Understanding Headaches and Unexplained Weight Loss: A Neurology Perspective
Headache and weight loss? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing occasional headaches for the past few months, mostly feeling a sense of pressure in my head. Recently, I have been feeling quite uncomfortable, with the pain almost constant throughout the day, primarily concentrate...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear, the headache symptoms described may be associated with cervical syndrome and tension-type headaches. Maintaining a good lifestyle can help relax the muscles and reduce the frequency and intensity of pain. Worrying is normal, but try not to let it affect your daily routine. ...[Read More] Understanding Headaches and Unexplained Weight Loss: A Neurology Perspective
Which Medical Specialty to Consult for Autonomic Nervous System Disorders?
Which specialty should one consult for autonomic nervous system disorders? Hello Dr. Lan, After reviewing your academic and professional background, I learned that you have previously (or currently) practiced at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. Due to issues with my gastr...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear Xiaoming, Here are a few points in response: 1. The terms "neurology" and "neuropsychiatry" actually refer to the same specialty, which is neurology. Therefore, you can simply visit the neurology outpatient clinic. 2. Autonomic function testing is div...[Read More] Which Medical Specialty to Consult for Autonomic Nervous System Disorders?
Understanding Gastrointestinal Discomfort: When to See a Neurologist
The doctor advised me to be referred to a neurosurgeon for gastrointestinal discomfort? Due to feeling weak during bowel movements, I visited a general clinic twice. However, the physician believes my symptoms do not indicate a problem with the gastrointestinal tract, as my stool...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear Xiao Tian, even though dysautonomia of the gastrointestinal tract may be a localized issue, I would recommend undergoing a colonoscopy first before consulting a neurologist, as it would be more meaningful. Best regards, Lan Shengxing.[Read More] Understanding Gastrointestinal Discomfort: When to See a Neurologist
Persistent Headaches: When Pain Medications Fail to Provide Relief
If taking medication for headaches does not improve the symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and management? Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing persistent headaches lately. The pain subsides when I sleep, but as soon as I wake ...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
In general, if a typical migraine improves after taking the medications you mentioned, it should be nearly resolved. If there is no improvement, one possibility is that it is a status migrainosus, which requires stronger injectable medications for ongoing treatment. Another consi...[Read More] Persistent Headaches: When Pain Medications Fail to Provide Relief
Understanding Tightness and Numbness in the Right Arm: A Neurological Perspective
Numbness and tightness in the right arm? Hello, doctor. My father had shingles five years ago, and after five years, he started experiencing numbness in his palm, which then progressed to tightness in his right arm. The tightness seems to move around the back of his right arm, si...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
Abnormal conduction of sensory nerves (functional abnormalities) may lead to clinical symptoms, while neurophysiological examinations can only assess structural abnormalities such as those caused by inflammation, compression, injury, degeneration, and other pathological changes.[Read More] Understanding Tightness and Numbness in the Right Arm: A Neurological Perspective
Post-Concussion Symptoms: Headaches, Dizziness, and Insomnia Explained
Symptoms of headache, dizziness, and insomnia following a concussion? Hello Doctor: I had a car accident in March, which resulted in a concussion and a lump on the upper back of my head. Since being discharged from the hospital, I have been experiencing intermittent headaches and...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
Symptoms of a concussion include headache, dizziness, confusion, tinnitus, nausea, blurred vision, poor balance, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. If the symptoms are mild, normal activities and exercise can typically resume after rest. However, if there has been memory ...[Read More] Post-Concussion Symptoms: Headaches, Dizziness, and Insomnia Explained
Understanding Insomnia After a Fall: Seeking Solutions for Recovery
The issue of insomnia caused by falls? Dear Dr. Lin, My mother recently had a fall while riding her bike, resulting in multiple abrasions and 13 stitches on her right lower leg. She also feels some tightness in her neck and experiences dizziness. Since the fall, she has been exp...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
Sleep medications generally have an effect duration of about 6 hours. Taking them too early may lead to waking up too soon. It is recommended to take the medication 6 to 8 hours before the desired wake-up time. (If you plan to go to bed earlier, it is advisable to refrain from ta...[Read More] Understanding Insomnia After a Fall: Seeking Solutions for Recovery
Understanding Arm Tightness and Numbness After Shingles
The upper arm feels very tight? Hello doctor, my father had shingles five years ago. Five years later, he started experiencing numbness in his right hand, which then spread to his right upper arm and right back. It feels very tight and numb, similar to the tightness he experience...
Dr. Zheng Zhiwen Reply:
Hello: If the issue is limited to areas where herpes has occurred, it may be a neurological sequela, and symptomatic treatment might be considered. Wishing you peace and health. Sincerely, Dr. Cheng Chih-Wen, Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Taoyuan General Hospital,...[Read More] Understanding Arm Tightness and Numbness After Shingles
Could My Symptoms Indicate Chorea? Understanding Neurological Concerns
Could it be chorea? About a month ago, I started experiencing a sensation in my left wrist that feels like muscle twitching, pulling slightly inward a couple of times. Following that, I began to feel muscle twitches in my eyelids, arms, and back. Last Sunday, while staring at the...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear Kevin, The symptoms you described could be indicative of various conditions, but they seem more aligned with myoclonus. Myoclonus that occurs before sleep is mostly a normal physiological phenomenon. To determine whether it is a condition that requires treatment, an electr...[Read More] Could My Symptoms Indicate Chorea? Understanding Neurological Concerns
Understanding Frequent Occipital Pain: Causes and Solutions
Pain in the back of the head? I have been experiencing sharp pain in the back of my head for a long time, but in the past month, the frequency has increased significantly. When I'm not having the sharp pain, I feel a dull discomfort. When the sharp pain occurs, it usually la...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear patient, the increased frequency, prolonged duration, and severity of pain in the back of your head are warning signs that warrant further examination for your headaches. I recommend that you visit the hospital for a more thorough evaluation. Please remember to inform your p...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Occipital Pain: Causes and Solutions
Effective Strategies to Prevent a Second Stroke After Hemorrhagic Stroke
How to prevent a second stroke? My brother recently experienced a hemorrhagic stroke. Fortunately, the amount of bleeding was minimal and did not compress any brain nerves. He was hospitalized for a week and has since been discharged to rest at home. He does not have any signific...
Dr. Huang Yingzhe Reply:
Dear Dr. Huang Ying-Che from the Neurology Department of Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare: (1) Investigating the causes of young stroke is crucial; addressing the underlying causes is more likely to prevent future strokes. (2) Excessive alcohol consumption is ha...[Read More] Effective Strategies to Prevent a Second Stroke After Hemorrhagic Stroke
Unexplained Lower Back Pain: When to Seek Neurology Advice?
Unexplained lower back pain? About a week ago, I started experiencing an unexplained soreness in my lower back near the hips, especially when I sleep on my stomach. I haven't engaged in any activities or exercises that would typically cause muscle soreness recently, so I...
Dr. Huang Yongquan Reply:
The most common cause of lower back pain is muscular pain, which can occur not only from exercise but also from poor posture habits. However, if there is an impact on mobility or if symptoms such as numbness or weakness appear, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation and treat...[Read More] Unexplained Lower Back Pain: When to Seek Neurology Advice?
Understanding My Mother's Chronic Back Pain: Neurology or Orthopedics?
My mom often experiences back pain? Hello, Doctor: My mother is about 53 years old and slightly overweight. In recent years, she has been experiencing intermittent back pain. She often asks us, her children, to give her "massage," but when we press on her painful areas,...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Hello, the issue of lumbar pain can be addressed by various departments in the hospital, including neurology, orthopedic surgery, rehabilitation medicine, and rheumatology. From your description, it is difficult to determine whether the pain is caused by arthritis, disc disease, ...[Read More] Understanding My Mother's Chronic Back Pain: Neurology or Orthopedics?
Understanding Neurological Symptoms After a Back Injury: What You Need to Know
After a back injury, it can lead to abnormal neurological sensations? Hello Doctor: I am currently undergoing rehabilitation for a back injury, but this injury has also caused me to experience taste abnormalities. After visiting an otolaryngologist, the doctor diagnosed me with &...
Dr. Zheng Zhiwen Reply:
Dear Hui, Hello. If the lower half of the body has reduced sensitivity and there is a history of lumbar spine injury, it is possible that there is damage to the lumbar nerves. A detailed examination of the symptoms may require a clinic visit or further testing for confirmation....[Read More] Understanding Neurological Symptoms After a Back Injury: What You Need to Know
Understanding Foot Numbness and Inner Thigh Pain: Possible Causes and Solutions
Numbness in the soles of the feet + occasional soreness in the inner thighs? Hello Doctor, in the past year, I have been experiencing a tingling sensation in the sole of my right foot, specifically in the area just below the toes. This tingling occasionally occurs while sitting i...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
The sensation of itching is often a symptom of nerve compression, especially if it occurs while sitting in a chair. This may not necessarily originate from the same nerve bundle as the soreness in the inner thigh. Whether to perform an electromyography (EMG) test depends on the c...[Read More] Understanding Foot Numbness and Inner Thigh Pain: Possible Causes and Solutions
Understanding Neck and Shoulder Pain: When to Seek Neurology Care
Cervical and shoulder pain? Neck and shoulder pain that does not occur when the head is in a neutral position but arises when the head is tilted downwards, with discomfort extending from the left side of the neck to the left side of the back of the head, feels different from typi...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Inflammation of the muscles or fascia, or long-term improper use, can lead to increased muscle tension on one side, resulting in muscle fatigue and stiffness. It is advisable to consult a rehabilitation specialist for physical therapy and postural correction, or to see a neurolog...[Read More] Understanding Neck and Shoulder Pain: When to Seek Neurology Care
Why Does My Left Occipital Area Hurt When I Bend My Neck?
Pain in the left posterior region of the neck that occurs when bending the neck downward may indicate muscle strain, tension, or possible nerve irritation. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment? Hello, doctor. Whe...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
It is caused by prolonged or improper use of the shoulder and neck muscles. You can use a warm towel for self-heat therapy while taking a shower, or take breaks every thirty to forty minutes while working at the computer to move your arms, shoulders, and neck. If there is still n...[Read More] Why Does My Left Occipital Area Hurt When I Bend My Neck?
Understanding Imbalance: Exploring Neurological Issues in Teens
Walking with an unsteady gait and feeling heavy-headed while the legs feel light? Since early March, I have been experiencing a very mild sense of imbalance while walking, an uncontrollable feeling, as if my head is heavy and my legs are light. I sometimes walk off course and str...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
There are many possible causes for walking imbalance, affecting organs from head to toe. Regardless of the underlying reason, clinical symptoms or biochemical blood tests can help identify a direction for diagnosis. Instrumental examinations can only serve as an adjunct in the fa...[Read More] Understanding Imbalance: Exploring Neurological Issues in Teens
Understanding Persistent Tinnitus and Neck Stiffness: Neurological Insights
There is a problem with severe tinnitus and neck stiffness? Doctor: Hello, I have been experiencing a persistent high-frequency sound in the back half of my brain, which is quite loud. This symptom has lasted for several years, and it has become more severe in the last three to f...
Dr. Ye Boshou Reply:
Hello: 1. The occurrence of tinnitus is often due to degeneration or previous ear infections; please consult an otolaryngologist first. 2. If there is muscle tension, it can also affect sleep. 3. This is unrelated to tinnitus. 4. If there are occasional seizures that resolve, it ...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Tinnitus and Neck Stiffness: Neurological Insights
Numbness in Outer Thigh: When to See a Neurologist or Surgeon?
Numbness in the outer thigh? Hello, I would like to ask about experiencing numbness on the outer thigh, which is just a superficial sensation and localized, without any pain or discomfort. Initially, it was in the left thigh, and later it also occurred in the right thigh. There h...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Abnormal sensations in the groin area, typically occur due to rapid abdominal enlargement, tight waistband, or excessive pressure on the inguinal region affecting a branch of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This condition primarily involves sensory nerve disturbances without...[Read More] Numbness in Outer Thigh: When to See a Neurologist or Surgeon?