Understanding Digestive Issues: Constipation, Diarrhea, and Bloating
Recently Recently, for about three weeks, my bowel movements have been irregular. At first, I experienced constipation for two to three days (passing thin or pellet-like stools in small amounts), followed by a day of diarrhea. I also often feel bloated or experience abdominal pai...
Dr. Chen Zhiping Reply:
Hello, if your bowel habits have been normal in the past and have recently changed without improvement for a period of time, it is important to first rule out any underlying organ diseases. Additionally, we need to consider whether you have other symptoms such as blood in the sto...[Read More] Understanding Digestive Issues: Constipation, Diarrhea, and Bloating
Struggling to Gain Weight? Tips for Improving Digestive Health and Nutrition
Weight gain issues Hello, Doctor: I really want to gain weight. I have tried many methods and I eat my meals on time every day, along with late-night snacks, but I still can't gain weight~_~ Could you please provide some suggestions? I have poor gastrointestinal function and...
Dr. Su Baojia Reply:
Your gastrointestinal function is poor, which can affect the absorption of nutrients from food and may be one of the reasons you are unable to gain weight. There are many other potential causes for weight loss, so it is best to consult a gastroenterologist or an endocrinologist f...[Read More] Struggling to Gain Weight? Tips for Improving Digestive Health and Nutrition
Understanding Frequent Gastritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
There is a gurgling sound in the lower left side of the stomach, often associated with chronic gastritis? Hello Dr. Yang, My situation is as follows: Every time I experience stomach pain, it is due to inflammation, with a very high frequency and severe pain. Before each episode ...
Dr. Liang Jiade Reply:
The first thing to clarify is whether the location of your abdominal pain is truly in the stomach. There are many organs in the upper abdomen. If you experience severe pain accompanied by a hard abdomen that hurts when pressed, and if the intense pain turns into a more uniform an...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Gastritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
Understanding Chronic Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Severity, and Treatment Options
Chronic liver cancer Chronic liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a type of cancer that originates in the liver, often developing in individuals with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, or fatty liver disease. Symptoms...
Dr. Liang Jiade Reply:
Liver cancer is inherently a chronic disease. Typically, there are no symptoms in the early stages. In the advanced stages, symptoms such as jaundice, liver failure, and ascites may occur. The treatment for liver cancer must be determined based on factors such as tumor size, numb...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Severity, and Treatment Options
Post-Liver Transplant Health Concerns: Understanding Recovery Challenges
Post-liver transplantation condition Hello, Dr. Liang! My husband's older brother (approximately 53 years old) was a patient with end-stage liver cirrhosis. He underwent a liver transplant at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in December of last year, and his recovery post...
Dr. Liang Jiade Reply:
After a liver transplant, it is important to monitor whether the transplanted liver is functioning properly and to be aware of the risk of rejection. Your brother is currently experiencing weight loss and abdominal distension, which raises concerns about whether his liver functio...[Read More] Post-Liver Transplant Health Concerns: Understanding Recovery Challenges
Is Your Stomach Shrinking? Understanding Gastrointestinal Discomfort
It seems like my stomach has shrunk?! Hello Dr. Yang, I have been experiencing stomach discomfort for over three weeks. My situation is that "I feel full after eating just a little bit, and sometimes I accidentally eat too much and end up with stomach pain, but the amount I ...
Dr. Yang Peizhen Reply:
Hello: Your symptoms may indicate acute gastritis, which can lead to delayed gastric emptying, increased gastric acid, and gastric distension. This can cause discomfort when hungry, but eating a small amount can quickly lead to a feeling of fullness. Weight loss may occur over a ...[Read More] Is Your Stomach Shrinking? Understanding Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Is Fish Oil Safe for Those with Gallstones?
Gallstones and Fish Oil Good afternoon, doctor: I have heart disease and I've heard that fish oil is good for the heart. However, I also have gallstones and can't consume too much fat. Should people with gallstones avoid fish oil? Thank you.
Dr. Yang Peizhen Reply:
Hello: There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol stones and pigment stones. The latter is more common among Taiwanese people, while the former is more likely to occur in individuals who are overweight. Generally, dietary guidelines recommend reducing the intake of high-chole...[Read More] Is Fish Oil Safe for Those with Gallstones?
Understanding Rectal Pain: Symptoms and Top Colorectal Surgeons in Taichung
Colorectal Surgery Symptoms: A sensation of a foreign body entering the anus, occurring infrequently. There has been no weight loss, no blood in the stool, and no pain during bowel movements. The discomfort only occurs while sitting, and there are occasional sharp pains in the lo...
Dr. Liang Jiade Reply:
Hello, a feeling of foreign body sensation in the anal area is most commonly associated with hemorrhoids, inflammation around the anus, or abnormalities of the anal sphincter. A medical examination or further diagnostic tests are necessary to determine the exact cause. Additional...[Read More] Understanding Rectal Pain: Symptoms and Top Colorectal Surgeons in Taichung
High SGPT Levels with Normal SGOT: Understanding Liver Health Concerns
The SGPT level is elevated, while the SGOT level is normal? Hello Dr. Liang, I recently participated in a company health check-up, and the results for my liver, gallbladder, kidney function, and blood lipids are all normal. However, my SGPT level is two and a half times the maxim...
Dr. Liang Jiade Reply:
Hello, excessive fatigue, prolonged staying up late, medication use, and fatty liver can potentially lead to elevated liver function indices, but other various causes must also be considered. Furthermore, it is necessary to monitor changes in liver function values over time. If t...[Read More] High SGPT Levels with Normal SGOT: Understanding Liver Health Concerns
Understanding Abdominal Distension: Seeking Help for Persistent Bloating
The lower abdomen is protruding, resembling that of a woman who is 4 to 5 months pregnant? Hello Dr. Zhang, I am 160 cm tall and weigh 40 kg. I have been very thin since childhood, not by choice. Every morning when I wake up, my abdomen is flat, but as I eat, my lower abdomen ex...
Dr. Zhang Yuting Reply:
Please visit the Endocrinology and Metabolism Department or the Gastroenterology Clinic for further evaluation of your underweight issue.[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Distension: Seeking Help for Persistent Bloating
Understanding Abdominal Discomfort: Causes and Next Steps
Abdominal discomfort? Hello Dr. Yang! I have been experiencing frequent abdominal bloating and a lack of appetite for over a month. This has led to a slight weight loss. I underwent both gastroscopy and colonoscopy at a clinic near my home, but no abnormalities were found. I also...
Dr. Yang Peizhen Reply:
Hello: Your condition is classified as "functional dyspepsia," which can be caused by a variety of factors including diet, emotional stress, and medications. However, the exact pathological mechanisms are not entirely clear, which makes treatment outcomes less than idea...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Discomfort: Causes and Next Steps
Unusual Lower Abdominal Sensations: Understanding Potential Gastrointestinal Issues
Strange sensations in the lower abdomen? Hello: Two weeks ago, I started feeling some unusual sensations in my lower abdomen; it wasn't pain, but rather a feeling as if something was stirring. This week, I began to experience pain that feels similar to menstrual cramps. Init...
Dr. Yang Peizhen Reply:
Hello: The main organs in the lower abdomen of women include the intestines and gynecological organs. Since your gynecological organs have been examined and found to be normal, the discomfort you are experiencing is likely originating from the intestines. To determine if there is...[Read More] Unusual Lower Abdominal Sensations: Understanding Potential Gastrointestinal Issues
Understanding Bloating, Nausea, and Loss of Appetite: Gastrointestinal Insights
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite? Hello, Doctor: Symptom 1: For about a year now, I often feel gas in my body and have the urge to burp, but it's not spontaneous; I feel the gas and deliberately try to burp it out, which leads to me feeling full after eating very lit...
Dr. Xu Ruihong Reply:
Hello, your issue sounds like poor gastrointestinal motility. Generally speaking, increasing physical activity and managing stress can help alleviate symptoms; medication should be considered as a last resort. Given your young age, the likelihood of malignant tumors is low, but...[Read More] Understanding Bloating, Nausea, and Loss of Appetite: Gastrointestinal Insights
Assessing Disability in Cirrhosis Patients: Key Symptoms and Implications
Cirrhosis... related issues? In patients with cirrhosis, particularly those with hepatitis C progressing to cirrhosis, the presence of abdominal distension, lower extremity edema, and ascites can significantly impact their functional capacity. These symptoms may indicate advanced...
Dr. Yang Peizhen Reply:
Hello: The presence of ascites in cirrhosis typically indicates that there is already a phenomenon of decompensated liver function. To assess the severity of cirrhosis, several factors are considered, in addition to ascites, such as jaundice, low serum albumin levels, hepatic enc...[Read More] Assessing Disability in Cirrhosis Patients: Key Symptoms and Implications
Understanding Why Small, Frequent Meals Help Manage Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Why should patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) eat smaller, more frequent meals? Doesn't this lead to continuous gastric acid secretion? However, I also experience abdominal pain three to four hours after meals. Is this...
Dr. Yang Peizhen Reply:
Hello: For patients with dyspepsia, if one eats too much in a single meal, the food will remain in the stomach for an extended period, leading to increased gastric acid secretion. After digestion, a significant amount of gas is produced in the stomach, resulting in bloating or be...[Read More] Understanding Why Small, Frequent Meals Help Manage Acid Reflux
Understanding Stomach Inflammation vs. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Is it gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome? I experience nausea both before and after eating, and I have a persistent dull pain above my navel. Sometimes I feel the urge to have a bowel movement, but I feel like there’s nothing there... I can't pass anything. My stools are ...
Dr. Cai Junyan Reply:
Hello NED: Director Tsai Jun-Yan has been quite busy recently, so the Director of the Health Education Department is responding on his behalf. Your symptoms resemble irritable bowel syndrome; however, it is important to rule out other organic gastrointestinal diseases. It is best...[Read More] Understanding Stomach Inflammation vs. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Understanding Pancreatic Insufficiency in Children: When to Seek Specialist Care
Growth retardation A 2-year-and-8-month-old child weighs only 11 kg (underweight). After a stool examination, it was found that the child has pancreatic insufficiency, which prevents the breakdown of fats (with a value of only 5). The pediatric gastroenterologist is currently pre...
Dr. Cai Junyan Reply:
Hello, Due to the recent busyness of Director Tsai Jun-Yan, the Director of the Health Education Department is responding on his behalf. Being underweight can be related to pancreatic insufficiency, body constitution, and genetics. It is best to collaborate with a physician for...[Read More] Understanding Pancreatic Insufficiency in Children: When to Seek Specialist Care
Understanding Rectal Bleeding: Causes and When to Seek Help
Rectal bleeding In June, I frequently experienced rectal bleeding, but it stopped after about a week. In July, I underwent a full-body check-up and was diagnosed with superficial gastritis and tested positive for Helicobacter pylori. After that, I occasionally experienced rectal ...
Dr. Liang Jiade Reply:
Hello: The pattern of rectal bleeding (bright red blood or black stools, frequency, volume, chronic or acute) and whether the stools themselves are mixed with blood can help differentiate between upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Your upper gastrointestinal endoscopy res...[Read More] Understanding Rectal Bleeding: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance
Functional gastrointestinal disorders and autonomic nervous system dysregulation? Dear Dr. Su, Last November, I underwent an endoscopy and was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer. I took medication until March-April of this year. After that, I noticed that I would experience abdomina...
Dr. Su Baojia Reply:
1. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is the primary cause of functional gastrointestinal disorders. When the autonomic nervous system is balanced, functional gastrointestinal disorders may improve. 2. Diazepam should be used with caution due to the potential for drowsiness. ...[Read More] Understanding Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance
Understanding Slow Digestion and Binge Purging: Seeking Solutions
Slow digestion of food? Hello, I have been experiencing episodes of self-induced vomiting for many years, possibly due to my fear of gaining weight. However, I do not do this after every meal; I only resort to it when I feel very full. Over time, I have noticed that when I induce...
Dr. Cai Junyan Reply:
Hello Winnie: You should first undergo an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or an upper GI series to check for any obstruction in the upper digestive tract (such as chronic duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, or tumors) before considering treatment options. Gastroenterology, Dr. Tsai...[Read More] Understanding Slow Digestion and Binge Purging: Seeking Solutions