Which Specialist to See for Heart Palpitations and Sleep Issues?
Which specialty should I see? Hello Doctor: Since around the middle of last month, I have been experiencing episodes of strong heartbeats and a sensation of dizziness and floating when leaning forward while standing. Additionally, I feel a tingling sensation in my legs and an ina...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, if all possible physiological factors have been ruled out, stress or anxiety may also be the cause. It is advisable to seek assistance from a psychiatrist to help maintain a normal daily routine and engage in regular exercise, which is quite important. Online consultations...[Read More] Which Specialist to See for Heart Palpitations and Sleep Issues?
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 Your Health Concerns While Living Abroad: A Guide
Recent discomforts in the body? Hello, doctor! I have been working in Japan for a long time and, due to the pandemic, I have been unable to return to Taiwan. Recently, I have been experiencing various discomforts and I am unsure whether they are psychological or physical issues. ...
Dr. Liu Hongxiang Reply:
Hello Mr. Shang-Chuan, Based on your height and weight, your BMI is 31.4, which falls into the category of moderate obesity. Your systolic blood pressure readings of 133 or 120 are within the normal range. It is recommended that in addition to dietary control, you incorporate e...[Read More] Understanding Your Health Concerns While Living Abroad: A Guide
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
Post-Vaccine Dizziness and Mucus in Stool: What You Need to Know
Dizziness and mucus in stool after vaccination? Hello, Doctor. I apologize for bothering you, but I've been experiencing multiple health issues lately and I'm unsure if these symptoms are related or which specialty to consult. If I’m in the wrong department, I hope you ...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, 1. For dizziness issues, it is recommended to prioritize evaluation by a neurologist. If potential causes are ruled out, an assessment of the inner ear's balance function is also necessary. 2. If gastrointestinal problems persist, it is advisable to consult a gast...[Read More] Post-Vaccine Dizziness and Mucus in Stool: What You Need to Know
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
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
Understanding Hand and Foot Swelling: Causes and When to Seek Help
Swelling in the palm with mild pain? Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you about a symptom where my palms or the soles of my feet feel swollen after waking up, but the swelling returns to normal after getting out of bed for a while. However, in the evening before going to sleep, ...
Dr. Liu Hongxiang Reply:
Hello Mr. Kobayashi: Regarding the sensation of swelling in the palms or soles upon waking, which resolves on its own after a while, this symptom is quite nonspecific. It is advisable to visit a hospital for a clearer diagnosis by a physician, either in internal medicine or famil...[Read More] Understanding Hand and Foot Swelling: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Blood Sugar Levels: Are You at Risk for Diabetes?
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose levels are used to diagnose diabetes? Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you a few questions: I had a diabetes test done a year ago on August 2020, where my fasting blood glucose was 83 mg/dL and my hemoglobin A1c was 5.61%. I ...
Dr. Huang Hongshuo Reply:
The reference upper limit for fasting blood glucose is 99 mg/dL, while the upper limit for blood glucose two hours after a meal is 139 mg/dL. Hemoglobin A1c, often referred to as average blood glucose, has an upper limit of 5.6%. The range for elevated fasting blood glucose is 10...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Levels: Are You at Risk for Diabetes?
Understanding Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Chest pain Hello, Doctor. On the afternoon of the 30th, I was lying down looking at my phone for a few minutes. After that, I got up and felt fine, but after a while, I started to feel some pain in the middle of my chest, slightly to the left. I tried pressing on it, but it didn&...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Hsin-Hsin: 1. Based on the statement, "The doctor said I have some cysts, some of which are slightly calcified, and advised me to return for a check-up in six months to a year," it is recommended that you regularly follow up with a breast surgeon for monitori...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
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?
Managing High Fasting Blood Sugar with Normal HbA1c: A Guide
Elevated fasting blood glucose with normal glycated hemoglobin (prediabetes)? Hello, Doctor. During my health check-up last year, my fasting blood sugar was found to be 110, so I started paying attention to my diet and exercise. My weight, which was originally 173 lbs at 77 kg, h...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Peter: 1. Generally speaking, a normal fasting plasma glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL. If the level is between 100 mg/dL and 126 mg/dL, it can be considered as prediabetes or impaired fasting glucose. Of course, if the fasting glucose is greater than or equal to 12...[Read More] Managing High Fasting Blood Sugar with Normal HbA1c: A Guide
Chronic Back Pain: Seeking Solutions After Years of Suffering
Chronic back pain Dear Doctor, I have been suffering from chronic back pain for a long time. I have been taking sleeping pills for two years because three years ago, I discovered that whenever I lie down in bed to sleep, I start to feel sharp pain in my back after a few minutes, ...
Dr. Wu Zongying Reply:
Hello: I recommend that you consult with a rehabilitation specialist or a neurologist for further evaluation, as they may provide different insights and treatment options.[Read More] Chronic Back Pain: Seeking Solutions After Years of Suffering
Understanding Morning Hand Stiffness: Causes and Solutions
Waking up with stiffness in the left fingers? Hello, Dr. Hsiao: I have been experiencing an issue over the past year, which has occurred about ten times. Usually, I am able to sleep through the night, but this phenomenon happens when I suddenly wake up in the middle of my sleep....
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Judy: 1. Clinically, the presence of numbness or tingling sensations in the limbs indicates damage to the sensory nerves. While most cases are due to chronic peripheral nerve injuries, it is common for patients to report acute and transient symptoms such as numbness, ti...[Read More] Understanding Morning Hand Stiffness: Causes 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 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
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. What could be the issue? Last we...
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 When to Seek Help
Understanding Abdominal Discomfort: Causes and Concerns
Abdominal issues? Hello, doctor: I often experience abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Yesterday, I felt a slight discomfort in my abdomen and had a bit of an urge to defecate, but after using the restroom, I was unable to have a bowel movement. Later, before going to bed, I felt...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. N: 1. Clinically, common diagnoses for right upper quadrant pain or discomfort include gastric ulcers or inflammation, duodenal ulcers or inflammation, gallbladder or biliary stones, gallbladder or biliary inflammation, liver abscesses or tumors, right lower lobe pneumo...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Discomfort: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Alprazolam: Sleep Aid or Dependency Risk?
Administration of Anbang tablets? Hello, Doctor. I have been experiencing poor sleep quality due to long-term late nights and difficulty falling asleep, so I visited a local clinic. The doctor prescribed me Alprazolam 0.5 mg, to be taken one tablet every night before bed. Initial...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Hello! It is advisable to consult your original treating physician. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Alprazolam: Sleep Aid or Dependency Risk?