Understanding Rib Pain: Causes and Treatment Options Explained
Rib pain Hello Doctor: I have pain in my ribs, and if I rub the painful area, it becomes red. Applying a pain relief ointment helps a bit. However, my rib pain has been ongoing for a while, and I would like to ask what might be causing this. Thank you, Doctor.
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear A-Hsiao: Given your age, it is likely that you are experiencing neuropathic pain. Although there are some differential diagnoses, it is mostly neuropathic pain, such as from a bruise or poor posture. I recommend getting a chest X-ray at the hospital. In the meantime, avoid s...[Read More] Understanding Rib Pain: Causes and Treatment Options Explained
Chronic Cough with Blood-Streaked Sputum: When to Seek Medical Help
Nighttime cough predominantly with blood-tinged sputum? Hello, doctor. I have been experiencing chronic cough, occasionally coughing once or twice. I have chronic conditions (diabetes and hypertension) that I manage with medication. Recently, over the past 2-3 weeks, I have notic...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: There are many conditions that can cause coughing up sputum with blood, including periodontal disease, gastrointestinal disorders, upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, or other pulmonary diseases. It is recommended that you visit a pulmonology clinic to clarify the cau...[Read More] Chronic Cough with Blood-Streaked Sputum: When to Seek Medical Help
Chest Pain After Basketball Injury: When to Seek Further Medical Help
While playing basketball, I was elbowed in the left chest area where the heart is located? Hello, Doctor. Last Friday evening, I was elbowed while exercising, which caused some difficulty in breathing at that moment. After resting for a while, I was able to breathe normally. As o...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, your symptoms do indeed resemble those caused by a fascia, muscle, or soft tissue strain. Additionally, the chest X-ray shows no significant abnormalities. It is recommended that you continue with your current treatment, as pain from fascia or so...[Read More] Chest Pain After Basketball Injury: When to Seek Further Medical Help
Is It Asthma? Understanding Chest Tightness and Breathing Issues
Asthma or? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask if experiencing chest tightness, shortness of breath, and occasional coughing at night when very tired, which improves with the use of a bronchodilator or after a good sleep, can be considered an asthma attack? Or is it simply due to ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Is your chest tightness or fatigue related to asthma, or should you ask your primary care physician or asthma management specialist to evaluate your asthma control? Excessive fatigue can sometimes trigger asthma, so it's important to manage your lifestyle appropriatel...[Read More] Is It Asthma? Understanding Chest Tightness and Breathing Issues
Understanding Side Effects of Moderna Vaccine: When to Seek Medical Help
Side effects of the Moderna vaccine? I received my third dose of the Moderna vaccine on February 11, and by the end of February, I noticed red rashes appearing on my body that were itchy. I visited a dermatologist twice, and while there was slight improvement, the rashes still ap...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Wen, the timing of these occurrences and the skin symptoms are less common for typical vaccine side effects. Symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and chest pain suggest that you should consult a cardiologist to rule out serious side effects such as perica...[Read More] Understanding Side Effects of Moderna Vaccine: When to Seek Medical Help
Why Do I Feel Chest Tightness When Excited or During Masturbation?
When feeling excited, there may be a sensation of tightness in the chest? Feeling a sense of tightness or unusual breathing while watching adult films or during masturbation can be attributed to several factors. This may include heightened arousal leading to increased heart rate ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: When a person is in an excited state, the adrenal glands secrete more adrenaline, which typically results in an increased heart rate. Some individuals may also experience faster breathing, which is considered a normal physiological response. If there are no symptoms of diz...[Read More] Why Do I Feel Chest Tightness When Excited or During Masturbation?
Understanding Aortic Curvature and Lung Expansion Issues in Chest Health
Curvature of the aorta and mild linear expansion insufficiency of both lower lungs? Hello! Based on my recent health check results, the chest X-ray shows a curvature of the thoracic aorta and mild linear expansion insufficiency in both lower lungs. I have also noticed that I ofte...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Mr. Chuang: The curvature of the thoracic aorta is a normal phenomenon that changes with age. Bilateral lower lung expansion deficiency can affect sputum production and lead to increased phlegm (bronchiectasis), but it has less correlation with wheezing unless the expansio...[Read More] Understanding Aortic Curvature and Lung Expansion Issues in Chest Health
Understanding Chest Discomfort: Causes and When to Seek Help
Chest tightness or pain? Since I developed two lumps under my armpit, I've been very worried that something might be wrong. Later, I started having trouble sleeping, and then I experienced chest tightness and pain on the left side, along with a loss of appetite. I also had m...
Dr. Tao Ruiming Reply:
Hello: Anxiety, panic, and stress can cause chest pain, tightness, or a tingling sensation, often felt bilaterally across the chest without a specific location. The most common complaint from patients is, "I can't catch my breath; I have to force myself to breathe!"...[Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort: Causes and When to Seek Help
Blood in Saliva Upon Waking: Possible Causes and Concerns
Blood in saliva while sleeping? Waking up with blood in your saliva after sleeping for almost three months could be indicative of several potential issues. It may be related to gastrointestinal problems, respiratory issues involving the chest or lungs, or other underlying conditi...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello, Xiao Ming. Blood in saliva is most commonly due to bleeding within the oral cavity, followed by bleeding from the nasopharynx, esophagus, or trachea. Therefore, it is recommended that you seek medical evaluation. The Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Changhua Hospital, M...[Read More] Blood in Saliva Upon Waking: Possible Causes and Concerns
Understanding Right Breast Pain: Causes and Concerns for Women
Breast issues? Hello Doctor: For the past few days, I have been experiencing pain when pressing or squeezing the area around the 9 to 10 o'clock position on my right breast. When I sleep on my side, I need to tuck a blanket under my armpit to avoid putting direct pressure on...
Dr. Lu Mingzhi Reply:
Hello: If you are experiencing breast tenderness, I recommend that you visit a breast surgeon for a follow-up examination. If the pain is in another area of the right chest, you may schedule an appointment with our pulmonary medicine department to investigate the cause of the pai...[Read More] Understanding Right Breast Pain: Causes and Concerns for Women
Understanding Chest Pain: When Gastrointestinal Issues Aren't the Cause
I initially thought it was related to my gastrointestinal system, but it seems that it is not? Hello, Doctor. First, let me explain my situation. My health is very poor, and I often experience pain in multiple areas of my body. Because there are so many painful spots, I am unsure...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello, based on your description, did you see a pulmonologist six months ago, and have you since consulted a gastroenterologist or hepatologist? Has there been any improvement after taking medication? However, another six months have passed. If the pain has changed, it is advisab...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: When Gastrointestinal Issues Aren't the Cause
Understanding Chest Numbness: Causes and When to Seek Help
Numbness in the chest? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have been experiencing some numbness in my chest (lasting no more than five minutes, with the sensation occurring in various areas, including the right side, left side, and center). I had a similar episode at the end of last year, ...
Dr. Tao Ruiming Reply:
Hello: Anxiety, panic, and stress can lead to chest pain, tightness, or a tingling sensation, often felt bilaterally across the chest without a specific location. The most common complaint from patients is, "I can't catch my breath; I have to force myself to breathe!&qu...[Read More] Understanding Chest Numbness: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Intermittent Left Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns
Left chest tenderness upon palpation? Hello, Doctor. I would like to ask about a recent issue I've been experiencing. Occasionally, I feel a dull pain near my heart on the left side of my chest, close to the ribcage. This discomfort varies throughout the day; sometimes it hu...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: In the past six months, relevant examinations have not revealed any significant abnormalities, so there should be no obvious cardiopulmonary diseases. It is recommended to have a chest X-ray annually. It is advised not to press on the chest to test for improvement in chest...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Left Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Right Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Right chest pain? Waking up with pain in the right chest (slightly lower on the right side) and experiencing occasional discomfort when taking deep breaths, stretching, bending, or arching the back—could this be due to poor sleeping posture? Is this a strain of the chest muscles,...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It feels more like muscle soreness (more noticeable during stretching). It is recommended not to maintain one position for too long, engage in moderate exercise, and remember to warm up before exercising![Read More] Understanding Right Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Persistent Cold Symptoms: When to Seek Chest Specialist Care?
The symptoms of the cold improved with medication, but they persisted after the medication was finished? Hello, Doctor. I have been experiencing cold symptoms for a long time. In mid-August 2021, I had nasal congestion (more severe on the left side), post-nasal drip, and the mucu...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. Your symptoms resemble allergic rhinitis combined with post-nasal drip, which may be related to your constitution. You may need to use long-term antihistamines or combine them with a corticosteroid nasal spray. If you stop the medication, the symptoms are likely to recu...[Read More] Persistent Cold Symptoms: When to Seek Chest Specialist Care?
Understanding Solid Lung Nodules: Monitoring and Follow-Up Care
Pulmonary nodule (solid) Hello Doctor, my mother underwent a CT scan in September 2020 based on the doctor's recommendation, which revealed multiple solid pulmonary nodules (measuring 0.4, 0.6, and 1 cm). Cancer markers and other tests returned normal results. However, due t...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Mr. Han, you have three solid pulmonary nodules, the largest measuring 1 cm. It is certainly a good sign that there has been no change after three months of follow-up. However, the actual interpretation will depend on the reader's perspective, whether it leans towards ...[Read More] Understanding Solid Lung Nodules: Monitoring and Follow-Up Care
Understanding Mild Pectus Excavatum: Concerns and Treatment Options
Mild pectus excavatum Hello doctor, I have mild pectus excavatum and have often felt that my athletic ability is not on par with my peers since childhood. A few days ago, I visited the thoracic surgery department at a major hospital. Upon examination, the doctor asked me to raise...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Generally speaking, mild pectus excavatum does not affect lung function unless it has significantly impacted lung function or there are aesthetic concerns that require intervention. Based on your description, you only have a mild case of pectus excavatum, and your pulmonar...[Read More] Understanding Mild Pectus Excavatum: Concerns and Treatment Options
Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns for Patients
Chest pain, bilateral rib pain, and tenderness upon palpation of the bones beneath the breasts? Dear Deputy Director, Since tomorrow is New Year's Eve, my husband won't let me visit the pulmonology department, so I'm reaching out to you for help! I hope you can pr...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, some of your symptoms are more indicative of fibromyalgia, and you have undergone a series of tests that did not reveal any other abnormalities. It is recommended that you quit smoking and maintain a regular lifestyle. Please observe your conditi...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Causes and Concerns for Patients
Should We Take My Father to the ER for Worsening COPD and Lung Cancer?
My father has been getting worse after his recent follow-up visit and hospitalization. Should we go to the emergency room? My father was diagnosed with COPD five years ago, and his lung function has been declining since then. Last year, he was also diagnosed with lung adenocarcin...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Mr. Tsai, regarding your question about whether to go to the emergency room for hospitalization, let me start with the conclusion: it depends on what you expect the emergency hospitalization to accomplish. During the Lunar New Year period, examinations, medications, and oxy...[Read More] Should We Take My Father to the ER for Worsening COPD and Lung Cancer?
Understanding Lung Nodules: A Patient's Journey Through Medical Follow-Up
Health Report Hello Dr. Zhang, I had a chest X-ray report during my company health check in 2016 that noted "suspected nodular lesions in the left lower lung, recommended outpatient follow-up." I followed up at the hospital that year, and after the doctor marked it with...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Mr. Lin, if the low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan in February of the 110th year did not reveal any lesions, then there are none. Chest X-rays have many limitations, and the radiologist may have observed artifacts; even if it appears to be a nipple, it must be reported....[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules: A Patient's Journey Through Medical Follow-Up