Chronic Cough: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Persistent cough Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you about my mother's persistent cough. I can hear her coughing during the day and especially at night when it becomes more severe (with phlegm, and sometimes she coughs continuously for a long time). This condition seems to...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, there are many causes of chronic cough, such as bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, psychogenic factors, and asthma, among others. I recommend that you visit a pulmonology department for further evaluation, including a chest X-ray. Thank you for your understa...[Read More] Chronic Cough: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Understanding Pulmonary Fungal Balls: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Pulmonary Aspergillosis Dr. Zhou, thank you for your response. The doctor has explained the situation to me, and he suspects it is a fungal ball! If that is the case, do I need to address it? Can a biopsy be done first? If removal is necessary, what methods are available? My doct...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, 1. As you described, a fungal ball is commonly found in previously healed pulmonary tuberculosis cavities and may sometimes cause symptoms such as hemoptysis. If there is recurrent or significant hemoptysis, surgical removal is necessary. The surgical approach (tradition...[Read More] Understanding Pulmonary Fungal Balls: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Understanding Mild Fever and Persistent Cough: When to Seek Further Testing
mild fever As a child, I frequently caught colds, almost having to visit the doctor every month. However, about seven or eight years ago, I became much less sick. But whenever I do get sick, I tend to cough severely, often taking nearly a month to recover. After not having a cold...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello, the chest CT scan is normal, but tuberculosis (TB) cannot be ruled out. It is recommended to test three sputum samples. If sputum is not available, an induced sputum procedure can be performed. The likelihood of pulmonary tuberculosis or bronchial tuberculosis is low, so i...[Read More] Understanding Mild Fever and Persistent Cough: When to Seek Further Testing
Understanding Pleural Thickening and Fibrosis: Causes and Treatment Options
Thickening and fibrosis of the pleura? Hello doctor, I recently had a health check-up, and today's report indicated that there is thickening and fibrosis of the right pleura, highlighted in red. I have never smoked, but I had a prolonged cough recently and did not see a doct...
Dr. Yang Zhiyun Reply:
Hello, based on your described X-ray findings, they may be due to old pulmonary tuberculosis or an unknown cause. If there are no changes in the X-ray comparison, it is likely a benign lesion. However, if there are changes, further investigation is necessary. These changes may no...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Thickening and Fibrosis: Causes and Treatment Options
Can Inhalation of Chemicals Cause Lung Fibrosis? Understanding Impacts
Please ask your question? Hello: 1. Can inhalation (such as from cooking fumes or cleaning agents like hydrochloric acid) cause pulmonary fibrosis? 2. Additionally, what effects might there be from fibrosis in the left upper lobe of the lungs? Thank you.
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Your questions are answered briefly as follows: 1. It is rare for individuals to experience lung injury and fibrosis due to inhalation of cooking fumes or irritating chemicals, unless it is an occupational disease (workers in specific chemical factories should undergo re...[Read More] Can Inhalation of Chemicals Cause Lung Fibrosis? Understanding Impacts
Understanding Chest Discomfort: Common Causes and Concerns
The chest area? What are the possible conditions for discomfort in the chest area? (I have been coughing for over a month.)
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Xiao Sa: A cough lasting for more than a month may indicate various tracheal and pulmonary diseases (such as bronchitis, bronchiectasis, asthma, respiratory allergies, tuberculosis, etc.). It is advisable to visit a pulmonology clinic for a chest X-ray, and then consult a ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort: Common Causes and Concerns
Can You Dive After Recovering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis?
Can a person dive after recovering from tuberculosis? Hello Doctor, two years ago I was diagnosed with moderate cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis, and at that time, there was a cavity in my right upper lobe measuring less than 1.5 cm, while my left lung only showed mild nodular inf...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, if a patient has recovered from tuberculosis and there is no significant impairment in lung function (which can be assessed through pulmonary function tests), they should be able to engage in general diving activities. Thank you for your response, Dr. Chou Tzu-Kuang, Direc...[Read More] Can You Dive After Recovering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis?
Can Blood Donation Be Safe for Those with a History of Tuberculosis?
Pulmonary tuberculosis Hello Dr. Chou: I have a friend who has previously been infected with tuberculosis. Based on the principle of donating blood to save a life, they are very eager to donate blood. However, their current condition requires annual follow-up. If they donate bloo...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, Xiao Xi. If you have completed treatment and currently have no active tuberculosis, you are comparable to individuals without tuberculosis. If your health condition meets the criteria set by the blood donation center, you may proceed to donate blood. Thank you for your inq...[Read More] Can Blood Donation Be Safe for Those with a History of Tuberculosis?
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 Lung Shadows: Causes and Symptoms Explained
Lung lobe shadow Last month's health check X-ray report indicated: there are significant and sparse circular or irregular shadows in both lung lobes, but no larger shadows are present. What does this indicate? Thank you! (I occasionally experience pain on the inner side of t...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, the chest X-ray may indicate tuberculosis, a tumor, or fibrosis resulting from old inflammation. It is recommended to consult a pulmonologist for further evaluation and tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, to determine the underlying c...[Read More] Understanding Lung Shadows: Causes and Symptoms Explained
Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Transmission Risks
Non-open pulmonary tuberculosis After several days of antibiotic injections, the fluid accumulation has not improved, and my brother is still in pain! He underwent a pleural biopsy, which initially indicated that he has non-open pulmonary tuberculosis. Today, he had a bronchoscop...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, Ah-Jhe. 1. The pleural biopsy has been determined to be tuberculous pleuritis. A bronchoscopy should be performed to investigate the possibility of pulmonary or bronchial tuberculosis or other diseases, as well as to collect respiratory specimens for culture. 2. If Myco...[Read More] Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Transmission Risks
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
Complications After Tuberculosis Recovery: Understanding Persistent Coughing
Can complications arise after recovering from pulmonary tuberculosis? Hello, doctors! I was first diagnosed with open pulmonary tuberculosis in 1999. Due to certain factors, my treatment took nearly two years to complete, and my attending physician officially informed me that I h...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, 1. Typically, patients who have been cured of pulmonary tuberculosis may have some residual pulmonary fibrosis, and some may develop bronchiectasis. These patients are prone to common bacterial infections and may experience symptoms such as coughing, with a small percent...[Read More] Complications After Tuberculosis Recovery: Understanding Persistent Coughing
Understanding Small Calcified Nodules in the Right Lung Apex: What You Need to Know
What is a small calcified nodule in the right lung apex? Hello, during my company's routine health check this year, a chest X-ray revealed a small calcified nodule in the right lung apex. I would like to ask what this might indicate in terms of medical conditions, and what k...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Xiao Hui: Small calcifications usually represent inactive "scars," which may indicate that there was a past inflammatory lesion in that area (such as localized pneumonia, possibly caused by bacteria, fungi, or tuberculosis) that has healed but left a scar, simila...[Read More] Understanding Small Calcified Nodules in the Right Lung Apex: What You Need to Know
Understanding Hemoptysis: Causes and Management After Tuberculosis
Hemoptysis My brother had tuberculosis three years ago and was cured after six months of medication. However, over the past year, he has experienced hemoptysis, sometimes coughing up blood once a month and other times every two weeks. He often feels a tickle in his throat at nigh...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Andy: After the cure of pulmonary tuberculosis, the blood vessels in the areas of fibrosis (scarring) may be more prone to rupture and cause hemoptysis, especially after consuming rich foods such as fried foods, alcoholic beverages, or spicy dishes. If follow-up chest X-ray...[Read More] Understanding Hemoptysis: Causes and Management After Tuberculosis
Understanding Tuberculosis in the Pericardium: Symptoms and Diagnosis Timeline
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis issues? Hello, doctor. Two days ago, my grandmother underwent surgery to drain pericardial effusion. Relatives mentioned that there was 400 cc of effusion, and its color was dark. They also need to perform a culture for tuberculosis bacteria, but they ...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello: Dr. Qu is no longer serving at this hospital; I am another physician in the Department of Thoracic Medicine, Dr. Chen. Regarding pericardial effusion, the two most common causes are malignant tumor metastasis and tuberculosis. If tuberculosis is suspected to be the cause o...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis in the Pericardium: Symptoms and Diagnosis Timeline
Understanding Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: Severity and Treatment Options
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis I would like to ask a question on behalf of my grandmother. She has been hospitalized since September 7 and has been diagnosed with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, which the doctor said is located around the heart. Previously, she also had a problem with ...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Nick: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis refers to tuberculosis infections that occur outside the lungs. Based on your description, your grandmother likely has pericardial tuberculosis, which has led to pericardial effusion. Tuberculosis infections generally require treatment for at lea...[Read More] Understanding Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: Severity and Treatment Options
Understanding Tuberculosis: Hospitalization Needs and Appetite Issues
Pulmonary tuberculosis 1. Do patients with pulmonary tuberculosis need to be hospitalized? 2. Is there a possibility of experiencing loss of appetite?
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. Isolation is generally necessary when there is a need to adjust medications due to side effects or for other diagnostic reasons that require hospitalization. 2. Some patients may experience a loss of appetite due to anti-tuberculosis medications, and in severe cases, me...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Hospitalization Needs and Appetite Issues
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