Understanding Childhood Epilepsy: Symptoms, Treatment, and Management
Pediatric epilepsy Hello, doctor. My child is currently 3 years old and has mild developmental delay. In March of this year, an EEG showed abnormal discharges (currently not on medication). In February, during an episode, he blinked his eyes and had a slight head nodding twice, b...
Dr. Huang Yingzhe Reply:
Absence seizures have a defined pattern on an electroencephalogram (EEG), so in addition to clinical symptoms, EEG findings are necessary for confirmation. However, it does sound like an epileptic seizure. It is advisable to consult a pediatric neurologist or pediatric epilepsy s...[Read More] Understanding Childhood Epilepsy: Symptoms, Treatment, and Management
Managing Epilepsy in Teens: When to Consider Medication and Triggers
A child experiencing a seizure in the first year of high school? Hello, Doctor. My child had their first seizure in the third year of junior high school, characterized by stiffening of the limbs, upward eye movement, and loss of consciousness for about 1-2 minutes (this occurred ...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
It is really difficult to convince oneself and the patient to take medication daily for an event that occurs only once a year. However, if there are indeed structural lesions in the brain, then treatment and medication are necessary. If not, regular follow-up visits are required,...[Read More] Managing Epilepsy in Teens: When to Consider Medication and Triggers
Understanding Right-Sided Numbness: When to Seek Medical Help
Numbness on the right side of the body? Hello Doctor: Three months ago, I woke up one day with sudden numbness on the right side of my body. I went to a large hospital, and the doctor said it was not a stroke because I still had sensation and pain on the right side, so it should ...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Numbness on the right side has improved over the course of a month, but has recurred. The right side of the face and head are affected, which may indicate a central nervous system issue or a precursor to seizures. An electroencephalogram (EEG) can be used to assess for abnormal e...[Read More] Understanding Right-Sided Numbness: When to Seek Medical Help
Managing Antiepileptic Drug Side Effects After Surgery
Issues with Antiepileptic Medications Hello Dr. Yang, my mother-in-law underwent a chronic subdural hematoma drainage surgery in December last year. After the surgery, she successfully regained consciousness. She has been taking antiepileptic medication since then, but she has be...
Dr. Yang Shenggong Reply:
Hello Mr. A-Chung, chronic subdural hematoma is one of the many causes of epilepsy, but it does not necessarily occur in every case. If a neurosurgeon prescribes antiepileptic medications, it is primarily to prevent the occurrence of seizures, as seizures can adversely affect the...[Read More] Managing Antiepileptic Drug Side Effects After Surgery
Persistent Dizziness and Throat Foreign Body Sensation: Next Steps in Diagnosis
Dizziness and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat? I have been experiencing dizziness for the past two years. The symptoms include feeling dizzy all day, a heavy sensation in my head, and a sense of imbalance, particularly in the back of my head. Initially, I also had sym...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
The tests related to dizziness, palpitations, and sweating seem to be normal. I can't think of any further questions. However, if dizziness is accompanied by a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, it may sometimes be a manifestation of increased tension in the nervous ...[Read More] Persistent Dizziness and Throat Foreign Body Sensation: Next Steps in Diagnosis
Understanding Chronic Headaches and Dizziness: Seeking Answers and Solutions
Chronic headaches, dizziness, and occasional nausea? Hello Doctor, I would like to inquire about my long-term headaches and dizziness. I have been experiencing headaches for several years now. I am currently a senior in college, and since my senior year of high school, I had head...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, based on your description, your symptoms are very similar to migraines. This type of headache can last from 4 to 72 hours. The characteristics of the headache include unilateral pain, which may feel throbbing or pulsating, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well ...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Headaches and Dizziness: Seeking Answers and Solutions
Understanding Left Shoulder Pain, Dizziness, and Heart Symptoms
Left shoulder, neck, and back pain, palpitations, and dizziness? Hello, Doctor: I have been experiencing intermittent pain in my left shoulder, neck, and back for about two years. My presbyopia has been worsening. Last year, I suddenly experienced dizziness and went to the emerge...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear Victor, based on your symptoms, I recommend that you seek treatment from a neurologist and a rehabilitation specialist. There is a high chance that your condition is related to the cervical spine, and treatment may include medication and physical therapy, among other options...[Read More] Understanding Left Shoulder Pain, Dizziness, and Heart Symptoms
Understanding Facial Muscle Twitches: Causes and Solutions
Twitching near the nose? Since last month, I have been experiencing twitching next to my right nostril, with each episode lasting about 5 to 10 seconds. I went to the hospital for an examination, and both the electromyography (EMG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) results were norm...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear K, the more anxious you become, the harder it is to recover. It is advisable to consult a psychiatrist or a neurologist for a thorough examination and short-term medication treatment.[Read More] Understanding Facial Muscle Twitches: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Neurological Symptoms: Facial Numbness and Eye Pain Explained
Recently, I have been experiencing numbness on the left side of my face, eye pain, and numbness in my legs? Previously diagnosed with migraine, left facial numbness, and left mouth corner twitching. An MRI showed small white spots in the cerebellar region, and after consultation,...
Dr. Yang Shenggong Reply:
Hello, Miss: After reviewing your description, your condition seems to involve paroxysmal sensory and motor abnormalities on the left side of your face, along with frequent pauses in thought and expressive difficulties. Possible clinical causes include: 1) Paroxysmal neurological...[Read More] Understanding Neurological Symptoms: Facial Numbness and Eye Pain Explained
Understanding Transient Ischemic Attacks: Symptoms and Diagnosis Insights
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing dizziness for the past six months. It is not a spinning sensation, but rather a feeling of unsteadiness while walking, along with a sensation of swaying and falling. Occasionally, I have neck pain. My blood pr...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, based on your description, due to the thickening of your carotid artery intima, it is important to pay attention to other risk factors such as passive smoking and metabolic syndrome. Many factors can cause symptoms of dizziness, such as anemia, autonomic dysfunction, inner...[Read More] Understanding Transient Ischemic Attacks: Symptoms and Diagnosis Insights
Understanding Chronic Fatigue: When to Seek Neurological Evaluation
How to check..? Hello doctor, I would like to ask about my symptoms. Despite getting 6-7 hours of sleep each night without insomnia, I still feel extremely fatigued, drowsy, and have a foggy mind throughout the day. Recently, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner diagnosed ...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Cerebrovascular ultrasound will be performed under the National Health Insurance regulations, and physicians will use insurance coverage if there are indications such as stroke, transient ischemic attack symptoms, or suspected cerebrovascular abnormalities. If the criteria are no...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Fatigue: When to Seek Neurological Evaluation
Persistent Hand Numbness: Seeking Answers After 4 Months of Symptoms
Numbness in both hands for the past four months? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing numbness in my hands since the beginning of September. Initially, it was only in my right hand, but within a week, my left hand started to feel numb as well. The numbness has not ceased, causi...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
When experiencing hand numbness, it is important to determine whether the distribution of symptoms falls within the peripheral nerve range, nerve roots, or central nervous system. Particularly, if nerve conduction studies are normal, carpal tunnel syndrome is almost ruled out. Sy...[Read More] Persistent Hand Numbness: Seeking Answers After 4 Months of Symptoms
Choosing the Right Hospital for Neurology: A Guide to MRI and Pituitary Tumors
Choosing a hospital Hello, doctor. I'm here again to seek your advice. After some time of consultation and reviewing information, I strongly feel that your suggestion to undergo further neurological examination is warranted to check for a non-functional pituitary tumor. Here...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
MRI can only be requested through health insurance or paid out-of-pocket; it cannot be done out-of-pocket and then later submitted to health insurance for reimbursement (if it meets the criteria, it will be approved; if not, even if abnormalities are found, it cannot be submitted...[Read More] Choosing the Right Hospital for Neurology: A Guide to MRI and Pituitary Tumors
Understanding Sudden Drops in Blood Oxygen Levels After Surgery
Sudden drop in blood oxygen levels..? Hello Doctor, I have a question again. Originally, I had severe obstructive sleep apnea, but after a major surgery, I have seen significant improvement in my "fatigue" and the "snoring" has noticeably decreased. However, t...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
If daytime sleepiness and fatigue are not caused by sleep apnea, other underlying conditions should be considered. Blood oxygen levels are typically measured using a fingertip pulse oximeter; however, if the extremities are cold or circulation is poor, or if the sensor is misalig...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Drops in Blood Oxygen Levels After Surgery
Feeling Lost After Neurology Tests: What Should I Do Next?
I'm not sure what to do? Hello Doctor: I visited due to hand numbness and tremors, and the doctor noticed that my left leg also had some weakness. I was asked to be hospitalized for further examination, and I stayed for two weeks during which I underwent MRI scans (of the he...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Medical centers are the places with the most healthcare resources and serve as the cradle for training specialized physicians. If one medical center cannot make a diagnosis, another may not necessarily be able to either. It is possible that the current medical equipment is unable...[Read More] Feeling Lost After Neurology Tests: What Should I Do Next?
Understanding EEG Limitations: When MRI Reveals Hidden Brain Issues
Electroencephalogram (EEG) capabilities? Thank you for the previous response, Doctor. Recently, I found information online indicating that there are indeed a few patients whose EEG results appear normal, yet their symptoms are quite evident, and only an MRI ultimately reveals the...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Electroencephalography (EEG) differs from standard imaging techniques such as CT and MRI in that it records the electrical activity of the brain, focusing on functional issues, while the latter provide direct images, akin to photographs, that reveal structural problems. EEG can d...[Read More] Understanding EEG Limitations: When MRI Reveals Hidden Brain Issues
Understanding Tension Headaches: The Role of EEG and MRI in Diagnosis
Electroencephalography (EEG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Hello, doctor. Previously, I inquired about symptoms such as eye pressure (discomfort when moving the eyeballs), soreness, dull pain in the head, tightness in the neck at the back, and a strong desire to rest with ...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
After ruling out postoperative infection, both sinusitis and tension-type headaches may occur following treatment. Simple tension-type headaches can be managed with oral medications prescribed by a physician, or by adjusting lifestyle habits to reduce stressors, engaging in moder...[Read More] Understanding Tension Headaches: The Role of EEG and MRI in Diagnosis
Understanding Persistent Neck and Facial Symptoms: A Neurology Perspective
What is the reason for this? Hello, doctor! For several years now, I have been experiencing stiffness in my shoulders and neck, along with swelling in my neck. I have also noticed symptoms such as frequent fatigue, increased anxiety, and a general feeling of heaviness. Additional...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, based on your description, the common cause of your symptoms is cervical myofascial pain. Prolonged periods of looking down can lead to overuse of the muscles in the back of the neck, resulting in neck and shoulder discomfort. Initially, resting may alleviate the pain, but...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Neck and Facial Symptoms: A Neurology Perspective
Understanding Involuntary Muscle Twitches: Could It Be ALS?
Involuntary muscle twitching? Hello doctor, at the end of last year, my muscles started to twitch involuntarily. Initially, it lasted for 2-3 weeks, and then it stopped. Around February of this year, the muscle twitching started again and has continued to this day. I visited a ne...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Motor neuron disease is a progressive condition characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons. Therefore, in addition to involuntary muscle twitching, there will be subsequent symptoms such as impaired movement, muscle weakness, and atrophy. Whether this is the case can only...[Read More] Understanding Involuntary Muscle Twitches: Could It Be ALS?
Managing Intermittent Headaches: When to Seek Neurology Help
Intermittent headaches I have a history of hypertension and experience intermittent headaches. I also had a head injury five years ago when I fainted after a long drive and was taken to the hospital for stitches. I have had an EEG that showed no abnormalities. Recently, the frequ...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Based on your description: The symptoms you mentioned are more likely caused by syncope. Loss of consciousness can occur when cerebral blood flow drops below 30 ml per minute, typically due to rapid drops in blood pressure or vasoconstriction leading to reduced cerebral blood flo...[Read More] Managing Intermittent Headaches: When to Seek Neurology Help