Can You Use Medications with a Mucus Clearance Device?
Can medication be added to a nebulizer? Bronchial obstruction due to mucus that cannot be expelled may require the use of an expectorant. If medication is needed, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate type of medication to add. Common e...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Mrs. Chen: A general nebulizer can be used with high-concentration saline solution. Common expectorants such as BISOLVON or bronchodilators (like BRICANYL or ATROVENT) may be used for patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is best...[Read More] Can You Use Medications with a Mucus Clearance Device?
Understanding Asthma: Key Differences from SARS and Exercise Tips
Asthma issues..? Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing a persistent cough for over two months, especially severe at night when I try to sleep, making it difficult for me to rest. My throat feels very irritated, but I have no symptoms during the day. I visited a clinic and took m...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Jimmy, you have been experiencing a persistent cough for over two months, particularly worsening at night, making it difficult for you to sleep. You feel significant irritation in your throat, but there are no symptoms during the day. It sounds like your bronchial tubes may...[Read More] Understanding Asthma: Key Differences from SARS and Exercise Tips
Managing Cough and Smoking Urges: Tips for Recovery from Bronchitis
Coughing I have been coughing for about a week now, and it seems to be getting worse. I have seen a doctor who diagnosed me with bronchitis and prescribed medication, but I still have the same symptoms. Whenever I open my mouth to breathe, I start coughing, which can lead to head...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: In response to your questions, here are my answers: 1. Coughing: Chronic cough and shortness of breath may indeed be caused by smoking, but they could also be due to other reasons. It is recommended to consult a pulmonologist (you may need a chest X-ray). 2. Many healthcar...[Read More] Managing Cough and Smoking Urges: Tips for Recovery from Bronchitis
Persistent Coughing: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Persistent cough? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask on behalf of my girlfriend. She caught a cold about two to three weeks ago, and during that time, she didn't have much of a cough. However, she started coughing a lot this week, and it has become persistent. She has seen a...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
In general, there are many causes of chronic cough, with common ones including chronic bronchitis (such as from long-term smoking), post-nasal drip (such as from nasal allergies), asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchiectasis, among others. A consultation with a pulmonologist is neces...[Read More] Persistent Coughing: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Understanding Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Chest pain Hello Dr. Zhou, I have recently been experiencing a feeling of tightness in my chest, as if it is being compressed inward, accompanied by a tingling sensation (my back also feels tingly). There is a sense of pressure, and my breathing feels labored, especially when the...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Ms. Lin: You are experiencing chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of pressure. If your electrocardiogram (ECG) results are normal, this condition may be related to various factors such as a cold, poor sleep, anxiety, stress, or excessive physical exertion. There ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
When Does the Pulmonology Clinic Open? Understanding Lung Health Concerns
When does the pulmonary medicine department have outpatient clinics? I would like to inquire about the outpatient schedule for your pulmonary medicine department. Which doctor specializes in lung diseases? What does it mean to have phlegm accumulation in the lungs, and could this...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
In response to gogo06072001: As you described, this condition may be "bronchiectasis." In healthy individuals, bronchial secretions are automatically cleared by the ciliary epithelium of the bronchi and are swallowed into the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, they do n...[Read More] When Does the Pulmonology Clinic Open? Understanding Lung Health Concerns
Understanding Your Breathing Test: What It Means for Your Health
Respiratory Test Hello, Dr. Yang. Recently, I experienced breathing discomfort, and the doctor asked me to go to the hospital yesterday for a pulmonary function test, blood draw, and chest X-ray. The medical staff instructed me to inhale a medication 10 times, taking 5 breaths ea...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Miss Hsiao-Chi: The so-called "breathing test" you are undergoing may be a procedure known as "bronchial provocation testing," which aims to assess the abnormal response of the bronchial tubes to stimuli. Individuals with asthma or atopic (allergic) con...[Read More] Understanding Your Breathing Test: What It Means for Your Health
Understanding Lung Patterns: What They Mean for Your Health
What is pulmonary markings? My health check report indicates that I have lung markings. What are lung markings? Are lung markings a sign of any specific condition? Can lung markings worsen? Is there a possibility of recovery, or can the condition at most be maintained without fur...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Mr. Asda: The term "lung markings" refers to the white lines seen on both sides of the lung fields, apart from the alveoli (the smallest gas exchange units in lung tissue, which appear black on chest X-rays). These markings typically represent the interstitial lun...[Read More] Understanding Lung Patterns: What They Mean for Your Health
Is Coughing Up Blood Related to Neck Tumors? Understanding Your Symptoms
Is coughing up blood related to neck tumors? Hello Doctor: I am a 53-year-old female. Last year, I had a soft mass in my nasopharynx, and when I coughed, I expelled a blood clot for three consecutive days. I went to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for a nasal ultrasound, but the doc...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Ms. Cherry, In response to your inquiries, please find the following information: 1. Regarding the neck mass, the physician has indicated that it is benign. However, it is advisable to have regular follow-ups with your doctor. The neck mass is not connected to the nasophar...[Read More] Is Coughing Up Blood Related to Neck Tumors? Understanding Your Symptoms
Is There a Link Between Bronchiectasis and Long-Term Smoking?
Is bronchiectasis related to long-term smoking? Is bronchiectasis related to long-term smoking? I learned from medical news that the new drug "Oxis Turbuhaler" is now covered by health insurance in Taiwan. Can I request my doctor to prescribe this medication during my v...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
1. Bronchiectasis is caused by inflammation and subsequent damage to the bronchi in the lungs, and it can also be congenital. It is not directly related to smoking. However, patients with bronchiectasis should refrain from smoking to prevent further deterioration of bronchial fun...[Read More] Is There a Link Between Bronchiectasis and Long-Term Smoking?
Understanding Chest Tightness and Persistent Cough After Cold
There is a slight tightness in the chest? Since experiencing a cold last month that led to hoarseness, I have been suffering from persistent voice strain that has not fully recovered. Recently, whenever I take a deep breath and cold air enters my throat or trachea, it triggers a ...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Severe colds can lead to inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, such as tracheitis, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis, resulting in damage or shedding of the epithelial lining of the trachea and bronchi. At this point, airway hyperreactivity increases, making individuals more s...[Read More] Understanding Chest Tightness and Persistent Cough After Cold
Understanding Asthma Medications: Inhaled Steroids and Their Use
Asthma medication (1) Yes, Beclomet Easyhaler (Beclometasone) is an inhaled corticosteroid. (2) Among the currently available inhaled corticosteroids for asthma treatment, fluticasone and budesonide are commonly considered effective options. Inhaled corticosteroids should be con...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
1. Beclomet Easyhaler is an inhaled corticosteroid (Beclomethasone). 2. Currently, there are three commonly available options in the Taiwanese market: Beclomethasone, Budesonide, and Fluticasone, which have minimal differences. The treatment for asthma is divided into two categor...[Read More] Understanding Asthma Medications: Inhaled Steroids and Their Use
Understanding Bronchiectasis: Management and When to Seek Medical Help
Bronchiectasis Hello! An elderly family member has been coughing for many years and was diagnosed with bronchiectasis by the hospital. The doctor informed us that this condition can only be managed and cannot be returned to a normal state. However, we are unsure whether "man...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
The cause of bronchiectasis is the difficulty in expelling mucus from the bronchial tubes, leading to bacterial infections. Normally, a small amount of mucus is not a concern, but it is essential to perform postural drainage to help expel the mucus. With proper management, patien...[Read More] Understanding Bronchiectasis: Management and When to Seek Medical Help
Persistent Coughing: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Solutions
Persistent cough? Hello Doctor: I accidentally caught a cold at the end of February this year, and I have been coughing since then. I underwent numerous tests at a major hospital, and the most recent chest X-ray was taken in early May to check for airway allergies, which showed n...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Persistent cough accompanied by chest and back pain requires attention. It is advisable to seek consultation with a pulmonologist for further evaluation and treatment.[Read More] Persistent Coughing: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Solutions
How to Determine If You Have Tuberculosis and Find a Doctor
If you are unsure how to determine whether you have tuberculosis (TB), you should seek a healthcare provider? Dr. Jiang: Hello, I was found to have calcifications in my lungs six years ago during a medical outreach program. Since then, I have been getting annual chest X-rays, and...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
Hello: 1. There are many causes of hemoptysis, with common causes including bronchiectasis, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, or lung tumors. Severe coughing due to bronchitis can also lead to the rupture of blood vessels, resulting in hemoptysis. 2. The so-called calcification ...[Read More] How to Determine If You Have Tuberculosis and Find a Doctor
Managing Persistent Phlegm After Aspiration Pneumonia: Causes and Solutions
Post-inhalation pneumonia, characterized by excessive sputum production, can be attributed to several factors. The inflammation and irritation of the airways may lead to increased mucus secretion. Additionally, residual infection or bronchial hyperreactivity can contribute to ong...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
It may be related to bronchiectasis following pneumonia, or injury to the mucosa of the throat after intubation, or frequent choking incidents. The sputum associated with bronchiectasis requires time to heal, so it is advisable to avoid cold drinks and cold foods such as radishes...[Read More] Managing Persistent Phlegm After Aspiration Pneumonia: Causes and Solutions
Is Surgery a Viable Option for Treating Bronchiectasis?
Is surgery a viable option for a cure? Hello Dr. Chang: If you are not unfamiliar with me, you should have seen my name among your many patient records. I have been living with bronchiectasis for many years. Whenever my condition worsens, I always come to see you. After taking th...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
A "chest computed tomography (CT) scan" can be performed again. If there is localized bronchiectasis, surgical resection may be considered. Please schedule an outpatient appointment for a detailed explanation. Wishing you good health.[Read More] Is Surgery a Viable Option for Treating Bronchiectasis?
Are Over-the-Counter Steam Inhalers Beneficial for Lung Health?
Are commercially available steam inhalers beneficial for the maintenance of lung diseases? Dr. Jian: Hello, the patient has bronchiectasis and allergic asthma. Is it appropriate to use an over-the-counter steam inhaler for daily maintenance? Also, is bronchiectasis truly beyond h...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
In principle, asthma patients are not advised to use plain saline steam inhalation, whether during an attack or at baseline. During an asthma attack, bronchodilators can be used in conjunction with saline steam inhalation. For patients with bronchiectasis who have excessive sputu...[Read More] Are Over-the-Counter Steam Inhalers Beneficial for Lung Health?
Asthma vs. Bronchitis: Understanding the Differences and Treatment Options
Asthma and bronchitis? I was diagnosed with bronchitis in 1998, initially not taking it seriously. However, I experienced symptoms during seasonal changes for two consecutive years. During one episode, I was coughing so severely that I went to a major hospital for an examination,...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Basically, asthma and bronchitis are not exactly the same. Bronchitis refers to an inflammatory response in the bronchi, which can be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or chemical irritants. The primary symptom of bronchitis is coughing, so when patients present w...[Read More] Asthma vs. Bronchitis: Understanding the Differences and Treatment Options
Understanding Emphysema: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management
Suspected emphysema Hello, Director Jiang: Two months ago, I noticed an unusual knocking sound in my chest during inhalation (after taking a deep breath and holding it briefly), with a frequency that synchronized with my pulse, accompanied by chest tightness. The physician initia...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
1. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis combine to form chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is generally diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and pulmonary function tests. 2. It is. 3. Emphysema is not contagious. 4. Please consult a pulmonologist for diagnosis and re...[Read More] Understanding Emphysema: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management