Persistent Cough and Phlegm: Seeking Solutions for Ongoing Symptoms
Coughing for several days? Hello, Dr. Jian. My surname is Yu. I have a female colleague who had a cold last week. When I accompanied her to see the doctor, the physician mentioned that she had a lot of phlegm while listening to her back. My colleague has a history of allergic rhi...
Dr. Jian Linzhen Reply:
There are many causes of coughing, but if the cough lasts more than three weeks or if there is a fever exceeding 38 degrees Celsius for three days, it is recommended to visit a pulmonologist for a chest X-ray to rule out tuberculosis or pneumonia. Based on your colleague's s...[Read More] Persistent Cough and Phlegm: Seeking Solutions for Ongoing Symptoms
Persistent Cough After Cold: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation?
Could you please provide more context or specify your question about coughing? Hello, Doctor. Last October, I caught a cold, and after about a week, I recovered but was left with a persistent cough. By early December, I noticed that the cough had lasted too long, so I visited a p...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello TPE52: The diagnosis of a disease must be based on a comprehensive assessment that includes medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests (such as blood tests, X-rays, etc.). Additionally, X-rays must be reviewed in person for accurate interpretation. Therefor...[Read More] Persistent Cough After Cold: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation?
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes and Treatment for Elderly Patients
Pleural effusion Grandma is 90 years old and has mild dementia, degenerative arthritis, a BUN of 32.7, a creatinine level of 2.29, and a uric acid level of 11.0. Last year, she was hospitalized for 10 days at Shou-Ji Medical Center due to intestinal obstruction and diverticulosis...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello Xiaowei: Your grandmother is likely experiencing pleural effusion (sometimes referred to by doctors as pulmonary edema, but the correct term is pleural effusion). There are many causes of pleural effusion, including malignant tumors, pneumonia, heart failure, kidney failure...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Causes and Treatment for Elderly Patients
Understanding Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Pneumonia Hello doctor, recently my grandfather has been experiencing a significant weight loss. He has no energy and appears very lethargic. Additionally, his breathing has become more rapid. My father took him to see a cardiologist, but no cause was identified. After undergoing...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Mr. Chang: If your father has not yet undergone an X-ray examination, it is advisable for him to visit the pulmonology clinic for a chest X-ray to determine if there is pneumonia or any other lung disease, which would provide more peace of mind. Best wishes.[Read More] Understanding Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Top Hospitals and Doctors for Pneumonia Treatment in Taipei
Recommended hospitals and doctors for pneumonia treatment in Taipei? Doctor, my wife had pneumonia six months ago when she was 25 years old. Recently, she feels like it has relapsed and has been coughing. We visited an ENT specialist nearby, but it didn't help. Could you rec...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
If you have a persistent cough that does not improve, I recommend visiting a pulmonology clinic for a physician to evaluate whether a chest X-ray is necessary.[Read More] Top Hospitals and Doctors for Pneumonia Treatment in Taipei
Is Tracheostomy Necessary for COPD Patients? Understanding the Options
Is it necessary to perform a tracheostomy? Hello Doctor: My father, who is 76 years old, was previously diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson's disease. He was hospitalized in March and April this year due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leading to asthma. He ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, every intubated patient has the opportunity to wean off the ventilator. However, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have poor lung function from the start, which could require a longer period for adjustment and training (the duration is unpredic...[Read More] Is Tracheostomy Necessary for COPD Patients? Understanding the Options
Understanding Shortness of Breath After a Cold: Causes and Solutions
Shortness of breath!! I'm not sure what's going on, but recently after catching a cold, I've been experiencing difficulty breathing. The left side of my chest feels tight, and I only feel a bit of relief when I take a deep breath, but afterwards, I feel quite uncom...
Dr. Lin Zhuorui Reply:
Hello Ah Hong, regarding your question, it is indeed common for some patients with a general cold to experience discomfort. There are many potential issues that could arise, and further outpatient follow-up examinations are necessary. Common problems include bronchitis caused by ...[Read More] Understanding Shortness of Breath After a Cold: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Restrictive Lung Disease: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Could you please provide more details about the respiratory issues? Dear Doctor, Since March of this year, I have been experiencing tachycardia and difficulty breathing (feeling of effort during inhalation), which led me to seek treatment at the Department of Internal Medicine a...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello, Xiao Jin: The physician at National Taiwan University prescribed Inderal and Herbesser to control the symptoms of tachycardia. The term "restrictive ventilatory defect" refers to a reduced lung capacity and is used to describe the results of pulmonary function te...[Read More] Understanding Restrictive Lung Disease: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Understanding Post-Intubation Complications: What to Expect After ICU Care
Complications after intubation? Hello Doctor: I was hospitalized on January 18 due to a persistent high fever (40 degrees Celsius). After an X-ray examination, the doctor diagnosed me with pneumonia, which required hospitalization. On January 20, I underwent intubation due to acu...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Dear netizens: Most complications from endotracheal intubation are temporary. Only a small number of patients may experience permanent damage to the larynx. Therefore, it can be said that most conditions have the potential to recover, but a 100% guarantee cannot be provided.[Read More] Understanding Post-Intubation Complications: What to Expect After ICU Care
Understanding Persistent Cough: Antibiotics, Chest Discomfort, and Lung Health
Common cold Hello, doctor. I have been coughing non-stop due to a cold and have visited the clinic three times without improvement. Eventually, I had an X-ray done, which showed more white spots on one side, likely due to dust. The doctor prescribed me a week’s worth of erythromy...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Dear users: An abnormal chest X-ray does not necessarily indicate pneumonia. On the other hand, there are many pathogens that can cause pneumonia, and erythromycin may not be effective against all of them. Therefore, it is recommended that you collect sputum for testing and follo...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Cough: Antibiotics, Chest Discomfort, and Lung Health
Choosing Between Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery: Which Specialist to See?
Internal Medicine and Surgery In the field of pulmonology, there are divisions for both internal medicine and surgery. When making an appointment, which specialty should you choose? Fifteen years ago, you consulted a thoracic surgeon for pleural effusion. Ten years later, you vis...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Hello: As described, a 30-year-old young female with pulmonary fibrosis has been undergoing long-term treatment with high doses of corticosteroids. The cause of her pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. Has she ever undergone a biopsy? What is her usual blood oxygen level? Has pulmonary...[Read More] Choosing Between Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery: Which Specialist to See?
Can Aspirin Overdose Lead to Aspiration Pneumonia? Risks and Recovery
Can my family member die from aspiration pneumonia after taking sleeping pills? My family member took 200 sleeping pills due to a breakup and was finally rescued! However, this has led to aspiration pneumonia. Is this life-threatening? The doctor mentioned she cannot catch a cold...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Aspiration pneumonia is caused by the inhalation of foreign materials from the oral cavity, such as food or saliva, into the airway, leading to bacterial or chemical pneumonia. This condition can damage lung tissue and impair lung function, sometimes resulting in long-term...[Read More] Can Aspirin Overdose Lead to Aspiration Pneumonia? Risks and Recovery
Understanding Left Lower Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Pain in the lower left chest? I have been experiencing persistent pain in the area about a fist's width below my left chest for several days. A few years ago, I had pneumonia and also had pleural effusion, and I have a smoking habit. However, I have been too busy with work t...
Dr. Li Shiwei Reply:
Hello: There are many causes of chest pain, ranging from inflammation of the chest muscles, pneumonia, to myocardial infarction. Since you have a smoking habit, it would be best to take some time to visit a pulmonology clinic for an examination. Sincerely, Dr. Li Shih-Wei, Intern...[Read More] Understanding Left Lower Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Managing Pulmonary Cryptococcal Infection: Treatment and Follow-Up
Pulmonary cryptococcal infection nodules Hello Dr. Yang, my spouse has been diagnosed with a cryptococcal infection in the lungs. After treatment with Diflucan (fluconazole) at a dosage of 300 mg/day for 7 weeks, the CT scan showed that the nodule decreased from 1.9 cm to 1.5 cm,...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Mr. Jiang: Here are brief responses to your three questions: 1. For individuals with normal immune function, if there is no deterioration of the lesions after a period of treatment for cryptococcal pneumonia, the medication can be discontinued without needing to wait for th...[Read More] Managing Pulmonary Cryptococcal Infection: Treatment and Follow-Up
Understanding the Impact of Sedatives on Pneumonia and Asthma Management
Asthma caused by pneumonia? Dear Dr. Qu, I am a very helpless family member of a patient. My grandmother was admitted to a general hospital in Miaoli City on September 23rd due to unexplained abdominal pain. Initially, the doctors suspected peritonitis, so she underwent emergenc...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Dear Spicy Sauce Teacher, Your questions all pertain to whether the treatment direction for the disease is appropriate and whether the active use of medications is suitable. Without knowing the names of the medications and the results of various examinations, and without having ...[Read More] Understanding the Impact of Sedatives on Pneumonia and Asthma Management
Understanding Tracheostomy: Managing Mucus and Breathing Difficulties in Elderly Patients
Tracheostomy My grandfather is 92 years old and was recently admitted to the intensive care unit due to choking on food. The doctors have informed us that they are unable to suction out the mucus from his lungs, and he is also having difficulty breathing on his own. He has been o...
Dr. Zhuang Ziyi Reply:
Reply: Hello, 1. In healthy individuals, the respiratory tract produces a certain amount of mucus daily, which is propelled upward from the deep lung areas to the trachea and even the vocal cords by the cilia on the surface of the respiratory epithelial cells. This mucus can ...[Read More] Understanding Tracheostomy: Managing Mucus and Breathing Difficulties in Elderly Patients
Understanding Chest Pain: Insights on Lung Issues and Diagnosis
Painful breathing? Hello Doctor: At the beginning of this month, I went to the emergency room due to pain in my right chest while breathing. The doctor performed an X-ray but found no issues. An ultrasound also showed no problems. It was only during a CT scan that a shadow was di...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Hello: There are many causes of chest pain, including neuropathic pain, pleuritis, tumors, pneumonia, and more. A thorough examination is essential. If the examination results are inconclusive, it is generally advisable to start with anti-inflammatory treatment and observe the co...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain: Insights on Lung Issues and Diagnosis
What Does Whiteness on Lung X-Ray Indicate? Understanding the Condition
What does it mean when a chest X-ray shows pulmonary opacities? The presence of opacities or whiteness on a chest X-ray can indicate several conditions affecting the lungs. This phenomenon, known as "pulmonary opacification," may suggest the presence of pneumonia, pulmo...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Machelle: In a standard chest X-ray, the white, gourd-shaped area in the middle represents the heart. The dark areas on both sides are the lungs (which are filled with air and appear black on the X-ray). When the lungs appear white, it may indicate conditions such as lung i...[Read More] What Does Whiteness on Lung X-Ray Indicate? Understanding the Condition
Understanding Pneumonia in Parkinson's Patients: Care and Recovery Insights
Pneumonia Hello Doctor, my father has Parkinson's disease and has been bedridden for a long time. He later had a nasogastric tube inserted and is now unable to cough up phlegm on his own, experiencing prolonged fever. He is currently in the intensive care unit requiring mech...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Ms. Chen, 1. The ability to successfully wean off the ventilator in patients with chronic illness and respiratory failure needs to be assessed by the attending physician. If the evaluation indicates poor ability to breathe independently or excessive sputum production, a tr...[Read More] Understanding Pneumonia in Parkinson's Patients: Care and Recovery Insights
Understanding Lung Issues in Diabetic Patients with Pneumonia
Lung issues My father has diabetes and symptoms of pneumonia, and he has a history of cardiovascular blockage. Recently, he has been coughing up blood. I would like to ask if his lung condition is very serious. Thank you.
Dr. Jiang Rongren Reply:
Hello, there are many causes for coughing up blood, and further examination is needed to determine the underlying cause. However, based on your description, the patient has cardiovascular obstruction and is often prescribed aspirin (Aspivin, Tapal, Bokey) and other anticoagulants...[Read More] Understanding Lung Issues in Diabetic Patients with Pneumonia