Understanding Itchy Pain at the Penis Base: Causes and Solutions
Itchy and painful penis without discharge or redness? Hello Doctor, I started experiencing some itching at the base of my penis three weeks ago. Now, I sometimes feel pain while urinating, which is quite bothersome. There is no redness or purulent discharge. I thought it would re...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding the itching at the base of the penis, A: 1. If you are sexually active, it is recommended to consult and get tested at a nearby medical facility. 2. If this is not the case, you can start by improving personal hygiene and then follow up with a dermatologis...[Read More] Understanding Itchy Pain at the Penis Base: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Kidney Issues: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Families
Kidney problems Hello Doctor, My family member (female, 29 years old) has long-term chronic health issues. She has been diagnosed with refractory epilepsy for 23 years and is currently taking the following medications: Depakote 700mg, Vimpat 100mg, Keppra 1000mg, and Lamictal 30...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
Hello: Currently, your family member's creatinine levels have returned to normal range. The recent decline in kidney function is likely due to acute kidney injury, but regular monitoring is still necessary. Dietary restrictions are not required at this time. The exact causes...[Read More] Understanding Kidney Issues: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Families
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 Left Upper Abdominal Pain: Causes and Symptoms Explained
Sharp pain in the upper left abdomen? The occasional sharp pain in the upper left abdomen that worsens with breathing and varies in frequency, sometimes occurring infrequently and other times more frequently, and that gradually subsides after a bowel movement, could be attributed...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Vick: 1. There are many causes of left upper abdominal pain, including acute gastritis, acute pancreatitis, cardiac diseases, pneumonia, lung tumors, intestinal obstruction, constipation, colitis, colorectal cancer, neuralgia, and urinary tract stones, among others. It ...[Read More] Understanding Left Upper Abdominal Pain: Causes and Symptoms Explained
Understanding HIV Symptoms: What to Know After Potential Exposure
About HIV/AIDS Hello, doctor. I had sexual intercourse with a mature sex worker on August 22. Initially, she gave me a full-body massage with lotion, and later we engaged in protected sex. However, about 20 minutes after I got home, I started feeling itchy all over, and a red spo...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding the question about the causes of HIV/AIDS, the response is as follows: A: You can refer to the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov.tw. (I) There are three main transmission routes for the Human Immunodefici...[Read More] Understanding HIV Symptoms: What to Know After Potential Exposure
Managing Diabetes: Should My Father Be Hospitalized or Treated at Home?
Diabetes issues My father, 46 years old, male, has no family history of diabetes. He was recently diagnosed with diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) after a hospital visit where his blood glucose level was measured at 486 mg/dl. Due to a lack of available beds in the hospita...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Chen, Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is classified as a hyperglycemic emergency. Key diagnostic points include hyperglycemia, the presence of ketones in urine or blood, and a significant acidotic blood pH. The symptoms can vary widely and may include dehydration, abdominal...[Read More] Managing Diabetes: Should My Father Be Hospitalized or Treated at Home?
Should I Be Concerned About Potential STD Risks from Shared Computer Use?
Should I be concerned about this? Hello, doctor. Here's the situation: Before 8:00 PM, a dorm neighbor borrowed my computer (this neighbor is known to visit red-light districts). After 8:00 PM, I was the only one using the computer. At 8:08 PM, I impulsively watched adult co...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: You can refer to the information from the Centers for Disease Control. A. There are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or other exchanges of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected person carries ...[Read More] Should I Be Concerned About Potential STD Risks from Shared Computer Use?
Understanding Anal Lumps: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
There is a lump near the anus? Doctor, I have a lump near my anus that sometimes I can squeeze and it breaks, releasing what seems to be pus, and afterwards there is sometimes blood. At times, I only get blood when I squeeze. I remember when I was younger, after using the toilet,...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your symptom description, it seems to be a benign cyst rather than a hemorrhoid. This type of cyst typically ruptures and heals on its own. It's important to keep the wound dry and clean it with warm water after each bowel movement. However, it can easily rec...[Read More] Understanding Anal Lumps: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Understanding Back Pain and Elevated Creatinine Levels: Causes and Solutions
Lower back pain and blood tests? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have been experiencing persistent soreness in my right lower back, especially when I wake up, which tends to be particularly painful. The soreness usually lasts for a whole morning or even an entire day, but sometimes I d...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, with right flank pain combined with elevated creatinine levels, the first thing to rule out is right kidney stones or obstruction. It is recommended to visit a family medicine or urology department for X-rays or ultrasound confirmation. If kidney tests are normal, another ...[Read More] Understanding Back Pain and Elevated Creatinine Levels: Causes and Solutions
Could My Symptoms Indicate Diabetes? Understanding Blood Sugar Levels and Weight Loss
Could this indicate the possibility of diabetes? Hello, Doctor. In mid-May of this year, I had a blood test that showed a hemoglobin A1c of 5.0 and a fasting blood glucose level of 86. From the end of May until today, my height and weight changed from 160 cm/55 kg to 160 cm/52 kg...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. NN: 1. Zoloft® (Sertraline) is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) because it specifically inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, exhibiting a selectivity for serotonin transporters that is 300 to 3000 times greater compared to norepinephrine tran...[Read More] Could My Symptoms Indicate Diabetes? Understanding Blood Sugar Levels and Weight Loss
Can Syphilis Test Results Ever Be Zero? Understanding Transmission Risks
Can the syphilis index be zero? I would like to ask, if I only have a positive TPHA and negative RPR or VDRL, can I still transmit the infection to others? The test was conducted two years ago, and I received treatment at that time. This year, during follow-up, my titers have dec...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: <Can the index for syphilis be zero?> The response is as follows: According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (see attachment) on page 5, the case definition for reporting conditions is as follows: 1. Clinical conditions: (1) The pre...[Read More] Can Syphilis Test Results Ever Be Zero? Understanding Transmission Risks
Understanding Thyroid Issues After Total Thyroidectomy: Free T4 Levels and Heart Health
Thyroid issues? Hello, doctor! I have undergone a total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinoma. Currently, I am taking Eltroxin 0.1 mg, averaging 1.5 tablets per day. During my follow-up visits, my doctor has mentioned that my reports are normal. However, recently I hav...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Liang: 1. After undergoing a total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinoma, secondary hypothyroidism often occurs, necessitating long-term thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Levothyroxine (T4) is typically used for this treatment; due to its long half-life, i...[Read More] Understanding Thyroid Issues After Total Thyroidectomy: Free T4 Levels and Heart Health
Understanding Risk Assessment and Symptoms After Potential Exposure
Regarding risk assessment and symptoms? Hello, doctor. At the beginning of May, I had some physical contact with a sex worker. During this interaction, she touched my genitals with her hand, which had a clear liquid on it. We ended with oral sex, but there was no vaginal intercou...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding the symptoms of oral thrush and sore throat associated with infections, the response is as follows: A: According to the Centers for Disease Control website: 1. There are three main transmission routes for HIV: (A) Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, ana...[Read More] Understanding Risk Assessment and Symptoms After Potential Exposure
Understanding Acute HIV Infection Symptoms: What You Need to Know
Symptoms of acute HIV infection? Hello Doctor, here is the sequence of events and my questions: I understand that symptoms alone cannot be used to speculate whether one has contracted HIV. It has not yet been 12 weeks since the exposure, but I feel quite uneasy, so I hope to alle...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers, Regarding the above, here is the response: A: According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or other exchanges of bodily fluids...[Read More] Understanding Acute HIV Infection Symptoms: What You Need to Know
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
Understanding Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen Levels: Causes and Implications
Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels? Hello, doctor. I recently had a health check-up and found that my blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is elevated at 24.9 mg/dL (normal range is 10-20 mg/dL), while my creatinine level is within the normal range. I am currently waiting for t...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
Hello: Based on your situation, the most likely cause of elevated BUN with normal creatinine is diarrhea and dehydration. It is recommended to wait for the diarrhea to improve and ensure adequate hydration before retesting. Other possible conditions include heart failure, effects...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen Levels: Causes and Implications
Understanding Urticaria and Thyroid Medication: Key Insights for Patients
Urticaria and Thyroid Medications Hello Doctor: At the end of March, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and started taking methimazole in early April. However, about three weeks into the treatment, I began experiencing widespread itching and hives. The doctor prescribed one ant...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Lin, Please read the following explanation, primarily based on the recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for healthcare professionals in January 2016: Procil® (Propylthiouracil, PTU; 50mg/tablet) primarily works by inhibiting the production of thyro...[Read More] Understanding Urticaria and Thyroid Medication: Key Insights for Patients
Understanding Unilateral Leg Edema: Next Steps for Diagnosis
Unilateral edema Hello, doctor! My grandmother, who is currently 87 years old, has been experiencing severe unilateral leg edema for the past two to three weeks. She recently visited the hospital and consulted a nephrologist, and her kidney function tests came back normal. Due to...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Quiet: 1. Common causes of unilateral leg edema include cellulitis, chronic venous insufficiency, compartment syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, venous obstruction (e.g., from a bone tumor), lipedema, lymphedema, and right arterial compres...[Read More] Understanding Unilateral Leg Edema: Next Steps for Diagnosis
Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips for Students Facing Exam Stress
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Doctor, I have been experiencing recurrent diarrhea for the past four months, averaging about 4.5 times a day. I often feel the urge to go right after eating, and this happens even during exams. Sometimes it occurs when I'm out with friends, wh...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, experiencing diarrhea after meals or during stressful situations is indeed a common yet bothersome issue. Here are a few suggestions you might consider: 1. **Dietary Changes**: Increase your intake of vegetables and fiber, which can help form more solid stools. 2. **Avoid...[Read More] Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips for Students Facing Exam Stress
Understanding Glycated Hemoglobin: Managing Blood Sugar Levels Effectively
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Hello Doctor: In January, I discovered that my fasting blood sugar was 140. After one week of dietary control, I went to the hospital for a blood test, and the result showed a fasting level of 119 and an HbA1c of 7.2. The doctor gave me two months to m...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Lin: 1. There are many factors that can influence elevated fasting blood glucose levels, including overeating at the previous meal, accidental consumption of caloric foods during fasting, infections or illnesses, excessive stress, the use of certain medications or herb...[Read More] Understanding Glycated Hemoglobin: Managing Blood Sugar Levels Effectively