Understanding Emphysema: Treatment Options and Home Care Tips
Emphysema Is my father’s emphysema commonly referred to as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Recently, there have been reports that emphysema can be treated with bronchial unidirectional valves. Which hospitals in the country offer this treatment? If there are none av...
Dr. Jian Linzhen Reply:
"Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a condition characterized by airflow obstruction caused by chronic bronchitis or emphysema. This airflow obstruction typically progresses slowly, and pulmonary function tests show a reduction in the forced expiratory volume th...[Read More] Understanding Emphysema: Treatment Options and Home Care Tips
Chronic Cough and Phlegm: Understanding Long-Term Respiratory Issues
Chronic productive cough? Hello Dr. Chang, I have been coughing up phlegm and experiencing a persistent cough for four years. I didn't like going to the doctor before, so I delayed seeking treatment, thinking the condition would resolve on its own. My symptoms are as follo...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Hello: There are many causes for chronic cough and sputum production, which require evaluation by a physician for differential diagnosis. Generally, a physical examination along with a chest X-ray and sputum analysis can help identify the underlying cause. It is recommended to fi...[Read More] Chronic Cough and Phlegm: Understanding Long-Term Respiratory Issues
Chronic Cough in My Mom: What Specialist Should We Consult?
Please provide more details about your mother's condition so I can assist you better? My mother has been coughing for many years, and it is not due to a cold. When she coughs, it lasts for several minutes as she tries to expel the phlegm from her throat. She has gone to the ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Mr. Chiu: Your mother has been coughing for many years, and if her chest X-ray is normal, it essentially rules out more than 90% of pulmonary diseases. Other causes of chronic cough include: 1. Allergic bronchitis or asthma, for which pulmonary function tests may be consider...[Read More] Chronic Cough in My Mom: What Specialist Should We Consult?
Persistent Coughing: Understanding Acute Bronchitis Symptoms and Concerns
Persistent cough? Hello Dr. Jiang: My mother has been coughing for over 10 days now, and she has phlegm that is white. She has seen a doctor and had an X-ray done, but the doctor said it is acute bronchitis. However, I looked up the symptoms of acute bronchitis online, which incl...
Dr. Jiang Rongren Reply:
If there is a cough with sputum and fever, respiratory infection should still be considered. If there is only a cough, many conditions can present similarly (such as bronchitis, tumors, asthma, tuberculosis, and other infections that may not necessarily cause fever). It is recomm...[Read More] Persistent Coughing: Understanding Acute Bronchitis Symptoms and Concerns
Understanding Blood in Sputum: Causes and Diagnostic Insights
Hemoptysis My mother has a persistent cough and experienced hemoptysis at the beginning of the year. Since then, she has been coughing up blood in her first sputum every morning. She has visited several ENT specialists, but no issues were found in her nasopharynx. She also underw...
Dr. Xu Jialin Reply:
First, it is important to clarify whether the blood is in the saliva or in the sputum. If there is blood in the saliva, it may originate from the nasopharynx or oral cavity, such as nasopharyngeal cancer, gingivitis, or oral cancer, among others. If the blood is in the sputum, it...[Read More] Understanding Blood in Sputum: Causes and Diagnostic Insights
Understanding Chronic Cough: Causes, Management, and Prevention Tips
Cough in patients with brain disorders? Hello Dr. Yang, I have been experiencing coughing symptoms for over four years. During this time, it has been intermittent. About three years ago, I underwent an examination at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and the results were no...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Xiao Guo: Your chronic cough has the following four conditions: 1. Chronic pharyngitis, allergic rhinitis, or post-nasal drip. It may be necessary to consult an otolaryngologist, or you should develop a habit of drinking more water daily. 2. Allergic bronchitis, which tend...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Cough: Causes, Management, and Prevention Tips
Understanding Chronic Bronchitis: Symptoms and Management Tips
Chronic bronchitis Chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and discomfort in the throat with a sensation of phlegm being stuck.
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, your issue may be related to the heart or lungs, or it could simply be due to a hectic lifestyle and increased stress. It is recommended that you visit a teaching hospital's pulmonary department, where a physician will order relevant tests based on your condition to h...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Bronchitis: Symptoms and Management Tips
Understanding Chronic Bronchitis: Symptoms and Management Tips
Chronic bronchitis Chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and a sensation of mucus stuck in the throat.
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, your issue may be related to the heart or lungs, or it could simply be due to a fast-paced lifestyle and increased stress. It is recommended that you visit a teaching hospital's pulmonary department, where a physician will order relevant tests based on your condition ...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Bronchitis: Symptoms and Management Tips
Managing Theophylline Side Effects: When to Adjust Your Dosage
125 mg Theophylline Hello Dr. Jian: Due to prolonged recurrent colds, I developed bronchitis. After taking the bronchodilator prescribed by my doctor, I experienced nausea, dizziness, and palpitations. Given these adverse reactions, can I continue taking the medication, or should...
Dr. Jian Linzhen Reply:
THEOPHYLLINE has only a mild bronchodilator effect and has a narrow safety margin. The most common cardiac side effects are sinus tachycardia and ventricular ectopy. Elevated blood levels can lead to nausea, vomiting, tremors, tachycardia, and seizures. Additionally, even at norm...[Read More] Managing Theophylline Side Effects: When to Adjust Your Dosage
Managing Chronic Bronchitis: Treatment, Duration, and Side Effects
Chronic bronchitis Dear Doctor: Is chronic bronchitis treatable? How long does it take? If one takes medication and bronchodilators for chronic bronchitis over a long period, will it affect other organs in the body? Will it also impact fertility?
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Vivian: Chronic bronchitis is defined as a cough that lasts for more than three months each year for at least two consecutive years. It typically occurs in individuals over the age of 35 who are smokers. Clinically, the diagnosis is characterized by difficulty breathing and...[Read More] Managing Chronic Bronchitis: Treatment, Duration, and Side Effects
Understanding Elevated ESR Levels After Pneumonia: What You Need to Know
ESR index! Hello Doctor: I previously had pneumonia, and it has been over a month since then. However, my cough symptoms have not improved. A few days ago, I had a blood test, and the doctor said my ESR value is 65, indicating inflammation. Additionally, the X-ray appears to show...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Allen: The X-ray appears to indicate bronchitis, which suggests that the lung inflammation is not too severe anymore! You have already been treated with antibiotics, and it may be difficult to identify the pathogenic bacteria through further cultures. Please continue to be ...[Read More] Understanding Elevated ESR Levels After Pneumonia: What You Need to Know
Understanding Moderate Restrictive Ventilatory Impairment: Causes and Management
Moderate restrictive ventilatory impairment? Dear Dr. Yang: I underwent a pulmonary function test during my health check-up, and the report indicates that I have moderate restrictive ventilatory impairment. What does this mean? Do I need treatment or follow-up?
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Ross, pulmonary function tests are helpful in understanding whether there are any obstructive issues with ventilation. Generally, they can be classified into (1) obstructive ventilatory disorders, which include asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis, and ...[Read More] Understanding Moderate Restrictive Ventilatory Impairment: Causes and Management
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
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
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
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
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