Understanding Dirty Lungs: What Chest X-Ray Results Mean for You
Lung issues The chest X-ray showed that the lungs appear "dirty." What does this mean?
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: The presence of more prominent markings may indicate bronchitis or other conditions, but it could also simply be more visible blood vessels, which is actually normal. Please consult your attending physician for further clarification.[Read More] Understanding Dirty Lungs: What Chest X-Ray Results Mean for You
Managing Acute Asthma: Can You Work in a Cleanroom Environment?
Acute asthma attack Hello, Dr. Jian. I was recently hospitalized for a week due to acute asthma. Since last year, I have been experiencing recurrent episodes approximately every one to two months. I often have excessive phlegm and cough, and sometimes I struggle to breathe and ca...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: Theoretically, clean rooms have no direct relationship with asthma attacks, unless there are other chemical substances present in the clean room that could trigger asthma or latex allergies. It appears that asthma is poorly controlled, and it is advisable to consult a pulm...[Read More] Managing Acute Asthma: Can You Work in a Cleanroom Environment?
Managing Massive Hemoptysis in Patients with Bronchiectasis: A Case Study
Bronchiectasis with hemoptysis? On October 1st, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, my mother suddenly coughed up blood and then went into shock. She was taken to the emergency room, where treatment stopped the bleeding after two days. However, the doctor misdiagnosed her and prescri...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: If the bleeding originates from the left lower lung, surgical intervention is recommended. Please consult with a pulmonologist and a thoracic surgeon.[Read More] Managing Massive Hemoptysis in Patients with Bronchiectasis: A Case Study
Understanding Bronchiectasis: When to Seek Treatment and Medication Use
Bronchiectasis Hello, doctor! I've been experiencing a lot of phlegm, coughing up blood, and a cough. I returned to the doctor, who prescribed antibiotics and steroids. Isn't it enough to just take antibiotics? Why were steroids also prescribed? It's difficult to d...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The physician prescribes medication for a reason. It is recommended that you take the medication as prescribed, in the correct dosage and at the scheduled times. After completing the course, report any reactions to your physician to determine if any adjustments to the medi...[Read More] Understanding Bronchiectasis: When to Seek Treatment and Medication Use
Understanding Wheezing: Asthma or Bronchitis Symptoms?
Wheezing during respiration? I have been experiencing wheezing in my breathing for the past couple of days. After using my medication, the wheezing only subsides for one to two hours, and I have to use the inhaler several times a day. I don't have much of a cough, but I do h...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Mr. Hsiao: Thank you for your inquiry. Asthma is characterized by an exaggerated response of the airways, leading to increased mucus production and bronchoconstriction, which results in difficulty breathing. Medication can help improve symptoms, but unless a short-acting bro...[Read More] Understanding Wheezing: Asthma or Bronchitis Symptoms?
Understanding Persistent Cough and Chest Tightness: Is It Asthma?
Suspected asthma with difficulty breathing and chest tightness? Around mid-February, I experienced a mild cough with a lot of clear phlegm, but it wasn't obstructive. I had to expectorate every half hour, and this condition persisted until the end of May. One time after eati...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: First, please consult a pulmonologist to confirm whether you have asthma. If there is no clear diagnosis and you are experiencing side effects from medication, it may be advisable to try traditional Chinese medicine for a period of time. Focus on symptom improvement first....[Read More] Understanding Persistent Cough and Chest Tightness: Is It Asthma?
Understanding Hemoptysis: When to Worry About Blood in Sputum
The issue of phlegm? Hello, Doctor. Thank you for taking the time to respond. In June, I had an upper respiratory tract infection. After the cold improved, I still had a cough, and one morning I coughed up phlegm mixed with blood about the size of a one-dollar coin. After intenti...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Ah Ping: The most common cause of hemoptysis is bronchitis. Recurrent hemoptysis requires a painless bronchoscopy, which is performed under general anesthesia. Any causal relationship is merely based on empirical data. Theoretically, this is correct; most cases of hemoptysis...[Read More] Understanding Hemoptysis: When to Worry About Blood in Sputum
Choking Incident: Understanding Persistent Cough and Chest Discomfort
Choking sensation with an itchy chest? Hello Doctor, on the evening of July 10th, I choked a little on some vegetable leaves during dinner, which caused me to cough violently for a few seconds, but I returned to normal shortly after. However, for the next few days, I felt persist...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: If there is a foreign object in the trachea, coughing should be quite severe. Currently, it appears to resemble allergy symptoms. You can consult a pulmonologist to check for asthma attacks, or you may also consider seeing a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to adj...[Read More] Choking Incident: Understanding Persistent Cough and Chest Discomfort
Understanding Hemoptysis: Causes, Risks, and Smoking's Impact
Hemoptysis of unknown origin? Hello Doctor, my father is 53 years old and has been smoking for 40 years, currently smoking an average of 20 cigarettes a day. Three months ago, he coughed up blood-tinged sputum. He had an X-ray done at the hospital, but the doctor did not provide ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Large tumors and typical cavitary lung infiltrates are more easily diagnosed by X-ray, while small nodules may simply indicate bronchitis or early-stage pulmonary nodules. It is generally safer to follow up after three months to check for any changes, and follow-up examina...[Read More] Understanding Hemoptysis: Causes, Risks, and Smoking's Impact
Managing Bronchiectasis: Medication, Symptoms, and Lifestyle Tips
Bronchiectasis Hello, doctor. I would like to ask if I can stop taking erythromycin, inhaling nebulized medications, and taking pancreatic enzymes after five months. Will there be any risk of antibiotic resistance? I plan to seek medical attention if I experience thick phlegm or ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is sufficient to regularly consult a single pulmonologist. Exercise can include slow walking and intermittent brisk walking. As long as you can eat and sleep well, there is a chance for weight gain. If you are sensitive to cold, you may seek an evaluation from a traditi...[Read More] Managing Bronchiectasis: Medication, Symptoms, and Lifestyle Tips
Understanding Allergies: Symptoms and Management in a New Environment
Allergy issues? I have a history of allergic rhinitis and dermatitis, and my dermatitis has already resolved. I used to eat seafood and nuts without any issues, but since moving to Japan, I've experienced itchy, mosquito bite-like welts or red, itchy spots on my hands after ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Your symptoms may indicate a skin allergy, and the dry, itchy throat and cough could also suggest bronchial hyperreactivity. To determine if you have asthma, further pulmonary function tests are necessary. It is recommended that you visit a pulmonology clinic to arrange fo...[Read More] Understanding Allergies: Symptoms and Management in a New Environment
Managing Bronchiectasis: Understanding Long-Term Antibiotic Use and Side Effects
Bronchiectasis I have bronchiectasis and have been coughing up blood along with phlegm. The doctor prescribed erythromycin for a year, and I'm unsure if I really need to take it for that long. For the past six months, I've been experiencing recurrent hemoptysis, and lat...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is recommended to take it for one year based on a European research report. In the study, the treatment group that received treatment for one year showed a reduction in the frequency of episodes. However, there are no research reports on treatment durations of 3 months ...[Read More] Managing Bronchiectasis: Understanding Long-Term Antibiotic Use and Side Effects
Breathing Difficulties After Using Mosquito Coils: What You Need to Know
Mosquito coils can cause respiratory discomfort? A few days ago, I burned mosquito coils (traditional combustion type) in one of the rooms with the windows closed for about 6 to 7 hours. When I went in to open the windows and used a fan to ventilate, I felt like I couldn't b...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Oliver, traditional incense coils do have reports suggesting they may cause effects similar to airway irritation. Ultrafine particles can indeed lead to related issues. However, symptoms like "feeling unable to breathe" may indeed indicate bronchial hypersensitivi...[Read More] Breathing Difficulties After Using Mosquito Coils: What You Need to Know
Persistent Thick Mucus in Throat: When to Seek Medical Advice?
Thick phlegm in the throat that is difficult to expel? Hello Dr. Chen: Six months ago, a health check revealed "peribronchial shadows." However, at that time, I had no unusual physical symptoms, and the doctor advised me not to worry too much and to continue monitoring....
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
It is recommended that you discuss the above situation with your attending physician to determine if further examinations are necessary. Thank you, and wishing you good health![Read More] Persistent Thick Mucus in Throat: When to Seek Medical Advice?
Understanding Lung Nodules and Breathing Issues: A Guide for Patients
Lung issues Hello Doctor, In the CT scan report from my physical examination, lung nodules were found in the right middle and lower lobes, along with mild bronchiectasis. The X-ray report indicated pulmonary infiltration and aortic sclerosis. I have also been experiencing chest...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: For lung issues, please follow up with the pulmonology department for re-evaluation. A biopsy is necessary to determine whether the condition is benign or malignant; the timing of the biopsy will be discussed with your attending physician. For sleep problems, it is recomme...[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules and Breathing Issues: A Guide for Patients
Understanding Bronchiectasis: Symptoms, Exercise, and Management
The impact of bronchiectasis? Last year, I had a persistent cough for two months. In January of this year, I underwent X-rays and a CT scan, which revealed mild bronchiectasis. Since January, I often have phlegm in my throat, and I definitely cough after running, producing yellow...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
It is recommended that you discuss the above situation further with your attending physician to determine if any additional examinations are necessary. Thank you, and wishing you good health![Read More] Understanding Bronchiectasis: Symptoms, Exercise, and Management
Is It Just a Cold or Pneumonia? Understanding Your Symptoms
Common cold or pneumonia? I have asthma and rhinitis. Two days ago, I started experiencing severe coughing with phlegm (orange-yellow in color) and a sore throat. On the first day, I took over-the-counter medication because my ear temperature was 38 degrees Celsius, and I had whe...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It may be bronchitis; an X-ray is needed to determine if there is pneumonia.[Read More] Is It Just a Cold or Pneumonia? Understanding Your Symptoms
Coughing During Pregnancy: Causes, Concerns, and Treatment Options
Coughing during pregnancy? Hello Doctor, my wife is currently 36 weeks pregnant. Around 30 weeks into her pregnancy, she started to experience a mild cough. It's usually just a light cough, but sometimes she feels like there's something in her throat that she needs to c...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
Hello, based on the symptoms you described, the most likely possibility is that pregnancy is causing gastroesophageal reflux combined with chronic pharyngitis or bronchitis. The medication treatment for gastroesophageal reflux may take some time to show effects. It is recommended...[Read More] Coughing During Pregnancy: Causes, Concerns, and Treatment Options
Understanding Your Chest X-Ray: Emphysema and Bronchial Changes
Lung issues Hello, Doctor: I have a history of bronchiectasis. Could you please help me assess the severity of the following X-ray report? Thank you! Chest: * Emphysematous changes in both lungs with increased markings * Bronchial wall thickening in both lower lungs * No def...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It seems to describe bronchiectasis combined with some degree of emphysema. The severity depends on how serious your cough or wheezing symptoms are. If you have respiratory symptoms, it is recommended to follow up with a pulmonology clinic.[Read More] Understanding Your Chest X-Ray: Emphysema and Bronchial Changes
Understanding Deep Coughing and Dry Throat: Causes and Concerns
There is a sensation of phlegm in the respiratory tract, and it feels like the cough is very deep? Hello, Doctor. Recently, I've been experiencing frequent dry mouth and a dry throat. A few days ago, I even woke up in the middle of the night because of this, and drinking wat...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
Hello, a deep cough typically refers to a cough caused by bronchitis, which is a symptom of lower respiratory tract issues and differs from the upper respiratory infections associated with the common cold. There are many potential causes, such as viral or bacterial bronchitis, ga...[Read More] Understanding Deep Coughing and Dry Throat: Causes and Concerns