Managing COVID-19 Symptoms: Insights on Treatment and Recovery
Positive rapid test for COVID-19 (continued) Hello Dr. Hong, I am the patient who asked a question yesterday. The PCR results just came out... it is positive for SARS-CoV-2 with RdRp gene: 23.25 and SARS-CoV-2 ORF 1ab: 21.26. Today is the second day, and I continue to take "...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Currently, there are indeed several medications available for use, including for mild cases. However, for high-risk patients, such as those over 65 years of age, monoclonal antibodies can be used for patients with declining oxygen levels. For more severe cases, remdesivir can be ...[Read More] Managing COVID-19 Symptoms: Insights on Treatment and Recovery
Persistent Symptoms After Negative COVID-19 Tests: What to Do?
Negative rapid test for COVID-19 and normal test results, yet persistent illness? Hello Dr. Hong, First of all, I do not have any chronic illnesses, a travel history, or overlapping exposure to confirmed cases. I live in Taichung City, which is not a hot zone, and I was in good ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, I'm not sure if the two tests you received were rapid antigen tests (ELISA) or PCR tests. If they were antigen tests, there is indeed a high chance of false negatives, and you may need to consider getting an RT-PCR test for confirmation. If both tests were PCR, the ch...[Read More] Persistent Symptoms After Negative COVID-19 Tests: What to Do?
Understanding Unexplained Dizziness: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Sometimes I experience unexplained dizziness? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have been experiencing occasional dizziness, sometimes accompanied by nausea or pain in the temples. I would like to know what these symptoms might indicate and what type of specialist I should see if I need ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it seems that the dizziness may be caused by irregular sleep patterns or stress factors. If you maintain a regular schedule, engage in moderate exercise, and manage stress, it should improve. If you need further evaluation, you can schedule an ap...[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Dizziness: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Understanding Prediabetes: Causes, Management, and Lifestyle Changes
Prediabetes Hello, doctor. My height is 173 cm and my weight is 42.2 kg. In March, my weight was 45.2 kg. Due to weight loss, I underwent blood glucose and thyroid tests. The results showed fasting blood glucose of 96 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c of 5.7%, eAG of 117 mg/dL, free T4 of 1....
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: The normal range for fasting blood glucose levels is typically 70 to 100 mg/dL, and the normal range for hemoglobin A1c is 4 to 6%. I'm not sure what your laboratory's standard range is. For prediabetes, dietary changes and exercise can be effective in managing t...[Read More] Understanding Prediabetes: Causes, Management, and Lifestyle Changes
Understanding Chronic Eczema: Treatment, Management, and Concerns
Chronic eczema consultation? Hello, Doctor. I would like to consult you about psoriasis. About six months ago, I visited a dermatologist who diagnosed it as chronic eczema. The doctor prescribed two ointments for me. Initially, after applying them, I felt that the flaking had dim...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Chronic eczema refers to chronic inflammation of the skin and is not a specific disease. In contrast, the conditions you mentioned, psoriasis and lupus, are specific diseases that must be diagnosed by a qualified physician based on the overall clinical condition. However, based o...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Eczema: Treatment, Management, and Concerns
Understanding Lung Infiltration: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Lung issues Doctor, I have a question. I went to see a family physician because I had a cold, and I underwent an X-ray, blood tests, and sputum analysis (my sputum has always been white, without any yellow or blood-tinged coloration). Later, my cough symptoms improved, and during...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the current pandemic situation, it is recommended to first undergo COVID-19 testing. If the result is negative and symptoms persist, further evaluation by a pulmonologist at a major hospital may be necessary. As for pulmonary infiltrates, it is essentially inflamm...[Read More] Understanding Lung Infiltration: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Managing Fever and Central Temperature Regulation After Brain Injury
Fever of unknown origin, central fever? Hello, my father suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage at the beginning of this year, which led to hydrocephalus. He immediately had an external ventricular drain placed to manage the cerebrospinal fluid. After a cerebral angiogram revealed an...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello! Your father's condition is quite complex, making it difficult to assess based solely on your brief description. The diagnosis of central fever is made only after excluding other infectious causes, and it can be established only when laboratory tests show no obvious si...[Read More] Managing Fever and Central Temperature Regulation After Brain Injury
Persistent Headaches and Nausea: Should You See a Doctor?
Experiencing headaches, nausea, and a desire to vomit for several consecutive days? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing dizziness and headaches for the past 2-3 days. The pain is located at the back of my head, and sometimes it feels like it's inside my brain. The pain pe...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it is indeed important to be cautious of subacute intracranial hemorrhage. I recommend returning to a major hospital for a follow-up, as you may need to undergo a CT scan or MRI of the brain to rule out the risk of intracranial bleeding. Thank yo...[Read More] Persistent Headaches and Nausea: Should You See a Doctor?
Understanding Easy Bruising, Petechiae, and Frequent Nosebleeds in Children
Easy bruising, petechiae, and nosebleeds? Dear Director Gao, My daughter is currently 7 years old. Over a year ago, we noticed that she easily develops bruises on her body, although we are unsure if she has bumped into something. These bruises mostly occur around her knees and t...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. Here are my thoughts: 1. The pediatric immunologist mentioned the possibility of thalassemia or iron deficiency anemia. Since many family members on my mother's side have thalassemia trait, does that mean my daughter is likely to have this...[Read More] Understanding Easy Bruising, Petechiae, and Frequent Nosebleeds in Children
Understanding Finger and Wrist Pain: Is It Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Regarding finger and wrist pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis? Dear Dr. Gao, Hello. Last June, during a routine check-up, I unexpectedly found out that my RF factor was positive. Subsequently, I visited the hospital, where the doctor arranged for additional blood tests. T...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. Here are the responses to your questions: 1. Regarding the fluctuations in your Anti-CCP test results: On March 7, the hospital test was normal; on April 20, your self-test showed a significantly elevated level; however, on April 24, another fa...[Read More] Understanding Finger and Wrist Pain: Is It Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Adjusting Insulin for Diabetes Management: A Guide for Caregivers
Diabetes management Hello Dr. Lee, I have been taking care of my father who has had diabetes for over 20 years. During this time, due to dietary control, his HbA1c has decreased from 10 to 6.8. I would like to ask if the insulin he takes daily can be adjusted based on his blood g...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
Adjusting insulin involves many factors, including the type of insulin used, accompanying oral medications, daily blood sugar fluctuations, renal function, and more. Please discuss this with the prescribing physician.[Read More] Adjusting Insulin for Diabetes Management: A Guide for Caregivers
Managing Allergic Rhinitis and Frequent Colds: What You Need to Know
Upper respiratory tract infection I regularly take medication for allergic rhinitis, but I still caught a cold on April 22 and again on May 22. The doctor prescribed medication that also treats allergic rhinitis. If I am consistently taking medication and still cannot prevent col...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the medications for allergic rhinitis are typically antihistamines. To avoid catching a cold, it is recommended to maintain a regular routine, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and refrain from alcohol and smoking. Additionally, it is advisable to ...[Read More] Managing Allergic Rhinitis and Frequent Colds: What You Need to Know
Understanding Blood Pressure and HbA1c Levels: Key Insights for Patients
Issues related to blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin? 1. My father is 71 years old. During his health check-up, his hemoglobin A1c level was 6.1. The criteria for passing at the clinic is below 6. The physician there mentioned that levels below 6.7 do not qualify as diabetes....
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
A hemoglobin A1c level of 6.5 or higher can diagnose diabetes. If the hemoglobin A1c continues to rise, early intervention with glucose-lowering medications may be considered to prevent the onset of diabetes; however, these medications may require out-of-pocket expenses. For low ...[Read More] Understanding Blood Pressure and HbA1c Levels: Key Insights for Patients
Understanding Occipital Pain During Intense Workouts: What to Know
When reaching a certain level of fitness, there may be pain at the back of the head? I am 28 years old, 171 cm tall, and weigh 69 kg. About 1.2 years ago, I suddenly noticed that my blood pressure readings were consistently around 140/90, which is somewhat elevated compared to my...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, gyms usually have blood pressure machines. It is recommended to check your blood pressure when you feel unwell, as it may rise due to excessive exercise. If your blood pressure is normal, you may need to visit a neurology clinic for further evaluation to check for any neur...[Read More] Understanding Occipital Pain During Intense Workouts: What to Know
Managing Microalbuminuria in Diabetic Patients: Concerns and Treatments
The issue of microalbuminuria? Dear Doctor Wu, I was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, and since then I have been controlling my diet and taking medication, maintaining my hemoglobin A1c below 6. My blood pressure before bed has been below 130. However, starting around No...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
ACR is used as a substitute for the 24-hour urine collection method to measure daily protein loss; the former is only an approximate estimation of the latter. Therefore, the accuracy of this estimation is inevitably not completely reliable. If ACR does not significantly increase,...[Read More] Managing Microalbuminuria in Diabetic Patients: Concerns and Treatments
Understanding Tongue Pain: The Role of B12 Deficiency and Parasites
Tongue pain and issues related to vitamin B12 deficiency and parasitic infections (long text)? Hello Doctor, I mainly want to ask about parasites and gastrointestinal issues. Here are my personal details: At the age of 12, I contracted pneumonia and took antibiotics for a month ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
1. Theoretically, eosinophil levels may rise during a parasitic infection; however, this is not absolute, as many individuals with parasitic infections may have normal test results. 2. Indeed, when testing stool for ova, unless the parasite is shedding eggs at the time of testi...[Read More] Understanding Tongue Pain: The Role of B12 Deficiency and Parasites
Understanding Earwax: When to Clean and When to Leave It Alone
Internal ear problems? Hello, I sometimes ask the doctor to check my ears for earwax when I visit for a cold. I just looked at my left ear with my phone, and it seems like there is a yellowish substance. I would like to ask if, in general, if there is no discomfort, pain, or itch...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, indeed, if there are no specific symptoms, it is not necessary to regularly remove earwax, as the irritation during the removal process may actually increase earwax production. Removal is only needed if it obstructs hearing or causes discomfort. As for the ear canal, the p...[Read More] Understanding Earwax: When to Clean and When to Leave It Alone
Is My Doctor's Approach to Diabetes Management Correct?
Could you please clarify if the management of diabetes is appropriate? I have been regularly visiting a urologist, and recently the doctor mentioned that my urine glucose levels are too high. I also tested my blood sugar at home using a glucometer about five hours after a meal, a...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
A postprandial blood glucose level of over 200 may indicate diabetes. Please visit the endocrinology department for a thorough examination.[Read More] Is My Doctor's Approach to Diabetes Management Correct?
Understanding Anal Fistulas: Surgical Options and Recovery Tips
Anal fistula Last September, I underwent hemorrhoid surgery. By December, I noticed a lump near the anus that was extremely painful. I consulted a specialist, and in late February, I was given a seton placement. However, there is still a small lump in that area, and a few days be...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the surgical removal of an anal fistula primarily depends on whether it causes infection and related complications. Based on your description, it seems to frequently cause discomfort, which is why your physician recommended surgery. As for postoperative care, your doctor s...[Read More] Understanding Anal Fistulas: Surgical Options and Recovery Tips
Concerns About Wakamoto: Safety and Effects on Health
Dietary Concerns I have suffered from irritable bowel syndrome since a young age, and my weight has always been around 50 kg. I am 178 cm tall. After a minor surgery for a sebaceous cyst last year, I took antibiotics, which worsened my condition and also led to an anal fissure. L...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, beer yeast is essentially a type of yeast that does not contain alcohol, so it does not harm the pancreas. Wakamoto is a probiotic component, similar to many probiotic products available on the market, used for gut health. As long as there are no underlying immune deficien...[Read More] Concerns About Wakamoto: Safety and Effects on Health