Understanding the Effects of Deep Breathing on Brain Health
Respiration I really enjoy taking deep, continuous breaths, but after doing it for 10 to 12 times in a row, I feel dizzy and lightheaded. Could this harm my brain? What is happening?
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Please don't worry, this is a normal phenomenon caused by hyperventilation. When breathing too quickly, there is excessive expulsion of CO2, leading to an increase in blood pH and resulting in alkalosis. Simply returning to normal, steady breathing will restore balance.[Read More] Understanding the Effects of Deep Breathing on Brain Health
Understanding Craniotomy: Risks and Recovery After Stroke Surgery
Stroke Due to a stroke causing increased intracranial pressure, a craniectomy was performed, which poses a life-threatening risk. After this surgery, is it necessary to reattach the bone? If the bone is not replaced, what other complications might arise?
Dr. Hong Xuyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Mulan. Generally speaking, whether to perform cranioplasty after craniectomy or to reimplant autologous bone grafts from other sites depends on several factors. The primary indication is that the patient is able to mobilize (such as sitting in a wheelchair or undergoin...[Read More] Understanding Craniotomy: Risks and Recovery After Stroke Surgery
Understanding the Risks: Neck Impacts and Brain Injury Concerns
Neck In the past, I often played around with friends, frequently hitting each other on the back of the neck. Recently, I came across a report stating that this could lead to brain injuries, which has made me very concerned. I am unsure if this is true, and it has led me to questi...
Dr. Shao Guoning Reply:
Hello, if the neck is injured and the internal carotid artery or vertebral artery is affected, it can immediately cause dizziness due to ischemic symptoms. If there are no such symptoms, there is no need to worry.[Read More] Understanding the Risks: Neck Impacts and Brain Injury Concerns
Understanding Neck Injuries: Risks of Playful Strikes and Brain Damage
Neck I used to playfully hit my friends on the neck, but I recently saw a report stating that this could cause brain injuries, which has made me very concerned. I’m unsure if this is true, and it has led me to question whether my intelligence has been affected. I would like to un...
Dr. Hong Xuyi Reply:
Severe neurological impairments that may result from external force trauma to the neck include varying degrees of cervical spinal cord injury and carotid artery injury leading to intimal dissection, which can cause insufficient blood supply to the brain and subsequently result in...[Read More] Understanding Neck Injuries: Risks of Playful Strikes and Brain Damage
Understanding MRI for Head Injuries: Coverage and Availability in Taiwan
Brain I often bump my head and want to get checked, but I'm concerned about the radiation from a CT scan. I would like to know where I can get an MRI and whether it is covered by health insurance.
Dr. Shao Guoning Reply:
Hello Mr. PP, when you can think of this issue, it indicates that your brain's higher cortical functions are normal, and there is no need for special examinations. Generally, a CT scan of the head is required only in the following situations after head trauma: 1. Loss of con...[Read More] Understanding MRI for Head Injuries: Coverage and Availability in Taiwan
Symmetrical Neck Lumps: Possible Neurological Concerns After Injury
Symmetrical hard masses in the neck? Hello Dr. Ding: About a week ago, I noticed symmetrical lumps about five centimeters behind my ears (approximately the size of a coin). These are not external lumps but are located within the posterior neck muscle area. They have slightly dimi...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
The hard lump that has appeared behind your ear is better evaluated by an otolaryngologist for a more accurate diagnosis. Such tumors can potentially be benign lymphomas or malignant tumors. Regarding the possibility of post-stroke complications, medication can be used for treatm...[Read More] Symmetrical Neck Lumps: Possible Neurological Concerns After Injury
Understanding Coma After Brain Injury: Options and Prognosis
Traumatic Brain Injury - Coma Hello, my father-in-law (72 years old) suffered a brain injury due to a car accident on October 20, resulting in a cerebral contusion. After surgery performed by Dr. Wan-Chun Cheng at Taoyuan Min-Sheng Hospital, the blood clot has been removed, but h...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Head trauma occurs at the time of injury. The role of a neurosurgeon is to prevent secondary injury. Surgical intervention can address issues related to hematoma compressing the brain, but areas of the brain that have already been injured are difficult to recover. Therefore, the ...[Read More] Understanding Coma After Brain Injury: Options and Prognosis
Improving Cerebral Blood Flow in Pediatric Septic Shock Patients
Septic shock due to bacterial infection? A one-year-old child, diagnosed with pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, was treated with first-line antibiotics at a local hospital but showed no improvement. Within just 45 minutes of transfer, the child developed septic shock ...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae has a very high mortality rate. Based on the symptoms you described, the patient has not yet recovered from septic shock, and there are obvious signs of encephalitis and meningitis. The EEG indicates severe brain injury. Since this falls un...[Read More] Improving Cerebral Blood Flow in Pediatric Septic Shock Patients
Understanding Neurological Symptoms: Leg Cramps, Seizures, and Medication Effects
Cranial nerves Since experiencing my first leg cramp at the age of twenty-five, which triggered a seizure and caused me to faint, I have had recurrent symptoms. By the age of twenty-eight, after a second episode, I frequently experience cramps in my right calf as soon as I fall a...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Regarding the symptoms you described, there are many possible diagnoses; however, the most likely one is epilepsy. Based on your symptoms, clonazepam and alprazolam are two medications that I am not very familiar with, but they are likely benzodiazepines with anticonvulsant prope...[Read More] Understanding Neurological Symptoms: Leg Cramps, Seizures, and Medication Effects