Understanding Muscle Twitches: Neurological Insights and Concerns
Muscle twitching In the past few weeks, I have been experiencing muscle twitching, so I underwent nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG). 1. I would like to ask if it is sufficient to perform the EMG on just one side? 2. I have noticed that my left big toe does not l...
Dr. Hong Weibin Reply:
1. So I would like to ask, is it sufficient to perform an electromyography (EMG) test on just one side? Since EMG involves inserting needles into the muscles to measure physiological electrical activity, it can cause discomfort to the subject. Therefore, it is usually performed o...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Twitches: Neurological Insights and Concerns
Understanding Nerve Pain and Weakness in Hands and Feet: A Patient's Journey
Numbness and tingling in both hands, weakness in both legs? Since March of last year, I started feeling a foreign sensation behind my occiput upon waking up one day. I consulted a doctor and took medication, but it did not improve. Later, the foreign sensation suddenly disappeare...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Dear Miss Vicky, You mentioned "Multiple sclerosis? Neuritis? Autoimmune diseases? Diabetes? Herniated disc? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? CIDP?... Which specialty should I consult to thoroughly identify and resolve the issue?" You also noted that "the discomfort...[Read More] Understanding Nerve Pain and Weakness in Hands and Feet: A Patient's Journey
Understanding Intracranial Hemorrhage: Symptoms, Risks, and Recovery
Intracranial hemorrhage Hello Doctor, After having two upper molars extracted two years ago, I started feeling unwell. Later, at work, I was struck on the head by a heavy iron pipe that fell from above. 1. I am uncertain if I have hypertension; my company health check-ups hav...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Allen, You mentioned, "If there was a brain hemorrhage that was absorbed by itself, can it be seen on a CT scan? If the skull had previously fractured and healed, can a CT scan show that there was a prior injury?" Typically, in cases of severe brain injury, s...[Read More] Understanding Intracranial Hemorrhage: Symptoms, Risks, and Recovery
Understanding Sleep Myoclonus: Causes and Treatment Options
Involuntary movements during sleep Hello, doctor! I experience sudden muscle jerks that wake me up just as I'm about to fall asleep. This has been happening for three consecutive days. No matter when it is during the day, I keep waking up with these jerks whenever I'm c...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: You mentioned that "your body suddenly jerks awake just as you're about to fall asleep," which may be related to a phenomenon known as hypnic jerks or sleep starts. When the breathing rate decreases significantly during sleep, or when dreaming of falling, th...[Read More] Understanding Sleep Myoclonus: Causes and Treatment Options
Understanding Sleep Jerks: Causes of Involuntary Body Movements
Involuntary muscle contractions? Experiencing twitching or jerking movements just before falling asleep, accompanied by nasal sounds similar to sneezing, may be indicative of a phenomenon known as hypnic jerks or sleep starts. These involuntary muscle contractions can occur as on...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Shui Wun Ping, You mentioned that "every time you are about to fall asleep, you start to make nasal sounds and have twitching." Your symptoms may suggest the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is the most common type, accounting for about 90% o...[Read More] Understanding Sleep Jerks: Causes of Involuntary Body Movements
Understanding Left Lower Back and Hip Pain: Causes and Solutions
Left lumbar and hip pain? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing lower back pain for the past ten years due to sitting for long periods during exams and suddenly lifting heavy objects. Since then, my back occasionally hurts, and I need to stretch it. Typically, it takes about a m...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello Ms. KOKO: You mentioned that after doing squats with an empty barbell, you felt some discomfort in your lower back. Upon returning home and resting, you found that even walking caused pain. After a night of rest, you felt slightly better, but the next day, even sneezing cau...[Read More] Understanding Left Lower Back and Hip Pain: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Headaches: Pain from Temples to Neck in Older Adults
Dull pain in the temples radiating to both sides of the neck? Hello Doctor: My mother is 59 years old and has recently been experiencing headaches in the afternoon to evening. The pain is felt from the temples to both sides of the neck, occasionally with a throbbing sensation. Th...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Dear Ms. Yu, You mentioned your mother's symptoms of "experiencing a dull headache from the afternoon to evening, with pain extending from the temples to both sides of the neck, occasionally accompanied by throbbing pain, and the headache sometimes being unilateral and...[Read More] Understanding Headaches: Pain from Temples to Neck in Older Adults
Severe Pain in the Back of the Head Radiating to Ear and Tongue: Causes Explained
Pain in the back of the head radiating to the ear and tongue? While lying down preparing to sleep, I suddenly experienced severe sharp pain in the lower left side of the back of my head (near the neck), which then radiated to my ear and tongue (near the throat). After a while, I ...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Dear Miss Pei Pei, You mentioned that "after a while, I feel tightness in the muscles near the back of my head close to my neck, and the lymph nodes in my lower jaw also hurt during the process of tilting my head back." Your symptoms may suggest issues with the cervica...[Read More] Severe Pain in the Back of the Head Radiating to Ear and Tongue: Causes Explained
Severe Pain in the Back of the Head Radiating to Ear and Tongue: Causes Explained
Pain in the back of the head radiating to the ear and tongue? While lying down and preparing to sleep, I suddenly experienced severe pain in the lower left part of the back of my head (near the neck). The pain then radiated to my ear and tongue (near the throat). After a while, I...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Dear Miss Pei Pei, You mentioned that "after a while, I feel tightness in the muscles at the back of my head near my neck, and there is pain in the lymph nodes of my lower jaw during the process of tilting my head back." Your symptoms may suggest issues related to the ...[Read More] Severe Pain in the Back of the Head Radiating to Ear and Tongue: Causes Explained
Understanding Elbow Pain and Numbness in the Pinky and Ring Finger
There is pain in the right elbow when bent, along with numbness in the little finger and ring finger? Hello Doctor, recently during a nap while sleeping on my side, I felt numbness in my little finger and ring finger, along with pain on the inner side of my elbow. After searching...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Dear Mr. Wayne, You mentioned that after searching online for your symptoms, you suspect they might be due to ulnar nerve compression or inflammation. You noted that you have experienced minimal numbness since then, but occasionally feel pain on the inner side of your right elbo...[Read More] Understanding Elbow Pain and Numbness in the Pinky and Ring Finger
Understanding Muscle Twitches: Causes and Concerns for Young Adults
Muscle twitching Hello Doctor, 1. My muscles used to twitch occasionally, and I didn't think much of it at the time, but recently I've been experiencing frequent twitching in my legs. I can feel it while lying in bed or sitting, about every few seconds, and it seems t...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Chen: You mentioned that the "almost fixed places take turns twitching" is more like benign muscle twitching. This is mainly related to several factors: exercise, acute viral infections, anxiety, and medication use. Among these, prolonged exercise is one of th...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Twitches: Causes and Concerns for Young Adults
Understanding Neck Pain in Dialysis Patients: Causes and Concerns
Neck pain Hello, I am a dialysis patient. Recently, I have been experiencing stiffness in the front left side of my neck. After consulting with a cardiologist, they indicated that it is likely not heart-related. However, I am concerned it might be due to carotid artery stenosis, ...
Dr. Cai Zongzhang Reply:
Hello Jason: The most common causes of neck stiffness are inflammation of the neck muscles or degenerative changes in the cervical spine leading to bone spurs that compress the nerves. If the symptoms persist without improvement, it is recommended to consult a neurologist for eva...[Read More] Understanding Neck Pain in Dialysis Patients: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Involuntary Facial Twitches: When to Seek Medical Advice
Twitching of the left corner of the mouth? Hello, doctor. For the past few days, I've been experiencing involuntary twitching at the corner of my left mouth. How long should I wait before seeing a doctor? (It has been about 2 to 3 days already.) Is there any way to improve t...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, Miss: You mentioned that "the left corner of your mouth involuntarily twitches repeatedly," which may indicate symptoms of nerve inflammation. Some metabolic disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and electrolyte imbalances, can also present with similar symptoms. Th...[Read More] Understanding Involuntary Facial Twitches: When to Seek Medical Advice
Post-Concussion Symptoms: Seeking Help for Persistent Neurological Issues
Post-concussion syndrome A 68-year-old elderly individual fell on the street a few months ago for unknown reasons, resulting in a head injury with a laceration on the left forehead that required 5-6 stitches. After the laceration healed, the individual developed insomnia and a pe...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Dear Ms. Yeh, You mentioned that "after the head laceration healed, it caused insomnia and a tingling sensation in the head." This may be attributed to two possible reasons: localized nerve damage due to the injury or compression of the cervical nerve roots caused by e...[Read More] Post-Concussion Symptoms: Seeking Help for Persistent Neurological Issues
Understanding Muscle Twitches: Causes and Concerns in Neurology
Muscle twitching Hello, doctor. Since April of last year, I have been experiencing muscle twitching, primarily located just below the left arch of my foot (I have flat feet and a collapsed arch; additionally, I had a severe ankle sprain in high school that resulted in tightness i...
Dr. Hong Weibin Reply:
Hello: The body's muscles are controlled by nerves, which function like electrical wires, transmitting currents to control muscle movements. However, these wires can occasionally be affected by external factors such as temperature and humidity, leading to electrical leakage....[Read More] Understanding Muscle Twitches: Causes and Concerns in Neurology
Managing Cervical Dystonia in a 70-Year-Old: Treatment Options and Recommendations
Cervical dystonia in a 70-year-old adult? Hello Doctor, my mother is 70 years old and has been suffering from cervical dystonia for the past two years. Her neck often moves involuntarily to one side. She has tried various treatment options, such as Botox injections, medications, ...
Dr. Hong Weibin Reply:
Hello: Cervical dystonia can cause muscle pain and significantly impact the quality of life. Currently, the most effective treatment remains muscle injection of botulinum toxin. This method involves injecting botulinum toxin into the muscles responsible for cervical dystonia, all...[Read More] Managing Cervical Dystonia in a 70-Year-Old: Treatment Options and Recommendations
Understanding Sharp and Throbbing Head Pain: Possible Causes and Insights
Sharp and throbbing pain in the head? Hello, Dr. Jiang. Recently, I've been experiencing occasional sharp and throbbing pain in the upper left side of my head over the past two days. Each episode lasts about a second. When I press on a specific point, I feel the same pain (s...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, Sir: You mentioned that "pressing on a certain point also causes the same pain." It is important to first consider the possibility of tissue inflammation, particularly related to cervical myofascial inflammation. Additionally, tension-type headache should be cons...[Read More] Understanding Sharp and Throbbing Head Pain: Possible Causes and Insights
Understanding Head Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Brain Issues - Headache Three days ago, I started experiencing pain in the back of my head. When I woke up today, I felt a heavy sensation in the entire area of the back of my head, and it is also painful. There is no vomiting, and my memory and balance seem fine, but whenever I ...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Jim, You mentioned that "the back of my head started to hurt, and when I woke up today, I felt a heavy sensation throughout the back of my head, and it also hurts." I would like to know if you are experiencing any blurred vision or fever. If your symptoms are...[Read More] Understanding Head Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Post-Exercise Numbness: Is It Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Mild numbness in the hand after exercise? Hello doctor, a couple of days ago I practiced riding a motorcycle. I'm not sure if it's because I haven't exercised much during the summer or if it's due to the weight of the motorcycle, but after pulling the bike, I ...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Dear Miss Katie, You mentioned that "my left hand feels a bit numb, it's not very severe and I can move it without pain." This symptom resembles the signs of peripheral nerve compression affecting the sensory nerves. You may want to wait until the soreness and swe...[Read More] Understanding Post-Exercise Numbness: Is It Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Understanding Leg and Wrist Pain: When to Seek Neurology Care
Pain in the posterior right calf and discomfort in the wrist? Hello, doctor. Last month, due to a confirmed diagnosis, I spent nearly a week lying on a recliner or sitting. Since then, I have experienced pain when pressing on the back of my right calf (which is not present now). ...
Dr. Hong Weibin Reply:
Hello: It may be due to prolonged rest, which has caused the muscles to become tight and stiff. You can start by consulting a rehabilitation specialist or a physical therapist for assistance in relaxing the tight muscles, and then gradually increase your activity level, which sho...[Read More] Understanding Leg and Wrist Pain: When to Seek Neurology Care