GI, Traditional Chinese Medicine FAQ

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Seeking Qigong Guidance for Tinnitus and Nerve Issues

Tinnitus and neuropathy? Hello, Dr. Gao. I have been suffering from tinnitus for a long time, and neither Western nor traditional Chinese medicine has been able to identify the cause or treat it effectively. Earlier this year, I contracted shingles, and although the rash has heal...


Dr. Gao Peiyi Reply:
I do not have much knowledge about Qigong and cannot provide assistance.

[Read More] Seeking Qigong Guidance for Tinnitus and Nerve Issues


Understanding Tongue Coating: When to Worry and TCM Insights

Tongue coating issues? Hello, doctor. Today I suddenly noticed that the center of my tongue coating seems a bit thick. I would like to ask if this is normal or if there are any concerns I should be aware of. Additionally, from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, should I ...


Dr. Zhang Weidong Reply:
Hello: It is normal for the tongue coating to have slight variations in thickness. As for whether the coating should be scraped off, it is generally recommended not to do so before a medical consultation, as this helps maintain its original appearance for the physician's exa...

[Read More] Understanding Tongue Coating: When to Worry and TCM Insights


Long-Term Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Potential Side Effects and Concerns

Issues with Long-term Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine Hello, doctor. I have been taking traditional Chinese medicine to help with my constipation for five years without any breaks, following the prescription provided by my physician. The doctor recommended two packets a day, ...


Dr. Lai Huilian Reply:
Dear Miss Pei-Chen, Based on the symptoms you described, they do not appear to have a significant correlation with prolonged use of traditional Chinese medicine. They may be more related to lifestyle stress. It would be advisable to discuss with your physician whether any adjust...

[Read More] Long-Term Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Potential Side Effects and Concerns


Understanding Left Leg Numbness and Cold Sensation: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Regarding the left leg, there is some numbness and a sensation of coldness? Hello Dr. Lu, due to my work, I have to operate a computer for long periods, and the position of the computer and desk has caused me to adopt a slightly left-leaning posture. To avoid confusion in my desc...


Dr. Lü Bingcheng Reply:
Mr. Zhang described his symptoms very carefully, including numbness and a tingling sensation on the outer side of his left thigh and the back of his calf, as well as occasional soreness in his buttocks. He also reported tightness in the left trapezius muscle and his left cheek. A...

[Read More] Understanding Left Leg Numbness and Cold Sensation: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine


Understanding Unexplained Inflammatory Pain in Elderly Patients

Unexplained inflammatory pain The mother is 80 years old and has no issues with daily activities (cooking every day, volunteering regularly, and occasionally hiking). However, she frequently experiences unexplained pain in different areas (previously in the shoulder, hip, knee, a...


Dr. Zhang Weidong Reply:
Hello, I apologize, but your question cannot be answered online. It requires an in-person consultation and examination. Please visit a trusted physician nearby for treatment. Thank you! Dr. Chang Wei-Dong, Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Changhua Hospital.

[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Inflammatory Pain in Elderly Patients


Understanding Hormonal Imbalance: The Link Between Moles and Menstrual Irregularities

Endocrine disorder Hello, doctor. Over the past year, I've noticed that I'm particularly prone to developing moles, especially red moles, although I also have black moles. I realized that the number of moles has been increasing since I turned 20. I'm wondering if t...


Dr. Lai Huilian Reply:
Hello, Ms. Hsieh: The formation of moles is due to the accumulation of melanocytes, formally known as melanocytic nevi. This is different from pigmented nevi, as most common moles are benign, while melanocytic nevi may undergo pathological changes. To determine if a mole has chan...

[Read More] Understanding Hormonal Imbalance: The Link Between Moles and Menstrual Irregularities


Understanding Lip Swelling: Traditional Chinese Medicine Insights

Lip swelling Hello doctor, my lips often appear swollen and they also peel. It's not the sausage lip type, but they look puffy. Additionally, the area around my lips is dark. Could this be related to spleen deficiency?


Dr. Gao Peiyi Reply:
It is unlikely to be a deficiency of the spleen. Based on the description, it may be a chronic infection or an allergic reaction, predominantly related to wind-heat or damp-heat. Over time, it could lead to dryness and blood deficiency. The above is merely speculation; actual app...

[Read More] Understanding Lip Swelling: Traditional Chinese Medicine Insights


Understanding Unformed Stool: Traditional Chinese Medicine Insights

Loose stools? Hello Dr. Hou, since I started taking antipsychotic medication over three years ago, my daily bowel movements have been soft, loose, and mushy, almost approaching diarrhea. It is very difficult to clean properly, and sometimes there is leakage after bowel movements....


Dr. Hou Yuchang Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, You have been experiencing long-term loose and sticky stools that are close to diarrhea, with occasional leakage. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this may not necessarily indicate excessive dampness. Since TCM does not rely solely on a sing...

[Read More] Understanding Unformed Stool: Traditional Chinese Medicine Insights


Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine: Can These Herbs Cause Dry Eyes?

Medication consultation Hello Dr. Zhang: I sought medical attention for gastroesophageal reflux and difficulty sleeping, and the physician prescribed the following: 1. Banxia Xiexin Decoction 2. Xiao Chai Hu Decoction 3. Zhi Zi Guo Decoction 4. Hai Piao Xiao 5. Zhu Ru. After taki...


Dr. Zhang Weidong Reply:
Hello, Xiao Ke: Regarding the symptoms that occurred after taking the medication, please discuss them with your original physician, as it is not possible to understand your condition based solely on a few sentences. Only your original physician can comprehend your situation and p...

[Read More] Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine: Can These Herbs Cause Dry Eyes?


Understanding Pulse and Herbal Medicine: Common Concerns in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Pulse Medication Issues Hello, Doctor. I would like to ask you a few questions: 1. I suddenly discovered the dorsalis pedis artery on my right foot, but I cannot feel it on my left foot. Visually, my right foot appears slightly more flushed than my left, and the veins on my lef...


Dr. Zhang Weidong Reply:
Hello: 1. The human body has the heart located slightly to the left, so the pulse strength on both sides will naturally differ. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, the radial artery pulse is also different on the left and right sides. As for what you mentioned about it ...

[Read More] Understanding Pulse and Herbal Medicine: Common Concerns in Traditional Chinese Medicine


Managing Eye Twitching During Menstrual Cycle: Traditional Chinese Medicine Insights

Eyelid twitching during menstruation? Hello Dr. Lai: During my ovulation and menstrual periods, my left lower eyelid keeps twitching, and it's only the left lower eyelid that is affected, with no twitching elsewhere. During these two periods, I also experience lower back pai...


Dr. Lai Huilian Reply:
Hello, Miss Shu-Ju: 1. The persistent twitching of your eyelid, referred to in traditional Chinese medicine as "blepharospasm" or "ocular twitching," is commonly attributed to blood deficiency, spleen deficiency, or external wind-heat. Given that you mentione...

[Read More] Managing Eye Twitching During Menstrual Cycle: Traditional Chinese Medicine Insights


Managing Tinnitus and Anxiety: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Tinnitus, palpitations, and feelings of fullness or discomfort in the chest and stomach? Hello, Doctor Gao. I have been experiencing tinnitus for over six months. In addition to the tinnitus, I also feel a constant tingling sensation in the area of my spine in the back. I visited...


Dr. Gao Peiyi Reply:
It is likely just caused by nervous anxiety and is unrelated to diaphragmatic breathing.

[Read More] Managing Tinnitus and Anxiety: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine


Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Dosage for Gastroesophageal Reflux

Drug dosage Hello, Doctor Gao: I visited the outpatient clinic today due to gastroesophageal reflux and difficulty sleeping. The prescription for one week is as follows: Banxia Xiexin Decoction 5.0, Xiao Chai Hu Decoction A 4.5, Zhi Zi Guo Decoction 1.5, Hai Piao Xiao 1.0, Zhu Ru...


Dr. Gao Peiyi Reply:
1. Is Xiao Chai Hu Decoction divided into A and B types? No, it may be a modification of the original formula by the clinic, excluding ginseng. 2. The doctor said I have excess heat, and the medications prescribed to me during the first three visits were all heat-clearing herbs...

[Read More] Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Dosage for Gastroesophageal Reflux


Understanding Chinese Medicine for Recurrent Vaginal Infections

Questions about the use of traditional Chinese medicine for vaginitis? Hello Doctor, since my first vaginal infection this year (without sexual intercourse), I have been experiencing frequent recurrences. I have visited a gynecologist each time it relapses, and recently I have se...


Dr. Gao Peiyi Reply:
If symptoms improve after medication, it is possible to be allergic to a specific herbal medicine, and further adjustments may be necessary. For recurrent vaginitis, in addition to intimate hygiene issues, it is important to consider factors that may contribute to a decrease in t...

[Read More] Understanding Chinese Medicine for Recurrent Vaginal Infections


Are Herbal Powders Safe for Toddlers? A Parent's Guide to Nutrition

Nutritional supplements for infants? Currently, the child is 1 year and 2 months old. Recently, due to a cold, my mother-in-law specifically bought a 22-ingredient health powder for me to mix for the child, thinking it could serve as a complementary food to enhance immunity. She ...


Dr. Peng Renyuan Reply:
Dear Mom, During this period, you can prepare a variety of foods for your baby to help them get accustomed to different flavors. Whether or not they have allergies may be more related to their constitution. As for which types of foods to prepare, it can be determined based on yo...

[Read More] Are Herbal Powders Safe for Toddlers? A Parent's Guide to Nutrition


Managing Anal Abscess with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Patient's Journey

Chinese herbal medicine for anal abscess? Dear Doctor, I have a hard lump near my anus, and a Western medicine diagnosis identified it as an anal fistula. Currently, I am relying on traditional Chinese medicine. My physician mentioned that this is just a minor issue and surgery i...


Dr. Chen Jieting Reply:
The prescription from the previous traditional Chinese medicine practitioner was actually quite good and can have a certain effect on hemorrhoids. In my opinion, when the anal fistula was diagnosed earlier, there was likely already an issue with internal hemorrhoids. These two co...

[Read More] Managing Anal Abscess with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Patient's Journey


Can Traditional Chinese Medicine for Menstrual Issues Cause Dizziness?

Can traditional Chinese medicine herbs used for regulating menstruation and promoting blood circulation cause dizziness? The main reasons for seeking medical attention were light menstrual flow, poor sleep, and cold extremities (without menstrual pain). After taking the first pac...


Dr. Zhang Weidong Reply:
Hello, Hs: The reactions you experienced after taking the medication were not what you expected, but could they be within your physician's expectations? I suggest you discuss this with your original physician, or you may want to inquire over the phone first. The response fro...

[Read More] Can Traditional Chinese Medicine for Menstrual Issues Cause Dizziness?


Managing High Blood Sugar in Dialysis Patients: A Case Study

I would like to inquire about my father's issue of elevated blood sugar levels before meals, three months after starting dialysis? Hello Doctor, my father is 75 years old and has been on dialysis for about 5 months. When he started dialysis, his fasting blood sugar was aroun...


Dr. Gao Peiyi Reply:
It is recommended to visit the hospital's metabolic department for a detailed examination. In addition to stabilizing blood sugar levels with medication, it is important to investigate whether there are other underlying causes of hyperglycemia.

[Read More] Managing High Blood Sugar in Dialysis Patients: A Case Study


Managing Cough and Phlegm: Loquat Syrup vs. Ryukakusan for Viral Cold

For a cold with phlegm, over-the-counter options include loquat syrup and Ryukakusan (a herbal throat lozenge)? Hello, Doctor Gao: Regarding the sore throat and yellow phlegm caused by a viral cold, does this fall within the category of a "hot cough"? If using over-the-...


Dr. Gao Peiyi Reply:
Longkou San has insufficient heat-clearing ability but is unlikely to have side effects. Loquat syrup is moistening for the lungs; using it too early may lead to phlegm production, so it is best to wait until there is no phlegm or when phlegm is stuck and cannot be coughed out be...

[Read More] Managing Cough and Phlegm: Loquat Syrup vs. Ryukakusan for Viral Cold


Is Loquat Syrup or Ryukakusan Suitable for Cough with Phlegm?

Is it suitable to take loquat syrup or Ryukakusan for a cough with phlegm due to a cold? Hello Dr. Chang: Regarding the cough caused by a viral infection with yellow phlegm, is this what Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to as a "heat cough"? I usually do not have a c...


Dr. Zhang Weidong Reply:
Hello Mr. Chen: Regarding over-the-counter medications, it is not appropriate to answer online as it can lead to misunderstandings or imply endorsement of products, so I cannot respond here. I apologize for that! It would be more suitable to consult with your attending traditiona...

[Read More] Is Loquat Syrup or Ryukakusan Suitable for Cough with Phlegm?


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