Why Can't My Persistent Cough Be Cured? Expert Insights
Why can't a cough be cured? Hello Dr. Ke: I often cough, and whenever I do, my grandfather and children urge me to see a doctor. However, I have already consulted many doctors in the past, but my condition has not improved. I also dislike coughing and feel quite uncomfortabl...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang Reply:
There are many causes of chronic cough, such as asthma, tuberculosis, allergic rhinitis leading to post-nasal drip, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is recommended to visit a hospital for a chest X-ray, pulmonary function tests, and blood tests to accurately diagnos...[Read More] Why Can't My Persistent Cough Be Cured? Expert Insights
How to Determine If You Have Fully Recovered from Tuberculosis
How to define complete recovery from tuberculosis? Dear Dr. Chou, I would like to ask you a question. Six months ago, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis (not pulmonary tuberculosis) during surgery for lymphoma in my neck. I have been undergoing medication treatment for almost six...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello Wenwen: Generally speaking, if the pathological report from the surgical specimen shows typical pathological manifestations of tuberculosis, it is considered extrapulmonary tuberculosis (in this case, lymphatic tuberculosis). The current policy is to treat for one year, and...[Read More] How to Determine If You Have Fully Recovered from Tuberculosis
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Symptoms, Prevention, and Care Tips
Pleural effusion Hello, doctor... I would like to ask you about the symptoms and prevention of pleural effusion, as well as how to maintain health in this regard.
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, sister: Pulmonary effusion may indicate pulmonary edema or pleural effusion, with symptoms primarily including difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. If it is caused by an infection, it may be accompanied by symptoms such as fever, chills, and chest pain. There are m...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Symptoms, Prevention, and Care Tips
Understanding Right Upper Lobe Nodular Lesions: Causes and Treatments
Pulmonary diseases Hello, Dr. Yang~~~ Could you please explain what a "nodular lesion in the right upper lobe of the lung" is and how it should be treated? Thank you.
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Jing-Yan: The issue you mentioned, "right upper lung nodular lesion," refers to a circular shadow with well-defined edges located in the upper third of the right lung, with a diameter of approximately 4 centimeters or less (appearing white on X-rays). Its nature ...[Read More] Understanding Right Upper Lobe Nodular Lesions: Causes and Treatments
Understanding Aspergillosis: Symptoms, Transmission, and Treatment Insights
Aspergillosis Hello Dr. Chang, my friend is Japanese and was supposed to visit Taiwan, but due to illness, he cannot make the trip. The illness is called ASPERGILLOSIS, which I found out in Chinese is 麴菌病. It is an infection of the lungs, and I have never heard of such a strange ...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Aspergillosis typically occurs in the lungs, particularly in cavitary lesions, and is associated with symptoms such as cough and hemoptysis. In Taiwan, it is commonly found in lesions caused by pulmonary tuberculosis and is not easily transmitted from person to person.[Read More] Understanding Aspergillosis: Symptoms, Transmission, and Treatment Insights
Persistent Coughing: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Persistent cough? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask on behalf of my girlfriend. She caught a cold about two to three weeks ago, and during that time, she didn't have much of a cough. However, she started coughing a lot this week, and it has become persistent. She has seen a...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
In general, there are many causes of chronic cough, with common ones including chronic bronchitis (such as from long-term smoking), post-nasal drip (such as from nasal allergies), asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchiectasis, among others. A consultation with a pulmonologist is neces...[Read More] Persistent Coughing: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Managing Non-Open Tuberculosis: Addressing Joint Pain and High Uric Acid
Non-open tuberculosis Hello Doctor, I am a patient with non-open tuberculosis. My attending physician has prescribed a six-month course of medication, and I have been taking the medication for one month now. However, I am experiencing side effects, including elevated uric acid l...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
User Xiaolian: Generally, the treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis requires a six-month regimen to achieve a cure. During treatment, patients may experience some side effects; most mild drug intolerances can be managed with symptomatic treatment and thorough explanations, allowin...[Read More] Managing Non-Open Tuberculosis: Addressing Joint Pain and High Uric Acid
Understanding Bilateral Pulmonary Fibrosis and Calcification: Severity Explained
What is bilateral pulmonary fibrotic calcification? What does bilateral pulmonary fibrotic calcification mean, and is this condition serious?
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Miss Mosquito: Q: What is bilateral pulmonary fibrotic calcification, and is this condition serious? A: After the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, lesions may sometimes leave behind some marks, which is referred to as pulmonary fibrosis. It's similar to how a cut on the ...[Read More] Understanding Bilateral Pulmonary Fibrosis and Calcification: Severity Explained
Impact of Alcohol and Smoking on Lung Fibrosis: Exercise Guidelines
I'm sorry, but I need specific content to translate I apologize for the inconvenience. May I ask another question? My doctor advised me not to drink alcohol or smoke. What effects would exposure to these substances have on a patient with pulmonary fibrosis and calcification?...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Mr. Mosquito: Q: What is the impact of drinking alcohol and smoking on patients with pulmonary fibrosis and calcification? A: There is generally no direct impact. Q: Is it acceptable to engage in light exercise, such as jogging or practicing basketball, since my doctor advised ag...[Read More] Impact of Alcohol and Smoking on Lung Fibrosis: Exercise Guidelines
Is Coughing Up Blood Related to Neck Tumors? Understanding Your Symptoms
Is coughing up blood related to neck tumors? Hello Doctor: I am a 53-year-old female. Last year, I had a soft mass in my nasopharynx, and when I coughed, I expelled a blood clot for three consecutive days. I went to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for a nasal ultrasound, but the doc...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Ms. Cherry, In response to your inquiries, please find the following information: 1. Regarding the neck mass, the physician has indicated that it is benign. However, it is advisable to have regular follow-ups with your doctor. The neck mass is not connected to the nasophar...[Read More] Is Coughing Up Blood Related to Neck Tumors? Understanding Your Symptoms
Understanding Pulmonary Fibrosis: Causes, Treatments, and Transplant Options
Treatment for pulmonary fibrosis? My father sought medical attention in June of this year due to persistent coughing. After undergoing a chest X-ray and biopsy, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Initially, he was able to breathe independently, but gradually he required su...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
Mr. Li: Pulmonary fibrosis is often caused by changes resulting from the treatment of other diseases, such as tuberculosis. Some patients may develop pulmonary fibrosis without any obvious contributing factors as they age. Since your father is experiencing respiratory failure and...[Read More] Understanding Pulmonary Fibrosis: Causes, Treatments, and Transplant Options
Symptoms and Aftereffects of a Pulmonary Puncture: What to Expect
What symptoms can be expected from a pneumothorax? If there is a perforation in the lung, what symptoms might occur and are there any potential long-term effects? Thank you!
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, Miss Hsiao-Chen. Regarding the term "pulmonary perforation" you mentioned, it is not a recognized medical term. A more accurate condition might be a pulmonary cavity or a rupture in the pleura causing air to escape into the pleural cavity, leading to what is know...[Read More] Symptoms and Aftereffects of a Pulmonary Puncture: What to Expect
Understanding Tuberculosis: Risks, Treatment, and Management for Patients
Pulmonary tuberculosis Hello, Doctor. A few days ago, my friend had a physical examination and found some abnormalities in his lungs. I will detail the X-ray findings for you: there are patchy, linear, and small nodular shadows visible in both upper lung fields, with some unclear...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Ms. Xiao Teng, I would like to respond to your inquiries as follows, hoping it will be helpful for you and your friends. 1. Your friend has a history of tuberculosis, and chest X-rays can show residual scars (calcifications and fibrotic lines). To determine if the findings...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Risks, Treatment, and Management for Patients
Navigating Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Family's Struggle for Answers
Pulmonary tuberculosis Dear Dr. Jiang, I have a lot of content to share, and I appreciate your time in reading it, as I am unsure of what to do and need more advice. My father was diagnosed with tuberculosis around March of this year. The doctor mentioned that he has drug-resist...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
Dear Ms. Hsiao-Yu, Your letter shows how much you care about your father's condition, which is truly touching. Based on your description, your father's various discomforts are common symptoms seen in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. I hope that adherence to the pr...[Read More] Navigating Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Family's Struggle for Answers
Understanding Lung Tumors: Do You Need Surgery?
Lung tumor Hello, doctor. I underwent a health check on June 10, 2002, and a chest X-ray revealed a circular shadow in the lower left lung (approximately 5 cm in diameter). I then went to the thoracic department at a regional hospital for further examination. A CT scan confirmed ...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
There are many common causes of a solitary pulmonary nodule, including cancer, tuberculosis, cryptococcal infection, and post-tuberculosis sequelae, among others. According to the information provided, if the size has indeed remained unchanged over a year and a half (from Decembe...[Read More] Understanding Lung Tumors: Do You Need Surgery?
Excessive Mucus: Understanding Its Impact on Lung Health and Recovery
Excessive phlegm Dr. Li: My father is 63 years old. He was admitted to the intensive care unit due to shock caused by mucus obstruction and slowly began to regain consciousness. Six days later, after the ventilator was removed, he experienced hypoxia in the ICU 12 hours later and...
Dr. Li Yanxian Reply:
Hello: Whether a patient can be weaned off a ventilator depends first on addressing the underlying cause of acute respiratory failure. Subsequently, the physician will determine whether to extubate based on the patient's clinical condition and various reference data (such as...[Read More] Excessive Mucus: Understanding Its Impact on Lung Health and Recovery
Understanding Infectious Risks of Open Tuberculosis in Patients
None Hello, doctor: The family member is a patient with open pulmonary tuberculosis and is currently undergoing treatment. 1. Is the patient's sputum or oral secretions still infectious? 2. If so, how long can the tuberculosis bacteria survive in the air after being expelled...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
1. Patients with open pulmonary tuberculosis indicate that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still present in their sputum. Typically, the coughing of tuberculosis patients can release droplets containing the bacteria, and patients with tuberculous laryngitis can also spread the bact...[Read More] Understanding Infectious Risks of Open Tuberculosis in Patients
Understanding the Use of 1TU RT-23 Tuberculin Test in Taiwan
tuberculin skin test Dear Director: According to the Department of Health's "Annual Report on Tuberculosis Prevention and Control," the current tuberculin test used by the Bureau of Disease Control is 1TU of the Danish RT-23 strain. However, according to textbooks,...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
Dear Brother Chao-Hua: In your letter, you inquired, "Which is biologically equivalent to 5TU PPD-S, the Danish RT-23 1TU or 2TU?" The answer is as follows: According to the current data, the Danish RT-23 2TU has nearly identical sensitivity to 5TU of PPD-S, although ...[Read More] Understanding the Use of 1TU RT-23 Tuberculin Test in Taiwan
Understanding Tuberculosis: Diagnosis, Transmission, and Symptoms Explained
Suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis? Hello, doctor: 1. Can an X-ray definitively determine if someone has tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs? 2. A few months ago, my family member was diagnosed with mild open pulmonary tuberculosis and was hospitalized for treatment. They have now...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
Hello, Xiao Xiang: I am glad to receive your letter. 1. X-rays are an important tool for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB). Although X-rays have some limitations, most lesions can be visualized. However, to confirm the diagnosis, sputum tests are still necessary. 2. After treatmen...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Diagnosis, Transmission, and Symptoms Explained
Understanding Tuberculosis Risk and Screening After Exposure
Pulmonary tuberculosis Hello, my family member is a patient with open pulmonary tuberculosis and has just returned home after a week of treatment in the hospital. They are still continuing medication for control, and I sleep in the same room as the patient. What is the likelihood...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
If your family member tests positive for acid-fast bacilli in sputum smear, their infectiousness is higher, and there is a possibility of transmission if sleeping in the same room as a tuberculosis patient. As long as your family member adheres to their medication regimen, their ...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Risk and Screening After Exposure