Which Specialist Should I See for My Boyfriend's Mysterious Symptoms?
Is this condition treated by a pulmonologist? My boyfriend has recently developed a strange illness. We've seen at least ten doctors, including traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, Western doctors, and even consulted fortune tellers, but unfortunately, his condition h...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Dear friend: It seems quite serious, but the description is not clear. I recommend consulting a pulmonologist for a thorough examination. Best wishes, Dr. Chang Cheng-Ta.[Read More] Which Specialist Should I See for My Boyfriend's Mysterious Symptoms?
Understanding Chest Tightness and Breathing Issues: Causes and Solutions
Chest tightness... accompanied by shortness of breath and coughing? Dear Dr. Yang, For the past year, I have been troubled by a persistent issue, but I am unsure of where to seek help. Sometimes I experience chest tightness and difficulty breathing, which leads me to take deep b...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Xiao Ru: Your main symptom is difficulty breathing. If a recent chest X-ray has ruled out any diseases of the chest or heart, it is likely related to stress. I recommend avoiding cold or icy foods (you may consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner), and try to re...[Read More] Understanding Chest Tightness and Breathing Issues: Causes and Solutions
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 Pneumothorax: Risks and Surgical Options for Elderly Patients
Pneumothorax Hello Doctor: My grandfather is 74 years old. He has a history of tuberculosis, but he has mostly recovered after treatment. Recently, he experienced chest tightness, and after examination, it was found to be a pneumothorax. He underwent tube insertion for treatment,...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Jill: Your grandfather is 74 years old and has experienced a recurrence of pneumothorax twice. Typically, the first consideration would be to administer medication into the pleural cavity for pleurodesis. If that fails, surgical intervention may be considered. Additionally,...[Read More] Understanding Pneumothorax: Risks and Surgical Options for Elderly Patients
Chest Tightness and Throat Discomfort: Understanding Your Symptoms
Chest tightness and a strange sensation in the throat? As a child, I experienced asthma during colds, but I haven't had any issues for over a decade. Now at 26 years old, I have a smoking habit (for 6 years). Until recently, I was doing well, but due to a foot injury, I'...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Xiao P: Your condition does not resemble an asthma attack, nor does it seem to be a terminal illness. It appears more like chronic pharyngitis or increased airway sensitivity. I recommend that you visit a pulmonology clinic for a chest X-ray to confirm whether there are an...[Read More] Chest Tightness and Throat Discomfort: Understanding Your Symptoms
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
Understanding Persistent Chest Pain: Causes and Solutions
Chest tightness or chest discomfort? Hello Doctor: I have the following symptoms: 1. Chest tightness and chest pain 2. Chronic throat inflammation that has not improved 3. Post-nasal drip My chest tightness and chest pain began at the end of January 2004 in Japan and have persist...
Dr. Jian Linzhen Reply:
Post-nasal drip is the most common cause of chronic cough. Allergic rhinitis is a contributing factor. The spirometry results show a lung capacity of approximately 70%, which is abnormal. Although there are various methods to assess airway obstruction, the two most commonly used ...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Chest Pain: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Unexplained Asthma: Causes, Transmission, and Treatment
Asthma of unknown origin? Hello Dr. Jian, I have a few questions to ask: 1. What causes asthma of unknown origin, considering that I do not smoke? 2. Is bronchiectasis contagious? 3. Can asthma be completely cured?
Dr. Jian Linzhen Reply:
1. Asthma is a recurrent airflow obstruction disorder that can resolve spontaneously or improve with appropriate treatment. Depending on its severity, it may present with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing; some asthma patients may also ...[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Asthma: Causes, Transmission, and Treatment
Understanding Lung Issues: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Care Tips
Regarding lung issues? Hello Doctor, I experienced coughing up blood in January of this year after staying up late for two consecutive days and went to the emergency room. The X-ray results were normal, but a CT scan showed a white shadow in one area of my right lung. After takin...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello John: Your diagnosis should be bronchiectasis with hemoptysis. If your chest pain does not show any significant abnormalities on the chest X-ray, then neuropathic pain is a more likely diagnosis. Currently, Western medicine would generally prescribe pain relievers, hemostat...[Read More] Understanding Lung Issues: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Care Tips
Understanding Chest Tightness and Hand Pain: Common Causes and Solutions
Chest tightness? I have two children, and recently I have been experiencing pain in the back of my hands, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of tightness in my chest. I get easily irritated and tend to feel anxious. Sometimes, it feels like I faint for a moment, but then I feel ...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
If you are experiencing pain in the back of your hand, difficulty breathing, and some tightness in your chest, it is advisable to first check an electrocardiogram (ECG). If the ECG results are normal, it may be related to a combination of conditions such as chest syndrome, cold, ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Tightness and Hand Pain: Common Causes and Solutions
Understanding Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
May I ask the doctor? For the past three months, I have been experiencing sharp chest pain. The pain occurs at irregular times throughout the day, several times a day, and does not localize to a specific point. It seems to be in the chest cavity, affecting both the front and back...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
JACKEY: Hello, your chest pain symptoms have essentially been ruled out by chest X-ray and 24-hour electrocardiogram tests, indicating no issues with your lungs or heart. Neuralgia is a more likely diagnosis, which may be related to your poor sleep quality. I recommend that you r...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
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
Can Chronic Cough and Asthma Be Cured? Effective Treatment Options Explained
Can chronic cough and asthma be cured? Dear Dr. Ke: Can chronic cough and asthma be cured, and are there effective methods to treat this cough? When a person starts coughing, it can be very uncomfortable and distressing. I really hate that my body is not cooperating. Lately, I ...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang Reply:
Chronic cough and asthma require a detailed evaluation through chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests. Additionally, it is important to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and allergens in both home and work environments, and to refrain from keeping small pets, such as cats and...[Read More] Can Chronic Cough and Asthma Be Cured? Effective Treatment Options Explained
Is Hepatitis B Vaccination Available? Addressing Chest Discomfort and Fatigue
Hepatitis B vaccination Hello Dr. Chang, I would like to inquire if your hospital offers the hepatitis B vaccine. Additionally, I have been experiencing frequent chest tightness and increased fatigue lately, and I am unsure if there is a health issue. Thank you!
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Hello, sir. The symptoms you mentioned, such as chest tightness, can be caused by various conditions, including heart diseases and lung diseases. Some of these can be serious, but most are not critical. Have you been particularly busy lately? How is your sleep? Are you experienci...[Read More] Is Hepatitis B Vaccination Available? Addressing Chest Discomfort and Fatigue
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 Tuberculosis: Risks, Treatment, and Management for Patients
Pulmonary tuberculosis Hello, Doctor. A few days ago, my friend had a physical examination and found some abnormalities in his lungs. I will detail the X-ray findings for you: there are patchy, linear, and small nodular shadows visible in both upper lung fields, with some unclear...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Ms. Xiao Teng, I would like to respond to your inquiries as follows, hoping it will be helpful for you and your friends. 1. Your friend has a history of tuberculosis, and chest X-rays can show residual scars (calcifications and fibrotic lines). To determine if the findings...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Risks, Treatment, and Management for Patients
Understanding Chest Pain with Deep Breathing: Causes and Concerns
Experiencing chest tightness or pain when taking a deep breath? I am a 30-year-old female and have recently been experiencing chest tightness and pain when taking deep breaths, mostly in the afternoon. I have a smoking habit, but it is not severe (a maximum of three cigarettes a ...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang Reply:
Reply to Ms. Lin Hui-Ling: The phenomenon of chest tightness in a young woman who smokes raises concerns for asthma or gastrointestinal disorders. It is essential to quit smoking first and then promptly visit a hospital for pulmonary function testing (pulmonology).[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain with Deep Breathing: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Intermittent Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns
For the past month, I have occasionally experienced a sharp pain in the chest area? Over the past month, I have experienced occasional sharp pain in the chest area, which occurs irregularly and at any time of day, sometimes lasting just a moment and other times persisting with a ...
Dr. Suo Ren Reply:
A slight tingling sensation occurs intermittently, with the tingling shifting from one area to another. There is a feeling of tightness in the chest, often requiring deep breaths. This is often related to prolonged tension in the chest muscles due to factors such as high work str...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns
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