Essential Diabetes Care Tips for Seniors: What to Know
What should people with diabetes pay attention to? Hello Dr. Shi: My father is 66 years old and was diagnosed with diabetes after surgery. Since he doesn't like going to the hospital, what should he pay attention to regarding diabetes management?
Dr. Shi Guangzhong Reply:
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires regular monitoring, so it is recommended that your father continue to visit the hospital for check-ups. The management of diabetes varies from person to person; some patients can stabilize their blood sugar levels through dietary cont...[Read More] Essential Diabetes Care Tips for Seniors: What to Know
Managing Complications of Diabetes: Addressing Nerve Pain and Fatigue
What are some complications associated with diabetes? Hello Dr. Shi, I would like to ask about my mother, who is 68 years old and has a hereditary form of diabetes. She has been diagnosed for over 30 years. Previously, she managed her condition with oral medications, but two year...
Dr. Shi Guangzhong Reply:
Regarding your mother's condition, the main concern is complications. Your mother has had diabetes for 30 years, which can lead to various complications. Numbness in the hands and feet is a common neuropathic complication related to past blood sugar control and the duration ...[Read More] Managing Complications of Diabetes: Addressing Nerve Pain and Fatigue
Should Diabetic Patients Rely on Insulin or Oral Medications?
For diabetic patients, is it better to take medication or to use insulin? My mother has had diabetes for over ten years. In December of last year, her doctor recommended insulin injections to control her blood sugar. After the New Year, she did not take insulin for about two week...
Dr. Guo Qinghui Reply:
Diabetic patients need to maintain their blood glucose levels within a certain range to delay the onset of complications. The use of insulin or oral antidiabetic medications to control blood sugar each has its advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, and is also related to the...[Read More] Should Diabetic Patients Rely on Insulin or Oral Medications?
Understanding Chronic Lower Back Pain: Kidney Issues or Circulation Problems?
Frequent lower back pain? Hello: One day, I suddenly experienced severe pain in my right lower back, which radiated down to my leg, making it difficult for me to stand up. I have undergone physical therapy, but there has been no improvement, and I am worried that there might be a...
Dr. Wang Weijie Reply:
Hello, if you are concerned about kidney disease, it is advisable to visit a hospital for a blood test to check kidney function, specifically BUN and creatinine levels, which are indicators of renal function. In outpatient settings, common causes of lower back pain in young women...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Lower Back Pain: Kidney Issues or Circulation Problems?
Can Hepatitis B Be Transmitted Through Saliva? Understanding Antibody Longevity
Is hepatitis B transmissible through saliva? Is hepatitis B transmissible through saliva? Can hepatitis B antibodies disappear over time and lead to reinfection? Are there lifelong hepatitis B antibodies?
Dr. Xiao Jingqin Reply:
Transmission routes of Hepatitis B: 1. Vertical transmission - If a mother is a carrier of Hepatitis B, she may transmit the virus to the fetus before or during delivery. 2. Horizontal transmission - Hepatitis B can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, injections, ear ...[Read More] Can Hepatitis B Be Transmitted Through Saliva? Understanding Antibody Longevity
Understanding Stroke Risks and Blood Sugar Monitoring for Diabetic Patients
Medical Knowledge (Forwarded from the Director's Mailbox) Dear Director: 1. For long-term diabetes patients, does poor blood sugar control increase the risk of stroke? 2. For long-term diabetes patients currently experiencing a second stroke (under treatment), is daily bl...
Dr. Yang Hongzhi Reply:
Diabetes increases the risk of stroke, and poor diabetes control further elevates this risk. Whether daily monitoring is necessary depends on the treatment method and blood glucose control status. If insulin injections are used and blood glucose is poorly controlled, daily monito...[Read More] Understanding Stroke Risks and Blood Sugar Monitoring for Diabetic Patients
Understanding Hypoglycemic Encephalopathy: Causes and Implications for Elderly Patients
Hypoglycemic encephalopathy What is hypoglycemic encephalopathy, Dr. Chen? What are its causes? My grandmother (86 years old) was recently rushed to the hospital due to a coma, and the doctor diagnosed her with altered consciousness, suspecting hypoglycemic encephalopathy. The do...
Dr. Chen Qingbin Reply:
Hello Yongchang: The human brain can only use glucose as its sole source of energy. If blood sugar levels drop too low, it can lead to neuronal damage, altered consciousness, and even coma, a condition known as hypoglycemic encephalopathy. Elderly patients with diabetes are more ...[Read More] Understanding Hypoglycemic Encephalopathy: Causes and Implications for Elderly Patients
Understanding Hepatitis B Vaccination: Why No Antibodies?
No antibodies? 1. Every time I undergo a physical examination, both the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and Hepatitis B surface antibody tests come back negative, which rules out the possibility of a Hepatitis B infection. However, I have received approximately five doses of ...
Dr. Lin Mingfeng Reply:
1. The injection site for adults should be the deltoid muscle of the arm, while for children, it should be the lateral thigh; injections should not be administered in the buttocks, as this may affect immune response. The vaccination schedule is at 0, 1, and 6 months. The immune r...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Vaccination: Why No Antibodies?
Understanding Diabetes Complications: Symptoms and Management Tips
Complications of diabetes mellitus? Hello Dr. Shi: My father is currently 60 years old and has been diagnosed with diabetes for nearly 20 years. He has been managing his blood sugar levels with insulin injections. Recently, we have noticed that his feet are swollen and his vision...
Dr. Shi Guangzhong Reply:
Your father has been suffering from diabetes for 20 years, and symptoms like edema and blurred vision are typically among the complications of diabetes. He should pay attention to potential issues such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular complications. Regarding the w...[Read More] Understanding Diabetes Complications: Symptoms and Management Tips
Managing Diabetic Neuropathy: Solutions for Numbness in Hands and Feet
Diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy issues? Hello Dr. Shih, thank you very much for your detailed response last time. I have another question I would like to ask you again. My mother (63 years old) has been suffering from diabetes for thirty years. She has previously controlle...
Dr. Shi Guangzhong Reply:
The most concerning aspect of diabetes is its chronic complications. Your mother's numbness in her hands and feet is a symptom of neuropathy and is not caused by insulin injections. Insulin is a hormone used to lower blood sugar levels and is not harmful to the body. Therefo...[Read More] Managing Diabetic Neuropathy: Solutions for Numbness in Hands and Feet
Understanding Asymptomatic Diabetes: Risks and Management in Older Adults
There are no noticeable symptoms of diabetes? My father is 74 years old. Six years ago, he underwent surgery due to an accident and was found to have high blood sugar levels. He started taking antidiabetic medications. Initially, he was taking one pill, but now he has increased t...
Dr. Shi Guangzhong Reply:
The symptoms of diabetes are often subtle, so many people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, just like your father who discovered his diabetes by chance. High or low blood sugar levels are not the main concern; what is critical are the chronic complications that arise ...[Read More] Understanding Asymptomatic Diabetes: Risks and Management in Older Adults
Essential Tips for Diabetes Patients on Insulin Injections
What should diabetic patients pay attention to when injecting insulin? Hello Dr. Kuo, I would like to ask about the precautions that diabetic patients should take when injecting insulin. Is it necessary to measure blood glucose levels daily? If a patient does not measure their ...
Dr. Guo Qinghui Reply:
For diabetic patients receiving insulin therapy, insulin injection serves as a hormone replacement therapy to compensate for insufficient insulin production. The principle of insulin injection is to closely mimic the normal secretion of insulin by the pancreas, and insulin dosage...[Read More] Essential Tips for Diabetes Patients on Insulin Injections
Understanding Chronic Hepatitis B: Treatment Options and Healthcare Access in Taiwan
Regarding hepatitis B issues? Hello, I am a carrier of hepatitis B. I regularly undergo follow-up examinations. I have a few questions I would like to ask: 1. Currently, there is a strengthened chronic hepatitis B treatment pilot program under the National Health Insurance. Wha...
Dr. Cai Zonglong Reply:
Reply: Hello, 1. Chronic hepatitis B carriers with GPT > 200 for more than six months and HBeAg positive are eligible to participate. 2. Entecavir can suppress the virus but cannot eliminate it; however, it may lead to a conversion of HBeAg from positive to negative. Interfero...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Hepatitis B: Treatment Options and Healthcare Access in Taiwan
Understanding Menstrual Irregularities: When to See a Specialist
Menstruation has not occurred for over three years..? Hello, I experienced a rapid weight gain of over 20 kilograms within a year about four years ago, after which my menstrual cycle became irregular. I received hormonal injections to induce menstruation, but it only lasted for 2...
Dr. Chen Qingbin Reply:
Please visit an obstetrics and gynecology clinic.[Read More] Understanding Menstrual Irregularities: When to See a Specialist
Understanding Insulin Use in Diabetes: Risks, Concerns, and Alternatives
What are the potential issues that diabetic patients may encounter when administering insulin? Hello Dr. Shi, my mother (63 years old) has been suffering from diabetes for nearly 30 years (family history). She has been controlling her blood sugar with oral medications, but since ...
Dr. Shi Guangzhong Reply:
Miss Huang: I apologize for the delayed response due to a computer malfunction. Your questions are very professional. 1. There are many causes of diarrhea, and certain oral antidiabetic medications can indeed cause diarrhea (such as Glucobay and Glucophage). You should consult ...[Read More] Understanding Insulin Use in Diabetes: Risks, Concerns, and Alternatives
Height Concerns: When to Seek Medical Advice and Testing Options
Height Hello. I am now 18 years old. I grew to 170 cm during middle school, and I haven't grown taller since then in my senior year of high school. Can I go to the hospital for an examination? What kind of tests should I undergo? Which department should I visit (endocrinolog...
Dr. Yang Hongzhi Reply:
At a height of 170 centimeters, it is unlikely that there is a growth hormone deficiency. By the age of 18, it is not expected to grow taller, and it is not recommended to undergo testing at a hospital.[Read More] Height Concerns: When to Seek Medical Advice and Testing Options
Unexplained Fever: Understanding Sudden High Temperatures and Symptoms
Sudden onset of fever... unknown cause? Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you... Two nights ago, I suddenly developed a fever of about 38-39.5 degrees Celsius. My temperature fluctuated, and I experienced some lower back pain, overall weakness, and occasionally felt like I was ab...
Dr. Yang Hongzhi Reply:
If a fever persists for several days without any cold symptoms, it may be necessary to consider some diagnostic tests. The specific tests to be conducted should be determined by a physician's physical examination, focusing on areas where an infection is suspected. In some ca...[Read More] Unexplained Fever: Understanding Sudden High Temperatures and Symptoms
Understanding Symptoms After Starting Insulin Therapy for Diabetes
What are some symptoms that can be triggered by insulin administration? Dr. Yang: Hello, I would like to ask about my mother who has been suffering from diabetes for nearly 30 years (family history). She has been controlling her blood sugar with oral medications, but as the dosag...
Dr. Yang Hongzhi Reply:
Patients who switch from oral medications to insulin due to persistently high blood glucose levels, and then revert back to oral medications, have a low chance of achieving good blood glucose control. The causes of your mother's headaches and dizziness can be numerous and ma...[Read More] Understanding Symptoms After Starting Insulin Therapy for Diabetes
Understanding Growth Hormone Treatment for Height Increase: What You Need to Know
Increase in height? I heard that if you want to grow taller, you can go to the hospital to check your bone age through X-rays, and if possible, growth hormone can be used to help increase height. Which department should I consult? Does health insurance cover this? Are there any s...
Dr. Yang Hongzhi Reply:
Hello: Growth hormone deficiency leading to short stature is a rare condition. Diagnosis requires a considerable amount of testing. If it is confirmed to be due to growth hormone deficiency, growth hormone injections can be beneficial, and health insurance covers this treatment. ...[Read More] Understanding Growth Hormone Treatment for Height Increase: What You Need to Know
Can Women with Diabetes Safely Get Pregnant?
Can a person with diabetes become pregnant? Dear Dr. Huang, In April of this year, I was admitted to Tunghai University Hospital Wuchi Branch due to gallstones complicated by acute pancreatitis. Following the doctor's advice, I underwent a cholecystectomy and was discharged...
Dr. Huang Maosen Reply:
Hello! It is possible to become pregnant with diabetes; however, special attention must be paid to blood sugar control during pregnancy. According to the information you provided, your blood sugar control is not ideal. Hemoglobin A1c should be maintained below 7, fasting blood su...[Read More] Can Women with Diabetes Safely Get Pregnant?