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
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 Headaches: Is There Something Flowing in Your Brain?
The headache feels like something is flowing inside the brain? I have been experiencing headaches lately, and it feels like something is flowing inside my head, along with some sounds. I went to the hospital for an EEG, and the results were normal. However, I still feel like ther...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
It is not possible to completely rule out bleeding, but there is no clear evidence to support the possibility of bleeding. Therefore, the examining physician is in a difficult position and has decided to perform an electroencephalogram (EEG) for you. An EEG can detect brain hemor...[Read More] Understanding Headaches: Is There Something Flowing in Your Brain?
Understanding EEG Results: What to Expect and Next Steps in Neurology Care
Based on the previous response, I went for an examination? Based on previous symptoms of eyelid twitching, sensitivity to light, and pressure in the back of the head, I visited a large hospital for an outpatient consultation. The doctor conducted preliminary tests on my limbs and...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
The EEG is the most important test; it can determine whether there are abnormal discharges in the brain and if there is any localized functional impairment. Whether to perform a CT or MRI scan should be based on the results of the EEG.[Read More] Understanding EEG Results: What to Expect and Next Steps in Neurology Care
Understanding Muscle Loss: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Next Steps
"Often feel/see" and "often touch" my muscle loss? For the past four months, my aunt has frequently felt and observed muscle loss in her thighs, calves, soles of her feet, and the area beneath her thumb. This has been accompanied by muscle pain, occasional mus...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Based on the symptoms described, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made without reviewing actual reports, and it is indeed difficult to provide a satisfactory answer without that information. However, since you have already consulted several neurologists, seeking help from a psych...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Loss: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Next Steps
Understanding Unusual Head Sensations: When to Seek Neurological Evaluation
Recently, I've been feeling strange in my head, as if there is something stuck at the back of my brain? Hello, I have gallstones and have previously experienced vertigo, but I was taken off medication by my doctor five years ago because I hadn't had an episode in over t...
Dr. Huang Zixuan Reply:
If you are concerned about conditions related to epilepsy, it is recommended to undergo an electroencephalogram (EEG) at a hospital. Additionally, it is advisable to keep a record of the times when you experience these uncomfortable sensations, as having a complete record will he...[Read More] Understanding Unusual Head Sensations: When to Seek Neurological Evaluation
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
Two Weeks of Unexplained Headaches: Seeking Medical Advice and Insurance Coverage
Continuous headaches for two weeks, yet unable to receive treatment covered by health insurance? Dear Dr. Lin, I have been experiencing persistent, unexplained pain in the right posterior part of my head for two consecutive weeks. I visited a neurologist who conducted an EEG and...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
An electroencephalogram (EEG) showing no abnormalities indicates that approximately 80% of the cortical areas of the brain are functioning normally. However, certain conditions or lesions in specific areas of the brain, such as those near the pituitary gland, cerebellar lesions, ...[Read More] Two Weeks of Unexplained Headaches: Seeking Medical Advice and Insurance Coverage
Understanding Unusual Symptoms in Epilepsy: Is It a New Seizure Type?
Epilepsy Hello, doctor. I have a history of epilepsy, experiencing both generalized and focal seizures (a sense of déjà vu). I am currently in a medication-free phase and have not had any seizures. However, recently I have been experiencing some unusual sensations and I am unsure...
Dr. Ye Boshou Reply:
Hello: Abnormal sensations may be a manifestation of a seizure, but further examination is necessary for confirmation. It is best to conduct an electroencephalogram (EEG) during the occurrence.[Read More] Understanding Unusual Symptoms in Epilepsy: Is It a New Seizure Type?
Understanding Sudden Dizziness and Fainting in Stroke Patients
Occasionally, I experience sudden dizziness that leads to fainting? Hello: My mother is 68 years old and has had a stroke for 5 years, resulting in weakness on her right side and occasional coughing. Since last year, she has experienced sudden dizziness that prevents her from get...
Dr. Zeng Kongyan Reply:
Dear Ying-Ying, Based on the symptoms described, there could be many potential causes, including the simplest ones such as inner ear imbalance, low blood pressure, or cough syncope. These causes are generally not life-threatening and can be managed with symptomatic or pharmacolo...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Dizziness and Fainting in Stroke Patients
Will Taking Medication Affect My EEG Results? A Neurology Inquiry
Suspected autonomic nervous system dysfunction? Today, I visited the neurology department at the second outpatient clinic on Xinyi Road in Taipei City. The doctor prescribed three medications and referred me to Renai Hospital for an EEG (electroencephalogram) test. The EEG is sch...
Dr. Ye Boshou Reply:
Hello: It should not have much impact, so please rest assured.[Read More] Will Taking Medication Affect My EEG Results? A Neurology Inquiry
Understanding Severe Forgetfulness: Symptoms, Causes, and Next Steps
Severe forgetfulness Dear Vice Dean, I have some symptoms I would like to consult with you about. Over a decade ago, I experienced several episodes while walking where I suddenly lost all consciousness. During these episodes, I had no memory of what happened, and my vision was c...
Dr. Zeng Kongyan Reply:
Hello Juju, Regarding the situation mentioned in your letter, complex epilepsy is a possible cause. However, since no abnormalities were found in the examinations conducted over a decade ago, I recommend that you visit a large hospital's neurology department for a re-evalua...[Read More] Understanding Severe Forgetfulness: Symptoms, Causes, and Next Steps
Concerns About Mad Cow Disease: Symptoms, Tests, and Specialist Recommendations
I suspect that I have mad cow disease (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease)? Two weeks ago, after having Japanese barbecue with my girlfriend, I experienced a week-long headache and temporary memory loss, where I would forget what I did earlier that day in the afternoon, having no recollec...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, officially known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), was first identified in 1996 in the United Kingdom. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) itself was discovered as early as 1920. Both conditions exhibit similar pathological changes in the ...[Read More] Concerns About Mad Cow Disease: Symptoms, Tests, and Specialist Recommendations
Understanding Dizziness and Fainting: Possible Causes and Next Steps
Experiencing dizziness and having fainted before..? Hello, doctor. A year ago, I briefly fainted after a fall, and another time I fainted briefly after squatting for too long and then sitting up. I consulted a neurologist and underwent an electroencephalogram, and the doctor said...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
First, orthostatic hypotension should be considered (it is possible to have this issue even with a history of hypertension). Blood pressure and heart rate can be measured in lying, sitting, and standing positions. If the difference in systolic blood pressure exceeds 20 mmHg, it m...[Read More] Understanding Dizziness and Fainting: Possible Causes and Next Steps
Understanding Chronic Back Pain and Neurological Symptoms: Causes and Solutions
Lower back pain? I often experience lower back pain and discomfort, with the pain being particularly severe. Even light pressure near my spine in the lower back area causes significant soreness. Sometimes, I suddenly feel a sharp, nerve-like pain that lasts for at least three sec...
Dr. Huang Yingzhe Reply:
Dear Ray, This is Dr. Huang Ying-Che, the Director of the Neurology Department at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan. Regarding your back issues, it may be related to neuromuscular problems. It would be advisable to undergo an X-ray or nerve conduction studi...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Back Pain and Neurological Symptoms: Causes and Solutions
Managing Dual Antiepileptic Medications: Dosage, Differences, and Side Effects
Simultaneous use of two antiepileptic drugs? Hello Dr. Lin, My brother was originally taking the antiepileptic medication Depakene, three times a day at a total of three pills. However, he still occasionally experiences absence seizures and has episodes of generalized tonic-clon...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
Antiepileptic drugs are intended to prevent the occurrence of seizures, as seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, which can lead to brain damage, inflammation, atrophy, and even life-threatening situations during severe episodes. Doctors regularly mon...[Read More] Managing Dual Antiepileptic Medications: Dosage, Differences, and Side Effects
Understanding Neurological Issues: Seeking Help for Unexplained Symptoms
Consultation I have a seemingly absurd but actually serious question, and I hope to get an answer here. (I once asked a doctor, but was treated like I was crazy.) In high school, I had pseudo-myopia but did not want to become myopic. My mother happened to have bought traditional ...
Dr. Zhuang Yumin Reply:
Dear Yu: Your question is indeed difficult to answer. Whether the issue with traditional Chinese medicine is related to your symptoms cannot be determined without immediate testing. If you are simply troubled by chronic headaches, objective examinations such as an electroencephal...[Read More] Understanding Neurological Issues: Seeking Help for Unexplained Symptoms
Understanding Parkinson's Disease: Symptoms, Medications, and Diagnosis
Parkinson's disease How can dementia in the elderly be identified? What are the potential side effects of medications? How long does it take for a doctor to issue a certificate after seeking medical attention? What types of examinations are required?
Dr. Zeng Kongyan Reply:
The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and dementia primarily relies on clinical symptoms, supplemented by auxiliary examinations such as electroencephalograms and brain computed tomography scans. Patients with dementia undergo simple cognitive tests and clinical dementia asse...[Read More] Understanding Parkinson's Disease: Symptoms, Medications, and Diagnosis
Understanding Electric Shock Sensations in the Right Brain: Causes and Solutions
There is a tingling sensation above the right ear? Hello, my mother-in-law (in her sixties) has been experiencing a sensation similar to electric shocks in the right side of her brain (above the ear) for the past few weeks. This sensation lasts for several seconds and occurs freq...
Dr. Ye Boshou Reply:
If there is only a tingling sensation without headache, dizziness, or weakness or numbness in the limbs, it may indicate a localized sensory abnormality in the skin. Medications for sensory abnormalities can provide some relief. Additionally, an electroencephalogram (EEG) can be ...[Read More] Understanding Electric Shock Sensations in the Right Brain: Causes and Solutions