochondritis, shoulder arthritis, spinal nerve root compression, breast lesions, angina, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, valvular heart disease, aortic dissection, pneumothorax...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Armpit Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Sudden Armpit Pain: Causes and Concerns
Axillary pain? Hello, Doctor. This morning I suddenly felt pain under my armpit, with tenderness present, but I don't feel any lymph nodes or lumps upon examination, and the left side is more painful than the right. There is no redness or swelling in appearance. What could t...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Amin: 1. Common diagnoses to consider for left chest wall pain include herpes zoster, costochondritis, shoulder arthritis, spinal nerve root compression, breast lesions, angina, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, valvular heart disease, aortic dissection, pneumothorax...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Armpit Pain: Causes and Concerns
Understanding and Managing Occipital Pain: Causes and Solutions
Occipital headache Hello, doctor. Recently, I've been experiencing pain in the lower left side of my occiput when I turn my head to the left. It feels like it's connected to the muscle in my neck, and there is soreness when I apply pressure. If I stretch and move my nec...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. L: 1. Conditions to consider for neck pain include soft tissue strains or sprains, acute cervical disc herniation, degenerative cervical spondylosis with cervical radiculopathy, autoimmune cervical spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, infections, t...[Read More] Understanding and Managing Occipital Pain: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Sudden Armpit Pain: Causes and Concerns
Axillary pain Hello, Doctor. This morning I suddenly felt pain under my armpit, with tenderness present, but I don't feel any lymph nodes or lumps upon examination, and the left side is more painful than the right. There is no redness or swelling visible. What could this iss...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Amin: 1. Common diagnoses to consider for left-sided chest wall pain include herpes zoster, costochondritis, shoulder arthritis, spinal nerve root compression, breast lesions, angina, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, valvular heart disease, aortic dissection, pneumo...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Armpit Pain: Causes and Concerns