Understanding Persistent Ankle Pain: Is It Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis I have been experiencing burning, pain, and swelling in both ankle joints for over a year. I had blood tests done at a major hospital, which showed elevated rheumatoid factor and inflammatory markers. I have been taking immunomodulatory medications, corticost...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Symmetrical arthritis combined with a positive rheumatoid factor is indeed characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. However, if symptoms do not improve after treatment, even if inflammatory markers are normal, it is advisable to consult your phy...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Ankle Pain: Is It Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Understanding Immune System Disorders: Insights on Oral Ulcers and Lupus
Immune system Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing mouth ulcers, throat pain, and gum pain since last month, and they haven't improved. A doctor suggested that I see an immunologist. Below are my health check reports: the report from April this year [link] and the immunolo...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
Hello: Based on the two blood test reports you provided, there are no abnormalities indicated, and the symptoms you described do not have any clear association with systemic lupus erythematosus. Generally speaking, different laboratories may have variations in measurement values ...[Read More] Understanding Immune System Disorders: Insights on Oral Ulcers and Lupus
Understanding Inconsistent Symptoms in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
I'm sorry, but I need more context or specific information to provide an accurate translation or response? Hello Doctor, I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis about three years ago when I was around 14 years old. It started with pain in my left knee, and then mo...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is different from adult rheumatoid arthritis, so juvenile rheumatoid arthritis does not directly transition into rheumatoid arthritis in adulthood. Therefore, some patie...[Read More] Understanding Inconsistent Symptoms in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Is Morning Stiffness Always a Sign of Arthritis? Understanding the Causes
Is morning stiffness always caused by arthritis? Hello, Doctor Gao. Recently, over the past week or two, I've suddenly noticed that when I wake up in the morning (this has happened for three consecutive days, but also occurred once or twice last week), my hand joints feel st...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The definition of morning stiffness is joint stiffness and pain lasting more than one hour. Therefore, if your morning joint stiffness lasts only 5 minutes, it does not meet the criteria for morning stiffness. However, even if your morning join...[Read More] Is Morning Stiffness Always a Sign of Arthritis? Understanding the Causes
Can Chlamydia Infection Cause High Uric Acid Levels in Arthritis?
Clostridium infection Hello doctor, does Chlamydia infection-related arthritis lead to high uric acid levels?
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding Chlamydia arthritis, the response is as follows, referencing http://blog.xuite.net/apex0818/twblog/121592288-%E6%8A%AB%E8%A1%A3%E8%8F%8C%E9%97%9C%E7%AF%80%E7%82%8EI. I. Cause: Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis after sexual contact is a common cause ...[Read More] Can Chlamydia Infection Cause High Uric Acid Levels in Arthritis?
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis and Uric Acid Levels in Blood Tests
Rheumatoid arthritis and uric acid? Hello! I would like to ask if the rheumatoid factor test report includes uric acid levels. I checked my report yesterday, and there was no rheumatoid factor, but the inflammatory markers were elevated. I am concerned that even without rheumatoi...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. The rheumatoid factor and uric acid levels are two different tests. Therefore, if your physician did not include these two tests in the examination items, you may not receive results for either the rheumatoid factor or uric acid levels. It would...[Read More] Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis and Uric Acid Levels in Blood Tests
Do You Need Steroids for Vasculitis in Sjögren's Syndrome?
Is steroid medication necessary for vasculitis? Two years ago, I experienced difficulty opening my left eye upon waking, and I was diagnosed with dry eye syndrome. Last year, after a salivary gland biopsy, I was diagnosed with xerostomia, and my white blood cell count dropped to ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, everyone. 1. The diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome primarily involves testing for positive anti-SSA or anti-SSB antibodies, which are present in only 50-60% of patients. If these tests are negative, a salivary gland biopsy is performed for diagnosis. If the dry syndro...[Read More] Do You Need Steroids for Vasculitis in Sjögren's Syndrome?
Understanding Enterococcus Infections: Arthritis, Neuropathy, and More
Enterococcus arthritis neuropathy Hello Dr. Liao: I have seen many doctors without improvement in my condition, so I am here to seek your advice regarding my medical history: Last August, I was diagnosed with prostatitis and took broad-spectrum antibiotics, specifically tetracycl...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers, Recently, there have been reports of an increase in cases of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections in hospitals in Hong Kong. Once infected, treatment can be very challenging, with a mortality rate as high as 30%. This outbreak has quickly garnered publ...[Read More] Understanding Enterococcus Infections: Arthritis, Neuropathy, and More
Understanding Abdominal Pain and Lower Back Discomfort: Causes and Solutions
Abdominal pain and lower back pain? Hello, doctor! Recently, I have been experiencing abdominal pain that feels like nerve pain for two consecutive weeks, and my lower back is extremely sore. At first, during the first week, I thought it was a strain from exercising and stretchin...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Troubles: There are many common causes of lower abdominal pain, including acute appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, hernia, hip joint diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic bowel disease, mesenteric lymphadenitis, terminal ileitis, ovarian torsion, diverticulitis,...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain and Lower Back Discomfort: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Reactive Arthritis: The Link Between Enterococcus and Joint Pain
Reiter's reactive arthritis Dear Dr. Gao, Thank you very much for your response. It seems that the cause of my condition is becoming clearer! About a year ago, I had bacterial prostatitis, which has not been completely resolved to this day. I have undergone multiple tests f...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello Mr. Zhang, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1. Among the intestinal bacteria that can easily trigger Reiter's syndrome, enterococci are not included. However, I remain cautious about whether enterococci can induce Reiter's syndrome, as there are...[Read More] Understanding Reactive Arthritis: The Link Between Enterococcus and Joint Pain
Understanding Treatment Options for Reiter's Syndrome: Common Concerns and Questions
Treatment for Listeriosis Dear Dr. Gao, I previously consulted with you, and I appreciate your professionalism! I have been seeing a specialist (who answered my questions vaguely), and I have been taking Celebrex for almost three months, one capsule in the morning and one in the...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Dear Mr. Chang, Thank you for your email. I would like to respond to your questions as follows: 1. If your attending physician believes you have Reiter's syndrome and your condition does not improve after a period of medication, I think it would be appropriate to adjust yo...[Read More] Understanding Treatment Options for Reiter's Syndrome: Common Concerns and Questions
Understanding Chronic Joint Discomfort: Possible Causes and Solutions
Limb joints Hello Doctor, I have had joint discomfort since I was young. Whenever the weather changes, I feel soreness, primarily in my upper limbs—elbows, wrists, and fingers—and in my lower limbs—hip joints (less frequently), knees, ankles, and toes. Now at 30 years old, this c...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Netizens often complain about feeling sore when the weather changes, but if there is no redness, swelling, or pain, based on your description, it may not even be arthritis. Western medicine typically focuses on symptomatic treatment rather than curative approaches. I suggest cons...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Joint Discomfort: Possible Causes and Solutions
Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Ice or Heat Therapy?
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Ice or Heat Therapy? Hello, Doctor. Recently, I have experienced a relapse of ankylosing spondylitis (which has been symptom-free for over three years). Since entering the workforce, I have also been exercising very little. I am experiencing severe pain in...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello Mr. Hsu, thank you for your question. The location of the sacroiliac joint is relatively deep, so the effectiveness of ice therapy may be limited; heat therapy might be more beneficial. Regarding the choice between heat and cold therapy, I believe that during the acute phas...[Read More] Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Ice or Heat Therapy?
Understanding Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Insights
Leigh syndrome Hello, Dr. Gao: About a month ago, I started experiencing pain in all my bones, followed by urinary tract infection and conjunctivitis. I have a history of ankylosing spondylitis, but what's strange is that I had a urinary tract infection about 10 months ago. ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello Mr. Zhang, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1. Although most cases of Lyme disease occur within a month of infection, there are rare instances where it may be related to infections that happened a long time ago. The longer the duration of the infection,...[Read More] Understanding Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Insights
Understanding the Link Between Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis and STDs
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? In patients with Sjögren's syndrome, the occurrence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or gastrointestinal diseases can trigger ocular diseases and arthritis. Since this condition is autoimmune...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1. Reactive arthritis is related to individual susceptibility, making it easier to develop arthritis following an infection. Some cases of reactive arthritis are associated with sexually transmitted infections (triggered ...[Read More] Understanding the Link Between Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis and STDs
Understanding Left-Sided Back Pain: When to See a Specialist
Back pain Hello doctor, I have pain on the left side of my spine in the back, which occurs when I do a bow stretch. It has been several months and feels like a continuous pain. I visited a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who diagnosed me with myofascial pain syndrome. F...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Hsiao-An: 1. There are many causes of back pain, including degenerative, neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious, radiculopathy, metabolic, traumatic, and referred pain, among others. Therefore, a wide range of specialties may be involved, and sometimes diagnosis is not st...[Read More] Understanding Left-Sided Back Pain: When to See a Specialist
Does Lichen Sclerosus Increase the Risk of STIs and Urological Diseases?
Does Listeriosis increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections? Hello, doctor. I've heard that Lichen Sclerosus often co-occurs with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and urinary diseases. Does this mean that patients with Lichen Sclerosus are particularly suscep...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding whether reactive arthritis increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections, the response is as follows: 1. Refer to information related to reactive arthritis. 2. It is usually observed following gastrointestinal infections (such as diarrhea, dysen...[Read More] Does Lichen Sclerosus Increase the Risk of STIs and Urological Diseases?
Understanding Right Kidney Pain: Causes and Concerns for Patients
Kidney problems Hello, Doctor Wu. I would like to ask, around noon today, I experienced pain in my right kidney. It hurts when I squat down and when I get back up. My job involves standing and squatting to pick things up. In mid-February of this year, the clinic conducted blood a...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
Hello: There are many issues related to lower back pain that can be referenced in the attached document or addressed at a hospital. Wishing you safety from bothersome back pain. In the United States, back pain is the second most common reason for seeking medical attention in inte...[Read More] Understanding Right Kidney Pain: Causes and Concerns for Patients
Managing Sjögren's Syndrome: To Medicate or Not? Insights and Risks
Sjögren's syndrome Hello, Doctor! Three years ago, I experienced stiffness in my fingers upon waking up in the morning, which resolved after two to three minutes. Initially, I suspected rheumatoid arthritis. Blood tests showed elevated anti-ENA at 3.7 and Ro at 45.6, while t...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello Mr. Huang, thank you for your question. Sjögren's syndrome is considered a mild condition among rheumatic diseases, so whether medication is necessary, especially for long-term treatment, may vary among physicians. Personally, I believe that if the diagnostic criteria ...[Read More] Managing Sjögren's Syndrome: To Medicate or Not? Insights and Risks
Do You Need Regular Kidney Function Tests? Common Concerns Explained
Questions related to kidney examinations? Is it necessary to have regular kidney function tests? I do not have diabetes or hypertension, but I have congenital heart disease and have previously had urinary tract infections and pneumonia. I took a lot of traditional Chinese medicin...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, Renal function monitoring is typically recommended for: 1. Patients with a history of chronic kidney disease (such as chronic nephritis, interstitial nephritis, or hydronephrosis); 2. Individuals with systemic chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, gout...[Read More] Do You Need Regular Kidney Function Tests? Common Concerns Explained