Understanding Normal Blood Sugar Levels for Gestational Diabetes
Reference values for gestational diabetes mellitus? Hello, Director Hsiao: Could you please tell me what the reference values for "fasting" and "postprandial 2 hours" blood glucose levels are for gestational diabetes? I would like to monitor my blood sugar lev...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. JJ: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dl after fasting for more than 8 hours. b. Plasma glucose level ≥200 mg/dl during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. c. HbA1c (g...[Read More] Understanding Normal Blood Sugar Levels for Gestational Diabetes
Morning Throat Irritation: Causes and When to Seek Medical Help
Before getting up in the morning, it's common to experience a scratchy throat? In recent days, I have been experiencing a scratchy throat and coughing close to morning, with minimal phlegm that initially appears as yellowish clumps, sometimes with streaks of blood. These sym...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your symptom description, if it has occurred recently, it is likely a cold. However, if you have been experiencing these symptoms for a long time, you may have allergic rhinitis. Whether it is a cold or allergies, antihistamines are commonly used for treatment, pr...[Read More] Morning Throat Irritation: Causes and When to Seek Medical Help
Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: Concerns and Insights
Blood sugar issues Hello Doctor: My height is 165 cm and my weight is 58 kg (my weight has been about the same for the past six months). Last year, my fasting blood glucose (glucose AC) was 92 mg/dL. I tested my fasting blood glucose again in early August, and it was 96 mg/dL. La...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Jacky: 1. Your weight is 58 kg, height is 165 cm, and your body mass index (BMI) is 21.3 kg/m², which falls within the normal range. 2. In 2015, your fasting blood glucose level was 92 mg/dL, and in August 2016, it was 96 mg/dL. Last week, your hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) wa...[Read More] Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: Concerns and Insights
Understanding Frequent Urination: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Frequent urination issues? Hello, Doctor. About a month ago, I was diagnosed with gastritis at a clinic and took medication for two weeks without improvement. I then went to Tzu Chi Hospital for an endoscopy, where the physician confirmed that I only had inflammation and no signi...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it seems that you don't have much trouble during the day, although you do wake up several times at night to urinate, and each time the volume is quite large. The most common reason for this could be that you are drinking too much water in th...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Urination: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Do I Have GERD? Understanding Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Is it gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and is there a need for a medical consultation? I am not sure if I have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because I do not experience any burning sensation. Since elementary school, I have had episodes where, about half an hour a...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Ganzi: 1. The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include a burning sensation in the epigastric area, chest pain, upper abdominal discomfort, a feeling of a lump in the throat, regurgitation of stomach contents, acid reflux, frequent belching, vomiting,...[Read More] Do I Have GERD? Understanding Symptoms and When to Seek Help
How to Address Multiple Symptoms After Urological Issues?
How should a series of symptoms be evaluated? Today, I have been experiencing a series of symptoms that started after I developed a urological condition. Initially, I had testicular pain due to frequent erections without proper relief during that time. After consulting a urologis...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
1 & 2: Based on your symptom description, it is indeed most likely chronic prostatitis. However, there is concern about the possibility of complications such as prostatic abscess or urinary tract infection. You may want to consult an infectious disease specialist, urologist, ...[Read More] How to Address Multiple Symptoms After Urological Issues?
Managing Acid Reflux: Symptoms, Treatment, and Diabetes Concerns
Excess stomach acid Hello, doctor. I previously underwent an endoscopy which showed that my gastrointestinal tract is generally fine, but I have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). I have been taking Pantoprazole for a month, but I occasionally experience acid reflux, a burni...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Ellis: 1. Nexium® (generic name: Esomeprazole) is indicated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Possible side effects include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, allergic reactions, fever, and others. Genera...[Read More] Managing Acid Reflux: Symptoms, Treatment, and Diabetes Concerns
Managing Diabetes: Weight Loss, Cholesterol Levels, and Health Concerns
Regarding issues related to diabetes..? Hello, Director. I would like to ask about my health situation. I was diagnosed with diabetes on April 27. My blood test results on that date showed: fasting blood glucose 204 mg/dL, postprandial blood glucose 250 mg/dL, HbA1c 8.3%, total c...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Ah-Chiang: 1. Your original weight was 108 kg, height 180 cm, resulting in a body mass index (BMI) of 33.3 kg/m², which classifies you as obese. Due to insulin resistance, you are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Non-pharmacological treatments for weight loss i...[Read More] Managing Diabetes: Weight Loss, Cholesterol Levels, and Health Concerns
Understanding Hemoglobin A1c Levels: What Does a 5.6% Mean for You?
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Hello, I recently donated blood a few days ago and, since I met the qualifications, I also had a check for the three highs (hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia). I received the report showing my hemoglobin A1c level at 5.6%, with the standa...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Azong: 1. Generally speaking, human hemoglobin is primarily composed of heme and globin chains (alpha and beta chains). Due to the abundance of proteins, when blood glucose levels rise, these proteins can bind with glucose in the blood, a process known as glycation, whi...[Read More] Understanding Hemoglobin A1c Levels: What Does a 5.6% Mean for You?
Understanding Hormonal Imbalance: Excess Hair Growth and Irregular Periods
Is it an endocrine disorder? Hello, doctor. Since I started developing in the sixth grade, I've noticed an increase in body hair, particularly on my chest, which is quite noticeable and not just fine hair. There are also two very thick hairs, about 5 to 6 centimeters long, s...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Sofia: 1. There are many causes of hirsutism in women; the more common ones include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic hirsutism. Less common causes may include medications (such as Danazol), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ovarian tumors, adrenal tumors, ...[Read More] Understanding Hormonal Imbalance: Excess Hair Growth and Irregular Periods
Managing Diabetes: Tips for Blood Sugar Control and Digestive Health
Diabetes issues Hello Doctor, last month I went to the hospital due to blurred vision and was diagnosed with diabetes (blood sugar over 300). The doctor prescribed Metformin HCl 500 mg, to take half a tablet before breakfast and dinner, and to monitor my blood sugar two hours aft...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: 1. Your blood sugar shows "improvement"; however, to determine if it has reached the control target, we still need to refer to your hemoglobin A1c levels. 2. A postprandial blood sugar of 110 is not considered high. It is possible for blood sugar levels to decrea...[Read More] Managing Diabetes: Tips for Blood Sugar Control and Digestive Health
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management
Mediterranean anemia (also known as thalassemia) Red blood cells (RBC) 5.84 (reference range 3.70–5.50) Hemoglobin (Hb) 10.9 (reference range 11.3–16.0) Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 59.4 (reference range 80.0–100.0) The above data was obtained two years ago when I was in high sc...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: 1. Your anemia is classified as microcytic anemia, and the possible causes include "thalassemia" (formerly known as Mediterranean anemia) or iron deficiency anemia, or both. It cannot be concluded that you definitely have "thalassemia" just because yo...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management
Blood in Stool: Causes and What You Should Know
Blood in the stool? Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing bleeding during bowel movements for about a week. I have a history of constipation and have been taking traditional Chinese medicine to help with bowel movements. However, for the past week, I have been bleeding every tim...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Huang: 1. Generally speaking, the presence of bright red blood in the stool indicates lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, colorectal cancer, and immune-related disorders should be con...[Read More] Blood in Stool: Causes and What You Should Know
Understanding Diabetes Risk and Weight Loss: Key Insights for Health
Regarding diabetes and weight loss? Hello Dr. Hsiao, Last year's health check report indicated that my fasting blood glucose was elevated (101 > 100) and my hemoglobin A1c was normal (5.7 < 6.7). The year before, my fasting blood glucose was 85 (normal < 100) and m...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. ABC: Please read the following two points: 1. According to the American Diabetes Association's diagnostic criteria for diabetes: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dL after fasting for 8 hours or more, b. Plasma glucose level ≥200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral g...[Read More] Understanding Diabetes Risk and Weight Loss: Key Insights for Health
Chest Discomfort, Frequent Hiccups, and Persistent Cough: What to Know
Left chest tightness, persistent hiccups, and continuous coughing? Hello Doctor, at the beginning of the month, I felt a heaviness in my left chest and sometimes experienced slight weakness in my body. On the 8th, I went to a cardiologist for an examination, and the doctor mentio...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Based on your description, the most likely condition is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The characteristics of GERD include symptoms that occur after eating or when lying down, such as a mild burning sensation in the chest, noticeable belching, and in severe cases, throat...[Read More] Chest Discomfort, Frequent Hiccups, and Persistent Cough: What to Know
Understanding Persistent Foamy Urine: Is It a Sign of Proteinuria?
The first urine in the morning shows a slight foam that has not dissipated for a long time? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have started to pay attention to the issue of foamy urine, so I have been carefully observing the characteristics of each urination daily. Since I am currently wa...
Dr. Huang Yaoxuan Reply:
Hello Mr. Wang: The presence of bubbles in your urine may indicate proteinuria, but it could also be caused by other substances. Clinically, only proteinuria is known to affect health, so when we encounter bubbly urine, we typically conduct a test for urine protein. Urine protein...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Foamy Urine: Is It a Sign of Proteinuria?
Understanding Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
Constipation Hello, doctor. A few months ago, I was having regular bowel movements at least once a day. Recently, I have experienced a small amount of bright red blood during bowel movements, accompanied by severe pain. Now, when I feel the urge to go again, I am afraid to do so ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Hsiao Lai: 1. Generally speaking, the presence of blood in the stool is indicative of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The primary diagnoses to consider clinically include hemorrhoids, colon ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious bowel diseases, colorectal canc...[Read More] Understanding Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
Breathing Issues, Abdominal Pain, and Insomnia: Seeking Medical Guidance
Difficulty breathing, sensation of a foreign body in the throat, dull pain in the right abdomen, chest tightness, and insomnia? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing long-term sleep deprivation due to staying up late. Since January of last year, I have had difficulty with my exh...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Tu, 1. Difficulty in breathing and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat may lead clinicians to consider issues related to otolaryngology and thoracic conditions. Pain and discomfort in the right upper abdomen and rib area may raise concerns about liver, gallbladd...[Read More] Breathing Issues, Abdominal Pain, and Insomnia: Seeking Medical Guidance
How to Manage Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels Effectively
How to improve postprandial blood sugar levels? Dear Dr. Hsiao, I recently had a physical examination, and the results are as follows: a. Fasting plasma glucose level after more than 8 hours is 89 mg/dL, b. Postprandial glucose level after 2 hours is 162 mg/dL, c. HbA1c (glycate...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Chubby: 1. According to the American Diabetes Association's diagnostic criteria for diabetes: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dL after fasting for more than 8 hours, b. 2-hour plasma glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dL during an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), c...[Read More] How to Manage Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels Effectively
Is It Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Understanding Your Digestive Symptoms
Is it irritable bowel syndrome? Hello, Dr. Hsiao! I would like to ask you some questions... For the past few months (over 3 months), I have been experiencing some unusual bowel habits. I have been having bowel movements 4-5 times a day, and about 10 minutes after eating, I feel t...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Chen: 1. The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) lacks effective physical examination or biochemical blood markers. It is generally accepted that abdominal pain lasting more than three months, occurring more than three days per month, along with any two of the f...[Read More] Is It Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Understanding Your Digestive Symptoms