Understanding Chest Discomfort and Palpitations: When to Seek Help
Chest tightness, noticeable palpitations, and slight shortness of breath? Hello Doctor, I have been feeling a sense of chest tightness this past week, with a little shortness of breath, but not too severe. However, I can clearly feel my heartbeat. I went to the hospital the day b...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The chest X-ray has ruled out lung issues, and heart problems have also been initially excluded. In addition to adjusting your lifestyle (avoiding excessive fatigue, ensuring adequate sleep, and reducing the intake of cold beverages), you may also consider consulting a tra...[Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort and Palpitations: When to Seek Help
Understanding the Impact of Inhalers on Chest Discomfort: A Patient's Inquiry
Please ask some questions about bronchodilators? Hello Dr. Yang, A family member started using a bronchodilator inhaler about two to three years ago due to coughing (approximately 1-2 times daily, often lasting for several minutes). After stabilizing the symptoms, the dosage wa...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: You are using a bronchodilator, and there has been improvement, which is more indicative of asthma symptoms. The normal dosage is to inhale two puffs in the morning and evening. During the summer, if symptoms improve, some may reduce it to one puff in the morning and eveni...[Read More] Understanding the Impact of Inhalers on Chest Discomfort: A Patient's Inquiry
Understanding Left Chest Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention
Left chest pain? Hello doctor, sometimes I experience pain in my left chest. At times, it hurts when I exert myself, other times it hurts when I change positions, and sometimes it suddenly hurts while sitting. When the pain occurs, I hesitate to take deep breaths. During the pain...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is recommended that you first see a pulmonologist for a chest X-ray, where a physician can assist you with the diagnosis![Read More] Understanding Left Chest Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention
How Long for Strong Antibiotics to Work on Lung Infections?
The effectiveness of the strongest antibiotics for treating severe pneumonia caused by abdominal bacterial infections can vary depending on several factors, including the specific bacteria involved, the patient's overall health, and the presence of any underlying conditions....
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Lin: Postoperative lung adenocarcinoma complicated by pulmonary infection and pleural effusion is indeed challenging to manage. Generally, we assess the effectiveness of medications, taking into account not only the types of drugs selected but also the patient's immune ...[Read More] How Long for Strong Antibiotics to Work on Lung Infections?
Understanding Pneumothorax: Exercise Risks and Recurrence Rates
Exercise Related to Pneumothorax I am currently a freshman, and I experienced a spontaneous pneumothorax about a year ago. At that time, I underwent chest tube drainage to remove the air but did not have any other procedures. I would like to know what the future recurrence rate m...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothorax ranges from 7.6% to 52%, with a higher incidence occurring between 6 months to 2 years after the first episode. Most pneumothorax cases occur at rest and are not directly related to physical activity. Smoking and climate chan...[Read More] Understanding Pneumothorax: Exercise Risks and Recurrence Rates
Understanding Intercostal Pain: Causes and Solutions for Chest Discomfort
Pain between the breasts? Hello, doctor. I have been experiencing a subtle, sharp pain at the lower edge of the groove between my breasts in the morning. Recently, it has become more pronounced, and I also feel a sensation similar to being stabbed with a knife. This occurs about ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: If you have discomfort in the upper abdomen or occasionally experience acid reflux, it may be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and you should see a gastroenterologist. If you do not have these symptoms, it could be neuropathic pain, and you may want to consult a pul...[Read More] Understanding Intercostal Pain: Causes and Solutions for Chest Discomfort
Understanding Left Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors
Left chest pain? 1. I have been experiencing pain in my left chest along with numbness in my pinky finger and the area behind my elbow since last night. Are there any methods to alleviate this? 2. How can one differentiate between a myocardial infarction and muscle pain? 3. A...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Wuyuan: Thank you for your inquiry. 1. Clinical symptoms should be evaluated at a hospital by a physician for differential diagnosis. 2. Myocardial infarction and muscle pain can be somewhat differentiated based on clinical symptoms. Muscle pain is usually more localized ...[Read More] Understanding Left Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors
Understanding Right Upper Lung Cavities: Symptoms and Concerns
Right upper lung cavity? I have been experiencing shoulder pain, along with pain in my left lower back, and occasional calf cramps. I recently had a chest X-ray that revealed a cavity in my right upper lung. I was treated for a lung infection over a decade ago. During this recent...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Dear Zhang, "Shoulder pain, along with pain in the left lower back, and occasional calf cramps" can be challenging to address; it may be related to some form of myositis. "A chest X-ray revealed a cavitary lesion in the right upper lung, and I had treatment for a ...[Read More] Understanding Right Upper Lung Cavities: Symptoms and Concerns
Understanding Chest Discomfort: Causes and Concerns for Students
Chest issues As I am still a student, I often take naps by resting my head on the desk. However, I have noticed that sometimes when I am lying down, I experience a cramping sensation near my right chest. I am slightly overweight; could this be related, or could there be another i...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: For example, caused by poor posture.[Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort: Causes and Concerns for Students
Persistent Phlegm After Cold: When to See a Pulmonologist?
Persistent phlegm after a cold? Hello Doctor, I have never had a cough or phlegm, but after a severe cold in mid-July (with yellow nasal discharge, fever, and cough), I have been feeling like there is phlegm in my throat every day, which is difficult to expel. When I do manage to...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is recommended to primarily focus on symptomatic treatment for now, and to recheck the chest X-ray or consider additional out-of-pocket cancer marker tests in 3 to 6 months.[Read More] Persistent Phlegm After Cold: When to See a Pulmonologist?
Intermittent Chest Pain Near the Center: Is It a Lung Issue?
Intermittent sharp pain near the center of the left chest? I started experiencing these symptoms a few days ago, with varying intervals. The last episode of sharp pain was last night at 8 PM, and today it occurred around 2 PM. Each episode lasts about 1-3 seconds, with intervals ...
Dr. Tao Ruiming Reply:
Hello: The symptoms are non-specific, mostly consisting of myofascial pain or pain in the sternoclavicular joint. A physician can perform an examination and conduct a chest X-ray for initial clarification.[Read More] Intermittent Chest Pain Near the Center: Is It a Lung Issue?
Understanding Lung Nodules: Monitoring Guidelines and Cancer Risks
The CT scan of the lungs shows an abnormality identified as a granuloma, which is mostly benign. However, early-stage lung cancer cannot be ruled out. It may also be due to a bacterial infection or a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. If previous X-rays or CT scans of the same lo...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is recommended to follow up with X-rays every three months! A CT scan should be done after one year! Additionally, there is no general screening data on nodule prevalence! Since you have detected a nodule, regular monitoring is necessary![Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules: Monitoring Guidelines and Cancer Risks
Can You Use Expired Asthma Medication? Understanding Your Options
Can expired asthma medication still be used? I had severe asthma as a child, but I haven't had a relapse since I was about 15 years old. In April 2019, I was hospitalized due to pulmonary edema, and at that time, pneumonia triggered my asthma. My attending physician prescrib...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Tiffany, you have a history of asthma and had a recurrence in April 2019. You have been prescribed "Salmeterol" and it should have reached the usage standard. It is recommended that you return to the pulmonology department for further evaluation (e.g., pulmonary f...[Read More] Can You Use Expired Asthma Medication? Understanding Your Options
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
Understanding Cough and Phlegm: When to See a Pulmonologist
Please ask your question? Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing a lot of nasal discharge, some phlegm, and a slight sore throat, with minimal coughing except for occasional attempts to clear my throat. I visited a general clinic and was prescribed medication; the doctor mentione...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Common symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include a cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, fatigue, and weight loss, especially if there has been contact with a family member who has tuberculosis. It is recommended to have a chest X-ray if the cough persists for more th...[Read More] Understanding Cough and Phlegm: When to See a Pulmonologist
Managing Anxiety Before Lung Nodule Surgery: What You Need to Know
A 1 cm nodule has been discovered and is scheduled for removal, but I still feel anxious inside? Hello Doctor, I had a CT scan this month which revealed a 1 cm nodule in my right upper lung. It is solid and has spiculated margins, but it is not ground-glass. A few days ago, my do...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Your symptoms are less likely related to metastasis (the pain is not localized). You can choose to have it removed early for examination or wait for three months for follow-up.[Read More] Managing Anxiety Before Lung Nodule Surgery: What You Need to Know
Understanding Symptoms: Breathlessness, Chest Tightness, and Anxiety
Respiratory distress, chest tightness, sensation of a lump in the throat, and neck tightness? Hello Doctor, I would like to ask about my current symptoms, which include respiratory distress, chest tightness, a sensation of something stuck in my throat, neck tightness, difficult...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is recommended that you take cardiology medications along with expectorants, and if necessary, you may ask your physician to prescribe anti-anxiety medication. If you continue to experience chest tightness and discomfort, consider consulting a psychosomatic specialist.[Read More] Understanding Symptoms: Breathlessness, Chest Tightness, and Anxiety
Post-Pneumothorax Surgery: Understanding Chest Discomfort in Teens
A few days after the pneumothorax surgery, there is some discomfort and pain? Hello Doctor: My brother underwent surgery for a pneumothorax a few days ago, but recently he has started to experience mild chest discomfort without engaging in any strenuous activities. The other lung...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Whether there is a recurrence can only be determined by X-ray imaging results. If symptoms worsen, it is recommended to return to the thoracic surgery outpatient clinic for a follow-up examination![Read More] Post-Pneumothorax Surgery: Understanding Chest Discomfort in Teens
Understanding Curvilinear Fibrotic Opacities in Lung X-rays: What You Need to Know
X-ray report inquiry? Hello Dr. Yang: Recently, the X-ray report from my company's health check mentioned "suspected linear calcification in the right lung measuring 7x0.2 cm." Two years ago, I underwent a minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery to remove a ground...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The report indicates that it appears to be arc-shaped fibers, and there should be no other acute issues![Read More] Understanding Curvilinear Fibrotic Opacities in Lung X-rays: What You Need to Know
Understanding Lung Abnormalities: Is It Really Tuberculosis?
Abnormalities in the lungs? Hello Doctor: Last month, I had a physical examination, and the chest X-ray showed an abnormality with a small dark shadow in the lungs. The doctor suspected it might be tuberculosis, so I underwent a CT scan and sputum tests. However, all three sputum...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Based on the findings, the chest X-ray and chest CT scan show imaging characteristics consistent with tuberculosis. A negative sputum smear indicates that there is currently no evidence of infectiousness, but it does not completely rule out the possibility of tuberculosis....[Read More] Understanding Lung Abnormalities: Is It Really Tuberculosis?