2. Super Invincible Lucky Scorpio Mouse

2. Super Invincible Lucky Scorpio Mouse

Question: My younger brother is 36 years old and has been experiencing sinus tachycardia frequently over the past two months, with a heart rate of 140 beats per minute. His echocardiogram is normal, and he’s been taking 12.5 mg of Betaloc daily for half a month. Today, his heart rate suddenly increased again, accompanied by sweating in his hands and feet, and a momentary feeling of tightness and pain in his heart. How is this usually treated?

Answer: First, we need to rule out myocarditis and early-stage rheumatic heart disease, as well as hyperthyroidism and anemia.

A clear diagnosis is required before treatment, so avoid taking medication blindly, as it may hinder future proper treatment.

3. Laughing at the World

Question: A friend of mine has been experiencing constant dizziness at the top of his head for the past year, feeling icy cold up there. He’s had a CT scan, and the doctor says there’s nothing wrong, but he still suffers terribly every day. What could be the cause?

Answer: This is called neural headache. In TCM, the crown of the head is classified as “Jueyin headache,” and treatment should focus on promoting blood circulation, removing wind-dampness, and soothing the liver. Western painkillers like salicylates (aspirin), anilides, pyrazolones, ergot alkaloids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs only provide temporary relief but cannot cure the root cause. TCM, through syndrome differentiation-based treatment, can achieve excellent results.

4. Zhang Qiang

Question: I’m from a rural area in Dingxi City, Gansu Province. My husband’s face is always red, his palms and soles are hot, and he also has hypertension. His tongue is red with no coating and cracks, and white blisters appear on his tongue every few days. What could be the cause, and what diet should he follow?

Answer: Hypertension can cause all the symptoms you mentioned. From a TCM perspective, a red tongue with little coating and hot palms indicate yin deficiency, while a red face indicates yang excess. Together, they point to yin deficiency and yang excess. The treatment principle is to nourish yin and subdue yang, with specific formulas determined through syndrome differentiation.

5. Che Zai Liu

Question: A child has cerebellar hypoplasia. What good remedies are there for treatment?

Answer: Cerebellar hypoplasia is a congenital condition. Parents should be patient and provide careful care, avoiding giving up. If they find a good TCM practitioner for syndrome differentiation-based treatment, the child can gradually improve, though long-term medication is necessary. Some of my patients have even returned to work like normal people after treatment.

6. Whatever

Question: I’m 24 years old and haven’t had children yet. I’d like to ask: I had an abortion at the end of September last year, took emergency contraception once at the end of February this year, and also took it once two years ago. Will this affect my ability to have children in the future?

Answer: Of course it will. Young women who have had abortions, especially medical abortions or unintended pregnancies, can suffer damage to ovarian function, leading to premature aging. Such cases are frequently seen in clinical practice.

7. Lin Xiaonuo

Question: I’m a chronic otitis media patient, suffering for over ten years. Now my right eardrum has perforated. What should I do? Other hospitals diagnosed: ① Chronic mastoiditis of the right ear, with soft tissue lesions in the tympanic cavity and mastoid process; ② Possible localized fibrous dysplasia of the left temporal bone; ③ High-positioned carotid bulb on both sides, with the left sigmoid sinus significantly anterior; ④ Thickening of the soft tissue at the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.

Answer: This is suppurative otitis media, which can lead to mastoiditis, and in a small number of cases, cholesteatoma. The best approach is surgery; if there are sequelae, then seek TCM syndrome differentiation-based treatment.

8. Ting

Question: I have two questions about my mother that I’d like to ask you. First, in her youth, her right arm hurt whenever she did farm work, but in the past two years, the pain in her right arm has gone away, and now her wrist has started hurting, with a lump about the size of a thumb appearing. Second, she often has stomach pain—whenever she eats something “hot,” her stomach hurts, like after eating fried eggs, her stomach feels uncomfortable, and sweet potatoes also make her stomach hurt.

Answer: Your mother has degenerative osteoarthritis in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The “thumb-sized lump” on her wrist might be a ganglion cyst. For now, treatment should focus on osteoarthritis. As for the ganglion cyst, it’s best not to touch it. Rural doctors’ best method for treating such cysts is to squeeze them hard—though the cyst may disappear, it will leave scars. Frequent “stomach pain” suggests chronic gastritis. If fried eggs clearly aggravate the pain, it means she also has cholecystitis. She should go to the hospital for relevant examinations, and avoid spicy, stimulating foods, meat, eggs, and dairy products in her diet.

9. Wang Xiongxiong

Question: I’m 26 years old and have been dreaming almost every night since I was 15, sometimes even waking up screaming in my sleep—symptoms of nightmares. Is this a disease? How should I regulate myself?

Answer: Dreaming is something everyone experiences. If you dream every night and even wake up screaming, it needs treatment. Western medicine calls this autonomic nervous system dysfunction, while TCM believes it’s due to imbalance between yin and yang, and disharmony between water and fire. Try taking Tianwang Buxin Dan, Baizi Yangxin Wan, or Jiaotai Wan.

10. Bowl

Question: In early 2012, I sprained my lower back once and recovered after treatment. At the end of 2012, my lower back hurt again due to cold weather, and drinking two boxes of Yaotongning Capsules relieved the pain. At the end of 2013, the lower back pain recurred, and despite various treatments, the effect has been minimal. Now the main symptoms are lower back soreness and radiating pain in both legs. What should I do?

Answer: This is called lumbar muscle strain. The first occurrence was “lumbar sprain,” and subsequent cases are chronic lumbar muscle strain. The best treatment is massage, though physiotherapy, small needle knife, acupuncture, and cupping also have certain effects.

11. qiushuiyiren

Question: How should TCM treat cor pulmonale with heart failure?

Answer: Cor pulmonale with heart failure requires immediate hospitalization. Key points of treatment: ① Anti-inflammatory; ② Cardiotonic and diuretic—diuresis not only eliminates edema but also reduces the heart’s preload.

12. Competing with the Sun and Moon

Question: My father’s current clinical presentation is: he relies on an oxygen concentrator for 24 hours a day, with labored breathing, coughing up thick sputum, and extreme fatigue that prevents him from walking. He’s now bedridden at home and unable to go to the hospital. Professor Pei, are there any good ways to improve his symptoms, such as dietary adjustments or Chinese/Western medicines?

Answer: Based on your description, your father’s condition indicates chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cor pulmonale, and heart failure—collectively known as COPD. He should be hospitalized immediately.

13. Sun Fanyu

Question: How should small three-positive hepatitis B patients without symptoms be treated? Can they take Ganning Capsules?

Answer: For small three-positive hepatitis B patients with normal liver function and no symptoms, treatment may not be necessary. Of course, if they overeat, overwork, smoke, drink, or constantly feel depressed, they may progress to large three-positive and develop liver damage. As for Ganning Capsules, I haven’t used the specific ingredients, so I can’t give you a definitive answer.

14. Baozi

Question: My mom is 52 years old and occasionally experiences numbness and pain in both hands at night, which disappears after she gets up. Recently, these symptoms have reappeared, but unlike before, they don’t go away after getting up, and she still has similar symptoms upon waking. What could be the cause?

Answer: Possible causes of hand numbness include: ① peripheral neuropathy; ② cervical spondylosis; ③ arteriosclerosis; ④ anemia. More information is needed to determine the exact cause.

15. Baili River

<!-- translated-chunk:15/53 -->

Q: I have a female friend with severe vasculitis. She experiences severe foot pain after walking for a short distance, and long-term antibiotic use has led to serious gastric problems. Can Traditional Chinese Medicine help manage her condition? What should she pay attention to in daily life?

A: Antibiotics are ineffective for vasculitis, and currently Western medicine does not offer any particularly effective treatments; the only option is amputation after lower limb necrosis. TCM has many approaches, but outcomes vary from person to person. Some patients can be cured (based on my experience), while most can slow disease progression, though this requires long-term medication. However, TCM herbs are very bitter and difficult to take, and no patient has ever persisted with the regimen, ultimately leading to amputation.

16. Xu Yunxing

Q: Male, 30 years old: I often cannot sleep at night, with my mind constantly racing and unable to control these thoughts. This has been going on for 4–5 years. Recently, I’ve also been experiencing dizziness. Could this be related to my insomnia? If so, what might be the cause?

A: Of course, it’s related to insomnia. Sleep is essential for the body to recover from fatigue and ensure proper functioning the next day. If you consistently lack adequate sleep, it’s not just dizziness that becomes a problem—your ability to work normally may even be compromised. Dizziness is actually one of the mildest symptoms of sleep deprivation.

---

March 6, 2014

1. Xiu Fu Xiao Nv Ren

Q: My mother has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years, and her condition has now worsened, even causing deformity in her finger joints. She was recently hospitalized and treated with Western medicine, which provided some relief but still leaves her in considerable pain. Tests revealed chronic rheumatoid arthritis, along with high blood sugar, a lung infection, and calcium deficiency. For someone in my mother’s situation, are there any good TCM prescriptions that could help alleviate her pain?

A: Your mother has diabetes and a weakened immune system, making her prone to infections. Infections, in turn, can exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects large joints, but the current deformity of her finger joints suggests a possible overlap with rheumatoid arthritis—what we call “overlapping arthritis.” Such cases are relatively difficult to treat. Please promptly check for rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and procalcitonin (PCT) to conduct a comprehensive analysis and tailor treatment accordingly. Just like a machine, once a person passes middle age, it’s time for a major overhaul. Don’t be afraid of the hassle or the cost—this directly impacts longevity.

2. Yi Chuan

I’m 30 years old and suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, I have synovitis of the left knee joint and ankylosing spondylitis. After more than a year of medication, there’s still no improvement. What should I do?

A: Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in small joints and is a form of degenerative osteoarthritis. It’s likely that you also have “overlapping arthritis.” For ankylosing spondylitis, it’s essential to test for HLA-B27, as this is a specific marker for the condition. A positive result confirms the diagnosis. You should undergo a thorough “check-up” and receive comprehensive, systematic treatment, as this directly affects your longevity.

3. CindyMM

Female, 50 years old: I suddenly experienced numbness in my left foot, and the sensation in my leg differs from that of my right leg. An X-ray of the spine showed no abnormalities, and the doctor attributed it to peripheral nerve issues, recommending an electromyography. Is this test useful?

A: Possible causes of left-foot numbness include:

• ① Peripheral vascular disease: hardening of peripheral blood vessels leads to insufficient blood supply, often accompanied by hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
• ② Peripheral neuritis: patients with this condition frequently have gastrointestinal disorders, systemic malnutrition, and impaired vitamin B absorption.
• ③ Gynecological inflammation: this can affect blood flow to the lower limbs.

4. Lao Zhu

29 years old: Since around sixth grade, my thighs have constantly felt sore, so much so that I can’t even sleep, especially the day before it rains. Could this be rheumatism? How should it be treated?

A: If the discomfort affects both sides, first consider polymyalgia rheumatica.

5. Dong Bo Nan

35 years old: My limbs feel cold, my lower abdomen feels chilly, yet above the neck I easily get overheated, with dry lips and nose. My period is delayed, and after taking Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan for a while, my nasal passages became even drier. My sleep isn’t great either, my lower back is always sore, and when I wake up, my face and hands are slightly swollen. I also have loose stools, indigestion, and pain three fingers’ width above my navel. Teacher, what could be going on here?

A: Your symptoms fall into two categories: First, “cold extremities and a barely palpable pulse” indicate Shaoyin disease. Second, “heat on the head (with sweating) extending down to the neck” indicates Daiyang syndrome. Whether it’s Daiyang syndrome or Shaoyin syndrome, if there are no serious organic lesions in the body, from a Western medical perspective, they both fall under autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Traditional Chinese medicines such as Dang Gui Si Ni San, Chai Hu Si Ni San, and Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San all show therapeutic effects when used according to syndrome differentiation.

6. Tui Bi Shan Ye

Every afternoon and evening, I experience stomach bloating, my tongue feels uncomfortably hot as if burned, and I have excessive phlegm and throat irritation. Could you please advise on how to treat these symptoms?

A: You have two underlying conditions: First, chronic pharyngitis has led to upper airway cough syndrome; second, chronic gastritis. The latter (Earth) and the former (Metal), according to the Five Elements’ generating and controlling relationships, have a mutual influence. Therefore, treating both conditions simultaneously is necessary for effective results.

7. Kai Quan Tea Co., Ltd.

Female, 14 years old: After contracting chickenpox last May, my platelet count dropped and often stayed between 46 and 100. The doctor said it was an immune system issue. How can I boost my immunity?

A: First, girls aged 14 need to maintain regular menstruation, as this is the “leading indicator” of immune system changes during puberty. It’s crucial to keep periods regular. Second, adjust your diet to protect your gastrointestinal tract, since the GI tract is the most sensitive part of the autonomic nervous system. If the GI tract is damaged, the autonomic nervous system will become dysregulated, leading to a decline in immunity.

8. Li Wei

I’ve had gastrointestinal bloating for a year now, especially every morning when I feel better only after passing gas. Sometimes I also experience mild pain in the lower left abdomen and difficulty with bowel movements. What could be causing this?

A: According to TCM, the six fu organs function best when they are unobstructed. Specifically, the spleen’s qi should rise, and the stomach’s qi should descend. When this balance is maintained, the organs are considered “unblocked.” Passing gas is a normal physiological phenomenon, indicating that the six fu organs are functioning smoothly.

9. Ma Yue

My mother is 59 years old. Recently, a cold led to sensorineural hearing loss. After a period of treatment at the hospital, there was little improvement. Now her ears constantly feel numb and swollen, with a persistent buzzing sound. She also suffers from hypertension, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and other age-related conditions. What treatment options are available?

A: Tinnitus and hearing loss are often sequelae of upper respiratory infections, caused by Eustachian tube inflammation that disrupts pressure balance in the ear canal. Initially, this manifests as catarrhal otitis media; if untreated, it can progress to sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. Hypertension and arteriosclerosis can also contribute to these symptoms. For example, cerebral arteriosclerosis reduces blood supply to the auditory nerve (the eighth cranial nerve) located in the brainstem, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. Therefore, treatment should address both the ear and the underlying systemic conditions. This cannot be resolved with a single approach or medication; a thorough examination at a large hospital followed by systematic treatment is necessary.

10. Zi Yuan

In 2012, I was diagnosed with bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. The tumor on my right kidney was large, and the entire right kidney was subsequently removed. Now, I still have a roughly 2 cm angiomyolipoma on my left kidney, sometimes accompanied by pain in the left renal area, and occasional discomfort at the site of the previous surgery on the right kidney. Additionally, due to a heart surgery many years ago, I contracted hepatitis C, but the virus is currently inactive, and there are still small cysts in my liver. Can I take traditional Chinese medicine to treat this condition?

A: Angiomyolipomas don’t require surgery unless they affect kidney function. As for hepatitis C, active treatment is essential, since the disease almost always progresses to chronic hepatitis, eventually leading to cirrhosis.

---

March 7, 2014

1. Qiu Xin Yi

Nasal inflammation, skin disease (eczema), especially in winter when both conditions flare up simultaneously, plus poor gastrointestinal health and sensitivity to cold—what’s going on with me? Is my immune system really weak? Professor, could you advise on what foods I should eat?

A: Nasal inflammation and eczema are both allergic conditions, suggesting you may have an allergic constitution. Poor gastrointestinal health could also be linked to allergies; commonly, what’s called allergic enteritis is quite prevalent. You should pay attention to dietary adjustments, prevent colds, strengthen exercise, and consider injections of thymopentin or similar agents when necessary.

2. Er Mei San Jie

My husband has severe lumbar disc herniation. Does he absolutely need surgery? Are there any conservative treatment options?

A: Only a small fraction of lumbar disc herniations require surgery—specifically those where the herniated disc causes spinal canal stenosis and compresses the spinal cord. Patients with less severe functional impairment can opt for conservative treatments such as TCM therapy, acupuncture, and massage, chosen based on individual circumstances.

3. Mo Han Yan

I’m a psoriasis patient with frequent blood stasis. What medications can I take to improve my symptoms?

A: Psoriasis is a common and difficult-to-treat disease. Both TCM and Western medicine offer numerous treatment methods, but none is truly ideal. Compared to Western medicine, TCM’s syndrome-differentiated approach tends to be more effective. You should seek consultation with an experienced TCM practitioner.

4. Selina

A liver cancer patient relapsed one year after surgery, with new nodules appearing. I heard a folk remedy claiming that eating toads is effective. Could you please advise whether this is true and if there are any contraindications?

A: The active ingredient in toads is toad venom, secreted by the parotid glands behind the ears. Some literature reports its effectiveness in treating leukemia. My developed Qing Kou capsules primarily use this ingredient, and there are also studies suggesting its use in cancer treatment, though these are only minority opinions. My view: because this medicine is highly toxic, it shouldn’t be used as a single-agent treatment.

5. Sunshine

I’m a clinical graduate who has been working for less than half a year. Sometimes when drawing blood, giving injections, debriding wounds, or performing sutures, my hands tremble involuntarily. Actually, I’m not nervous; this never happened during my internship. Also, lately I’ve been dreaming a lot. I hope Mr. Pei can help me figure out what’s going on and how to treat it.

A: This indicates instability in your nervous system. Lack of experience and technical skill may be contributing factors. There’s also a familial tremor that usually doesn’t manifest in daily life but surfaces in critical moments. Have any members of your family exhibited similar symptoms?

6. Xiang Si De Hong Dou

A friend, 37 years old, was diagnosed with lumbar disc bulge six months ago. Now he suffers from insomnia, tinnitus, excessive sweating, and poor memory. Ultrasound shows mild fatty liver and cholecystitis, along with lower back pain and coldness in his right leg, which also feels heavy. Could this be kidney problems?

A: Your friend’s condition is likely due to vertebral protrusion, which can cause coldness in the right limb. As for fatty liver, cholecystitis, insomnia, excessive sweating, and tinnitus, these are probably unrelated to the vertebral protrusion. Cholecystitis and fatty liver can lead to systemic autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which may explain the excessive sweating and insomnia. In TCM, all lower back pain is attributed to kidney deficiency, and excessive sweating and frequent dreaming can also be categorized as kidney deficiency. TCM concepts differ from modern medical perspectives.

March 10, 2014