Breathing, Internal Medicine FAQ

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Can Tiny Jumping Bugs Enter Your Lungs and Cause Harm?

Jumping worms are very small and can jump in the air; can they be inhaled into the lungs? Hello, doctor. Due to previous flooding of the wooden floor in my home, there has been a presence of damp insects. I hired a pest control company to address the issue, but I later noticed th...


Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello! No, that's not possible! Our trachea has many cilia, and when foreign objects enter the trachea, it triggers a strong cough reflex to expel the foreign material. It also produces secretions to prevent foreign objects from continuing to enter the lungs. So under normal...

[Read More] Can Tiny Jumping Bugs Enter Your Lungs and Cause Harm?


Inverted P Waves and Irregular Heartbeat: What You Need to Know

Inverted P waves and irregular heartbeat? Hello, I have been experiencing frequent palpitations and feel that my breathing efficiency is poor. I went to the hospital for an examination, and the doctor mentioned the sinoatrial node, noting that the P waves on my electrocardiogram ...


Dr. Yu Liying Reply:
In this situation, it is recommended that you seek medical attention and discuss with your physician whether further examinations are necessary. As for whether you can engage in exercise, it is advisable to avoid vigorous activities until a diagnosis and treatment plan are establ...

[Read More] Inverted P Waves and Irregular Heartbeat: What You Need to Know


Understanding Mild Mitral Valve Prolapse and Heart Failure Symptoms

Suspected heart failure with mitral valve issues? Hello Doctor, thank you for your response. To provide some background, last year I experienced several months of sleep deprivation. I usually do not drink alcohol, but one night while out with friends, I was forced to drink a cock...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: MVP is a common condition characterized by the prolapse of one or both leaflets of the mitral valve into the left atrium during systole due to mitral valve insufficiency. The pathological mechanism is not fully understood. Pro-BNP testing can assist in the diagnosis of con...

[Read More] Understanding Mild Mitral Valve Prolapse and Heart Failure Symptoms


Understanding Mitral Valve Prolapse: Symptoms and Diagnosis Explained

Mitral valve prolapse Doctor, is my report normal? Is the difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, and dizziness caused by mitral valve prolapse? AO 27 mm (normal range 20-37) IVS 7 mm (normal range 7-10) LVEF M 70.8% AV 16 mm (normal range 16-26) LVPW 7 mm (normal ran...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: Mild mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are abnormal findings. If there are any concerns, you should consult a cardiologist. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Understanding Mitral Valve Prolapse: Symptoms and Diagnosis Explained


Choking on Medication: Risks and Symptoms to Watch For

Medication stuck in the throat? About an hour ago, I accidentally swallowed a pill that got stuck on the right side of my throat. At that moment, I felt difficulty breathing along with coughing. Later, I drank water to push the pill down. Is it possible that I accidentally pushed...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The medication will not be pushed into the trachea; if it were to enter the trachea, your coughing would become more severe rather than alleviating. Therefore, the medication has already reached your stomach, so there is no need to worry. This ...

[Read More] Choking on Medication: Risks and Symptoms to Watch For


Why You Might Wake Up at 5 AM with Breathing Issues: Causes and Solutions

For the past couple of days, I have been waking up at five in the morning with difficulty breathing? Hello doctor, for the past two or three days, I have been waking up at 5 AM feeling congested, with a sore throat and difficulty breathing. I feel like I have a lot of phlegm, and...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. If it's inconvenient for you to seek medical attention, you can start by using antihistamines, preferably the newer generation medications that are less likely to cause drowsiness. Additionally, make sure to drink plenty of water to see if ...

[Read More] Why You Might Wake Up at 5 AM with Breathing Issues: Causes and Solutions


Could My Anxiety and Symptoms Indicate Hyperthyroidism?

Is this hyperthyroidism? Doctor, I would like to ask for your advice. I am someone who easily feels stressed and somewhat anxious. Recently, I've been experiencing sudden episodes of anxiety where my body feels hot and I sometimes sweat. This has been happening for about two...


Dr. Li Jian Reply:
Please visit a major hospital to check if your thyroid function is normal. Thank you for your inquiry.

[Read More] Could My Anxiety and Symptoms Indicate Hyperthyroidism?


When Can an ICU Breathing Tube Be Safely Removed?

When can the endotracheal tube be removed in the ICU? Hello Dr. Chiu, my mother is 72 years old. On October 9th, she suddenly vomited blood six times, with each episode producing approximately 300-400 cc of blood. She was treated in the emergency department, receiving four units ...


Dr. Qiu Junwei Reply:
The timing for extubation should respect the expertise of the ICU physician. If the patient has the following risks: 1. A risk of secondary bleeding, which generally requires observation for 48 to 72 hours. 2. Concerns about aspiration pneumonia resulting from the bleeding proces...

[Read More] When Can an ICU Breathing Tube Be Safely Removed?


Concerns After Choking on Lutein Capsules: What You Need to Know

Choking on lutein capsules? After having breakfast in the morning, I took a lutein capsule, but it seems I didn't drink enough water. At first, I felt it stuck on the left side, and then I started to feel nauseous and kept coughing. I'm not sure if I vomited it out, but...


Dr. Qiu Junwei Reply:
If you feel increasingly short of breath, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist to determine the possibility of pneumonia. If you only have a sensation of something stuck in your throat, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist near your home can help...

[Read More] Concerns After Choking on Lutein Capsules: What You Need to Know


Understanding HIV Symptoms: What to Know After Exposure

HIV/AIDS issues Hello Doctor: I kissed my boyfriend, including French kissing. On the first to third day, I felt fine, but by the fourth day, my throat started to feel uncomfortable. I experienced pain on both sides of my throat when swallowing saliva. I also felt weak, had some ...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: These upper respiratory symptoms require testing to determine if a diagnosis can be confirmed, and whether there is an HIV infection, which can only be confirmed through a visit to a hospital. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Understanding HIV Symptoms: What to Know After Exposure


Understanding Symptoms After Kissing: What Could They Indicate?

HIV issues Hello Doctor: I kissed my boyfriend, including French kissing. On the first to third day, I felt fine, but by the fourth day, my throat started to feel uncomfortable, and I experienced pain on both sides when swallowing saliva. After that, I developed dizziness, fatigu...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Hello, based on your symptom description, it is recommended that you visit an otolaryngologist, as it could be an upper respiratory infection or another type of infection.

[Read More] Understanding Symptoms After Kissing: What Could They Indicate?


Morning Pain in the Liver and Rib Area: When to Seek Medical Advice?

Medical consultation (upon waking up in the morning) Hello Doctor, I am Xiao Wu. My height is 179 cm and my weight is 93 kg. On the morning of June 7th, I woke up at 6 AM and began to feel pain in the liver area (mild pain with breathing and more intense pain when pressed). Howev...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: It is recommended to visit the hospital for an X-ray or abdominal ultrasound examination. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Morning Pain in the Liver and Rib Area: When to Seek Medical Advice?


Understanding Intermittent Pain Under the Left Chest: Causes and Insights

Pain in the lower left chest? Hello, doctor. This morning, I woke up due to a sharp pain in the lower left side of my chest. It feels like intermittent sharp pain (not related to breathing). The pain extends to the side as well, and I can't pinpoint a specific tender spot; I...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, heart valve issues are unlikely to be the cause of your symptoms. The most probable reason is a mild muscle strain related to posture, possibly due to your sleeping position or physical activity. This usually allows the muscles to relax and rest, and it should gradually im...

[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Pain Under the Left Chest: Causes and Insights


Concerns After Toddler Falls: X-Ray Insights and Safety Tips

A child fell from a height onto a tiled floor? Hello, doctor. My son, who is one year and ten months old, fell from his high chair onto the tile floor tonight. He stood up after falling from a height of about 120 cm and cried loudly. We immediately took him to a nearby surgical c...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. X-ray results can reveal significant injuries to the skull and cervical vertebrae, but they cannot detect bleeding. 2. Due to radiation concerns associated with computed tomography (CT) scans, clinicians will first assess symptoms to determine the necessity of the sc...

[Read More] Concerns After Toddler Falls: X-Ray Insights and Safety Tips


Unexplained Left Back Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help

Unexplained back pain? Left-sided back pain that comes and goes mildly, with no pain during breathing. There is a slight tingling sensation in the left arm and a feeling of chest tightness. I have seen a cardiologist and also visited a clinic; my blood pressure is normal and lung...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: You may consider visiting the pulmonary medicine outpatient clinic. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Unexplained Left Back Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help


Post-COVID Coughing: When to Seek Chest X-Ray for Blood-Streaked Phlegm?

What is the appropriate timing for a chest examination after being diagnosed with a condition and still experiencing hemoptysis? Hello doctor, I was diagnosed at the end of last year and completed isolation in early January. I continued to self-isolate until I tested negative on ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, if you cough forcefully, it can easily cause microvascular rupture in the throat, leading to blood-tinged sputum. This should gradually improve as the cough resolves. Whether a follow-up chest X-ray is necessary mainly depends on whether you experience shortness of breath ...

[Read More] Post-COVID Coughing: When to Seek Chest X-Ray for Blood-Streaked Phlegm?


Persistent Cough and Fever After Negative COVID Test: What to Know

After testing negative for COVID-19, I have been experiencing persistent coughing and recurrent fever? I would like to ask about my friend who was previously diagnosed with COVID-19. Although he tested negative on a rapid test afterward, he has been experiencing low-grade fevers ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Many people do continue to cough for a long time after recovering from COVID-19. It is important to determine whether there is a complication such as pneumonia. If pneumonia is present, antibiotic treatment may be necessary. The most accurate way to assess this is through a chest...

[Read More] Persistent Cough and Fever After Negative COVID Test: What to Know


Understanding Autoimmune Disorders: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Immune system? Hello, Doctor: I previously asked you about issues related to rheumatology and immunology, specifically about skin pain and itching. I believe I may have lupus erythematosus, and the doctors have suggested further monitoring. The patient has been experiencing persi...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1. Is autonomic nervous system dysfunction included in immune system diseases, or should I consult another specialty? --> Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is not related to the immune system, but immune system di...

[Read More] Understanding Autoimmune Disorders: Questions to Ask Your Doctor


Two Medical Questions: Rib Discomfort and Hepatitis B Concerns

Two questions, please ask the doctor? Hello, I have two questions I would like to ask you. Today, while practicing diaphragmatic breathing, I noticed that after exhaling, the left rib, specifically the bone in the upper left part of my abdomen, seems to protrude slightly more tha...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. In a normal human body, the ribs on both sides are not perfectly symmetrical. The condition you mentioned is likely just a normal physiological variation and should not be a cause for concern. 2. The injury you mentioned from being scratched by a fork does not pose a ri...

[Read More] Two Medical Questions: Rib Discomfort and Hepatitis B Concerns


Understanding Neck Tightness and Breathing Issues in Dialysis Patients

Tightness in the neck and difficulty breathing? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you a question. I have been on dialysis for over six years. Recently, I underwent ablation surgery due to atrial fibrillation. Lately, before dialysis, I often feel a tightness in my neck and diffi...


Dr. Huang Yaoxuan Reply:
"Hello, dialysis patient: Based on your description, I cannot determine the underlying factors... I recommend discussing this with your physician at the dialysis center to see what suggestions they may have, or consider consulting a specialist for cervical spine treatment (u...

[Read More] Understanding Neck Tightness and Breathing Issues in Dialysis Patients


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