Understanding Pleural Effusion: Do You Need a CT Scan After Ultrasound?
Pleural effusion I have pleural effusion and underwent ultrasound-guided drainage, which showed no malignant bacteria upon testing. Now I need to collect sputum for examination. Is it necessary to perform a CT scan? I'm concerned about the radiation exposure from the CT scan...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, the pleural effusion does not contain malignant cells, but it does not completely rule out the possibility of malignancy. If there is no definitive clinical diagnosis, a CT scan remains one of the necessary examinations, as the clinical conditions involved cannot be assess...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Do You Need a CT Scan After Ultrasound?
Managing Pleural Effusion and Tuberculosis Treatment Challenges
The pleural effusion test indicated a pleural tuberculosis index of 84? 1. The pleural effusion test showed a pleural tuberculosis index of 841. Is it necessary to take the CDC medication for 6 to 9 months? 2. The patient has a history of gastric ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux...
Dr. Yang Zhiyun Reply:
Hello, the general treatment for tuberculous pleurisy lasts for 6 to 9 months. If symptoms such as gastrointestinal discomfort, stomach pain, or vomiting occur after medication, liver function should be checked for abnormalities. Antiemetics and gastric medications may be adminis...[Read More] Managing Pleural Effusion and Tuberculosis Treatment Challenges
Flu and Pneumonia: Treatment Duration, Complications, and Concerns
Influenza, pneumonia, treatment duration, and complications? Hello Doctor: My family member, a 46-year-old male, is experiencing a 40-degree fever due to influenza, along with pneumonia. After screening, there is evidence of pulmonary infiltration, and his white blood cell count ...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Due to the complexity of the condition, a complete understanding may not be possible, and only simple questions can be addressed. Further discussions with the attending physician may be necessary. (1) The use of antibiotics is partially metabolized by the kidneys, depending on th...[Read More] Flu and Pneumonia: Treatment Duration, Complications, and Concerns
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Is It a Serious Concern?
Pneumonia I have a severe cough due to a cold, but an X-ray showed no pneumonia. However, the doctor told me I have pleuritis. Is this a serious issue?
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, The X-ray shows pleuritis, indicated by whiteness in the lower left or lower right lung base, suggesting the possibility of pleural effusion (commonly referred to as pleuritis). To confirm the presence of pleuritis, an ultrasound is needed to determine if there is fluid ...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Is It a Serious Concern?
Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Symptoms and Management
Tuberculous pleurisy Hello Doctor: My father is 70 years old and has Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune disorder) and chronic hepatitis C, for which he has been on medication for a long time. About a month and a half ago, he developed a cough that progressed to shortness of b...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Miss Lin, Regarding your father's medical condition, here are some brief answers to your questions: 1. The standard treatment for tuberculosis typically involves 6 to 7 bactericidal medications. If cough suppressants and bronchodilators, or medications for pre-existin...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Symptoms and Management
Can People with Pleural Effusion Consume Propolis? Dietary Considerations Explained
Can a person with pleural effusion consume propolis? Recently, my father was hospitalized due to pleural effusion and underwent a series of tests, but the cause could not be determined. During his hospital stay, the fluid was drained, and after some observation, he was discharged...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, what is referred to as pulmonary edema should actually be called pleural effusion. Thoracentesis only temporarily alleviates symptoms, and further examinations should be conducted, such as pleural biopsy, thoracoscopy, pleural fluid analysis, and tests for bacteria, tuberc...[Read More] Can People with Pleural Effusion Consume Propolis? Dietary Considerations Explained
Managing Medication Concerns for Elderly Patients with Lung and Heart Issues
Consult a physician? Dr. Yang: My father, who is 83 years old, was hospitalized two days ago due to pneumonia caused by pleural effusion. He has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, and he was cured of tuberculosis over forty years ago. He uses an...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Jun: This hospitalization may be related to infection or heart failure. In principle, the attending physician will determine the medication based on the severity and urgency of the condition. Some medications that are usually taken may affect heart rate or blood pressure, w...[Read More] Managing Medication Concerns for Elderly Patients with Lung and Heart Issues
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes and Concerns of Blood-tinged Fluid
Pulmonary edema I would like to ask the doctor about my father, who is 61 years old. At the beginning of June, he experienced symptoms of fever and cold. After taking medication for a few days at a clinic without improvement, he went to the emergency room one night in mid-June be...
Dr. Tao Ruiming Reply:
1. Confirm that during thoracentesis for pleural effusion, there was no significant microvascular rupture. 2. A pleural effusion is classified as a hemothorax when the hematocrit of the pleural effusion is greater than half of that of the blood. When the hematocrit of the pleural...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes and Concerns of Blood-tinged Fluid
Understanding Bacterial Culture: Importance in Lung Fluid Analysis
What is bacterial culture? Because the patient has some fluid accumulation in the lungs, the doctor said that the fluid needs to be drained out and then a bacterial culture will be performed. The doctor mentioned that it is similar to a Pap smear, where the sample is placed in a ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Tony: Removing abnormal fluid accumulation in the body, such as pleural effusion (fluid in the lungs), for further analysis can help clarify the diagnosis of diseases. If the fluid contains bacteria (including tuberculosis bacteria and general bacteria), a portion of the fl...[Read More] Understanding Bacterial Culture: Importance in Lung Fluid Analysis
Is Pleural Effusion Hereditary? Understanding Family Health Risks
Will pleural effusion be hereditary? Both my mother and I have experienced brief episodes of chest pain and sometimes sudden, unexplained pain. My situation (21 years old) seems to have started after a severe cough from a cold (around December), and the pain is primarily on the l...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello, pleural effusion is not hereditary. For chest pain issues, please visit the thoracic medicine clinic for further examination. Thank you. Sincerely, Dr. Jian Shun-Tian, Chief of Thoracic Medicine.[Read More] Is Pleural Effusion Hereditary? Understanding Family Health Risks
Key Considerations for Managing Pleural Inflammation Recovery
What should be noted about pleuritis? Hello, doctor. I previously visited due to pain in the lower right chest, and the doctor diagnosed me with viral pleuritis caused by a filtered virus. I was told that I should recover in about 5 to 7 days, and no medication was prescribed (on...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Xiao Liang: It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose whether pleuritis is caused by a filtrable virus. It is recommended to take another X-ray soon (especially if the previous X-ray indicated pleural effusion) to monitor for improvement. If the chest pain is severe, it is...[Read More] Key Considerations for Managing Pleural Inflammation Recovery
Severe Pain Under Right Rib Cage: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Severe pain occurs from the right rib area (below the breast) to the right side of the body? Hello, last night I felt cold and unwell, and my temperature was slightly elevated at 38.5 degrees Celsius. I did not take any medication, only drank water and wore thick clothing to indu...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
There are many causes of chest pain. Since you are experiencing symptoms of fever and chills, it is possible that you have a lung infection (such as pneumonia or pleuritis with pleural effusion) or a cold combined with right-sided neuralgia. A chest X-ray is necessary for diagnos...[Read More] Severe Pain Under Right Rib Cage: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Treatment, Transmission, and Duration
excuse me? What is tuberculous pleurisy, how is it treated, is it contagious, and what is the typical duration of treatment?
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, AM: Tuberculous pleuritis (pleural effusion) refers to pleural effusion caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If sputum tests do not reveal the presence of the tuberculosis bacteria (as some individuals may concurrently have pulmonary tuberculosis), it is no...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Treatment, Transmission, and Duration
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Concerns, and Treatment Options
Pneumonia? My brother (21 years old, with no significant medical history) reported dizziness and severe headache during the week of October 20th and visited a clinic where he was prescribed acetaminophen. On the morning of October 26th, he experienced chest pain for 3-4 days and ...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, A-Zhe. The common causes of pleural effusion in Taiwan include tuberculous pleuritis, pneumonia-related effusion, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, and hypoalbuminemia. Generally, the initial step is to perform a thoracentesis to analyze the pleural fluid, and biochem...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes, Concerns, and Treatment Options
Understanding Pneumonia Treatment and Management in Elderly Patients
Regarding pneumonia? Hello Doctor, Patient Status: 80 years old, male, with a history of diabetes managed with insulin, poor kidney function, currently residing in a respiratory care center, and has a tracheostomy. He has been hospitalized for nearly two months, initially admit...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello Jason, 1. The treatment for uncomplicated pneumonia typically lasts about 1-2 weeks, but in cases of severe pneumonia, treatment may extend to 6-8 weeks. There is no defined maximum duration, as it depends on the clinical condition, and there is also a possibility of recu...[Read More] Understanding Pneumonia Treatment and Management in Elderly Patients
Understanding COPD Exacerbation: A Case Study of Severe Symptoms and ICU Care
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbation The father is 74 years old and was admitted for observation and treatment on March 27 due to chest tightness and shortness of breath without fever (diagnosed with COPD) after an outpatient visit at a hospital in the Yuanli...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by pneumonia often leads to respiratory failure in patients. Currently, transporting patients on a ventilator poses risks, so it is advisable to discuss with the attending physician whether transfer to another facility is necessar...[Read More] Understanding COPD Exacerbation: A Case Study of Severe Symptoms and ICU Care
Managing Pleural Effusion After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Key Considerations
Pleural effusion Hello Doctor: My grandfather was admitted to the intensive care unit at Hsinchu Dongyuan Hospital due to an acute myocardial infarction (he was intubated during his stay in the ICU). He has been in the regular ward for over 20 days since being transferred from th...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Guo Guo: Your father coughs when lying down, which may be related to heart instability. If he has digestive issues, please ask the doctor to prescribe some enzyme supplements or gas-relief medications, which should help. What dietary considerations should be taken into acco...[Read More] Managing Pleural Effusion After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Key Considerations
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?
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 Symptoms of Lung Diseases: A Guide for Concerned Families
Could you please specify the suspected pulmonary diseases? Hello Doctor: My father is nearly sixty years old, and he has recently exhibited the following symptoms: (1) About 3 to 4 months ago, he started coughing persistently every night, leading to chronic sleep deprivation. He ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Xiaomi, Your father currently has several issues to address: 1. After a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis, he needs to adhere to the medication regimen for 6 to 9 months, and most cases can be cured. 2. During the medication period, it is important to monitor for any si...[Read More] Understanding Symptoms of Lung Diseases: A Guide for Concerned Families