June 30, 2014

June 30, 2014

1. Falling Flowers and Starry Rain: I’m 36 years old and have been diagnosed with endometrial polyps and cervical erosion grade II. How should I treat this?

A: Endometrial polyps can be treated with minimally invasive procedures, while cervical erosion grade II can be managed with anti-inflammatory measures. Traditional Chinese medicine tends to be relatively effective, with many proven prescriptions. If treatment is tailored to the individual’s syndrome, the results will be even better.

2. Aust He Zhao Mei: What’s the maximum degree of nearsightedness that can be corrected with laser surgery?

A: Laser surgery for nearsightedness is still not fully mature. Regardless of the degree, 100% of patients who undergo the procedure experience recurrence—some after a long time, others soon after. Therefore, there’s currently no established limit on the degree of nearsightedness that can be treated surgically.

3. Jun Fu Liu Dong Wu Xin: Excuse me, I’ve developed seborrheic dermatitis on my face. What should I do?

A: Seborrheic dermatitis on the face is essentially acne, usually caused by a relative increase in androgens. Women developing acne is also due to increased androgen levels. The key is to fundamentally regulate endocrine function. Treatment isn’t easy, but fortunately, acne tends to appear in specific phases. After treatment, symptoms will ease, and over time, the condition will completely heal.

4. Jingjing: My father is 52 years old. Last September, he suddenly became confused and started talking nonsense. He was sent to a psychiatric hospital, but woke up the next day. The doctors said he was possessed. However, a few days later, the same thing happened again—he talked nonsense and even attacked people, only to wake up the next day. Mr. Pei, what could be causing this, and what tests should be done?

A: There’s a type of epilepsy characterized by psychogenic seizures. I haven’t examined the patient myself, but you should go to the hospital for a systematic examination and standardized treatment.

5. Mu Zi Li: My daughter is a little over three years old. Recently, she seems to have a layer of dandruff on her scalp. What usually causes this? Could it be a nutritional deficiency, and if so, what nutrients should be supplemented?

A: Dandruff is often one of the common manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis. I recommend washing the hair frequently, and using a decoction of Platycladus orientalis leaves for washing is the most effective traditional Chinese remedy.

6. Baozi: I’m 26 years old. After giving birth to my second child via cesarean section on April 29 this year, I’ve often experienced pain in my pelvis and pubic area, especially when turning over in bed. Even when getting out of bed and walking, I feel discomfort, as if I were limping. My first child was delivered vaginally, and I didn’t have these problems then. But after the second birth, I started having lower back pain. Dr. Pei, is this normal?

A: Most postpartum women experience similar issues. Traditional Chinese medicine calls this “postpartum wind,” which is essentially peri-partum musculoskeletal strain. If this strain isn’t treated promptly, it can progress into rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or degenerative joint disease.

7. Liang Hong: I’m 31 years old and unmarried. Four years ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid nodules. Since then, I’ve had no obvious symptoms, except for insomnia at night and light menstrual flow. This year’s ultrasound showed calcification of the nodules. My anti-thyroid globulin antibody level is over 4,000, and my anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody is 107.5. Dr. Pei, should I take medication or undergo surgery for this condition? I’ve heard that surgery often leads to recurrence, so I’m quite afraid of it. Plus, I’m worried that surgery might affect my fertility. Dr. Pei, what’s your opinion?

A: Apart from the antibodies, everything else seems fine. The important point is the presence of dual antibody positivity, which is a diagnostic indicator of Graves’ disease. These indicators are constantly changing, so I recommend regular follow-up examinations. If the antibodies don’t turn negative, you should undergo a complete thyroid panel test.

8. Apple Orchard: Male, 34 years old. I always feel like I can’t completely empty my bladder—after urinating, I still feel a drop leaking out. What’s going on?

A: This is chronic prostatitis. It’s a bit too young for a 34-year-old to develop this condition. Prostatic inflammatory diseases fall into two categories: one is benign prostatic hyperplasia in middle-aged and elderly people, which often comes with inflammation over time; the other is prostatitis caused by excessive masturbation before marriage or overwork after marriage. Both require active treatment.

9. Xu Simin: My father is 69 years old. Recently, he was diagnosed with gastric cancer and esophageal metastatic cancer. How long can drug control keep him alive in such a situation? Will chemotherapy yield better results? He already shows signs of metastasis!

A: The gastric fundus is close to the cardia and the lower end of the esophagus, so surgery should be the first choice. If there are secondary or higher-level lymph node metastases, surgery is no longer an option. At that point, both chemotherapy and radiotherapy are ineffective. Based on my experience, using traditional Chinese medicine can appropriately extend the patient’s survival time.

July 2, 2014