Effective Treatments for Acid Reflux After Esophageal Surgery
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Hello Dr. Chang, I had surgery for esophageal cancer nine years ago, during which my esophagus and part of my stomach were removed. Now my stomach is located in the thoracic cavity, but I have been experiencing gastroesophageal reflux sympto...
Dr. Zhang Siyuan Reply:
To Chikuang: Your condition appears to be more pronounced than typical gastroesophageal reflux, with nighttime gastric acid reflux reaching the throat, leading to coughing. Pantoprazole has been used at a dosage of 80 mg per day, which is double the standard treatment for gastroe...[Read More] Effective Treatments for Acid Reflux After Esophageal Surgery
Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux: Symptoms and Causes Explained
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Hello, Doctor: For the past few days (approximately a week), I have been experiencing difficulty breathing and a feeling of tightness and pain in my chest. I consulted a pulmonologist who suggested that I might have asthma or gastroesophagea...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Dear Miss Junjun, What you mentioned may be esophagitis or esophageal dysfunction. The mechanism involves damage to the esophageal mucosa caused by gastric acid (or vitamin acid or other medications). You may take medication to see if there is improvement or undergo an endoscop...[Read More] Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux: Symptoms and Causes Explained
Managing Long-Term Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) I would like to ask the doctor, I started experiencing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) during the Lunar New Year period, and it has been about three to four months now. Initially, I took Western medication for a while, but...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Dear Mr. NICK: If you do not experience any swallowing difficulties, there is no need for an endoscopy at this time. You may start by reducing your intake of acidic and sweet foods and consider using over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for 2-4 weeks, as insurance cov...[Read More] Managing Long-Term Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Understanding Abdominal Pain and Nausea: When to Seek Emergency Care
Experiencing abdominal pain and bloating, followed by vomiting everything that was eaten? Could an online doctor please help me? Whenever I eat too much, I experience pain in my upper right abdomen and soreness in my right back, which lasts for 2 to 3 hours before gradually subsi...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Dear Ms. Sanny, It is recommended that you cooperate with your physician to undergo necessary examinations and treatments, and consider whether your liver function and menstrual cycle are normal. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Sincerely, Chen Shidian[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain and Nausea: When to Seek Emergency Care
Understanding Digestive Discomfort: Symptoms and Diagnosis Tips
I have been feeling unwell lately? Hello, doctor: During the New Year period, I ate more than usual. Since around February 10th, I feel like even a normal meal portion (like a bento box) makes me feel almost full to the throat, similar to the feeling of being overly full during t...
Dr. Zhang Siyuan Reply:
Dear Nick, Your symptom description is very clear. Based on the information provided, it appears to be an issue related to the upper gastrointestinal tract, particularly abnormal gastric motility. The slow motility may lead to a relative decrease in the contents received by the ...[Read More] Understanding Digestive Discomfort: Symptoms and Diagnosis Tips
Persistent Hiccups: Understanding Causes and Concerns for Young Adults
Persistent hiccups? I am 19 years old and currently in my second year of college. Recently, for the past month, I have been experiencing a constant urge to expel gas from my throat. It's not belching; it feels like there is gas that wants to come up. I don't have any st...
Dr. Zhang Siyuan Reply:
Dear Cheng, Belching can manifest in various ways. The most common occurrence in healthy individuals is physiological belching, which often results from eating too quickly, leading to the ingestion of large amounts of air, or eating too slowly, causing excessive swallowing of sm...[Read More] Persistent Hiccups: Understanding Causes and Concerns for Young Adults
Feeling of Throat Foreign Body and Nausea After Spicy Food: Should You Get an Endoscopy?
Sensation of a foreign body in the throat + nausea? After eating spicy food, if you experience a sensation of something stuck in your throat and occasional nausea, do you need to undergo an endoscopy? Thank you.
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Ms. Lin: You may first reduce spicy foods (as well as sweet and sour foods) and undergo gastric medication treatment. If there are frequent recurrences or if the treatment is ineffective, then an endoscopy should be considered. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Che...[Read More] Feeling of Throat Foreign Body and Nausea After Spicy Food: Should You Get an Endoscopy?
Can Gastroscopy Reveal Your Lifestyle Habits Like Smoking and Drinking?
Information that can be obtained from gastroscopy? Can a gastroscopy reveal your usual habits? For example, can a gastroscopy indicate whether you smoke or drink alcohol?
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello Ben, the main purpose of an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum for any lesions, including inflammation, erosion, ulcers, tumors, and changes related to lifestyle habits. Widespread lesions may be associated with irritant medi...[Read More] Can Gastroscopy Reveal Your Lifestyle Habits Like Smoking and Drinking?
Chronic Constipation: Seeking Solutions for Digestive Health Issues
Chronic constipation? Hello Doctor: Since middle school, I have not had normal bowel movements. In middle school, I would go once a month. I later consulted doctors, but they only prescribed me stool softeners and laxatives, which did not improve my condition. I underwent a proce...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Previous doctors were not wrong! Your peristalsis is too slow (extremely slow) and may have reached a pathological state. Medication and enemas are both standard treatment methods, and improvements can be made with dietary and lifestyle changes (it is recommended to have at least...[Read More] Chronic Constipation: Seeking Solutions for Digestive Health Issues
Understanding the Sensation of a Foreign Body in the Throat
Sensation of a foreign body in the throat Hello, doctor. Recently, I've been feeling something unusual in my throat; sometimes it feels like there's something stuck in there, but the sensation disappears while I'm eating. I only experience this foreign body sensati...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Ms. Eva: The sensation of a foreign body can be caused by acid reflux and stress. Medication can be taken for treatment, and it is important to relax and maintain a normal routine. If necessary, please visit an otolaryngology and gastroenterology clinic for further examinat...[Read More] Understanding the Sensation of a Foreign Body in the Throat
Understanding Bad Breath: Causes and Remedies for Digestive Issues
Halitosis Could my bad breath be caused by an odor originating from my throat due to overeating before bed, leading to incomplete digestion? I also have infrequent bowel movements (about every two days), drink very little water, and rarely pass gas. How should I treat and improve...
Dr. Liu Nanshan Reply:
Halitosis is a complex issue that can stem from various causes such as dental caries, periodontal disease, nighttime eating, postnasal drip, and indigestion, all of which need to be addressed individually. Bowel movements occurring three times a week or three times a day can be c...[Read More] Understanding Bad Breath: Causes and Remedies for Digestive Issues
Is an Endoscopy Necessary for My Stomach Pain?
Is it necessary to undergo an endoscopy? Hello, doctor. About two years ago, I experienced stomach pain, which occurred when I was hungry, and I also felt pain after eating. Later, the doctor mentioned that I might have a slight gastric ulcer (at that time, I did not undergo an e...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Ms. EVA: For individuals under 40 years of age without significant swallowing difficulties, melena, or weight loss, it is advisable to start with medication and dietary improvements (less sugar, less acidity, and smaller, more frequent meals). However, if there are signific...[Read More] Is an Endoscopy Necessary for My Stomach Pain?
Feeling Trapped Air at Night: Causes and Solutions for Discomfort
Feeling the urge to yawn while trying to sleep but being unable to do so? Hello Doctor: In the past few days, whenever I lie down to sleep at night, I soon experience a sensation of wanting to expel air (similar to a burp, not nausea). I feel the urge to release the air, but I ca...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Dear Mr. A-Yuan: You may first use medications for digestion and bloating to avoid late-night snacks after dinner. If there is no improvement, you can schedule an appointment with the gastroenterology department. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Sincerely, Chen Shidian.[Read More] Feeling Trapped Air at Night: Causes and Solutions for Discomfort
Understanding Ascites: Causes, Implications, and Treatment Options
The effects of ascites on the body? My father is 56 years old. In 1993, a tumor was discovered in his liver, and he has been receiving follow-up treatment at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Chiayi, including embolization therapy five to six times. Since the end of March this year...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Miss: In the advanced stages of cirrhosis (and liver cancer), ascites may occur, requiring long-term diuretic therapy along with restrictions on fluid and salt intake. If liver function (such as ascites or jaundice) continues to deteriorate, then transarterial embolization...[Read More] Understanding Ascites: Causes, Implications, and Treatment Options
How to Seek Medical Help for Esophageal Foreign Body Issues
How to seek medical attention for esophageal foreign body? Hello! It seems that I have something stuck in my esophagus, and I feel discomfort while eating. I also have the sensation of a foreign object when swallowing. How should I seek medical attention?
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
1. If there is a true case of foreign body ingestion or a fishbone lodged in the throat, one should go to the emergency department or an otolaryngology specialist for examination. 2. If there is a sensation of a foreign body in the esophagus or discomfort while swallowing, one ca...[Read More] How to Seek Medical Help for Esophageal Foreign Body Issues
Understanding Stomach Heat: Symptoms and Possible Causes
Stomach heat In the past two to three weeks, I have been experiencing a burning sensation in my stomach, a warm feeling in my abdomen, occasional coolness in my throat, frequent facial flushing, diarrhea, and a feeling of bloating even after eating. When I am very hungry, my stom...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
The symptoms of burning sensation in the stomach, bloating, and a gnawing feeling when hungry are associated with conditions related to gastric acid secretion, including gastritis and peptic ulcers. It is recommended to avoid irritating foods. Since these symptoms have persisted ...[Read More] Understanding Stomach Heat: Symptoms and Possible Causes
Understanding Esophageal Discomfort and Digestive Issues
Gastrointestinal issues Hello Doctor: Recently, I often feel a sensation of tightness in the esophagus area just below the throat where the collarbones meet. It feels like the sensation of wanting to vomit when someone is choking me. Pressing that area makes me feel even more nau...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
The sensation of a foreign body in the throat, nausea, and the urge to vomit, along with occasional bloating and abdominal pain after meals, can broadly be categorized as indigestion. It is advisable to pay more attention to dietary habits, avoiding irregular meals. It is best to...[Read More] Understanding Esophageal Discomfort and Digestive Issues
Understanding Digestive Discomfort: Causes and Remedies
Stomach discomfort? Hello, doctor. A few days ago, I had dinner before starting work at 6 PM, but around 10 or 11 PM, I started feeling some pain in my stomach after digestion. Is this abnormal? For the past few days, if I eat a bit more for dinner, I feel somewhat indigested, an...
Dr. Cai Yaozhou Reply:
The primary examination is endoscopy. Its purpose is to exclude other potential upper gastrointestinal diseases that the patient may have, as some symptoms of tumors and peptic ulcers often overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), making it difficult to accurately dif...[Read More] Understanding Digestive Discomfort: Causes and Remedies
Understanding Gastrointestinal Discomfort: When to Seek Medical Help
I'm not feeling well..? Hello Doctor: I have had frequent gastrointestinal inflammation since I was young, and I have seen gastroenterologists more often than general practitioners for colds. Recently, I have started feeling unwell again. In addition to a constant feeling of...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Dear Ms. Winney: The symptoms are likely caused by dyspepsia or gastrointestinal dysfunction. Medications and adjustments to diet and lifestyle may help improve the condition. If swallowing difficulties persist, an endoscopy can be performed to rule out other causes. Changhua Hos...[Read More] Understanding Gastrointestinal Discomfort: When to Seek Medical Help
Understanding Duodenal Ulcers: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care Tips
Duodenal ulcer Hello Doctor, I have a question I would like to ask you. I often feel like something is stuck in my throat, and sometimes it feels like there is a lump in my larynx that disappears at times. What could be the cause of this? Additionally, after eating, I often fee...
Dr. Liu Nanshan Reply:
Laryngeal foreign bodies may include the uvula. During human eating, the soft palate and uvula elevate to block the nasopharyngeal passage, preventing food from entering the nasal cavity. The symptoms you described persist despite ulcer treatment, suggesting non-ulcer dyspepsia. ...[Read More] Understanding Duodenal Ulcers: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care Tips