From Pei Zhengxue Health Weibo, Volume 3 · Read time 1 min · Updated March 22, 2026

Keywords：专著资料, 全文在线浏览, 随笔资料, 4. 灰太狼

8. Love to Strive but Can’t Win

Question: Male, 25 years old. Recently, I suddenly feel pain in my right ear when I open my mouth wide or clench my teeth. What could be the cause, and what medicine should I take?

Answer: You may have temporomandibular joint inflammation. Massage and physiotherapy can be effective, and general painkillers also work. To achieve a cure, you’ll need traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and treatment.

Sticking together, easily obstructing the flow of qi; when qi flow is blocked, pain occurs. Using wind-dispelling and dampness-clearing medicines is effective. It is recommended to try Duohuo Jisheng Wan, Jiuwei Qianghuo Wan, and Guifu Bawei Wan.

8. Feng Yamei

Question: I’d like to ask—my father has advanced liver cancer, and the CT scan shows that only one-fifth of his liver remains. He’s already in pain. Can it still be treated?

Answer: Based on my experience with advanced liver cancer, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are all unsuitable. Only traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and treatment can prolong life. Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine doesn’t necessarily have to use “tiger-like” or “wolf-like” ingredients. As the Huangdi Neijing says, “For mild cases, reverse the pattern; for severe cases, follow the pattern.”

9. Su Jin Nian Shi

Question: My mother is 52 years old and has been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. She’s been dizzy for a month, but her blood pressure is normal. What else could be causing her dizziness? When she sits up, her head feels very swollen.

Answer: The vascular symptoms of cervical spondylosis are mainly dizziness. When the blood vessels (vertebral arteries) are compressed, cerebral blood supply is affected, leading to vertigo. Physical therapy, massage, and syndrome differentiation-based traditional Chinese medicine can all alleviate the compression of the vertebral arteries to varying degrees, thereby improving dizziness. It is not true that one must undergo surgery to cut them off in order to relieve headaches—this would be like trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice pot. Of course, some severe cases of cervical spondylosis still require surgical intervention.

10. Pei Yan

Question: I am 28 years old and just gave birth to a baby last year. I breastfed until about 10 months, then weaned because there was a lump in my left breast. I have tried many massages, but they did not work well. Now my baby is 14 months old, and an ultrasound shows the lump in my left breast measures 3.2 cm × 2.4 cm. There is still milk coming out, and it is accompanied by pain. What good methods do you recommend?

Answer: The lump you described is likely a fibroadenoma of the breast. Your child can continue breastfeeding, and it will not affect the baby. You can either undergo surgery or receive treatment based on syndrome differentiation using traditional Chinese medicine.

11. Liu Yi

Question: My daughter is over five months old, and she had a small red mark on her forehead at birth. It becomes very obvious when she cries or when it's hot outside; if you press it with your finger, it disappears, but reappears when you let go. It has neither faded nor grown larger. What could this be?

Answer: That is a hemangioma. You don't need to worry about it—just let it develop naturally. Some of these will completely disappear as they grow older. Of course, some may continue to grow, but this does not affect health.

12. Lanzi Xiaoni

Question: I contracted hepatitis B as a child and was diagnosed with "big three positive." Later, after getting married and having a miscarriage, all my test results turned negative. A year later, I was tested again and found to be "small three positive." Recently, I underwent a comprehensive examination and still tested "small three positive." The ultrasound was normal except for a slightly rough gallbladder, alpha-fetoprotein was normal, hepatitis B virus load was 3.92 × 10³, alanine aminotransferase rose to 63 U/L, and aspartate aminotransferase was 54 U/L. Do I need treatment in this situation? Can I get pregnant?

Answer: Treatment is necessary, but it will not affect fertility. After becoming pregnant, triple prophylactic treatment should be administered starting from the seventh month of gestation, and 95% of the babies born will be healthy.

13. zhaojunping

Question: I am your patient with "big three positive" hepatitis B. I have never developed ascites. The color Doppler ultrasound shows a portal vein diameter of 12 mm. I have been treated for one year, but my HBeAg has not turned negative yet; HBeAb has appeared slightly, and HBeAg has also decreased somewhat. However, the viral load remains at 10⁴, and I experience abdominal bloating, discomfort in the liver area while sleeping, gurgling sounds, and my abdomen has become loose and enlarged. Whenever I get angry, I feel bloated and uncomfortable. What stage is this condition at, and how serious is it?

Answer: The key is to see whether the spleen is enlarged. If the splenic gate thickness is less than 4 cm, it indicates that the condition is not severe, and treatment can continue.

May 28, 2014

1. Ting

Question: My father is 73 years old and has had hypertension for eight years. He suffered a stroke in 2010 and had two stents placed in his carotid arteries in 2011. Since then, he has constantly experienced dizziness, blurred vision, and sleepiness, and has been taking medication continuously. Recently, his condition worsened, so he underwent an MRI, which revealed multiple lacunar infarcts and ischemic foci, with some areas showing softening; white matter rarefaction; brain atrophy; and cerebral arteriosclerosis. What should be done?

Answer: Your father suffers from hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a widespread lesion affecting the entire arterial system. Coronary artery sclerosis led to myocardial infarction, necessitating stent placement. Similarly, cerebral arteriosclerosis caused cerebral infarction. Nowadays, some patients with cerebral infarction receive minimally invasive treatment, but the effect is limited, especially in cases of multiple cerebral infarcts combined with white matter degeneration and partial brain tissue softening. Such patients often develop various neurological syndromes. For these patients, local minimally invasive treatment has limited efficacy. It is recommended to take traditional Chinese medicine to improve quality of life and prolong survival.

2. Wang Zikai

Question: My tongue is swollen with tooth marks, my coating is white, my complexion is yellow with a hint of blue, my pulse is wiry and fine, and I have premature graying due to liver and kidney deficiency. I prefer quiet activities and tend to overthink and worry. I have been diagnosed with infertility, vaginitis, and hydrosalpinx. Could you please provide me with a prescription?

Answer: You suffer from vaginitis, adnexitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pelvic congestion syndrome. Since the condition has become chronic, local inflammation and adhesions may lead to tubal obstruction, resulting in infertility. These conditions also cause disturbances in the autonomic nervous system and endocrine function throughout the body, leading to a yellowish complexion with a bluish tinge, a swollen tongue with tooth marks, and a white coating. There may also be menstrual irregularities. From a TCM perspective, you have both spleen and kidney deficiency, with yang deficiency being the main issue. For treatment, use modified Xiaoyao San. Given that the illness has persisted for a long time and invaded the meridians, it is necessary to combine it with blood circulation-promoting and stasis-resolving herbs. Here is a prescription:

Paeoniae Radix 6 g, Gardeniae Fructus 10 g, Angelicae Sinensis 10 g, Paeoniae Alba 10 g, Bupleuri Radix 10 g, Poria 12 g, Atractylodis Macrocephalae 10 g, Cinnamomi Ramulus 10 g, Persicae Semen 10 g, Carthami Flos 6 g, Chuanxiong Rhizoma 6 g, Rehmanniae Radix 12 g, Codonopsis Pilosula 10 g, Colla Corii Asini (melted) 10 g, Ophiopogonis Radix 10 g, Evodiae Fructus 6 g, Cyperi Rhizoma 6 g, Leonuri Herba 20 g, Calcarea Carbonica 15 g, Stellariae Herba 15 g, Sepia Officinales 15 g

Decoct in water and take one dose daily.

3. Dust in the Wind

Question: My wife is 51 years old. A year ago, she experienced bitter taste in the mouth and pain in the hypochondrium in the early morning, sometimes with back spasms. After examination at the Fourth Military Hospital, her liver, gallbladder, and pancreas were all normal, but the cardiac echocardiogram showed enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricle; reduced diastolic compliance of the left ventricle, with normal systolic function; and mild aortic regurgitation on color Doppler. She has been taking Yasuda and Betaloc for a long time, but I'm worried about the side effects. What traditional Chinese medicine preparations would be better?

Answer: Your wife's bitter taste in the mouth and hypochondriac pain require repeated examination of the hepatobiliary system. In large hospitals, where there are many patients, doctors in the functional departments are prone to misdiagnosis. The heart problem is likely a mild valve lesion, possibly rheumatic heart disease. Such patients are common in rural areas: hearing a grade II murmur without any functional impairment allows them to live, work, and engage in appropriate labor. Long-term use of Yasuda and Betaloc, however, can disrupt cardiac function. It's better to focus on dietary nourishment—keep salt intake moderate, half of what ordinary people consume is enough—and avoid heavy labor. If necessary, take Tianwang Buxin Dan or Guipi Wan, which do not harm vital energy and can be taken long-term. The key is that the morning bitterness, hypochondriac pain, and occasional back spasms are unrelated to cardiac regurgitation; the underlying cause needs to be clarified before treatment.

4. Joyful Heart, Joyful Self

Question: My child is 12 years old. Since catching a cold last winter, he has been coughing continuously. An X-ray showed: "The thorax is symmetrical, the trachea and mediastinum are centered. Increased and disordered lung markings in both lungs. Unclear structure of the bilateral lung hila. The cardiac silhouette is normal in shape and size. Smooth diaphragmatic surfaces on both sides, sharp costophrenic angles. No abnormalities seen in the ribs above the diaphragm." The diagnosis was bronchopneumonia. Could you please give some treatment advice despite your busy schedule?

Answer: Your child may have upper airway cough syndrome caused by chronic pharyngitis. This is not a serious issue; traditional Chinese medicine is very effective in treating this condition. Just take some herbal medicine, but it must be tailored to the specific syndrome—there's no one-size-fits-all prescription.

5. LV

Question: I am a 25-year-old male. Recently, I often don't feel hungry, meals are not appetizing, I eat little, and there is a white coating on my tongue in the morning, along with dry mouth, yellow complexion, and weigh 52 kg—slightly underweight. My bowel movements are normal. Professor Pei, what medicine should I take?

Answer: You have spleen and stomach qi deficiency. I recommend trying Jianpi Wan and Xiangsha Yangwei Wan first.

6. Dancing Elegance

Question: I've had acne since the first year of junior high school, and it still persists in the first year of high school. Is this normal? What are some good ways to get rid of acne?

Answer: This is a normal phenomenon. If you're not prone to scarring, the acne won't leave scars after healing, so there's no need to worry. Once you pass puberty, testosterone levels return to normal, and the acne will disappear. If you are prone to scarring, you should seek active treatment; otherwise, leaving scars on your face can be a big problem for young people. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment requires syndrome differentiation, and Western medicine also offers many methods, but most of them only treat the symptoms rather than the root cause.

7. Zhang Yutong

Question: I often feel phlegm in my throat, bad breath, shortness of breath, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, weakness and coldness in my limbs, poor complexion, thick and dark veins under my tongue, scanty menstruation, forgetfulness, yellow complexion and thin physique, and recently my nose has also been frequently dry. What disease could this be? What medicines should I take?

Answer: You probably have chronic pharyngitis combined with chronic rhinitis. These two chronic inflammations can cause upper respiratory and digestive tract diseases; in severe cases, they can lead to inflammation, while in milder cases, they can cause autonomic nervous system dysfunction. In the respiratory system, this can result in upper airway cough syndrome or cough

May 29, 2014

variant asthma; in the gastrointestinal tract, it can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, and over time, it may cause organic lesions such as chronic gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome.

8. Black Rose: My child is 10 years old and has been left-handed since childhood. Because I wasn't around for eight years, he's now in second grade and writes and eats with his left hand. His handwriting isn't slower than other classmates. Should I forcibly correct this?

Answer: Yes, it should be corrected. Especially writing—Chinese square characters must be written with the right hand to be written well and quickly. If you want to learn calligraphy, you definitely shouldn't write with your left hand. If you want to stand out and perform on stage, I've seen actors who deliberately write beautifully with their left hand, but this is not normal. Eating should also be corrected: when everyone else is eating, and you're the only one using your left hand, it creates inconvenience for those around you. Some people say that left-handed individuals have more developed right brains and underdeveloped left brains, but this is just one opinion.

9. Yang Hao: My friend is in his thirties. A few days ago, he was hospitalized for abdominal pain and was found to have common bile duct stones, along with gallbladder enlargement and decompensated cirrhosis, plus low platelet and white blood cell counts. Can the gallbladder and stones be removed surgically? How risky is it? Are there any better methods? After providing detailed information, could you help prescribe a traditional Chinese medicine formula?

Answer: Surgery is not an option. A patient with decompensated cirrhosis combined with aplastic anemia has autonomic nervous system, immune system, endocrine system, and metabolic system all on the verge of collapse. Surgery would bring severe infections and multi-organ failure (MOF or MODS), accelerating the patient's death.

10. Flying Wings: I am a 24-year-old woman. My physical exam report says my right thyroid gland is slightly enlarged, my blood uric acid level is elevated, and there is a 3.5 cm × 3.8 cm cystic lesion in my left adnexa. Is this kind of examination result quite serious?

Answer: How high is the uric acid level? Is there any other symptom associated with the enlarged thyroid gland? Does the adnexal cyst cause any subjective symptoms? If there are none, there's no need for excessive treatment. Young people should just go with the flow—get married when ready, get pregnant when ready. This is the attitude we should adopt now.

11. Little Squirrel: I am 28 years old. A few years ago, I got sick and received a lot of intravenous fluids, which caused an allergic reaction, so I took loratadine. Since then, every summer, my body develops some red bumps that itch a lot. I don't want to take anti-allergy medication all the time. Can this be cured? Can traditional Chinese medicine help?

Answer: Of course, traditional Chinese medicine can help. There are many highly effective anti-allergy formulas in TCM, and the efficacy is even greater if treatment is tailored to the specific syndrome. TCM has few side effects and can be taken long-term.

12. chiheng: I am a 25-year-old male patient. For many years, I have had a thick coating on my tongue with a foul odor, and my stools are very dry at first but then become normal. This has been going on for at least seven or eight years, and my body has become thinner than before. During this time, I have tried several doctors' prescriptions, but nothing has worked. What could be the reason?

Answer: This is excessive stomach fire. There are two possibilities: one is gastrointestinal autonomic nervous system dysfunction (without organic lesions); the other is chronic gastritis or chronic superficial gastritis. If there is obvious pain, consider accompanying erosion or ulceration.

May 29, 2014 (continued)

1. Morning Sunshine: A 27-year-old woman, experiencing abdominal distension, intestinal rumbling, and sour-smelling stools—what could be the cause?

Answer: This is a gastrointestinal syndrome. Do you have constipation or diarrhea? I recommend trying Baohe Wan orally.

2. Flying Wings: I am 24 years old, with uric acid at 381 μmol/L, a slightly enlarged thyroid gland with no symptoms so far, and a 3.5 cm × 3.8 cm cystic mass in my left adnexa. I have had a bit of blood in my vaginal discharge once, but no other symptoms. What could this be?

Answer: Avoid meat, eggs, and dairy products for a month, increase water intake and exercise, and follow up with another uric acid test. If the uric acid level goes down, maintain a light diet going forward. The vaginal discharge indicates mild gynecological inflammation, so I recommend taking Guizhi Fuling Wan.

3. One Day: My sister is 21 years old. In 2008, she went to the hospital for exophthalmos and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. In 2011, she took ¹³¹I and developed hypothyroidism. Now she has been taking levothyroxine tablets continuously. The doctor told her that because she took ¹³¹I, she might not be able to have children, and even if she does, the kids will be short and develop dwarfism. She is very anxious about this. Does Elder Pei have any way to cure this completely?

Answer: ¹³¹I treatment for hyperthyroidism can easily lead to hypothyroidism if the dosage is not calculated properly, so I don't recommend using ¹³¹I to treat hyperthyroidism. However, ¹³¹I treatment for thyroid cancer is one of the options. In your case, you can use traditional Chinese medicine for syndrome differentiation and treatment, taking herbal decoctions. Once the condition improves, you can switch to patent Chinese medicines for long-term use.

4. Shi Fufang: My mother is 57 years old and has been constipated for thirty years—she only has a bowel movement every five or six days, and each time it's very difficult and infrequent. What should Elder Pei do to treat this?

Answer: You should eat more fiber-rich green vegetables, such as chives and celery, and regularly take Maziren Wan and Jichuan Jian Wan as complementary treatments.

5. Zhang Jiande: A 20-year-old man who often drinks hot soup or eats spicy food develops red rashes and itching on his body and hands, and the same happens when exposed to sunlight. Is this an allergic reaction? How should it be treated?

Answer: Your description is unclear; it could be urticaria. If it's an allergy, besides avoiding allergenic foods, you can also choose some Western medicines, such as chlorpheniramine maleate.

6. Wei Yaping: A friend of mine is 30 years old and has poor gastrointestinal health, with bleeding gums, bad breath, and especially strong bad breath in saliva when sleeping. What disease could this be, and what medicine should be taken?

Answer: Due to poor gastrointestinal absorption, deficiencies in vitamin C, B vitamins, etc., lead to the above symptoms. Adjust the spleen and stomach—if there are no gastrointestinal pain symptoms, try taking Guipi Wan and Xiangsha Liujun Wan regularly. Vitamin B and vitamin C can also be taken, which may be more effective.

7. When Will the Waning Moon Become Full?: A boy, 16 months old, went to the hospital yesterday for an examination, and the results showed that his total protein level was too low. The doctor said he probably doesn't consume enough soy products in his daily diet. Should we focus on dietary supplementation or medication now, and will it have a big impact on the child?

Answer: First, we should adjust the spleen and stomach. Once the child can eat, things will naturally improve. If the spleen and stomach are not functioning well, food cannot be absorbed, and dietary supplementation won't be very effective. It's recommended to take the child to the hospital for a systematic examination to confirm the diagnosis, after which both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine can treat this condition.

8. He Ling: Today I had an ultrasound, and the right adnexal region showed liquid dark areas measuring 63 mm × 43 mm and 28 mm × 24 mm, while the left adnexa measured 28 mm × 21 mm. The ultrasound on April 10 showed the right side at 61 mm × 42 mm and the left side at 19 mm × 19 mm. What's going on?

Answer: The size of the adnexa and uterus, as well as the menstrual cycle, are closely related. Ultrasounds should be performed during the same phase of the menstrual cycle. If the last scan was done on a certain day after menstruation, the next scan should be done during the same period to ensure comparability.

May 30, 2014

1. Net Worker: I have pain in my left eyebrow ridge that has lasted for eight years. I've gone to the hospital for MRI, CT scans, and other tests, but no problems have been found. Now the pain is quite severe—every other day, lasting about 24 hours each time. I've been receiving traditional Chinese medicine treatment for three years, but it still hasn't been cured. What should I do?

Answer: To cure your condition, you must first get a clear diagnosis. There are two possibilities to consider: ① trigeminal neuralgia; ② sinusitis. If it's the latter, it's relatively easy to treat; if it's the former, there's currently no particularly effective method. You should go to the hospital for an examination and determine the diagnosis as soon as possible.

2. Li Kangxia: I am a 21-year-old female patient with poor gastrointestinal health. In the morning, my tongue is yellow, my breath smells bad, and my urine is dark yellow.

Answer: Most cases like this are superficial or atrophic gastritis, and there are many treatment methods available. Treatment should be tailored to the specific syndrome.

3. Liu Xiaohong: I'm one month pregnant and have trouble sleeping and feel fatigued. Is this normal? I weigh 45 kg and am 155 cm tall. How should I supplement my nutrition?

Answer: This is a normal phenomenon, and no treatment is needed. Just pay attention to prenatal care—avoid anger, overwork, and heavy lifting, eat a light diet, and protect your gastrointestinal tract.

4. Oriental Dragon Horse: My mother's ultrasound results show gallstones, and the gallstones can be eliminated through traditional Chinese medicine.

Q&A Summary

Question: Is there any possibility of eliminating them? Considering potential complications from surgery and other subsequent effects.

Answer: Yes, most gallstones can be eliminated through traditional Chinese medicine, but it requires patience and long-term treatment.

5. liangwei: Do I really have to undergo surgery for breast cysts? Can traditional Chinese medicine cure them?

Answer: What you mentioned is not a breast cyst but a cystic adenoma, which is a benign tumor. If there are no symptoms, you can temporarily ignore it; if there are symptoms, you can take traditional Chinese medicine.

6. Zhilu Weima: My baby is three months old and has had diarrhea for half a month. We went to the hospital and received four days of IV fluids, but the diarrhea still persists. The stool analysis shows a viral infection, the blood count is slightly elevated, the stool is green and a bit watery. What should I do?

Answer: This is a rotavirus infection. I recommend:

Equal parts of raw coix seed, raw hawthorn fruit, and white sugar Grind them into powder, take 5 g per dose, twice a day.

7. Summer: I am 26 weeks pregnant, and the 4D ultrasound shows that the fetus has a relatively thin umbilical artery, increased echogenicity in part of the intestines, and fluid accumulation. The doctor suggested repeating the 4D ultrasound in four weeks. What else can I do now?

Answer: The fetus is still developing. As long as the fetal heartbeat and movements are normal, and routine prenatal care is followed, there's no need for frequent ultrasound examinations.

8. Happy Xiaoxiao: My father is 51 years old and has been bedridden for a year due to brainstem hemorrhage. The doctor says he's in a state of shallow coma. Now he can nod and shake his head appropriately, raise his right hand to count, and is still being fed through a gastric tube four times a day. Despite this, his body has become much thinner. Could you suggest some traditional Chinese medicine to help him recover?

Answer: The vascular symptoms of cervical spondylosis are mainly dizziness. When the blood vessels (vertebral arteries) are compressed, cerebral blood supply is affected, leading to vertigo. Physical therapy, massage, and syndrome differentiation-based traditional Chinese medicine can all alleviate the compression of the vertebral arteries to varying degrees, thereby improving dizziness. It is not as some people imagine that only surgery to cut them off can relieve headaches—this approach would be like losing more than you gain. Of course, in a few severe cases of cervical spondylosis, surgery is still necessary.

10. Pei Yan

Question: I am 28 years old and just gave birth to a baby last year. I breastfed until about 10 months, then weaned because there was a lump in my left breast. I have tried many massages, but they did not work well. Now my baby is 14 months old, and the ultrasound shows the lump in my left breast is 3.2 cm × 2.4 cm. There is still milk coming out, and it is accompanied by pain. What good methods do you suggest?

Answer: The lump you described is probably a fibroadenoma of the breast. Your child can still breastfeed, and it will not affect the baby. You can either undergo surgery or receive treatment based on syndrome differentiation using traditional Chinese medicine.

11. Liu Yi

Answer: That's a hemangioma. Don't worry about it—let it develop naturally. Some of them will completely disappear as they grow older. Of course, some may continue to grow, but it won't affect health.

12. Lanzi Xiaoni

Question: I contracted hepatitis B as a child and was diagnosed as a "big three positive" case. Later, after getting married and having a miscarriage, all my test results turned negative. A year later, I was tested again and found to be a "small three positive." Recently, I underwent a comprehensive examination and am still a "small three positive." The ultrasound is normal except for a slightly rough gallbladder, alpha-fetoprotein is normal, and the hepatitis B virus level is 3.92 × 10³. Alanine aminotransferase has risen to 63 U/L, and aspartate aminotransferase to 54 U/L. Do I need treatment in this situation? Can I get pregnant?

Answer: Treatment is necessary, but it won't affect fertility. After becoming pregnant, triple prophylactic treatment should be administered starting from the seventh month of gestation, and 95% of the babies born will be healthy.

13. zhaojunping

Question: I am your patient with hepatitis B "big three positive," and I have never developed ascites. The color Doppler ultrasound shows a portal vein diameter of 12 mm. I have been treated for one year, but my HBeAg has not turned negative yet, while my anti-HBe antibody has appeared slightly, and my HBeAg has also decreased somewhat. However, the viral load remains at 10⁴, and I experience abdominal bloating, discomfort in the liver area during sleep, gurgling sounds, and my abdomen has become loose and enlarged. Whenever I get angry, I feel bloated and uncomfortable. What stage is this condition at, and how serious is it?

Answer: The key is to see whether the spleen is enlarged. If the splenic gate thickness is less than 4 cm, it indicates that the condition is not severe, and treatment can continue.

May 28, 2014

1. Ting

Question: My father is 73 years old and has had hypertension for eight years. He suffered a stroke in 2010 and had two stents placed in his carotid arteries in 2011. Since then, he has constantly experienced dizziness, blurred vision, and drowsiness, and has been taking medication continuously. Recently, his condition worsened, so he underwent an MRI, which revealed multiple lacunar infarcts and ischemic foci, with some areas showing softening; white matter rarefaction; brain atrophy; and cerebral arteriosclerosis. What should be done?

Answer: Your father suffers from hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a generalized lesion affecting the entire arterial system. Coronary artery sclerosis led to myocardial infarction, prompting the placement of stents. Similarly, cerebral arteriosclerosis has caused cerebral infarctions. Nowadays, some patients with cerebral infarction receive minimally invasive treatments, but the effects are often poor, especially in cases of multiple infarcts combined with white matter degeneration and partial brain tissue softening. Such patients often develop various neurological syndromes. For these patients, local minimally invasive treatments have limited efficacy. It is recommended to take traditional Chinese medicine to improve quality of life and prolong survival.

2. Wang Zikai

Question: My tongue is swollen with tooth marks, my coating is white, my complexion is yellow with a hint of blue, my pulse is wiry and fine, and I have premature graying hair due to liver and kidney deficiency. I tend to be quiet, thoughtful, and anxious, and have been diagnosed with infertility, vaginitis, and hydrosalpinx. Could you please give me a prescription?

Answer: You suffer from vaginitis, adnexitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pelvic congestion syndrome. Since the condition has become chronic, local inflammation and adhesions may lead to blocked fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility. These conditions also cause disturbances in the autonomic nervous system and endocrine function throughout the body, leading to a yellowish complexion with a bluish tinge, a swollen tongue with tooth marks, and a white coating. There may also be menstrual irregularities. From a TCM perspective, you have both spleen and kidney deficiency, with yang deficiency being the dominant factor. For treatment, use modified Xiaoyao San. Given that the illness has persisted for a long time and invaded the meridians, it is necessary to combine it with blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs. Here is a prescription:

Paeoniae Radix 6g, Gardeniae Fructus 10g, Angelicae Sinensis 10g, Paeoniae Alba 10g, Bupleuri Radix 10g, Poria 12g, Atractylodis Macrocephalae 10g, Cinnamomi Ramulus 10g, Persicae Semen 10g, Carthami Flos 6g, Ligustici Chuanxiong 6g, Rehmanniae Radix 12g, Codonopsis Pilosula 10g, Colla Corii Asini (melted) 10g, Ophiopogonis Radix 10g, Evodiae Fructus 6g, Cyperi Rhizoma 6g, Leonuri Herba 20g, Calcarea Carbonica 15g, Stellariae Herba 15g, Sepia Officinales 15g

Decoct in water and take one dose daily.

3. Dust in the Wind

Question: My wife is 51 years old. A year ago, she experienced bitter taste in the mouth and pain in the ribs and sometimes in the back in the early morning. After examination at the Fourth Military Hospital, her liver, gallbladder, and pancreas were all normal, but the cardiac color Doppler showed enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricle; reduced diastolic compliance of the left ventricle, while systolic function remained normal; color flow indicated mild aortic regurgitation. She has been taking Yasuda and Betaloc for a long time, but I'm worried about the side effects. What traditional Chinese medicine preparations would be better?

Answer: Your wife's bitter taste in the mouth and rib pain require repeated examination of the hepatobiliary system. In large hospitals, where there are many patients, doctors in the functional departments are prone to misdiagnosis. The heart problem is likely a mild valve lesion, possibly rheumatic heart disease. Such patients are common in rural areas: hearing a grade II murmur without any functional impairment allows them to live, work, and engage in appropriate labor normally. Long-term use of Yasuda and Betaloc, however, can disrupt cardiac function. It's better to focus on dietary nourishment—avoid excessive salt intake; half the amount consumed by ordinary people is sufficient. Heavy labor should be avoided, and if necessary, take Tianwang Buxin Dan or Guipi Wan, which do not harm vital energy and can be taken for a long time. The key is that the symptoms of bitter taste in the morning, rib pain, and occasional back pain are unrelated to cardiac regurgitation. We need to clarify the underlying cause before proceeding with treatment.

4. Joyful Heart, Joyful Self

Question: My child is 12 years old. Since catching a cold last winter, he has been coughing continuously. A chest X-ray showed "symmetrical thorax, midline trachea and mediastinum. Increased and disordered lung markings bilaterally. Unclear structure of bilateral lung hila. Normal shape and size of cardiac silhouette. Smooth diaphragmatic surfaces on both sides, sharp costophrenic angles. No abnormalities seen in ribs above the diaphragm." The diagnosis was bronchopneumonia. Could you please provide a treatment suggestion despite your busy schedule?

5. LV

Question: I am a 25-year-old male. Recently, I often don't feel hungry, meals lack appetite, I eat little, and there is a white coating on my tongue in the morning, along with dry mouth, yellow complexion, and weigh 52 kg—slightly underweight. My bowel movements are normal. Professor Pei, what medicine should I take?

Answer: You have spleen and stomach qi deficiency. I recommend trying Jianpi Wan and Xiangsha Yangwei Wan first.

6. Dancing Elegance

Question: I've had acne since the first year of junior high school, and it still persists in the first year of high school. Is this normal? What are some good ways to get rid of acne?

Answer: This is a normal phenomenon. If you're not a scar-prone person, the acne won't leave scars after healing, so there's no need to worry. Once you pass puberty, the level of male hormones will return to normal, and the acne will disappear. If you are scar-prone, you should seek active treatment; otherwise, leaving scars on your face will be a big problem for young people. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment requires syndrome differentiation, and Western medicine also offers many methods, but most of them only treat the symptoms rather than the root cause.

7. Zhang Yutong

Answer: You probably have chronic pharyngitis, combined with chronic rhinitis. These two chronic inflammations can cause diseases in your upper respiratory tract and digestive tract—severe cases may lead to inflammation, while milder cases may result in autonomic nervous system dysfunction. In the respiratory system, this can form upper airway cough syndrome or cough

May 29, 2014

variant asthma; in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause gastrointestinal dysfunction, and over time may lead to organic lesions such as chronic gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome.

Answer: Yes, it should be corrected. Especially writing—Chinese square characters must be written with the right hand to be written well and quickly. If you want to learn calligraphy, you definitely shouldn't write with your left hand. If you want to stand out and perform on stage, I've seen actors who deliberately write beautifully with their left hand, but that's not normal. Eating should also be corrected: when everyone else is eating with their right hands, using your left hand creates inconvenience for those around you. Some people say that left-handed individuals have more developed right brains and underdeveloped left brains, but that's just one opinion.

9. Yang Hao: My friend is in his thirties. He was hospitalized a few days ago due to abdominal pain and was found to have common bile duct stones, along with an enlarged gallbladder and decompensated cirrhosis, plus low platelet and white blood cell counts. Can the gallbladder and stones be removed surgically? How risky is it? Are there any better methods? After providing detailed information, could you help prescribe a traditional Chinese medicine formula?

Answer: Surgery is not advisable. A patient with decompensated cirrhosis combined with aplastic anemia has autonomic, immune, endocrine, and metabolic systems all on the verge of collapse. Surgery would bring severe infections and multi-organ failure (MOF or MODS), accelerating the patient's death.

Answer: How high is the uric acid level? Is there any other symptom associated with the enlarged thyroid? Does the adnexal cyst have any subjective symptoms? If there are none, there's no need for excessive treatment. Young people should just go with the flow—get married when ready, get pregnant when ready. That's the attitude we should adopt now.

11. Little Squirrel: I am 28 years old. A few years ago, I got sick and received a lot of intravenous fluids, which caused an allergic reaction, so I took loratadine. Since then, every summer my body develops some red bumps that itch a lot. I don't want to take anti-allergy medication all the time. Can this be cured? Can traditional Chinese medicine help?

12. chiheng: I am a 25-year-old male patient. For many years, I've had a thick coating on my tongue with a foul odor, and my stools are initially very dry but later become normal. This has been going on for at least seven or eight years, and my body has become thinner than before. During this time, I've tried several doctors' prescriptions, but nothing has worked. What could be the reason?

Answer: This is excessive stomach fire. There are two possibilities: one is gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction (without organic lesions); the other is chronic gastritis or chronic superficial gastritis. If there is obvious pain, consider the possibility of erosion or ulceration.

May 29, 2014 (continued)

1. Morning Sunshine: Female, 27 years old. What causes abdominal distension, intestinal rumbling, and sour-smelling stools?

Answer: This is a gastrointestinal syndrome. Do you have constipation or diarrhea? I recommend trying Baohe Wan orally.

2. Flying Wings: I am 24 years old. My uric acid level is 381 μmol/L, my thyroid gland is slightly enlarged but currently without any symptoms, and there is a 3.5 cm × 3.8 cm cystic mass in my left adnexa. I have had a single instance of bloody discharge in my vaginal secretions, but otherwise no other symptoms. What could this be?

Answer: Avoid meat, eggs, and dairy products for a month, increase water intake and exercise, and follow up with another uric acid test. If the uric acid level goes down, maintain a light diet going forward. The vaginal discharge indicates mild inflammation in your gynecological area, so I recommend taking Guizhi Fuling Wan.

3. One Day: My sister is 21 years old. In 2008, she went to the hospital for exophthalmos and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. In 2011, she took ¹³¹I and developed hypothyroidism, and since then she has been taking levothyroxine tablets. The doctor told her that because she took ¹³¹I, she might not be able to have children, and even if she does, the children will be short and develop dwarfism. She is very anxious about this. Does Professor Pei have any way to completely cure this?

Answer: ¹³¹I treatment for hyperthyroidism can easily lead to hypothyroidism if the dosage is not calculated properly, so I don't recommend using ¹³¹I to treat hyperthyroidism. However, ¹³¹I treatment for thyroid cancer is one of the options. In your case, you can use traditional Chinese medicine for syndrome differentiation and treatment, taking herbal decoctions, and once the condition improves, you can switch to patent Chinese medicines for long-term use.

4. Shi Fufang: My mother is 57 years old and has always been constipated—she only has a bowel movement every five or six days, and each time it's very difficult and infrequent. This has been going on for thirty years. How should Professor Pei treat this?

Answer: You should eat more fiber-rich green vegetables, such as chives and celery, and regularly take Maziren Wan and Jichuan Jian Wan as complementary treatments.

5. Zhang Jiande: Male, 20 years old. He often drinks hot soup or eats spicy food, and red rashes and itching appear on his body and hands. Sun exposure also triggers these symptoms. Are these allergy symptoms? How should they be treated?

Answer: Your description is unclear. It could be urticaria. If it's an allergy, besides avoiding allergenic foods, you can also choose some Western medicines, such as chlorpheniramine maleate.

6. Wei Yaping: A friend of mine is 30 years old. She has poor digestion and gums, often bleeding, bad breath, especially when she sleeps, her saliva smells even worse. What disease could this be, and what medicine should she take?

7. When Will the Waning Moon Become Full Again: Boy, 16 months old. Yesterday he went to the hospital for an examination, and the results showed that his total protein level was too low. The doctor said he was not consuming enough soy products in his daily diet. Should we now focus on dietary supplementation or medication, and will it have a big impact on the child?

Answer: First, we should adjust the spleen and stomach. Once the child can eat, things will naturally improve. If the spleen and stomach are not functioning well, food cannot be absorbed, and dietary supplementation alone won't be very effective. It's recommended that the child go to the hospital for a systematic examination to confirm the diagnosis, after which both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine can treat this condition.

May 30, 2014

2. Li Kangxia: I am a 21-year-old female patient with poor digestion. In the morning, my tongue is yellow, my breath smells bad, and my urine is dark yellow.

Answer: Most cases like this are superficial or atrophic gastritis, and there are many treatment methods. You should tailor the treatment to the specific syndrome.

3. Liu Xiaohong: I'm one month pregnant and sleeping restlessly, feeling weak. Is this normal? I weigh 45 kg and am 155 cm tall. How should I supplement my nutrition?

4. Oriental Dragon Horse: My mother's ultrasound results show gallstones. Gallstones can be eliminated through traditional Chinese medicine.

Q&A Summary

Question: Is there any chance of eliminating them? Because I'm concerned about postoperative complications and other subsequent effects.

Answer: Yes, most gallstones can be eliminated through traditional Chinese medicine, but it requires patience and long-term treatment.

5. liangwei: Do I really have to have surgery for breast cysts? Can traditional Chinese medicine cure them?

6. Zhilu Weima: My baby is three months old and has had diarrhea for half a month. We went to the hospital and received four days of IV fluids, but the diarrhea still persists. The stool test shows it's viral, the blood count is slightly elevated, the stool is green and a bit watery. What should I do?

Answer: This is rotavirus infection. I recommend:

Equal parts of raw coix seed, raw hawthorn fruit, and white sugar Grind them into powder, take 5 grams each time, twice a day.

7. Summer: I'm 26 weeks pregnant. The 4D ultrasound shows that one of the fetal umbilical arteries is relatively thin, some intestinal segments have increased echogenicity, and there is fluid accumulation. The doctor suggested repeating the 4D ultrasound in four weeks. What else can I do now?

Answer: The fetus is still developing. As long as the fetal heartbeat and movements are normal, and routine prenatal care is followed, there's no need for frequent ultrasound examinations.

8. Happy Xiaoxiao: My father is 51 years old and has been bedridden for a year due to brainstem hemorrhage. The doctor says he's in a state of shallow coma. Now he can nod and shake his head appropriately, raise his right hand to count, and is still being fed through a gastric tube four times a day. Despite all this, his body has become much thinner. Could you please suggest some traditional Chinese medicine to help him recuperate?

Answer: Of course, traditional Chinese medicine treatment for this condition generally has advantages over Western medicine. Early administration of TCM is recommended; if a gastric tube is available, nasal feeding can be used, and some patients may even be able to wake up and get out of bed.

9. Kongkong'er: Male, 28 years old, obese, with an irregular lifestyle, experiencing skin itching all over the body. Scratching leads to red, intensely itchy bumps that appear symmetrically on both sides of the limbs. The doctor diagnosed neurodermatitis. Over the past two years, he has visited many places and tried numerous medications, but the symptoms always recur after improvement.

Answer: Symmetrical rashes are more likely to be eczema rather than neurodermatitis. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, what Western medicine calls neurodermatitis corresponds to psoriasis in TCM, while Western neurodermatitis falls under the category of psoriasis in TCM. TCM herbal treatment is effective.

10. Meiling: My family member, female, 47 years old, has suffered from urticaria for over a year, with recurrent episodes triggered by cold or heat. (Symptoms: Red, raised patches appear on the front and back of the chest as well as the inner and outer thighs, accompanied by intense itching that is hard to bear. She has been taking Shiduqing capsules orally, but with very little effect.)

Answer: TCM herbal treatment is particularly effective for urticaria because the condition can change rapidly and varies from person to person, making treatment quite complex. A fixed formula or single medication may not necessarily work.

11. Weinengjie: My mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2011 and underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This June, she developed severe swelling in her left limb, which the doctor said was a side effect of radiotherapy. What can be done to alleviate this?

Answer: How many rounds of radiotherapy have you undergone? If you received 25 external treatments and 6 internal treatments, that should be sufficient. Patients who receive adequate doses of radiotherapy are unlikely to experience recurrence in the short term. However, lower limb edema as a side effect of radiotherapy is relatively uncommon. The main side effects of cervical cancer radiotherapy are radiation-induced cystitis and proctitis, resulting in hematuria and hematochezia, respectively.

12. Wanqiu: Four months ago, I suddenly felt something prick my throat while eating. The pain lasted for two days, then disappeared. But even now, whenever I catch a cold, I still feel that sensation; when I’m not sick, there’s no problem. It feels like some small foreign object has grown, but it doesn’t hurt. There shouldn’t have been anything sharp in the food at the time. What could be going on?

Answer: If it wasn’t a fishbone stuck in your throat (since you didn’t eat any fish), then it’s likely that a hematoma in the pharynx ruptured, causing the foreign-body sensation to disappear, though residual symptoms may still persist to varying degrees.

June 4, 2014

1. Qinggao Zhiyuan: A 2-year-old child was treated for acute suppurative tonsillitis with intravenous infusion for five days at the hospital. Now the child is taking Lanqin oral liquid, but experiences severe bloating, frequent crying, and abdominal pain. What could be the cause? What medication can relieve these symptoms?

Answer: Most proprietary Chinese medicines used to treat acute suppurative tonsillitis are designed to clear heat, detoxify, drain pus, and promote its discharge, which can easily damage the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it’s generally recommended to take Xiangsha Liujun Wan or Baohuo Wan before meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

2. 0402: Male, around 40 years old, with gradually expanding areas of melanin on his forehead. What could be causing this? What lifestyle precautions should he take?

Answer: First, check whether your areolae and lips are also darkened. If they are, a comprehensive endocrine examination is needed to rule out adrenal cortical hormone deficiency. If not, it’s just ordinary pigmentation, which is not serious. In the future, avoid excessive sun exposure and consider taking more Vitamins A, D, and C.

3. Wanqiang: 24-year-old male, unmarried, prone to sweating—especially palms, soles, and back—and tends to sweat even with minimal physical activity. His complexion is dull, and he often feels soreness in his knees at night, especially when exposed to cold. He lacks energy during the day and now also suffers from premature ejaculation. Perhaps he’s taken too much Jingui Shenqi Wan, leading to frequent sexual urges, noticeable body hair, yellowish-looking hair, hair loss, and constant irritability.

Answer: This is due to spleen-kidney yang deficiency. Young people should avoid masturbation, but currently, there is insufficient attention paid to the mental and physical health of adolescents and inadequate educational measures. About 80% of middle and high school students and college students engage in masturbation, which ultimately leads to the current symptoms. Treatment should be based on syndrome differentiation.

4. Hao Hao Ai Ni Men: I’m 28 years old, female, married, and my baby is already eight months old. However, I still haven’t had my period, and I often experience lower back pain. What could be the reason, and what tests should I undergo?

Answer: Eight months postpartum is a normal lactation period, and lower back discomfort is caused by strain on the lumbar muscles during childbirth.

5. Wang Guoxia: Ten years ago, I underwent appendectomy but didn’t recover properly afterward. I’ve been experiencing dizziness ever since, which turned into headaches and shortness of breath six months later. Later, my condition improved somewhat, but five months ago it worsened again. Now I suffer from severe shortness of breath, difficulty even speaking, pain in my left upper back, chest tightness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, lower back pain, and hot hands and feet (symptoms I’ve had before). I also have cholecystitis. What medication should I take?

Answer: Appendectomy is a minor surgery; unless there was suppuration or perforation, it wouldn’t cause your current symptoms. You should consider whether there might be pancreatitis in addition to cholecystitis. If you’re over 40, with left upper back pain, chest tightness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue, you should also consider hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. A comprehensive examination is necessary, and you should take it seriously.

6. Ruya: Female, 50 years old. Two years ago, she experienced recurrent enlargement of lymph nodes in her left armpit and underwent two surgeries. Western medicine diagnosed her with lymphadenitis, but the nodes have enlarged again recently. They’re mobile, and a biopsy confirmed they’re benign. What good methods does Old Master Pei recommend?

Answer: This is reactive lymphadenitis. First, you need to check for breast hyperplasia and other potential infection sites near the left axilla.

7. Mantian Lingdianxing: My mother is 51 years old and has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer with pleural and lymphatic metastasis. She’s been taking Iressa for six days, but the effect isn’t obvious. She experiences severe pain in both ribs and the chest, takes morphine, and now has trouble eating—feeling cold in the stomach, constantly belching but unable to burp, and coughing heavily. What should we do?

Answer: Iressa, also known as gefitinib, is the first-line targeted therapy for lung cancer. Taking it for six days doesn’t necessarily mean it will work; only if it’s ineffective after two months should you consider switching medications. This drug does have certain side effects, such as the stomach cold and belching you mentioned.

8. Qingguo Qiu: I’m a young woman with polyarteritis nodosa. Examinations revealed stenosis of the carotid and coronary arteries. I’m currently taking prednisone and the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil, reducing the dose from 12 tablets to 3.5. My parents heard that human placenta can regulate immunity, so they want me to take it. But I’m worried—according to some information, placenta contains certain hormones, immune factors, and globulins. Could this conflict with the hormonal medications I’m already taking?

Answer: Polyarteritis nodosa, also known as Takayasu’s arteritis, is an autoimmune disease, and Western immunosuppressive treatments have limited efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine, with its focus on promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, softening hard masses, and dispersing nodules, shows good therapeutic effects.

9. Tian Shi De Wing: Male, 34 years old, admitted to the hospital due to abdominal pain. Examination revealed common bile duct cyst with infection, multiple gallstones, cholecystitis, and decompensated cirrhosis. He’s currently receiving inpatient treatment.

June 5, 2014

This chapter is prepared for online research and reading; for external materials, please align with original publications and the review process.

Section Index

8. Love to Strive but Can’t Win

Sticking together, easily obstructing the flow of qi; when qi flow is blocked, pain occurs. Using wind-dispelling and dampness-clearing medicines is effective. It is recommended to try Duohuo Jisheng Wan, Jiuwei Qianghuo Wan, and Guifu Bawei Wan.

8. Feng Yamei

9. Su Jin Nian Shi

10. Pei Yan

11. Liu Yi

12. Lanzi Xiaoni

13. zhaojunping

May 28, 2014

1. Ting

2. Wang Zikai

3. Dust in the Wind

4. Joyful Heart, Joyful Self

5. LV

6. Dancing Elegance

7. Zhang Yutong

May 29, 2014

May 29, 2014 (continued)

May 30, 2014

Q&A Summary

10. Pei Yan

11. Liu Yi

12. Lanzi Xiaoni

13. zhaojunping

May 28, 2014

1. Ting

2. Wang Zikai

3. Dust in the Wind

4. Joyful Heart, Joyful Self

5. LV

6. Dancing Elegance

7. Zhang Yutong

May 29, 2014

May 29, 2014 (continued)

May 30, 2014

Q&A Summary

June 4, 2014

June 5, 2014