Understanding Chronic Cough and Asthma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Chronic cough and asthma that have been troubling for a long time? Hello Doctor: I have been coughing since mid-February of this year, and it has been over two months. My symptoms include an itchy throat and trachea, coughing, and a lot of phlegm (all white and transparent foam)....
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The treatment provided by your physician is appropriate, but there may still be other factors that are not well controlled, such as dietary aspects. Western medicine may not emphasize this as much, while traditional Chinese medicine will consider your constitution and prov...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Cough and Asthma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Understanding Drug Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma Treatment
Drug resistance in lung adenocarcinoma? Hello Doctor: I am diagnosed with stage 3B lung adenocarcinoma and currently undergoing treatment with Osimertinib. What are the reasons for developing drug resistance? Does a higher dosage of the medication increase the likelihood of devel...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. Your prescribing physician will administer medication based on tumor treatment guidelines. Drug resistance arises from mutations in tumor cells and is unrelated to the dosage of standard treatment medications. 2. Cancer patients belong to a population with compromised i...[Read More] Understanding Drug Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma Treatment
Persistent Cough and Fever: Understanding Lung Health Issues
Persistent cough that does not resolve? Hello, my mother is 53 years old and has been coughing for 4.5 months with clear phlegm. Over the past month, she has experienced recurrent fevers and severe shortness of breath when walking. She underwent X-rays, CT scans, and bronchoscopy...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, it is currently difficult to determine the specific issue. I recommend discussing the relevant treatment matters with your mother's attending physician. Thank you.[Read More] Persistent Cough and Fever: Understanding Lung Health Issues
Managing ALK-Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma: Dosage and Symptoms Explained
Issues with medication for lung adenocarcinoma? Hello Doctor: I was recently diagnosed with stage 3B lung adenocarcinoma with an ALK gene mutation. I am currently undergoing treatment with Alectinib. Initially, while waiting for the health insurance approval for the medication, t...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: The initial recommended dosage of Anlisat is indeed 600 mg, taken in the morning and evening. Perhaps your attending physician has other considerations. It is advisable to discuss your treatment situation with your attending physician. Thank you.[Read More] Managing ALK-Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma: Dosage and Symptoms Explained
Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Causes and Solutions for Shortness of Breath
Recently, I often feel unable to take a deep breath and need to exert effort to breathe? Dear Dr. Wang, I have been experiencing a sensation of not getting enough air when I breathe, or feeling like I can't take a deep breath, which leads to wheezing. I often find myself ne...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Lung diseases caused by environmental factors are indeed not uncommon, but the impact of the environment on individuals varies, so it cannot be generalized. Based on your description, your condition may still be due to asthma. I recommend that you visit a pulmonology clini...[Read More] Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Causes and Solutions for Shortness of Breath
Understanding Chronic Wet Cough: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Chronic wet cough Hello Doctor, I have suffered from colds since childhood and have frequently visited clinics for respiratory diseases. For the past five years, after catching a cold, I have experienced a persistent wet cough (clear mucus with slight foaming) that lasts from one...
Dr. Lu Mingzhi Reply:
Hello: The typical symptoms of asthma include prolonged intermittent cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness (especially worsening at night or in the early morning). However, not every asthma patient exhibits these typical symptoms. Although pulmonar...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Wet Cough: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Understanding Right Rib Pain and Chest Tightness: Possible Causes and Concerns
Dull pain below the right rib cage, tightness in the chest, and a history of mild throat irritation? Dear Dr. Wang Lanfu, Since mid-last month, I have been experiencing a dull pain under my right rib cage, along with a mild itch and pain in my throat (coughing without phlegm). R...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, your symptoms do not currently appear to be indicative of pulmonary obstruction or pneumonia. I recommend that you visit a pulmonology clinic for further evaluation. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Right Rib Pain and Chest Tightness: Possible Causes and Concerns
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
Understanding Asthma: Do I Need Bronchodilators for Persistent Cough?
I am unsure whether I have asthma and uncertain if I should continue using the bronchodilator? Hello Doctor, I have had allergic rhinitis since childhood, and I have been coughing for three years. During this time, I have seen several pulmonologists due to reasons such as attendi...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: When asthma is not exacerbated, lung function can be normal. Typically, regular daily use of inhaled long-acting bronchodilators combined with corticosteroids should improve symptoms. In cases of allergic bronchitis, the use of bronchodilators should also lead to improveme...[Read More] Understanding Asthma: Do I Need Bronchodilators for Persistent Cough?
Left Rib Pain: Causes and When to Seek Medical Attention
Pain in the lower left rib cage? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing soreness in the lower left side of my rib cage for the past couple of days, especially when I cough or turn over while lying down. A few weeks ago, I had a throat bacterial infection caused by post-nasal drip...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, your symptoms are more indicative of pain caused by a muscle strain, which may be related to the excessive coughing from your previous upper respiratory infection that led to the muscle strain. It is advisable to monitor the situation, and if the...[Read More] Left Rib Pain: Causes and When to Seek Medical Attention
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 Low Oxygen Levels: Causes and Management in Respiratory Health
Hypoxemia Hello doctor, around October last year, I started coughing up yellow sputum in the mornings. I went to the hospital, and the sputum test indicated a Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infection. I took Cravit for several weeks, but there was no improvement. In December, a low-d...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear EVAN: 1. Continuous KP infection is quite unusual, as clinically there should be symptoms such as fever, productive cough, and abnormal white blood cell counts. Please confirm with the hospital whether bronchiectasis has been diagnosed, and if so, consider using postural dr...[Read More] Understanding Low Oxygen Levels: Causes and Management in Respiratory Health
Can Choking on Saliva During Sleep Lead to Aspiration Pneumonia?
Can choking on saliva while sleeping lead to aspiration pneumonia? Last night, I had dinner a bit late, but I waited over two hours before lying down to sleep. At that time, I still felt full. I'm not sure if lying down caused stomach acid to rise and irritate me, or if I ch...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Mr. Lin, your symptoms indicate gastroesophageal reflux, and a mild cough with choking is quite normal; it does not suggest aspiration pneumonia, so there is no need to worry too much. If you experience worsening symptoms such as fever, increased sputum production, or short...[Read More] Can Choking on Saliva During Sleep Lead to Aspiration Pneumonia?
Understanding COPD Symptoms and Management: A Guide for Patients
Questions about pulmonary obstruction? My father is 68 years old and recently experienced severe coughing and shortness of breath in the middle of the night due to a cold front. He had phlegm and was taken to the emergency room, where they only performed an X-ray and did not cond...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, your father has a long history of smoking and exhibits symptoms related to pulmonary obstruction. After being evaluated by a qualified pulmonologist, there should be no issues with the diagnosis. Currently, for pulmonary obstruction, it is genera...[Read More] Understanding COPD Symptoms and Management: A Guide for Patients
Assessing TB Infection Risk After Brief Exposure with N95 Mask
Questions about tuberculosis? Hello Doctor, I previously interned at a hospital, and during my internship, I observed a bronchoscopy through a glass window. Later, it was discovered that the patient had tuberculosis, and I had brief contact with him for about 5 minutes. During th...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Based on your clear description of the contact process, there is no risk of infection at all, so please rest assured.[Read More] Assessing TB Infection Risk After Brief Exposure with N95 Mask
Understanding Weaning from Ventilation: A Guide for Families
Spontaneous breathing Hello, my father was sent to Chung Shan Hospital for emergency treatment after collapsing at home. After a period of treatment in the intensive care unit, his heart rate and blood pressure stabilized, but he remains in a coma with weak spontaneous breathing ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The condition of your father and the ability to remove the tube (typically, for patients who are unconscious and unable to effectively cough up secretions, it is not recommended to remove the tube, as they are more likely to experience hypoxia due to ineffective clearance ...[Read More] Understanding Weaning from Ventilation: A Guide for Families
Persistent Hiccups Leading to Breathing Difficulties: What You Should Know
Persistent hiccups leading to difficulty breathing? Hello Doctor, Since I was young, I have occasionally experienced difficulty breathing. I have read many articles suggesting that it could be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or bronchitis, but I do not have persis...
Dr. Wang Zhengde Reply:
Hello Xiaoya: Given your age, the long-term symptoms of bronchial itching and coughing may actually be manifestations of asthma. Additionally, the symptom of burping is somewhat difficult to assess in terms of its exact nature (burp or hiccup?), and it could potentially be a sign...[Read More] Persistent Hiccups Leading to Breathing Difficulties: What You Should Know
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?
Persistent Cough and Shortness of Breath: What You Need to Know
Coughing / Slightly wheezing I would like to ask the doctor about my cough, which has lasted for almost a week. Every time I cough, it is very severe, and I feel like there is something stuck in my throat when I swallow saliva. Since yesterday, I have also been experiencing some ...
Dr. Lu Mingzhi Reply:
Hello: Do you have a history of asthma? Have you experienced any fever or runny nose? It is also advisable to consider undergoing COVID-19 testing. We recommend that you visit our outpatient clinic for a detailed evaluation and examination by a physician.[Read More] Persistent Cough and Shortness of Breath: What You Need to Know
Is Choking on Food Causing My Father's Fever and Pneumonia?
Could this be pneumonia caused by aspiration of food? Thank you? Hello, recently my dad choked while eating. I immediately helped him by patting his back, and he coughed as well. He mentioned that the feeling of having something stuck is lessened. However, that afternoon after he...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: The bronchi in the human body instinctively produce a cough response to external stimuli in order to expel foreign objects. Based on your description, your father accidentally choked, and although patting his back has improved the situation, the subsequent symptoms of chil...[Read More] Is Choking on Food Causing My Father's Fever and Pneumonia?