Understanding Lung Nodules: Comparing CT Scan Results for Clarity
Inquiry about lung nodules on CT scan? Hello Dr. Zhou: This year during my health check-up, a nodule was found in my left lung. I compared it with previous imaging studies and would like to confirm whether this nodule has been present before. Below are the images from this time (...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Please discuss clinical judgment with a physician in the department of pulmonary medicine or thoracic surgery.[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules: Comparing CT Scan Results for Clarity
Persistent Cough for 5 Weeks: Seeking Answers and Next Steps
Coughing for 5 weeks? Hello, Doctor! I have been coughing for 5 weeks and have visited multiple clinics. Initially, I had a cold with severe throat pain, body weakness, hoarseness, and fever. After these symptoms improved, the cough began and has persisted until now. I first visi...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is recommended that you seek another hospital outside of your current healthcare system for an X-ray and a professional assessment to determine if there are any significant lung diseases. If the X-ray confirms no obvious lung abnormalities and there is no improvement in...[Read More] Persistent Cough for 5 Weeks: Seeking Answers and Next Steps
Preventing High Altitude Pulmonary Edema: Essential Medications and Tips
To prevent the recurrence of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), it is advisable to carry the following medications: 1. Acetazolamide (Diamox) - This medication can help prevent altitude sickness and reduce the risk of HAPE. 2. Dexamethasone - A corticosteroid that may be used...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1-2. Each person's constitution is different; you should be cautious about your own condition and acclimatize to altitudes of 3000 to 3800 meters several times. 3. It is recommended to visit a travel clinic to prepare relevant medications and consult a physician for u...[Read More] Preventing High Altitude Pulmonary Edema: Essential Medications and Tips
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Pleural effusion condition? Hello Dr. Jian, I would like to consult you regarding my father. He was hospitalized two weeks ago due to pleural effusion (unilateral) and had occasional low-grade fevers (around 37.6 degrees Celsius) along with a dry cough (non-productive) the previ...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
There are many causes of pleural effusion, not just lung cancer. It is essential to first review the results of the thoracentesis. If the fluid is exudative, it is related to tumors and inflammation. We must also examine the lymphocyte percentage in the fluid; if lymphocytes are ...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Understanding Chest Pain and Discomfort: When to Seek Medical Help
I am experiencing severe chest tightness, please help me..? In recent days, I have been experiencing intermittent symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, and nausea. Strangely, during these episodes, my trachea seems to itch deeply, prompting a ...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
It is advisable to visit a hospital for consultation. Wishing you good health.[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain and Discomfort: When to Seek Medical Help
Understanding Lung Nodules: Fibrosis, Granulomas, and Follow-Up Care
Pulmonary nodule, pulmonary lobe fibrosis, granuloma? Hello: Last year, I underwent a CT scan, and the report indicated "Chest CT with and without contrast - Bilateral lung area nodule-like and focal densities, as left. Srs: 4. Img: 16. right. Img: 11.17.45.33. etc. lung win...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is generally recommended to consult a pulmonologist for interpretation and advice. If possible, it would be even better to obtain copies of previous chest X-rays from the past two years for comparison.[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules: Fibrosis, Granulomas, and Follow-Up Care
Persistent Cough: When to Seek Medical Attention for Your Symptoms
Coughing for a period of time? Hello, doctor. Around the end of March, I started experiencing an itchy throat and developed a dry cough. Initially, the cough was quite severe, but it improved over time, although I have not fully recovered. Now, in early May, I still feel the urge...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
It is recommended to visit a hospital for examination. Wishing you good health.[Read More] Persistent Cough: When to Seek Medical Attention for Your Symptoms
Understanding Chest Pain: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Chest burning pain symptoms? Hello Doctor, yesterday I suddenly experienced a strong burning sensation in my chest upon waking up, along with intense soreness in both of my upper arms. I felt nauseous, weak, irritable, and broke out in a cold sweat. This lasted for several minute...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Based on your description, it seems more like gastroesophageal reflux, but we cannot completely rule out a cardiac issue. Please first visit the thoracic department for a chest X-ray. I recommend an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with the gastroenterology department. If both te...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Persistent Cough After Cold: Causes and Management Tips
Persistent cough after a cold? Hello, Doctor: I started coughing in early March due to a cold, and it has persisted for two months. I visited a clinic during this time (I have no other physical discomfort, only the cough). After taking medication, there was some improvement, but ...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
A cough lasting more than three weeks after a cold is not uncommon, but it is important to rule out other thoracic diseases. Please visit a pulmonologist for a chest X-ray, and further discussions can be held with the pulmonologist. Thank you.[Read More] Persistent Cough After Cold: Causes and Management Tips
Managing Worsening Symptoms During Tuberculosis Treatment: Key Insights
Worsening during the treatment process of pulmonary tuberculosis (2) Thank you, Director Jian, for your detailed response last time! Since there is no reply function, I have to trouble you again. Thank you, Director Jian. After I mentioned that my condition had worsened, I hurrie...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
1. After contracting tuberculosis, the lungs may be damaged and become more sensitive, leading to increased coughing due to air pollution and colds. 2. It is not necessary to take tuberculosis medication for a lifetime, and a cold will not trigger tuberculosis. 3. If there ar...[Read More] Managing Worsening Symptoms During Tuberculosis Treatment: Key Insights
Understanding the Worsening of Tuberculosis During Treatment: Key Insights
Worsening during the treatment process of pulmonary tuberculosis? Hello Doctor: In early December last year, I suddenly experienced full-body chills and shivering at night. The next day, I had severe chest pain. I had previously experienced night sweats while sleeping. I initiall...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
1. It is important to know whether the sputum culture was positive at the time of diagnosis and if there are results from drug susceptibility testing. 2. The current condition requires another sputum test to check for the presence of bacteria, and a rapid diagnostic test for ant...[Read More] Understanding the Worsening of Tuberculosis During Treatment: Key Insights
Understanding CT Scan Reports for Lung Cysts and Cancer Staging
Computed Tomography Report Hello Doctor, my mother has been monitoring a lung cyst. On July 10, 2017, she underwent a CT scan, which reported the cyst size as 2.6 cm, and she was referred to Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, where it was determined that there were no issues...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. This is a preliminary imaging report. The diagnosis of stage III can only be established if the left upper lung shadow is confirmed to be lung cancer; further examinations are necessary for confirmation before determining if it is indeed lung cancer, which will allow fo...[Read More] Understanding CT Scan Reports for Lung Cysts and Cancer Staging
Is It Normal to Experience Chest Pain After Pneumothorax Recovery?
Pain persists even with deep breathing in cases of pneumothorax? I have experienced recurrent pneumothorax three times over the past six years. The first two times involved drainage tubes and surgery on the left side, but this time it occurred on the right side, requiring another...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. If the follow-up X-ray shows no recurrent pneumothorax, it may just be neuromuscular pain. 2. Additionally, consider discussing with your physician whether a chest CT scan is necessary for further evaluation.[Read More] Is It Normal to Experience Chest Pain After Pneumothorax Recovery?
Preventing Tuberculosis Transmission from Non-Resident Relatives: Key Insights
Prevention of Transmission of Tuberculosis from Non-Cohabiting Relatives Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you a question. My husband's grandmother, who does not live with us, is a tuberculosis (TB) patient. After being treated in the hospital with isolation, one month afte...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. If proper protective measures are taken, the risk of infection is extremely low (such as in a well-ventilated environment, the patient wearing a mask, and others wearing N95 masks, etc.). 2. If the patient does not have active tuberculosis, there is naturally no infecti...[Read More] Preventing Tuberculosis Transmission from Non-Resident Relatives: Key Insights
Understanding Persistent Cough: Is It a Sign of Lung Cancer?
My father has been coughing for a long time? My father is about 45 years old and has a smoking history of 20 years. He quit smoking over a year ago. For the past couple of years, he has been experiencing persistent coughing. According to my mother, his cough has improved since he...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Please visit the pulmonology department for consultation.[Read More] Understanding Persistent Cough: Is It a Sign of Lung Cancer?
Understanding Left Chest Pain: Causes, Concerns, and Next Steps
Left chest pain? Dear Doctor, I have been experiencing persistent left-sided chest pain (which feels like pressure) for the past year. The pain worsens with coughing and tilting my head back. I had a chest X-ray in January 2018, which was normal (I have had three X-rays during th...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. If the chest X-ray and low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) do not show any lesions sufficient to explain the chest pain, you may first consult with an orthopedic or cardiology specialist. 2. The LDCT report from June 2016 indicates infiltration; the follow-up interval s...[Read More] Understanding Left Chest Pain: Causes, Concerns, and Next Steps
Should You Isolate If Suspected of Tuberculosis?
If tuberculosis (TB) is suspected, should isolation be implemented? Dear Doctor: After my father underwent a health check at the nursing home, the facility indicated that he is suspected of having tuberculosis. They are preparing to conduct further sputum tests. I would like to a...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: To protect other residents, individuals suspected of having tuberculosis should be temporarily isolated until tuberculosis is ruled out or until they have been on tuberculosis medication for two weeks, after which the risk of transmission can be considered eliminated befor...[Read More] Should You Isolate If Suspected of Tuberculosis?
Understanding Abnormal Chest X-Ray Results: Next Steps and Specialist Consultations
Abnormal chest X-ray findings? Hello Doctor: During a recent health check-up, an abnormality was found in my chest X-ray: thickening of the left pulmonary hilum bronchial wall. I researched and found that most related keywords refer to bronchial wall dilation, but I do not have a...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: There are no symptoms. It is recommended to return to the thoracic clinic for a follow-up chest X-ray in three months. Please ask the physician to assist with the interpretation![Read More] Understanding Abnormal Chest X-Ray Results: Next Steps and Specialist Consultations
Will Pneumonia Heal on Its Own? A Case Study of Persistent Cough
Pneumonia follow-up issues? While abroad, I experienced a fever and cold and took over-the-counter medications prepared by a clinic. After a week of persistent fever and cough, I returned to Taiwan for medical attention, where my temperature reached 40 degrees Celsius. A rapid te...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
Your pneumonia has basically healed, and only the remaining symptoms need treatment.[Read More] Will Pneumonia Heal on Its Own? A Case Study of Persistent Cough
Understanding Persistent Asthma and Pulmonary Nodules: What You Need to Know
Since October, I have been experiencing frequent asthma attacks, and an X-ray shows the presence of a nodule? Hello Doctor: I have a history of nasal allergies and have experienced intermittent asthma attacks in the past (which can be relieved with a bronchodilator). However, sin...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The X-ray should be fine, but allergic rhinitis (sometimes with sinusitis causing yellow nasal discharge) and asthma still require regular visits to the pulmonology department![Read More] Understanding Persistent Asthma and Pulmonary Nodules: What You Need to Know