Excessive Sweating and Fatigue: Understanding Possible Causes
Symptoms such as sweating and weakness? Hello Doctor, I would like to inquire about my mother. Sometimes when she works at the market in the morning, she sweats excessively, and even after changing into a fresh outfit, she returns home completely damp. Today, after coming home, s...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
You can go to the hospital to check your thyroid function. If thyroid antibodies are elevated, symptoms such as sweating and palpitations may occur.[Read More] Excessive Sweating and Fatigue: Understanding Possible Causes
Managing Severe Dry Mouth in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome
Severe dry mouth in xerostomia? Hello Doctor: My mother is 76 years old and has been suffering from Sjögren's syndrome for over 20 years. She also has hepatitis C, which has recently been successfully treated, and she is now virus-free. My mother has severe dry eye syndrome,...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Currently, there are effective medications available to alleviate the symptoms of xerostomia, particularly dry mouth, which you can discuss with your primary care physician. Additionally, there are some over-the-counter mouth rinses that can hel...[Read More] Managing Severe Dry Mouth in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome
Isopropyl Alcohol: Health Risks and Safety Tips for Home Use
Isopropyl alcohol Hello, doctor. During the pandemic, someone in my household purchased isopropyl alcohol, and at that time, we were unaware of its potential dangers. We frequently used it for disinfecting surfaces and hand hygiene, and there were instances where I accidentally i...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, theoretically, these commercially available alcohols should evaporate and decompose quickly when used in open spaces, and they should not pose a risk to human health. If you experience any respiratory or neurological discomfort, please visit a major hospital's toxicol...[Read More] Isopropyl Alcohol: Health Risks and Safety Tips for Home Use
Do All Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Experience Morning Stiffness?
Do patients with ankylosing spondylitis always experience morning stiffness? Hello Doctor, I am 20 years old, HLA-B27 positive, and MRI of the sacroiliac joints shows inflammation (the following is an excerpt from my MRI report: R/I chronic sacroiliitis; axial spondyloarthropathy...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) Do patients with ankylosing spondylitis always experience morning stiffness? Does the pain in the sacroiliac joints of ankylosing spondylitis patients always improve after activity? --> The likelihood of experienc...[Read More] Do All Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Experience Morning Stiffness?
Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease After Tracheostomy
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Issues After Tracheostomy Hello, Dr. Hong. My father has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe pulmonary fibrosis. A few years ago, he required intubation due to respiratory failure, but he successfully underw...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Based on your description, your father has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) along with severe pulmonary fibrosis. The chances of him being weaned off the ventilator are indeed very low. Additionally, the fact that he can only maintain respiratory training for 1-2 hour...[Read More] Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease After Tracheostomy
Understanding Muscle Indentation Above the Tibia: Kidney Health Insights
Depression upon palpation of the muscles above the tibia in the lower leg? Hello Dr. Wu, I apologize for bothering you, but I would like to ask you a question. Recently, I suddenly noticed that when I press on the muscles around my tibia in both calves, they indent and do not bou...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
According to your inquiry, the report you provided shows that urine protein levels are at 568 mg/g, which exceeds the normal value (<150 mg/g). This may require a discussion with a nephrologist regarding treatment options and adherence to a low-protein diet. Regarding the inde...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Indentation Above the Tibia: Kidney Health Insights
Is Folic Acid Safe for Patients with Kidney Disease? A Doctor's Insight
Concerns about folic acid intake in kidney disease? Hello Doctor, I am a physician with renal tubular dysfunction, and my attending physician mentioned that I have a condition called Fanconi syndrome. Recently, I experienced headaches and discomfort in my legs, so I consulted a n...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
Based on your inquiry, if your folate level is only 2.5, it is indeed insufficient. Therefore, supplementing with 5 mg of folic acid once a day is just adequate and will not harm the kidneys or increase their burden. Thank you for your question. The Nephrology Department at Chang...[Read More] Is Folic Acid Safe for Patients with Kidney Disease? A Doctor's Insight
Understanding Chest Pain and Cough: Causes and Treatment Options
Chest pain and cough? Hello, doctor. Since March, I have been experiencing pain in the center of my chest. I have visited both pulmonology and cardiology several times, and after undergoing X-rays and heart-related tests, everything came back normal. The pain occurs mainly in the...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description and the fact that you have already had an X-ray, it does seem more like costochondritis. However, costochondritis typically does not present with a cough. I recommend that you first get tested for COVID-19. If the result is negative and you still ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain and Cough: Causes and Treatment Options
Vaccines and Inflammation: Understanding Symptoms in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Vaccines and Inflammatory Markers Hello Doctor, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Recently, after receiving the vaccine, I have developed new symptoms of chest pain, which has lasted for six months. Both cardiology and pulmonology have stated that it is not a heart or l...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the vaccine can indeed trigger the activation of autoimmune diseases. First, it's important to determine whether the nature and location of the chest pain are related to ankylosing spondylitis; you may want to consult a rheumatologist. If that is ruled out, you should...[Read More] Vaccines and Inflammation: Understanding Symptoms in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Understanding Abdominal Obesity: Causes and Solutions for Men
Abdominal obesity I have been overweight since I was 23, often having a large belly that looks like I am pregnant, but I am a man. I am currently 41 years old, with my highest weight being 114 kg and my lowest being 93 kg, but that was two years ago. Could this be related to meta...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
Hello: If you suspect a metabolic issue, you can have your thyroid function tested at the hospital. In daily life, you can practice the 16:8 intermittent fasting method to help burn fat. If you wish to lose weight through medication, you can seek assistance at a metabolic clinic.[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Obesity: Causes and Solutions for Men
Comparing mRNA and Subunit Vaccines for Ankylosing Spondylitis Management
The impact of vaccines on ankylosing spondylitis? Hello, doctor. Currently, among the COVID-19 vaccines, there are mRNA vaccines like BNT and Moderna, as well as subunit vaccines like High-End and Novavax. Could you please let me know if there are any research reports or medical ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Currently, there are no research reports available to compare which is less likely to cause a relapse or worsening of ankylosing spondylitis between mRNA vaccines and subunit vaccines. Thank you.[Read More] Comparing mRNA and Subunit Vaccines for Ankylosing Spondylitis Management
Understanding Allergy Testing Results and Identifying Triggers
Interpretation of Allergen Testing & Causes of Allergies Hello, Dr. Gao. Question 1: The allergen test shows a dust mite antibody level greater than 300. Does this elevated antibody level indicate a recent exposure that will decrease over time, or does it suggest a chronic ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: Question 1: The allergen test shows a dust mite antibody level greater than 300. Is this elevated level due to recent exposure (which will decrease over time), or does it indicate a history of allergy (where the level of ...[Read More] Understanding Allergy Testing Results and Identifying Triggers
Managing Pain from Ankylosing Spondylitis: How Long Should Medication Last?
Does the pain caused by playing sports require a long time of medication to alleviate? Hello Doctor, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. In the past few months of medication, I have noticed that when my pain is almost resolved, if I do not play badminton, my sacroiliac jo...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) Is it common for the pain caused by badminton to take such a long time to heal from ankylosing spondylitis? I remember that when I didn't have the condition, pain from sports injuries would usually resolve natural...[Read More] Managing Pain from Ankylosing Spondylitis: How Long Should Medication Last?
Understanding Bone Marrow Suppression and Its Complications After Azathioprine
Subsequent Issues Following Bone Marrow Suppression Induced by Azacitidine Hello, Doctor Gao. In February of this year, I visited the rheumatology and immunology department due to mild vitiligo and alopecia areata. I was prescribed Yasmin for a month, which resulted in significan...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. I don't believe it's purpura. The likelihood of lymphoma is very low because your lymph nodes are small. It may be more likely that the side effects of the medication have not completely resolved. Although your platelet count is somew...[Read More] Understanding Bone Marrow Suppression and Its Complications After Azathioprine
Does a Temperature of 37.4 Affect Blood Test Results?
Is a body temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius acceptable for a medical examination? Recently, antibodies for the Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) were detected during blood donation. Yesterday, my body temperature was 37.4°C. I would like to know if this will affect my white blo...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
According to the Taiwan Blood Services Foundation data (https://www.blood.org.tw/Internet/main/docDetail.aspx?uid=7396&pid=6381&docid=29179), the following is an excerpt: 1. Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is primarily divided into two types: HTLV-I and HTLV-II. 2. HTLV...[Read More] Does a Temperature of 37.4 Affect Blood Test Results?
Understanding IgA Nephropathy Treatment Options and Concerns
Treatment options for IgA nephropathy? Hello, Doctor! Recently, I had a kidney biopsy, and when reviewing the report, my attending physician asked me to take a picture of the report with my phone so I could look up the information at home. He only mentioned that the biopsy result...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
IgA nephropathy has different treatment approaches depending on the individual's condition. If there are any concerns, it is advisable to return for a follow-up and consult the primary physician for clarification. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding IgA Nephropathy Treatment Options and Concerns
Managing Varicocele: Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine Options
Varicocele Hello Doctor, I received the Moderna vaccine last week and subsequently developed gastroenteritis (with watery diarrhea) two days later. During work, I suddenly noticed some pain when touching my testicles. As I became more anxious, I frequently checked the situation, ...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
Please continue to monitor the situation. If there is no improvement in the condition with medication treatment, or if new symptoms arise, it is recommended to return for a consultation with the original treating physician to discuss whether medication adjustments are necessary. ...[Read More] Managing Varicocele: Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine Options
Negative COVID Tests but Persistent Fever: What Could It Mean?
Two negative rapid tests but still experiencing a fever? Hello doctor, I am fifteen years old and have recently been quarantined at home due to close contact. I have taken two rapid tests, both of which were negative, but I continue to have a fever, with a maximum temperature of ...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Hello: It should not be the case. Besides COVID-19, there are also some seasonal infections, such as influenza, urinary tract infections, the common cold, and even allergies that may occur. Remember to take protective measures and practice contact isolation.[Read More] Negative COVID Tests but Persistent Fever: What Could It Mean?
Understanding HIV Infection Risks from Unnoticed Cuts
HIV infection During one occasion when I returned home, I noticed two very small circular wounds on my hand, both of which were bleeding slightly. However, I have no idea when they appeared or felt anything. Could it be that I was punctured by a sharp object contaminated with the...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Hello: The transmission routes of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be categorized into three main pathways: A. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or any other exchange of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected individual carries a risk of in...[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks from Unnoticed Cuts
Understanding Heart Issues: Propranolol Use and Symptoms Explained
Cardiac issues Hello, doctor. This month, I have frequently experienced a sensation of rapid heartbeat. On May 16, I went to a large hospital for an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. The doctor explained that it might be due to hypersensitivity of the sympathetic nervous syst...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, due to the multifaceted considerations regarding medication use, it is recommended to follow the prescribing physician's instructions for taking the medication. Only discontinue use if the heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute. As for feeling unwell, there may be...[Read More] Understanding Heart Issues: Propranolol Use and Symptoms Explained