Post-Surgery Pneumothorax: Can I Play Saxophone Again?
Post-pneumothorax surgery Hello, I am a second-year music student. Three months ago, I had a spontaneous pneumothorax (on the left side) and underwent surgery. I would like to ask if I will be able to play the saxophone in the future, as it requires significant effort to exhale a...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: It is recommended to discuss with the surgeon who suggested the operation. Additionally, you may ask the physician if there are any other pulmonary abnormalities, such as apical blebs, especially if a chest CT scan has been performed.[Read More] Post-Surgery Pneumothorax: Can I Play Saxophone Again?
Understanding Shortness of Breath: Causes and Solutions
Shortness of breath Hello doctor, a few weeks ago my breathing was loud, and after a few days it started to become increasingly difficult. I need to take deep breaths to feel comfortable, otherwise my chest feels tight. It's hard to sleep at night because my breathing someti...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: If you have a history of acute respiratory failure and are currently experiencing shortness of breath (including tightness, wheezing, or difficulty in taking a deep breath), it is advisable to visit a pulmonologist for examination or evaluation for your safety. Best wishes...[Read More] Understanding Shortness of Breath: Causes and Solutions
Is It Normal to Still Cough After Pneumonia Treatment?
Is it normal to still have a persistent cough even though pneumonia is improving? About a month ago, a chest X-ray revealed an unclear white shadow in the right upper lobe, but no treatment was initiated. A week ago, a follow-up chest X-ray was performed, and the shadow had signi...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: Further follow-up is necessary. If the cough persists, there may be other underlying causes. Please consult your pulmonologist to determine if sputum analysis or other tests are needed. Thank you. Sincerely, Jian Shun Tian.[Read More] Is It Normal to Still Cough After Pneumonia Treatment?
Persistent Coughing for Months: Causes and Solutions Explained
I have been coughing for the past month or two! I have been coughing continuously! However, I don't feel like I have a cold or any other discomfort... I have visited more than four clinics, and neither injections nor medications have been effective. Symptoms: I keep coughing...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Please visit the pulmonology department for evaluation by a physician.[Read More] Persistent Coughing for Months: Causes and Solutions Explained
Understanding Lung Adenocarcinoma: Insights on Diagnosis and Prognosis
The lung biopsy results indicate lung adenocarcinoma. I would like to understand more details? GROSS FINDING: The entire specimen is embedded in 2 blocks. Immunostaining for TTF-1 is performed on block A (HBH). MICROSCOPIC FINDING: Sections show desmoplastic stroma with infiltr...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Prognosis is related to the extent of tumor spread and specific biochemical/immunological markers. It is advisable to discuss this in detail with your attending physician to determine the subsequent management plan.[Read More] Understanding Lung Adenocarcinoma: Insights on Diagnosis and Prognosis
Understanding Chest Pain and Persistent Cough After a Cold
Pain with deep breathing? Hello Doctor: Last month, after having a cold, I have been experiencing a persistent itchy throat and dry cough for the past month. I have taken both Western and Chinese medicine, which have slightly alleviated the cough, but I still have a dry cough. Wh...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: The presence of significant pain points makes the likelihood of lung issues lower. Low-dose computed tomography is used for screening early lung tumors; however, at 26 years old, and without a family history, it is currently not recommended. Nevertheless, if the persistent...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain and Persistent Cough After a Cold
Understanding Your Chest X-Ray Report: What Do Lung Markings Mean?
Interpretation issues of chest X-ray reports? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have been experiencing difficulty breathing, so I went to a large hospital for a chest X-ray. The radiology report states: "Chest 1 view PA Radiography of chest shows increasing lung markings in bilatera...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
The chest X-ray (1 view PA) shows increased lung markings in the bilateral lower lung fields. Otherwise, no significant abnormalities were identified. This indicates that the chest X-ray reveals an increase in lung markings in the lower lung fields on both sides. This is not nece...[Read More] Understanding Your Chest X-Ray Report: What Do Lung Markings Mean?
Post-Pneumonia Complications: Navigating Medical Consultations and Care
Regarding some sequelae after having pneumonia, please ask? Hello Doctor, my mother was hospitalized for a week last August due to pneumonia caused by a delayed visit to the doctor after catching a cold. After recovering, she lost nearly 10 kg and has been experiencing recurrent ...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Lisa: From the clinical symptoms observed in your mother, it appears somewhat similar to tuberculosis; however, myocarditis cannot be ruled out. The examinations should not be very difficult and can include blood tests, sputum analysis, and high-resolution computed tomograph...[Read More] Post-Pneumonia Complications: Navigating Medical Consultations and Care
Could Swelling and Hoarseness Indicate Mediastinitis or Tumors?
Edema and hoarseness—could these symptoms be indicative of mediastinitis? Hello Dr. Yang, I have recently been experiencing some health issues and would like to ask if these symptoms are related to mediastinitis or a mediastinal tumor. Over the past month, I have noticed severe ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Mediastinitis is usually associated with severe chest pain and is extremely rare in clinical practice. It is recommended that you see a thoracic specialist for relevant examinations arranged by a physician![Read More] Could Swelling and Hoarseness Indicate Mediastinitis or Tumors?
Understanding Chest X-Ray Results: Is It Pneumonia?
Chest X-ray issues? Hello, Doctor. Could you please take a look at my mother's X-ray? http://ppt.cc/THUim I would like to ask if this is pneumonia. She is currently hospitalized and receiving penicillin through an IV, along with saline solution, but she has been in the hospi...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: It is not possible to diagnose a disease solely based on X-rays; it is more appropriate to wait for treatment and then have a follow-up X-ray for the attending physician to explain.[Read More] Understanding Chest X-Ray Results: Is It Pneumonia?
Understanding the Risks of Tuberculosis Treatment in Elderly Patients
Regarding tuberculosis, thank you Dr. Yang for your response? Thank you, Dr. Yang, for taking the time to respond amidst your busy schedule. My grandfather, who was originally in the isolation ward, was transferred to a general ward last Wednesday, the 19th, after starting medica...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Thank you for your reply! There are indeed many cases of pulmonary tuberculosis associated with hemoptysis, and the additional anti-tuberculosis medications are not related to the bleeding (no specific anti-tuberculosis medication has been mentioned to carry a risk of blee...[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Tuberculosis Treatment in Elderly Patients
Understanding Tuberculosis Culture Results: Misdiagnosis and Treatment Options
Regarding the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis? Hello Doctor, my grandfather is 89 years old. In August of this year, he was taken to the emergency room due to health issues and later transferred to the intensive care unit. After being discharged, he gradually regained his h...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis does not necessarily require two or three sets of sputum culture and mycobacterial identification results; abnormal infiltrates may also be observed on X-ray. This aspect can be discussed with the attending physician. As for individu...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Culture Results: Misdiagnosis and Treatment Options
Should My Child Get Tested After Contact with a TB Patient?
Do I need to undergo an examination? Hello Doctor, my 11-year-old daughter has visited a tuberculosis patient and hugged them to say goodbye twice. She had no other contact with the patient. Should she go to a medical facility for examination? Thank you for your time in answering...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Contact with an open (infectious) case for a continuous duration of 8 hours or a cumulative time exceeding 40 hours is required to be considered at higher risk of transmission (meeting the definition of a tuberculosis contact). I believe your daughter’s contact time with t...[Read More] Should My Child Get Tested After Contact with a TB Patient?
Understanding Chest Pain After a Car Accident: What to Know
Please help with my mom's question? Hello Doctor: My mother was in a car accident previously. On the day of the accident, she felt fine, but after some time, she started experiencing pain in her chest area. The pain has been ongoing for a while now and is getting worse, almo...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Chest pain after a car accident may be due to contusions or muscle strains in the thoracic region. It is recommended to obtain an X-ray to confirm whether there are any rib fractures or hemothorax. If no significant abnormalities are found, it is more likely to be a muscle...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain After a Car Accident: What to Know
Understanding Intermittent Chest Pain: Causes and Insights
Pain between the breasts? Doctor, I woke up in August 2015 with pain in my chest. For the next half day, I experienced persistent dull pain. In the following days, any exertion in my upper chest would intensify the pain, but it was usually brief, lasting no more than 15 seconds, ...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Please visit the pulmonology department to discuss further with the physician.[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Chest Pain: Causes and Insights
Understanding Lung Function Tests and Restrictive Ventilation Disorders
Regarding pulmonary function tests and restrictive ventilatory impairment? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you some questions. I previously underwent pulmonary function tests at the Veterans General Hospital, which revealed a restrictive lung function impairment, but the cause...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
If you are overweight or have insufficient inhalation, you may be diagnosed with restrictive ventilatory impairment. For detailed information, you should discuss your pulmonary function indicators with your pulmonologist.[Read More] Understanding Lung Function Tests and Restrictive Ventilation Disorders
Can I Ride a Motorcycle to Wuling After Spontaneous Pneumothorax Surgery?
Mountain sickness issue Hello doctor, I would like to ask if it's safe for me to ride a motorcycle to Wuling and make a short stop before coming back down, considering that I had surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax around April and May of last year and my condition has been...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello, if you have a spontaneous pneumothorax without any other comorbidities or complications, and your postoperative follow-up shows no significant abnormalities, you may resume normal activities. However, if you experience symptoms similar to those of the previous pneumothorax...[Read More] Can I Ride a Motorcycle to Wuling After Spontaneous Pneumothorax Surgery?
Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Infection Risks and Transmission
The incubation period of pulmonary tuberculosis? If I was in the same space as a tuberculosis patient in July, but I was only notified in September that they had developed tuberculosis in July, is it possible that I was infected during that time? If I was infected, would I contin...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: If you have been in contact with a tuberculosis (TB) patient, there is a risk of infection if the exposure time meets the following criteria: (1) continuous contact for 8 hours or cumulative contact totaling 40 hours, with an approximate infection risk of 30%. Currently, t...[Read More] Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Infection Risks and Transmission
Unexpected Hemoptysis During Tuberculosis Treatment: What to Know
During the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, there is a sudden onset of hemoptysis? Hello Doctor: My mother is currently being treated for tuberculosis and has been undergoing treatment for over four months. Previously, her X-ray showed cavities, and she has also had a CT scan...
Dr. Wu Yingxun Reply:
Hemoptysis indicates a worsening of pulmonary tuberculosis. Given the presence of cirrhosis and splenomegaly, it may be necessary to check for a decrease in platelet count. A follow-up visit to the hospital for physician evaluation is recommended to assess whether there is a fung...[Read More] Unexpected Hemoptysis During Tuberculosis Treatment: What to Know
Understanding Blood-Streaked Sputum: Dental or Pulmonary Concerns?
Sputum with blood streaks? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have noticed that my phlegm sometimes contains streaks or spots of blood. When I touch a specific gap between my teeth with a tissue, it also bleeds, but I can't see any blood in the gap when I look in the mirror. I have h...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Huang: Based on your description, it seems more like bronchitis. However, if the symptoms are originating from other areas, please have a dental or ENT examination. Currently, a CT scan is not necessary. Changhua Hospital is concerned about you.[Read More] Understanding Blood-Streaked Sputum: Dental or Pulmonary Concerns?