2. Fang Fang

2. Fang Fang

Q: A 25-year-old woman has had hypothyroidism for four years. Initially, when she started taking medication for hypothyroidism, her condition seemed to worsen. After visiting the hospital for thyroid function tests, she stopped taking the medication and has not resumed it since. Recently, she has been feeling easily irritable. How should she be treated and managed? Will this affect her fertility?

A: Hypothyroidism is often a sequela of subacute thyroiditis, though a small percentage is primary.

It is crucial to start treatment promptly; otherwise, it may develop into Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is difficult to cure and not only affects fertility but can also become a lifelong condition. The commonly used treatment is levothyroxine. Traditional Chinese medicine is also effective for this condition, but requires syndrome differentiation for treatment.

3. Fu Hongyu: A 5-year-old child frequently has a runny nose. How should this be treated?

A: If the child’s runny nose is not due to a cold, it may be a mild disturbance of the autonomic nervous system. If there are no other symptoms, no special treatment is needed.

4. Donglai Dongwang: I am 26 years old and have previously had vaginitis, which improved after treatment. Now, about 15 days after intercourse, my vagina feels itchy again, followed by increased vaginal discharge resembling tofu dregs. Even after using medication and resuming intercourse, the same symptoms persist. How should I treat this?

A: This is likely fungal vaginitis, though trichomoniasis cannot be completely ruled out. Continuous treatment is required until complete recovery before resuming intercourse. Both Western and traditional Chinese medicine offer numerous treatment options for fungal vaginitis.

5. Jia Yizhen Shi Zhen Yi Jia: What tests are needed for prostatitis, and what are its symptoms?

A: Symptoms of prostatitis include frequent urination, urgency, and discomfort during urination. Some patients also experience perineal pain that may radiate to the groin and inner thighs. Urinalysis and phosphatidylcholine testing are necessary; a positive result confirms the diagnosis. A negative result does not rule out the condition. Additionally, imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI can help assess the prostate’s morphology, aiding in diagnosis. Historically, digital rectal examination was also used for diagnosis, with similar effectiveness.

6. Wu: My grandfather is 65 years old and has suffered from sciatica for over two years. Last year, the condition was not too severe, and a painkiller prescribed by the hospital alleviated the pain. However, this year the pain has grown increasingly severe. I have consulted a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and taken some herbal decoctions, but the pain has not improved. What treatment options do you recommend?

A: Sciatica is often caused by lumbar disc herniation. Therefore, treatment should address both the sciatica and the underlying herniation.

7. Dou Dou’s Comment: I weigh 85 kg and am 1.77 meters tall. My daily physical activity is limited, and my creatinine level is at the borderline. My triglycerides are also around 3.0, with no other unusual sensations. Are my kidney functions normal? Should I undergo further examinations?

A: Clearly, your body mass index exceeds the normal range, and your blood lipids are also elevated, indicating obesity. First, adopt a light diet and increase physical exercise to reduce weight and lower blood lipids. Once your weight and blood lipids return to normal, then go to the hospital for a kidney function check.

8. Red Carnation: I constantly feel discomfort in my chest, sometimes with a bit of pain, and always feel short of breath. Traditional Chinese medicine says it’s due to deficiency of middle qi, while Western medicine attributes it to myocardial ischemia. What medication is best for myocardial ischemia?

A: Myocardial ischemia falls under the category of coronary heart disease. Early, comprehensive, and systematic treatment is essential. Do not rely solely on one medication, as this condition involves multiple pathological issues that require urgent attention, such as hypertension, high blood viscosity, and high blood lipids.

9. Huo Yanhong: I suffer from severe insomnia and only sleep one or two hours a day. What should I do?

A: Insomnia is a very complex issue with many possible causes. Hypertension, hypotension, anemia, and even excessively high hemoglobin levels can all lead to insomnia. In short, any organic dysfunction in the body can potentially cause insomnia at some stage. It is recommended to undergo a comprehensive examination at a reputable hospital for a more accurate diagnosis.

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January 3, 2014

1. Snow Dance and Cherry Blossom Fragrance: My husband is 35 years old and needs to use the bathroom twice every morning. Previously, he only went twice a day, but now, after eating spicy or oily foods like hot pot, he needs to go even more frequently, and his stomach often feels uncomfortable. What could be causing this?

A: This is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system in the gastrointestinal tract, formerly known as allergic colitis. If the sensation of tenesmus is not obvious, try taking Lizhong Wan or Lianli Wan.

2. Sun: An elderly person over 80 has poor memory, sometimes confused, sometimes clear-minded. What medication can improve this, and is dietary therapy helpful?

A: Memory decline in people over 80 is mostly caused by cerebral arteriosclerosis and brain atrophy. These conditions first manifest as memory problems, followed by cognitive impairment, and eventually difficulties in thinking and language. Some cases may also involve vascular dementia, while others may develop senile dementia. Dietary therapy is a very important method; the diet should be light, with minimal meat, eggs, and dairy products. Additionally, depending on the condition, long-term use of lipid-lowering drugs, antiplatelet agents, and antihypertensive medications may be beneficial.

3. Baililan: I am 31 years old, unmarried, and had a habit of masturbation before 2012. I am somewhat overweight and have a history of smoking and drinking, but no addiction. Recently, during sexual intercourse with my girlfriend, I discovered that I suffer from erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. I have intermittently taken “Wuzi Yanzong Wan” from Tong Ren Tang, but the symptoms have not improved. Could you please suggest a prescription?

A: Boys who have a long-term habit of masturbation are prone to erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, especially unmarried young men engaging in sexual activity. When they feel anxious, these problems are most likely to occur. Don’t be afraid—stay relaxed. Most patients find that these issues disappear after getting married. Traditional Chinese medicine is very effective for treating these conditions; it is recommended to visit a reputable TCM hospital for treatment.

4. LV: Male, 24 years old, experiences milky-white urine at the end of urination, and sometimes lacks morning erection. Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosed him with chyluria, and his symptoms improved after taking some herbal decoctions. However, consuming meat or greasy, sweet, and rich foods causes a relapse. Yesterday, a prostate fluid examination showed 3.8 white blood cells and 2+ phosphatidylcholine bodies, with no other abnormalities. The doctor said this is not chyluria but prostatitis. What should I do?

A: Chyluria occurs when lymphatic vessels rupture, causing lymph fluid to leak into the urine. Most cases are caused by filariasis, which is prevalent in Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, but rare in northern China. Your urinalysis shows 2+ phosphatidylcholine and 3.8 white blood cells, which can confirm prostatitis. Traditional Chinese medicine refers to this condition as "linzheng." Both TCM and Western medicine have effective treatments; you can visit a specialized clinic or consult an experienced TCM physician.

5. Love You All: My baby is almost 1 year and 3 months old and refuses to eat. A hospital examination revealed deficiencies in calcium, iron, and zinc, along with mild anemia. After taking medication for half a month, the baby still eats very little. What medication is most effective?

A: For babies around 1 year old, if there are no other symptoms, simply refusing to eat is common. You can give them Shimu Sheng, Duoyuan Pian, or traditional Chinese medicine like Baohuo Wan.

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January 6, 2014

1. Ting: I have always had poor gastrointestinal health and get diarrhea after eating greasy foods. During breastfeeding, I once ate pig trotters stewed with peanuts, and almost every time I did, I would get diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by stomach pain. How should I regulate my diet?

A: Your gastrointestinal function is weak, especially during breastfeeding, making it even worse. It is currently not advisable to consume pig trotter soup; instead, focus on a light diet. For a healthy body, breast milk is usually sufficient; if it’s not enough, then make adjustments.

2. Li Xin: Male, 40 years old, developed cough, sore throat, and chest pain after a cold. After taking three doses of Sangju Yin with added ingredients, his symptoms improved. Now, his throat feels uncomfortable and slightly itchy, and he experiences throat and chest pain when coughing. What medication should he take next?

A: It is likely that you have chronic pharyngitis, which often coexists with upper airway cough syndrome. It is recommended to try Yangyin Qingfei Wan and Baihe Gujin Wan.

3. Olive Tree: My mother is 58 years old and has been experiencing abdominal pain lately. A hospital examination revealed a gastric ulcer. After taking medication for a period of time, the pain has not subsided, and sometimes she also feels bloated, belches, and has stomach pain. The symptoms are slightly better in the morning, especially noticeable after dinner in the afternoon. How should she be treated?

A: Your mother not only has chronic gastritis or gastric ulcer, but also suffers from gastrointestinal dysfunction, clinically known as gastrointestinal syndrome. Treatment should address both the stomach and intestines. Currently, there are no proprietary Chinese medicines specifically for this condition; only through syndrome differentiation can effective prescriptions be formulated.

4. Zhang Xuehui: My mother-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage IV, with no obvious metastasis. Are there any good late-stage treatment methods or medications?

Answers to Netizens’ Questions (January 8, 2014)