Sequelae of Cerebral Infarction

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

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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: ① qi stagnation and blood stasis; ② damp-heat descending; ③ blood deficiency generating wind or kidney deficiency generating wind.

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9. Lan Tian

A child is 100 days old and suddenly developed a fever, now at 37.5°C, with hot palms and soles, and lack of energy. The baby 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 like 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, and my left ear also starts hurting. Why does this happen?

Answer: You likely have chronic pharyngitis or tonsillitis—like a spark that ignites when the wind blows, which explains 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.

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2. Mei

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

Answer: This is autonomic nervous system dysfunction caused by the fever, indicating that your gastrointestinal system was already weak to begin with. This kind of dysfunction is more pronounced in you than in others, resulting in hiccups. A comprehensive examination is needed; there is likely chronic inflammation in the stomach, and bile reflux is quite possible after a cold. There are many treatment options, but diagnosis and treatment must be tailored to the individual's specific pattern.

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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 heavy at night, and I've had burning sensations on the soles of my feet since giving birth. Now my child is eight years old. What causes the shortness of breath and leg fatigue, 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 fatigue. The best approach to treatment is TCM diagnosis and treatment, as TCM herbs and formulas have a broad systemic regulatory effect and generally provide good results.

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4. Zhang Yong

Question: My daughter is five and a half years old. She used to have peeling skin on her face, but in summer, the palms and soles of her feet start peeling too. 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 proper nutrition, which will benefit the child's growth and development.

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5. tangtang

Question: My sister is currently 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 would like to ask Mr. Pei, what disease 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.

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6. Xiaoxiao

Question: My gynecological ultrasound showed endometrial thickening, cervical enlargement, 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 has remained abnormal until now. Recently, after menstruation ended, bleeding resumed a few days later, lasting for ten days already. Mr. Pei, do you have any good suggestions? From a TCM perspective, what causes this? There is a crack in the middle of the tongue coating.

Answer: The characteristic 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 meridians. Compared with the former, the latter has fewer side effects and works faster, but results vary from person to person. Only through individualized diagnosis and treatment can ideal outcomes be achieved.

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7. Xiaoxiao

Question: Female, 46 years old. In early 2013, her menstruation lasted for 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, and TCM herbal remedies are particularly effective for treating this condition. Ancient practitioners left behind many effective prescriptions for this ailment, available for modern use.

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8. Ai Lüxing

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 started feeling some pain where the femur connects to 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 joint and muscle pain 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.

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9. Zihe

Question: Female, 24 years old. Every summer, when the temperature rises above 29°C, my face starts itching intermittently, and sometimes my body as well. After being bitten by mosquitoes in summer, deep marks are left, which have persisted for over a year without fading. I’m very distressed! Mr. 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.

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10. Mantian Lingdianxing

Question: My mother is 51 years old and has advanced-stage low-grade adenocarcinoma of the lung with pleural and lymphatic metastasis. She has been taking Iressa for 21 days, and both pain and cough have 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 side effects from targeted therapies (including Iressa) and chemotherapy. Therefore, it is recommended to seek TCM diagnosis and treatment.

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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.

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12. Lansen 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 were completely cured. In those cases, the ovarian cysts disappeared, the patient’s physique returned to normal, menstruation normalized, and eventually they became pregnant. Of course, this is just a few isolated cases; it cannot be said that all cases of polycystic ovary syndrome can be cured by TCM.

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13. Yu Shang

Question: My uncle-in-law is in his forties and suffers from allergic rhinitis. Recently, he has been developing pus-filled bumps around 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.

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14. Jinsheng Yimoguo

Question: A few days ago, I drank alcohol, and in the past two days I’ve experienced severe tinnitus. I don’t know 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 it. 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 like eating. Is this normal?

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

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2. Tang Xiaoling

Question: A six-year-old girl has had a stuffy 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 basically improved, but now she has a stuffy nose again with a little clear mucus. She has been taking Qingre Jiedu oral liquid and cephalosporin for two days, and her condition is better during the day but worse at night. Could this be chronic rhinitis? What medication should she take?

Answer: This is chronic rhinitis, mostly of the allergic type. Systematic treatment is needed; once symptoms are temporarily relieved, they should not be ignored. Continued treatment for a period of time will usually lead to improvement.

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3. Paoding

Question: Female, 65 years old. She underwent thyroid cyst removal surgery at age 47, and was diagnosed with hypertension at the time, 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.

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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. Mr. 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.

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5. Huahua

I am 18 years old and started menstruating at 11. In the past few years, my periods were relatively 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 haven’t taken any more medicine since then. Now I haven’t had a period for several months again. 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.

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6. Xue Ling

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

Answer: The view that this is caused by gastrointestinal dysfunction is an old one. Recent research suggests it’s due to a deficiency of certain vitamins, meaning people should act quickly to treat it at the earliest stage and prevent further complications.

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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’m very thin. I want to gain some weight, but no matter how much I eat, I just can’t seem to put on weight. Could this be a medical condition? I love eating cold foods. When I was pregnant, 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 still can’t gain weight. I’m worried there might be some underlying illness. What should I do in this situation?

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

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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. Mr. Pei, can this condition be regulated? She tried IVF once and succeeded, but unfortunately miscarried after three months. This March, she tried again but failed. Her mood has been 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 egg quality in women.

If you don’t undergo menstrual regulation treatment, nor do you ensure the health of male and female sperm and eggs, even if your fallopian tubes are patent, IVF may still fail. It is recommended to consult an experienced TCM doctor for diagnosis and treatment based on individual patterns.

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9. Linlin

A relative of mine has a mass in the ascending colon, and a sample of the greater omentum was taken for biopsy, confirming metastatic adenocarcinoma. Do you have any methods to improve the patient’s quality of life and potentially prolong their lifespan?

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 type of cancer it is. Besides colon metastasis, are there metastases in other organs? What is the patient’s general condition?

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10. Xiasa

My mother is 58 years old. Two years ago, she kept seeing circular spots in her eyes, and an examination revealed that the fundus was damaged, compressing the nerves. A few days ago, similar findings were discovered in the other eye. I don’t know how to treat this.

Answer: This is senile retinal degeneration. When one eye is affected, it impacts the other, a condition known as sympathetic ophthalmia. Specialized ophthalmological treatment is required.

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11. Xiaoshan

I am a patient with solar dermatitis and have suffered from it for many years. During summer, I can only endure it by using a sun umbrella. Starting in May, as long as I stay outdoors for a short while without paying attention, the condition worsens, leading to itching and even ulceration. Mr. 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.

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12. Xiaoping

I developed type 2 diabetes at age 40 and am now 52. As a woman, I inject insulin daily. Recently, I 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 pretty good. Professor, is this symptom a complication of diabetes? Does it need 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 so that fasting blood glucose is below 6.5 mmol/L and postprandial blood glucose is below 11.1 mmol/L; ③ Increase physical activity; ④ Take oral medications such as Langdi and Disainuo.

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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. We received intravenous fluids at Wushan County Hospital for seven days, and everything else has improved except for the diarrhea, which remains stubborn. The stool smells very foul and contains yolk-like particles. What should we feed him?

Answer: This is secondary indigestion following an upper respiratory infection in infants. Qiwei Baizhu San should be the first choice. I’m not sure if this ready-made 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.

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2. Li Hongxia

I am 34 years old and recently found my uric acid level to be over 430, accompanied by 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 your condition.

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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 immediately. 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.

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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, and I’d like to try TCM treatment. So I’m asking: are there any suitable TCM patent medicines for treating ADHD?

Answer: Currently, no TCM patent medicines for treating ADHD are commercially available. However, TCM classifies this condition as zangzao syndrome, and ancient practitioners left behind many treatment methods. But a good prescription can only be formulated through observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.

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5. Li Dan

I’d like to know: if I take levothyroxine during pregnancy due to elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone, will it affect the future development of the fetus?

Answer: Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone indicates hypothyroidism, and taking levothyroxine is generally correct. It does not affect the fetus.

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6. Sun Fanyu

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

Answer: Male, 63 years old—this is likely the male menopause. During this period, the autonomic nervous system is in a state of dysregulation, which can lead 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.

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7. Ju Jie Chaoduqun

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

Answer: In middle-aged and elderly individuals, such symptoms are often caused by arteriosclerosis, which impairs blood return, especially venous return in the lower extremities. Tianma Wan can help prevent arteriosclerosis, but its effectiveness is not guaranteed. It is recommended to take Qiju Dihuang, Zhibai Dihuang, and Jingui Shenqi instead. Arteriosclerosis is not always accompanied by hypertension; 70% of cases are accompanied by hypertension, while 30% are not.

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8. Diandian

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

Compilation of Health Consultation Q&A for Traditional Chinese Medicine