Can People with G6PD Deficiency Smoke? Understanding the Risks
Smoking Can you tell me if my friend has G6PD deficiency and he smokes? Is it safe for someone with this condition to smoke?
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Smoking has numerous adverse effects on human health, posing threats to both individuals with G6PD deficiency and those without it (although some reports suggest that the impact may be less severe for individuals with G6PD deficiency). However, smoking can lead to a decl...[Read More] Can People with G6PD Deficiency Smoke? Understanding the Risks
Can Pneumonia Lead to Sudden Death Without Warning Signs?
Can pneumonia cause death without any warning signs? Symptoms: The child is over five months old, has a cough, runny nose, and phlegm, is active, not crying or fussy, and has no fever. Duration: Death. Assessment: 1. External observation revealed changes in the nail beds of the f...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Fendi: Due to incomplete information, I can only respond as follows: Pneumonia may not necessarily cause a fever, but it usually presents with symptoms.[Read More] Can Pneumonia Lead to Sudden Death Without Warning Signs?
Understanding Left Upper Lung Fibrosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Left upper lung fibrosis? My mother is 45 years old and recently went to the hospital for a health check-up. The results indicated that she has fibrosis in the upper left lung. What does this mean, and does she need treatment?
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Mr. Lai. Fibrosis is a remnant of tissue healing and repair after inflammation. Therefore, left upper lung fibrosis indicates that there was a previous inflammation in the left upper lung (such as pneumonia, which may have been mistaken for a prolonged cold without an X-ray...[Read More] Understanding Left Upper Lung Fibrosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Understanding Lung Fibrosis: What It Means for Your Health
excuse me? My mother is 45 years old and recently had a health check-up at the hospital. The results indicated that she has fibrosis in the upper left lung. What does this mean, and does she need treatment?
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello, Xiao Lai: I recommend that you take her to the outpatient clinic for further evaluation to determine whether treatment is necessary.[Read More] Understanding Lung Fibrosis: What It Means for Your Health
Understanding Coughing with Blood: When to Seek Chest Specialist Care
Coughing with blood-streaked mucus during a cold is concerning..? On February 10, I started coughing with a scratchy throat and noticed blood in my nasal mucus (I have a history of nasal allergies; could this be due to nasal mucosal injury?). On February 13 and 14, I woke up with...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Mr. Chiu Wen-bin: First of all, I'm not quite sure what your question is. It is correct to seek medical attention when experiencing symptoms. Since you have already undergone tests, it would be best to wait for the results.[Read More] Understanding Coughing with Blood: When to Seek Chest Specialist Care
Persistent Coughing: Understanding Causes and Seeking Effective Treatment
Coughing persistently? Hello Dr. Qu: My mother (58 years old) has been coughing persistently lately. She has phlegm, which is white, but it seems to lean more towards a dry cough. She has seen many doctors and had X-rays done to confirm that her lungs are fine, and it doesn'...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Ms. Tsai: If there is a suspicion of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), then an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is necessary for further evaluation. Thank you.[Read More] Persistent Coughing: Understanding Causes and Seeking Effective Treatment
Understanding Nighttime Cough: Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help
Nighttime cough Hello, Dr. Qu. I would like to ask about my mother, who is currently around 51 years old. For nearly the past two years, she has frequently caught colds starting in the fall and continuing until around March or April of the following year. This is often accompanie...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Frank: If you have a persistent cough that does not improve, you should consult a pulmonology clinic. Whether additional X-rays or other tests are needed will depend on clinical evaluation, which cannot be determined here. It is best to visit the clinic for further assessme...[Read More] Understanding Nighttime Cough: Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help
Understanding the Causes of Wheezing Sounds During Inhalation
There is a wheezing sound during inhalation? Hello Doctor! I have secondary hypertension, which is currently being managed, with blood pressure readings around 110-120/65-75. I am taking NORVASC 5 mg half a tablet daily, CONCOR 5 mg half a tablet daily, and SPIROTONE 25 mg half a...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. There are many causes of cough, including pulmonary issues, cardiac conditions, nasal allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 2. Using Peichia/Motilium may alleviate symptoms; GERD could be a possible cause, and an upper endoscopy can be performed for fur...[Read More] Understanding the Causes of Wheezing Sounds During Inhalation
Understanding Tracheostomy: Key Considerations for Comatose Patients
My classmate has been in a coma for a month, and the doctor has recommended a tracheostomy? Hello Doctor: My classmate was in a car accident over a month ago and is still in a coma, although their Glasgow Coma Scale score has improved from 3 to around 9. At that time, due to intr...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Mark: From a physician's perspective, the views are not too polarized. For patients with excessive sputum and altered consciousness, recommending tracheostomy is reasonable. The benefits of tracheostomy include facilitating weaning from mechanical ventilation and impro...[Read More] Understanding Tracheostomy: Key Considerations for Comatose Patients
Understanding Chest Discomfort: Causes and Solutions for Better Sleep
Regarding chest tightness? Hello Doctor, I have been troubled by a problem for a long time. I would like to ask, when lying on my back, I often feel chest tightness and discomfort. I have to sleep on my side or elevate my pillow very high or lean against something to feel more co...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Kaito: Experiencing chest tightness while lying down may be due to heart disease, lung disorders, or sleep apnea, among other causes. A comprehensive examination is necessary. Thank you![Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort: Causes and Solutions for Better Sleep
Should Diabetic Patients with Pulmonary Edema Undergo Thoracentesis?
Should patients with diabetes and pulmonary edema undergo puncture? Dear Dr. Zhou, My father, who is 57 years old, has a long history of diabetes and hypertension. He is also blind in one eye and has hearing impairment. On July 23, he was admitted to the hospital due to difficul...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: (A) If kidney function is poor, the drainage through urine is less effective. (B) Generally, the puncture needle is not large, and there is rarely a wound left after removal. (C) There may be some discomfort during the puncture (similar to blood draws or injections). (D) T...[Read More] Should Diabetic Patients with Pulmonary Edema Undergo Thoracentesis?
Sudden Allergies: Why Did They Appear Out of Nowhere?
Why do I have allergies now when I didn't have them before? I have never had allergies before, but suddenly in mid-May, I started experiencing severe nasal congestion. I thought it was just a mild allergy, so I ignored it. Now, two months have passed, and it is still just as...
Dr. Wu Wenqiu Reply:
Hello Ting, allergies are immune system disorders that mostly occur due to an allergic constitution. When exposed to allergens, it triggers a reaction in individuals with this predisposition. Upon subsequent exposure to the same allergens, symptoms arise. Therefore, after a physi...[Read More] Sudden Allergies: Why Did They Appear Out of Nowhere?
Understanding Chest Pain: Exploring Causes Beyond Muscle Tension
Chest tightness or pain? Hello Dr. Qu: About three to four years ago, I experienced intermittent chest tightness or pain, accompanied by discomfort in my throat and a sensation of phlegm. I consulted with family medicine and pulmonology specialists, and after X-rays, no issues we...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Ah-Hong: The diagnosis of a disease relies on a comprehensive assessment of medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and other factors. I would like to know if you smoke and whether you have undergone an electrocardiogram (ECG) or pulmonary function tests. T...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Exploring Causes Beyond Muscle Tension
Help! Unraveling the Mystery of Persistent Chest Pain Symptoms
Help me! Strange illness? These symptoms of chest pain, chest tightness, tinnitus, dizziness, and gradually decreasing physical strength have persisted for several months. Could the hand sweating surgery I had several years ago be the cause? Additionally, I had acute gastroenteri...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Penny: If your chest X-ray is normal, it essentially rules out lung and heart diseases. However, I understand that chest pain is still troubling you. Based on my assessment, it is more likely that your chest pain is neuropathic in nature. Stress, disorganization, insufficie...[Read More] Help! Unraveling the Mystery of Persistent Chest Pain Symptoms
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Pleural effusion Hello, Dr. Qu! My mother experienced pain near the side of her back on April 14th. She visited a doctor who took an X-ray and said there were no significant issues, only inflammation of the muscles, and prescribed medication. After taking the medication for a few...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello, Dolphin: Based on the statement, it is not possible to determine the cause of pleural effusion. However, I will try to provide you with some directions. There are many potential causes of pleural effusion, including heart failure, kidney failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, an...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Understanding Asthma: Steroid Inhalers, Side Effects, and Diagnosis Concerns
excuse me? I would like to ask if the inhaler prescribed by the doctor contains steroids. Could it cause side effects? I'm afraid that taking it might harm me, so I haven't used it. I want to know if my condition is really asthma. This situation has occurred in the last...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Dear Mr. Hong, As you mentioned in your other letter, you have not yet visited my clinic. You may have mistaken the physician's name. Based on your questions, there are a few key points to address: 1. Asthma can be classified into intrinsic and extrinsic types, and it is ...[Read More] Understanding Asthma: Steroid Inhalers, Side Effects, and Diagnosis Concerns
Understanding Lung Cavities: Causes, Severity, and Diagnosis Explained
Pulmonary perforation Hello: My father has been suffering from a persistent cough and has seen a pulmonologist. After an X-ray, the doctor mentioned that there is a lung cavity and that he needs to be hospitalized for treatment. What could cause a lung cavity? Is having a lung ca...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Danny: First of all, I would like to answer your question. Almost no disease can be definitively diagnosed through X-rays alone. The primary role of X-rays in clinical practice is to indicate potential diseases. Further examinations are then arranged for confirmation. Tuber...[Read More] Understanding Lung Cavities: Causes, Severity, and Diagnosis Explained
Understanding Breathing Sounds and Pain in Pectus Excavatum Patients
Respiration Recently, I have noticed that when I open my mouth, do not breathe, and turn my upper body, I hear breathing sounds. I have pectus excavatum; could this be related to it? My breathing is usually quite smooth, but I often experience a sharp pain in the area of the pect...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. If there are no respiratory movements, it does not sound like breath sounds; if there are other sounds, they may be from the chest wall. 2. If the breath sounds (i.e., during respiration) are more pronounced, it could also be due to the abnormal thoracic configuration a...[Read More] Understanding Breathing Sounds and Pain in Pectus Excavatum Patients
Understanding Tracheostomy Care and Nutrition for Comatose Patients
excuse me? The 23-year-old female patient has been in a coma for five months following a car accident. She is currently receiving nasogastric feeding and has a tracheostomy (not requiring a ventilator; she can breathe independently with a humidification bottle and is otherwise re...
Dr. Zhuang Ziyi Reply:
1. Conditions for tracheostomy tube removal training: The patient must be conscious and have the ability to cough up secretions. The method for removal training involves occluding the tracheostomy tube with a plug and observing for more than 24 hours for any signs of sputum produ...[Read More] Understanding Tracheostomy Care and Nutrition for Comatose Patients
Understanding Lung Cancer vs. Tuberculosis: Key Differences and Risks
Regarding the lungs? Hello, what are the differences between lung cancer and tuberculosis? Is lung cancer contagious? My grandfather is 76 years old and seems to have some lung issues recently. The doctor has recommended a CT scan, and I'm worried about whether he is in dang...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello, Ida: Tuberculosis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is infectious, classified as a notifiable communicable disease. Lung cancer, on the other hand, is caused by cellular mutations leading to malignancy and is not contagious. When lung cancer is suspected, a c...[Read More] Understanding Lung Cancer vs. Tuberculosis: Key Differences and Risks