Q&A with Top Doctors

What medication is good for gastritis with stomach bloating?

For the treatment of gastric distension and gastritis, medication selection should be based on the specific condition of the patient.

Prokinetic agents such as domperidone and mosapride can promote gastrointestinal motility and help alleviate symptoms of gastric distension. Domperidone is suitable for treating bloating and belching caused by indigestion, while mosapride enhances intestinal motility and relieves abdominal discomfort in patients with gastritis.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole and lansoprazole can reduce gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa, making them suitable for gastritis caused by excessive gastric acid production. H2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine and famotidine also reduce gastric acid secretion and are suitable for mild to moderate gastritis.

If gastritis is caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, antibiotic combination therapy is required, such as clarithromycin and amoxicillin, together with proton pump inhibitors or bismuth compounds. Medications must be used under the guidance of a physician; self-medication should be avoided to prevent inappropriate treatment and delay in disease management.

Adjusting dietary habits, avoiding spicy and greasy foods, and eating meals at regular intervals and in appropriate amounts can help promote recovery.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025
Left abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation causes

Pain in the left side of the abdomen accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and constipation may be caused by various diseases. Digestive system disorders such as gastritis, gastric ulcers, enteritis, or intestinal obstruction can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Constipation may indicate intestinal dysfunction.

Neurological conditions such as herpes zoster can also cause pain and discomfort if the virus affects the abdominal nerves. Severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (rather than constipation) appearing suddenly are usually symptoms of food poisoning, although constipation may also occur in some cases.

For female patients, cysts and tumors in the left adnexal region (including the ovaries and fallopian tubes) may also cause left-sided abdominal pain. These gynecological issues may not be related to bowel habits, but they still warrant attention.

Inappropriate diet (such as frequent consumption of spicy or fatty foods, overly refined diet), insufficient gastric motility, delaying defecation, and excessive fluid loss can also lead to constipation and abdominal pain. Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, often related to diet and stress factors.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025
Back pain during hiccups: causes

Back pain during hiccups may be caused by various factors. Long-term incorrect posture or spinal fatigue may lead to back muscle injuries, and the involvement of these injured muscles during hiccups can cause pain.

Visceral problems such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallbladder disease, or pancreatitis may also cause back discomfort through the mechanism of referred pain. Moreover, cardiac diseases such as angina or myocardial infarction may sometimes present with atypical symptoms, including hiccups and back pain.

Long-term poor posture, muscle strain, or disc problems may directly compress nerve roots, causing the simultaneous occurrence of hiccups and back pain. After joint dislocation, the joint capsule may become irritated, leading to nerve compression around the joint capsule and resulting in severe pain. This pain typically centers in the chest and back and may be triggered by hiccups or severe coughing.

When experiencing such symptoms, timely medical consultation is recommended. A clear diagnosis can be achieved through detailed medical history taking, physical examination, and relevant auxiliary tests (such as electrocardiogram, abdominal ultrasound, CT scan), and an individualized treatment plan can then be developed based on the specific condition.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025
Why is there blood in my throat when I wake up in the morning?

Waking up in the morning and finding blood in the throat can be caused by various factors. Dry climate or air pollution may damage the pharyngeal mucosa, especially common during winter or when air quality is poor. Lifestyle habits such as excessive throat clearing, smoking, and alcohol consumption can also irritate and damage the pharyngeal mucosa.

Prolonged unhealthy dietary habits or excessive voice use may lead to chronic inflammatory irritation in the throat, causing rupture of blood vessels beneath the mucosa. Patients are advised to adjust their diet to be light and bland, and take medications such as Cefalexin Capsules under a doctor's guidance.

While waiting for medical consultation, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption, drinking plenty of water, and keeping indoor air moist may help alleviate symptoms. Additionally, getting adequate rest and avoiding excessive voice use can reduce irritation to the throat.

If symptoms such as persistent hemoptysis (coughing up blood), difficulty breathing, or worsening hoarseness occur, immediate medical attention should be sought to avoid delaying treatment. It is generally advisable to maintain a bland diet and avoid spicy or irritating foods such as garlic, hot pot, chili, and mustard. Sufficient rest is also important, and excessive fatigue should be avoided to maintain overall health.

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Dr. Lu Cheng
May 26, 2025
Is there a relationship between bad breath and kidney health?

Bad breath is associated with kidney function to a certain extent. The specific analysis is as follows:

When kidney function is impaired, especially when it progresses to chronic renal failure, the kidneys can no longer effectively excrete metabolic waste from the body, leading to the accumulation of nitrogen-containing metabolic products such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. These substances enter the bloodstream and reach the oral cavity, where they are excreted through the salivary glands. Oral bacteria then break them down into ammonia compounds, causing bad breath.

In addition, due to gastrointestinal dysfunction, patients with kidney disease may experience indigestion, acid reflux, and other conditions that can also worsen bad breath. Bad breath has multiple causes—oral diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory conditions can all contribute to it, so bad breath alone cannot be used to determine kidney involvement.

If kidney-related bad breath is suspected, timely medical evaluation including kidney function tests, urinalysis, and kidney ultrasound should be conducted to assess the extent of kidney damage. In daily life, maintaining good oral hygiene, using antibacterial mouthwash, and regular dental cleaning are recommended. Dietary measures should include limiting protein intake to avoid placing additional strain on the kidneys and consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables to support metabolism.

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Dr. Liu Chao
May 26, 2025
What is the relationship between blood glucose and fructosamine?

The relationship between blood glucose and fructosamine is primarily reflected in the monitoring of diabetes control, with a close association existing between the two.

Blood glucose serves as an immediate indicator of glucose concentration in the blood, whereas fructosamine is a biomarker reflecting the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 weeks. When blood glucose remains consistently elevated, excess glucose undergoes non-enzymatic binding with proteins such as hemoglobin and albumin, forming fructosamine. The concentration of fructosamine is positively correlated with blood glucose levels.

This characteristic makes fructosamine a good indicator for evaluating diabetes control, especially in patients with significant blood glucose fluctuations, such as those with brittle diabetes or gestational diabetes. Additionally, the normal reference range for fructosamine is 1.5 to 2.4 mmol/L. Although its measurement is not affected by individual meals, it cannot be directly used to guide daily insulin or oral hypoglycemic drug dosages.

In clinical practice, combining blood glucose and fructosamine test results allows for a more comprehensive assessment of a patient's diabetes management status and provides guidance for adjusting treatment plans.

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Dr. Liu Feng
May 26, 2025
What are the risks of having a blood sugar level around 1 point?

In general, a blood glucose level in the range of 1.x mmol/L represents a severely low state, which may pose risks of coma, seizures, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, cognitive impairment, and accidental injuries.

1. Coma: Severely low blood glucose can lead to insufficient energy supply to the brain and may rapidly cause coma.

2. Seizures: Hypoglycemia may cause abnormal electrical activity in the nervous system, leading to seizures.

3. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events: Hypoglycemia triggers a stress response in the body, causing increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, which may induce myocardial infarction or stroke.

4. Cognitive impairment: Prolonged or recurrent hypoglycemia may cause damage to brain neurons, impair cognitive function, and even increase the risk of dementia.

5. Accidental injuries: Hypoglycemia may cause dizziness, fatigue, and confusion, increasing the risk of falls, traffic accidents, and other accidental injuries.

It is important to maintain a balanced diet, avoid strenuous exercise that may cause sudden drops in blood glucose, and adjust the dosage of glucose-lowering medications under medical guidance to prevent hypoglycemic episodes.

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Dr. Liu Feng
May 26, 2025
Can the first drop of blood be used when measuring blood glucose?

Under normal circumstances, the first drop of blood is not recommended for blood glucose testing.

The surface of the finger skin may contain impurities such as residual disinfectant, sweat, or cell debris, which may interfere with the accuracy of the blood glucose meter. Additionally, the first drop of blood may contain more tissue fluid rather than purely blood, which could also affect the test result. Therefore, during blood glucose testing, it is generally recommended to discard the first drop of blood and use the second drop for the test.

Prior to blood glucose testing, alcohol or iodophor is usually used to disinfect the skin, and then it is necessary to wait until the alcohol has completely evaporated. The puncture site should then be gently massaged to allow blood to flow naturally. The first drop of blood should be discarded, and the second drop should be collected using the test strip for testing. This helps ensure more accurate and reliable test results. Different brands and models of blood glucose meters may have different instructions for use, so it is recommended to follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

In daily life, patients with high blood sugar are advised to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels to promptly understand their health status. At the same time, they should take prescribed antidiabetic medications according to medical advice to maintain stable blood glucose levels.

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Dr. Liu Feng
May 26, 2025
Is a fasting blood glucose level of 7.1 mmol/L serious?

A fasting blood glucose level of 7.1 mmol/L has already exceeded the normal range, but this does not mean serious health problems will occur immediately.

The normal fasting blood glucose range should be between 3.9-6.1 mmol/L. A fasting blood glucose level of 7.1 mmol/L exceeds the normal range, and if multiple measurements consistently show elevated levels, or are accompanied by typical symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, and weight loss, it is likely that diabetes is already present, a situation that requires attention.

However, if an elevated fasting blood glucose level of 7.1 mmol/L occurs only occasionally, it may simply reflect temporary fluctuations in blood glucose and does not necessarily indicate diabetes. For example, excessive food intake the previous evening, insufficient sleep, emotional stress, or excessive fatigue can all lead to elevated blood glucose levels. Patients are advised to seek medical attention promptly, control blood glucose through lifestyle adjustments and, when necessary, medication, and prevent complications.

In daily life, it is recommended to monitor blood glucose regularly, maintain close communication with a physician, develop an individualized treatment plan, and stabilize blood glucose levels.

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Dr. Liu Feng
May 26, 2025
What is the normal blood sugar level?

The normal reference values for blood glucose mainly depend on the time of measurement.

Fasting blood glucose, which is measured after at least 8 hours without food intake, has a normal range of 3.9 to 6.1 mmol/L. Postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose varies over time; one hour after a meal, blood glucose generally ranges between 4.4 and 11.1 mmol/L, while two hours after a meal, it should not exceed 7.8 mmol/L.

Blood glucose levels are influenced by multiple factors, including diet, physical activity, and stress. Therefore, occasional readings outside the normal range do not necessarily indicate a health problem. If blood glucose levels remain consistently above or below the normal range, timely medical evaluation is recommended to rule out conditions such as diabetes. For specific populations, such as pregnant women or individuals at risk for diabetes, target blood glucose control goals may differ, and medical advice should be followed accordingly.

In daily life, it is advisable to regularly monitor blood glucose levels, consult a healthcare provider promptly, and undergo professional examinations and assessments to enable early detection and management of potential blood glucose-related issues.

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Dr. Liu Feng
May 26, 2025