Infant Cold and Fever

Question: My daughter is six months old and has a cold with clear nasal discharge, sneezing, and a mild cough. Her temperature is 38.3°C. I gave her half a packet of Xiao’er Jiegan Granules and three pills of Qingkailing Dropping Pills, but there was no improvement after two days.

Switch to Xiao’er Magan Granules, Children’s Ganre Qing Pills, enema with one-third compound barbiturate, one-third dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and one shot of kumquat injection, twice a day. Even after the medication wears off, the fever persists, and blood tests show no significant abnormalities. The illness has lasted seven days, with a maximum temperature of 38.8°C. How should we treat this?

Answer: This is a viral cold. Western medicine usually can’t eliminate inflammation, and antibiotics are ineffective. Antiviral drugs like ribavirin and acyclovir can be used. Traditional Chinese medicine has great insights into this condition, diagnosing wind-cold and internal heat, and using formulas like Ma Huang Gui Zhi Tang, Da Xiao Qing Long Tang, and Jing Fang Bai Du San, which are effective through syndrome differentiation and treatment.

---

6. Fat Dragon

I’m 29 years old, male, and since this spring I’ve been experiencing knee pain and coldness, especially in cold weather. My knees hurt, my calves and feet feel icy, and using a small electric heater makes me feel better. But when it’s cold, it’s still the same as before. When I wash my hands with cold water, my hand joints also hurt. Could Mr. Pei please advise what disease this might be, what tests should be done, and how to treat it?

Answer: This is rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatic arthritis. You should test for rheumatoid factor, anti-O, C-reactive protein, total white blood cell count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to distinguish between the two. Treating them separately will be more effective.

---

7. Qin Qian

My baby is one year and seven months old, and lately her throat has been constantly inflamed and ulcerated. What could be causing this?

Answer: This is tonsillitis, and its repeated attacks have led to oral ulcers. Note that once oral ulcers appear, it indicates that the patient’s autoimmune system has become disordered. Such patients tend to have recurrent episodes that are hard to cure.

---

8. Protecting the Eagle

I accidentally discovered a grape-sized lump in the middle of the back of my neck. It’s movable, and I can’t feel it when I tilt my head forward—only when I tilt my head back can I touch it. It’s neither painful nor itchy. I’m a bit worried and would like to ask what I should do.

Answer: There are two possibilities: one is a tenosynovial cyst; the other is lymph node enlargement. You should take a cervical X-ray to rule out cervical hyperplasia. Patients with cervical hyperplasia are more likely to develop nearby lymph node enlargement and tenosynovial cysts.

---

9. Xiao Ling

How should artificial urticaria be treated? Female, 25 years old, has had the condition for a year. Despite taking many Western and traditional Chinese medicines, it still hasn’t improved. Can she still have children during this time?

Answer: Yes, she can have children—after this opportunity, there won’t be another chance. Urticaria is a minor condition; as the ancients said, “Skin diseases like eczema and scabies are not serious.” Urticaria falls into this category, so it shouldn’t be over-treated. Avoid long-term use of hormones, as prolonged hormone use can affect fertility.

---

10. Yuan

My baby is six months old, weighs 9 kg, sleeps restlessly at night, wakes up easily, cries upon waking, and sweats a lot on the back of the head while sleeping. His hands and feet are usually cold and sweaty. Is there any way to treat this?

Answer: Six-month-old babies have an immature autonomic nervous system, and most infants exhibit these characteristics. It shouldn’t be considered a disease, nor should it be over-treated.

---

11. Sea Snail

MRI shows a herniated disc at L5-S1 and a sacral canal cyst. The specific symptom is pain on the right side of the waist, sometimes also on the right buttock. Today the pain is particularly severe—what should I do?

Answer: First, rest assured—the L5 level is far from the spinal cord, and even if it affects the cauda equina, it’s only peripheral. It won’t cause major symptoms or functional impairment. Don’t rush into surgery, because sometimes the scar from surgery is even bigger than the cyst itself. I recommend seeking treatment through traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on syndrome differentiation and treatment. As long as there’s no pain, everything will be fine.

---

12. Rainbow After Rain

I’m 39 years old, female, and have suffered from insomnia for over eight years. Now I’m thin and weak, with pain in my head, eyes, and heels. I’ve tried many traditional Chinese medicines, but none have brought noticeable improvement, which is very distressing. I hope you can help.

Answer: First, you should check your menstrual cycle and see if there’s any inflammation in your gynecological area, because gynecological inflammation can lead to menstrual irregularities, which in turn can cause autonomic and endocrine disorders, resulting in the symptoms you’re describing. Simply taking sleeping pills won’t solve the root problem, so you need traditional Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, clear heat, detoxify, and regulate the Chong and Ren meridians. Through syndrome differentiation and treatment, your condition will gradually improve.

---

June 19, 2014

1. Shi Fufang

A friend of mine, 42 years old, has developed numerous red rashes on her face, and it’s been half a year already. I don’t know what’s causing them. Mr. Pei, how should we treat this?

Answer: This is still acne. There are many types of acne, but the underlying cause is usually low estrogen and relatively high androgen levels. It’s likely that your menstrual flow is already quite light. This condition shouldn’t be considered an allergy or an infection; you need to regulate your endocrine system and clear heat and detoxify. Only the wind can reach the top of the head, so Western medicine’s treatment is too simplistic—either topical medication or hormonal drugs—which aren’t fundamental solutions.

---

2. Jing Feier

What traditional Chinese medicine can completely cure body odor? I caught it from someone else, and now my younger brother has also caught it.

Answer: Body odor isn’t contagious; it’s related to innate genetic factors. The simplest solution is surgery, which is quite effective. Oral traditional Chinese medicine is ineffective.

---

3. Zhou Zhenzhen

I’m a 27-year-old woman, married for two years but unable to conceive. I’ve had an accidental miscarriage before. After going to the hospital, the fallopian tubes were found to be patent, and the traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis indicated uterine coldness. Does uterine coldness cause infertility? How should it be treated?

Answer: From a Western medical perspective, uterine coldness means ovarian dysfunction or decline. Don’t panic—be patient and treat it carefully. This is precisely where traditional Chinese medicine excels. Through syndrome differentiation and treatment, most patients can see results.

---

4. Lin Lin

A relative of mine, 38 years old, male, has intestinal differentiated adenocarcinoma. Is there any hope for a cure, and what treatment options are available?

Answer: Your question is a bit vague. The intestine includes the large intestine, small intestine, and colon, and cancer in each part has different characteristics, different treatments, and different prognoses.

---

5. Nan Nan

I’m 22 years old, a student, unmarried and not pregnant. I don’t have abdominal pain, just frequent bloating, irregular periods, very light menstrual flow, occasional small blood clots, and excessive vaginal discharge. I don’t have dysmenorrhea, but when I do menstruate, I feel weak in my lower back. I also constantly have pimples, mainly around my mouth and forehead. How should I treat this?

Answer: Your menstrual flow is light, and you have pimples—both indicate low estrogen levels. The main treatment is to regulate your menstrual cycle, and traditional Chinese medicine is the first choice for regulating menstruation. If convenient, you can come to my clinic.

---

6. Man’s Path

Male, 25 years old: A month ago, due to prolonged standing and walking without breaks, veins started appearing on my calves, accompanied by a slight feeling of heaviness in my legs. Could this be varicose veins? How serious is it? How should I treat it?

Answer: Varicose veins should be visible; if they’re not visible, it’s not varicose veins. Of course, prolonged standing is also a cause of lower limb varicose veins.

---

7. Silent 33

White, thick tongue coating, strong taste in food, numbness and thirst in the tongue. If you eat a lot of meat and drink alcohol, your tongue coating will turn black the next day, and you’ll feel hot and dry. What could be causing this?

<!-- translated-chunk:30/53 -->

Answer: At the very least, you suffer from superficial gastritis; the condition of the tongue coating is particularly important for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders.

---

8. Wei Qingwen

Male, 34 years old, with heel pain in both feet for more than three months, no other symptoms. What could be the cause, and how should it be treated?

Answer: There are three possibilities: ① calcaneal spur; ② gout; ③ peripheral neuritis. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, these can be differentiated as follows: ① qi stagnation and blood stasis; ② damp-heat descending; ③ blood deficiency generating wind or kidney deficiency generating wind.

---

9. Lan Tian

A child is 100 days old and suddenly develops a fever, currently at 37.5°C, with hot palms and soles, and appears listless. The child can still drink formula, but has had diarrhea for a long time, which improved yesterday. What medicine can the child take? How should the fever be managed?

Answer: For infants and young children, this type of fever is most likely an upper respiratory infection. Such infections are often associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, so treatment must address both the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Medications such as Qiwei Baizhu San and Bajie San can be used, but diagnosis and treatment must be tailored to the individual's specific pattern.

June 20, 2014

1. Zeng Xianmei

Question: Whenever my throat gets inflamed, I catch a cold two days later, accompanied by pain inside my left ear. What’s going on?

Answer: You likely have chronic pharyngitis or pharyngitis, which acts like a spark that ignites when exposed to wind—this is why you easily catch a cold. There is a Eustachian tube connecting the pharynx and the ear; inflammation in the pharynx can affect the Eustachian tube, leading to ear pain.

---

2. Mei

Question: I am 26 years old, male, and after taking medication for a fever, I have now been hiccuping continuously for two days, feeling very uncomfortable, even experiencing chest pain. What can I do?

Answer: This is autonomic nervous system dysfunction caused by the fever, indicating that your gastrointestinal system was already compromised. Such dysfunction is more pronounced in your case, leading to hiccups. A comprehensive examination is needed; it is likely that there is chronic inflammation in the stomach, and bile reflux is also a possibility after a cold. There are many treatment options, but diagnosis and treatment must be tailored to the individual's specific pattern.

---

3. Gudao Qingche

Question: I have chronic gastritis and a small gallbladder polyp detected during a physical exam, with no other issues. I often feel short of breath, my legs feel sore and weak at night, and I’ve had burning sensations in the soles of my feet since giving birth. Now my child is eight years old. What causes the shortness of breath and leg weakness, and is there any way to treat them?

Answer: Both gallbladder polyps and chronic gastritis can lead to symptoms of shortness of breath and leg weakness. The best approach to treatment is TCM diagnosis and treatment, as TCM herbs and formulas have a broad systemic regulatory effect and generally yield good results.

---

4. Zhang Yong

Question: My daughter is five and a half years old. She used to have peeling skin on her face, and in summer, peeling starts on the palms and soles. What is a good way to treat this?

Answer: It is recommended to give the child Vitamin AD drops and Vitamin C to improve epithelial metabolism. Avoid picky eating and ensure balanced nutrition, which will benefit the child’s growth and development.

---

5. tangtang

Question: My sister is 16 weeks pregnant. She had a cold a few days ago, and although the cold symptoms have subsided, her throat still feels uncomfortable during the day, with occasional coughing. At night, especially after falling asleep, her throat becomes swollen and painful, with severe coughing that affects her sleep. Sitting up slightly alleviates the symptoms. I’d like to ask Dr. Pei, what illness might she have? Since she is pregnant, she cannot take medication. What should be done? Will it affect the fetus?

Answer: For pregnancy-related colds, TCM treatment is recommended. Your throat swelling and pain fall under the category of wind-heat cold in TCM. Generally, antibiotics work best for such cases, but using antibiotics during pregnancy is inappropriate, making TCM diagnosis and treatment even more necessary.

---

6. Xiaoxiao

Question: My gynecological ultrasound shows thickened endometrium, enlarged cervix, and cervical canal polyps pending further evaluation. No obvious abnormalities were found in the right ovary, and the left ovary was not visualized. The situation remains abnormal—after menstruation, bleeding recurs a few days later, lasting for ten days now. Dr. Pei, do you have any good advice? From a TCM perspective, what causes this? There is a crack in the middle of the tongue coating.

Answer: The hallmark of endometrial hyperplasia is prolonged menstrual cycles and increased menstrual flow. Western medicine typically uses curettage, while TCM employs methods to regulate the Chong and Ren channels. Compared with Western methods, TCM has fewer side effects and works faster, though results vary from person to person. Only through individualized diagnosis and treatment can ideal outcomes be achieved.

---

7. Xiaoxiao

Question: Female, 46 years old. In early 2013, her periods lasted at least eight days, with relatively heavy flow. The following tests were conducted, and the doctor prescribed blood-tonifying medications. ① Specimen type: cervical smear: no malignant cells or intraepithelial neoplastic cells were found; ② Specimen: cervical exfoliated cells, negative result; ③ Vaginal discharge: trichomonas, candida, bacterial vaginosis—all negative. White blood cells: 5–10/HP, cleanliness grade II.

Answer: This is menopausal dysfunctional uterine bleeding. TCM herbal remedies are particularly effective for this condition, as ancient practitioners left behind many proven prescriptions that can be used today.

---

8. Ai Lvxing

Question: I am someone who had an abortion due to unavoidable circumstances. The procedure was performed under visual guidance without pain, but a few days later I began to feel some pain where the femur meets the ischium—only when I try to get up from lying down, otherwise I don’t feel anything. What could be the cause? Could it be calcium deficiency?

Answer: Post-abortion pain in joints and muscles is common. In TCM, this condition is called “postpartum wind,” which includes osteoarthritis in related areas. This type of arthritis can progress to rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis. Therefore, postpartum wind must be actively treated; otherwise, more serious sequelae may develop.

---

9. Zihe

Question: Female, 24 years old. Every summer, when the temperature rises above 29°C, my face starts to itch intermittently, and sometimes my body does too. After being bitten by mosquitoes in summer, deep marks remain, and they haven’t faded even after more than a year—this is very distressing! Dr. Pei, what could be the cause, and how can I improve this?

Answer: This is an allergy, including heat allergy. It is recommended to regularly take Fangfeng Tongsheng Wan.

---

10. Mantian Lingdianxing

Question: My mother is 51 years old and has advanced-stage low-grade adenocarcinoma of the lung with pleural and lymphatic metastases. She has been taking Iressa for 21 days, and her pain and cough have both eased, but she still experiences severe chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. Her heart rate is around 110 beats per minute, and she cannot lie down to sleep. After thoracentesis, the amount of fluid in her chest is now small, but given her frail condition and poor appetite, Western medicine has no better treatment options. I wonder if TCM can improve her quality of life and make her feel a bit more comfortable?

Answer: You’ve asked the right question. TCM diagnosis and treatment can improve the patient’s quality of life, extend survival time, and reduce the side effects of targeted therapies (including Iressa) and chemotherapy. Therefore, it is recommended to seek TCM diagnosis and treatment.

---

11. Zhang Cunlu

Question: My son is 12 years old and has cerebral palsy. He underwent limb correction surgery last year and can now walk with a cane. However, his limbs are very stiff, with more stiffness on the left side. Can TCM be used for conditioning?

Answer: TCM can indeed treat this condition. Congenital brain developmental defects often see some symptom relief as the child grows older. If combined with TCM treatment, recovery may be faster.

---

12. Lansese Fengling

Question: I’d like to ask—can polycystic ovary syndrome be cured? I really want to have a child. Should I seek treatment from TCM or Western medicine?

Answer: I have treated many cases of polycystic ovary syndrome, but only two have been completely cured. In those cases, the ovarian cysts disappeared, the patient’s physique returned to normal, menstruation normalized, and eventually the patient became pregnant. Of course, these are only isolated cases; it cannot be said that all cases of polycystic ovary syndrome can be cured by TCM.

---

13. Yu Shang

Question: My uncle-in-law is in his forties and suffers from allergic rhinitis. Recently, he has developed several pus-filled bumps near the Yingxiang acupoint, causing nasal swelling. What should be done?

Answer: Chronic rhinitis is a common and frequently occurring condition. Pus-filled bumps on the skin are largely unrelated to chronic rhinitis and can be treated separately.

---

14. Jinsheng Yimoguo

Question: A few days ago, I drank alcohol, and in the past two days I’ve experienced severe tinnitus. I’m not sure what’s going on.

Answer: Tinnitus is also a common symptom. Catarrhal otitis media, cerebral arteriosclerosis, and peripheral nerve disorders can all cause tinnitus. Alcohol consumption is not the direct cause of tinnitus, but it can influence and exacerbate the condition. Tinnitus is very difficult to treat.

June 23, 2014

1. Tian Shi Ye You Shangg

Question: My son is seven years old, 1.1 meters tall, much shorter than his peers, weighs 20 kilograms, and doesn’t eat well. Is this normal?

Answer: This is normal. Some children grow earlier, others later; some grow faster, others slower. This is determined by genetic polymorphism.

---

2. Tang Xiaoling

Question: A six-year-old girl has had a runny nose for several days, with a small amount of clear mucus. The doctor prescribed Qingre Jiedu oral liquid and cephalosporin granules. After three days of treatment, her symptoms have basically improved, but now she has a runny nose again with a small amount of clear mucus. She has been taking Qingre Jiedu oral liquid and cephalosporin for two days, with better symptoms during the day and worse at night. Could this be chronic rhinitis? What medication would be best?

Answer: This is chronic rhinitis, mostly allergic in nature. Systematic treatment is required; once symptoms improve, treatment should not be stopped immediately. Continued treatment for a period of time will usually lead to improvement.

---

3. Paoding

Question: Female, 65 years old. She underwent thyroid cyst removal at age 47, at which time hypertension was discovered, with serum calcium at 1.1. She has had poor sleep quality since youth and worked night shifts for about 30 years. In the past year, she has noticeably lost weight and sweated more, and in the past two weeks, she has experienced significant pain in her left hip. Bowel movements are normal, diet is normal, and no abnormalities related to blood sugar or tumors have been found so far. What could be the cause?

Answer: Hypertension itself can cause these symptoms. Thyroid cyst removal generally does not lead to such sequelae, so you should pay close attention to treating your hypertension.

---

4. Xu Yangfeng

My mother has been diagnosed with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis or metastatic lung cancer. Surgery is not an option, so only anti-inflammatory treatment is possible, mainly because of persistent hemoptysis. Dr. Pei, how should this be treated? Is TCM effective? What should be done?

Answer: First, the diagnosis must be clarified—whether the hemoptysis is caused by pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer. This is crucial; without a clear diagnosis, treatment is blind.

---

5. Huahua

I am 18 years old and started menstruating at age 11. In the past few years, my periods were fairly regular, but in the last two to three years, sometimes I only get one period every six months. Especially during important exams, I tend to get my period. My mom took me to see a TCM doctor, who prescribed five doses of herbal medicine. After taking them for three days, my period came, and I didn’t need to take any more medicine afterward. Now, however, I haven’t had a period for several months. I’d like to ask Grandpa Pei, what should I do?

Answer: It’s okay. This is a manifestation of adolescent syndrome, and your menstruation started a bit earlier than other girls. It is recommended to try taking Guizhi Fuling Wan and Xiaoyao Wan.

---

6. Xue Ling

Since the end of last year, I have constantly had mouth ulcers. You mentioned that it might be due to decreased autoimmune function, but some doctors say it’s due to gastrointestinal dysfunction. I’d like to ask whether this is possible, or if there are any ways to alleviate it?

Answer: The view that gastrointestinal dysfunction is the cause is outdated. Recent research suggests it’s due to a deficiency in certain vitamins, meaning we should act quickly to treat it at its earliest stage and prevent further complications.

---

7. Leilai

I am 34 years old, 156 cm tall, and weigh 45 kg. My baby is one and a half years old, and I am very thin. I want to gain some weight, but no matter how much I eat, I just can’t. Could this be a medical condition? I love eating cold foods. During pregnancy, my heaviest weight was 64.5 kg, but after giving birth, I started losing weight even faster. I’m breastfeeding, and my milk supply is plenty. I eat a lot, but I still can’t gain weight. I’m worried there might be some underlying disease. What should I do in this situation?

Answer: You don’t have any disease. Just focus on raising your child well. As mentioned before, everyone’s physiological characteristics are different.

---

8. Shi Fufang

My sister is 32 years old and has been unable to conceive. Tests show that her fallopian tubes were blocked due to pneumonia in childhood, and despite two attempts at tubal recanalization, she still hasn’t gotten pregnant. Dr. Pei, can this be treated? She tried IVF once and succeeded, but unfortunately miscarried after three months. This March, she tried again but failed. Her mood has been very bad, and she has lost weight. Could you please give some advice on how she can get pregnant?

Answer: Factors affecting pregnancy include: ① Sufficient levels of female hormones; ② Patency of the fallopian tubes; ③ Normal sperm quality in men and normal egg quality in women.

If you don’t undergo menstrual regulation treatment or health adjustments for both male and female sperm and eggs, even with patent fallopian tubes, IVF may still fail. It is recommended to consult an experienced TCM doctor for diagnosis and treatment based on individual patterns.

---

9. Linlin

A relative of mine has a mass in the ascending colon, and a biopsy of the omentum revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma. Do you have any methods to improve the patient’s quality of life and potentially prolong survival?

Answer: For metastatic cancer, it is essential to first determine the primary tumor site. There are strict treatment guidelines that must be followed; we must know exactly what kind of cancer it is and whether there are metastases in other organs besides the colon. We also need to assess the patient’s general condition.

---

10. Xiasa

My mother is 58 years old. Two years ago, she started seeing circular spots in her eyes, and an examination revealed that the fundus was damaged, compressing the nerves. A few days ago, similar symptoms were found in the other eye. I’m not sure how to treat this.

Answer: This is age-related retinal degeneration. When one eye is affected, it can impact the other, a condition known as sympathetic ophthalmia. Specialized ophthalmological treatment is required.

---

11. Xiaoshan

I am a patient with solar dermatitis and have suffered from it for many years. In summer, I can only endure it by using a parasol. Starting in May, even a brief stay outdoors without proper protection can lead to itching and eventually ulceration. Dr. Pei, how should this be treated? Are there any good TCM methods?

Answer: Western medicine commonly prescribes antihistamines and serotonin antagonists, and TCM also has good efficacy, but diagnosis and treatment must be tailored to the individual’s specific pattern.

---

12. Xiaoping

I developed type 2 diabetes at age 40 and am now 52. As a woman, I inject insulin daily. Recently, I’ve noticed that when I sit for long periods or get out of bed in the morning, my lower legs below the calf become stiff, and my feet hurt a bit when I walk, but the symptoms disappear after walking for a few minutes. Otherwise, I feel quite well. Professor, is this symptom a complication of diabetes? Does it require treatment?

Answer: This is not yet peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes, but there is already a tendency toward it. Recommendations: ① Strict dietary control; ② Adjust insulin dosage to keep fasting blood glucose below 6.5 mmol/L and postprandial blood glucose below 11.1 mmol/L; ③ Increase physical activity; ④ Take oral medications such as Langdi and Disainuo.

---

June 25, 2014

1. Wang Di

My child is eight months old and has been vomiting for over a month, along with fever and cough. After receiving intravenous fluids for seven days at Wushan County Hospital, all other symptoms have improved except for the diarrhea, which remains stubborn. The stool smells very foul and contains yolk-like particles. What should be fed?

Answer: This is secondary indigestion following an upper respiratory infection in infants. Qiwei Baizhu San should be the first choice. It’s unclear whether this proprietary medicine is available on the market, but Shenling Baizhu San and Fuzi Lizhong Wan can also be tried. If these don’t work, diagnosis and treatment must be tailored to the individual’s specific pattern.

---

2. Li Hongxia

I am 34 years old and recently found my uric acid level to be over 430, with pain in my knees and shoulders. How should I treat this?

Answer: Pain in the knees and shoulders doesn’t necessarily mean gout, but your uric acid level is high, so you should be vigilant. For a short period, avoid purine-rich foods (meat, eggs, dairy) and observe the situation.

---

3. Momo De 33

Recently, my tongue has been white, with a fuzzy texture and numbness. After drinking alcohol, it even turns black, and my appetite is poor. What could be the cause?

Answer: Stop drinking alcohol. From a TCM perspective, your stomach qi has already been damaged; from a Western medical perspective, you at least have superficial gastritis. Don’t take it lightly.

---

4. Peng Hui

Recently, my child has been blinking involuntarily, and quite forcefully. We just went to the hospital, and the doctor said it’s ADHD. The prescription only included methylcobalamin injections and some vitamins. I feel this prescription is a bit simplistic, so I’d like to ask if there are any appropriate TCM preparations for treating ADHD?

Answer: Currently, no commercially available TCM preparations specifically treat ADHD. However, TCM classifies this condition under the category of “zangzao” syndrome, and ancient practitioners left behind many treatment methods. But a proper prescription can only be formulated through observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.

---

5. Li Dan

I’d like to know whether taking levothyroxine for elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone during pregnancy will affect the future development of the fetus?

Answer: Elevated TSH indicates hypothyroidism, and taking levothyroxine is generally correct. It does not affect the fetus.

---

6. Sun Fanyu

Male, 63 years old. His lower body is always damp and sweaty, especially the scrotum. What should be done? His legs also sweat a lot. What’s going on?

Answer: At 63, this man is likely entering male menopause, a period when the autonomic nervous system is dysregulated, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. Another reason is that men in this age group often have varying degrees of prostate enlargement or hypertrophy, which can also cause or exacerbate these symptoms.

---

7. Juje Chaoduqun

My mother is 62 years old. She often experiences numbness and loss of sensation in the soles of her feet, and feels swelling when walking. She frequently takes Tianma Wan, but the effect is not good. What could be the cause? Are there any good TCM treatments?

Answer: For middle-aged and elderly people experiencing such symptoms, arterial sclerosis should be considered first. Arterial sclerosis impairs blood return, especially venous return in the lower limbs. Tianma Wan can help prevent arterial sclerosis, but its effectiveness is not guaranteed. It is recommended to take Qiju Dihuang, Zhibai Dihuang, and Jingui Shenqi, among others. Arterial sclerosis is not always accompanied by hypertension; 70% are accompanied by hypertension, while 30% are not.

---

8. Diandian

My daughter is five and a half years old. Recently, she tested positive for Helicobacter pylori. Going to

Compilation of Health Consultation Q&A for Children