Q&A with Top Doctors

Can the chest still grow larger after puberty?

Breast size is mainly determined by factors such as genetics, hormone levels, fat content, and breast tissue development. Breast growth typically stops after puberty, but there are generally some measures one can take to enhance breast appearance. A detailed analysis is as follows:

During puberty, increased estrogen secretion promotes the growth of breast tissue and fat, leading to gradual breast development. In adulthood, breast gland development is largely complete, but fat tissue can still change due to weight fluctuations. Additionally, long-term use of ill-fitting bras and poor posture that compresses the chest may also affect breast appearance.

If one desires to enhance breast size after puberty, dietary adjustments can be considered, such as consuming more foods rich in protein, vitamin E, and unsaturated fatty acids, to provide nutrients for breast development. Regular chest exercises, like push-ups and dumbbell flys, can strengthen the pectoral muscles and visually enhance breast firmness and appearance.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain regular sleep patterns and a positive mindset, avoiding excessive熬夜 (staying up late) and high levels of mental stress to prevent endocrine disorders that may affect hormone levels. For those seeking faster results, medical aesthetic procedures are an option; however, these methods carry risks such as infection and rejection reactions and should be performed by qualified professionals at正规 (legitimate) medical institutions.

avatar
Dr. Lv Dapeng
May 24, 2025
Can I drink alcohol the night before getting double eyelid surgery?

It is not recommended to consume alcohol the night before undergoing double eyelid surgery.

Although double eyelid surgery is a common minor procedure in plastic and cosmetic surgery, drinking alcohol before the operation poses multiple risks. After entering the body, alcohol dilates blood vessels and accelerates blood circulation, which may lead to increased bleeding during surgery. This can make the procedure more difficult, affect the surgeon's precise judgment and manipulation of eye tissues, and potentially result in hematomas that compromise the shaping of the eyelids after surgery.

Additionally, alcohol must be metabolized by the liver, which increases the liver's workload and interferes with normal metabolic functions, reducing immunity. This is unfavorable for postoperative wound healing and may even increase the risk of infection, prolong recovery time, and potentially cause adverse reactions such as increased redness, swelling, and pain at the incision site.

If alcohol has already been consumed, it is important to inform the attending physician immediately. The doctor will comprehensively assess whether the surgery needs to be rescheduled based on the amount of alcohol consumed and the patient's physical response. If no alcohol has been consumed, in addition to avoiding alcohol intake, it is important to ensure adequate sleep and remain relaxed before surgery, maintain clean eyelids, and avoid wearing eye makeup. Furthermore, medications that may affect blood clotting should be discontinued as instructed by the physician.

After surgery, it is also essential to strictly follow medical advice, keeping the surgical site clean and dry, paying attention to a light diet, and avoiding spicy or irritating foods to promote proper wound healing and achieve optimal surgical results.

avatar
Dr. Chen Lu
May 24, 2025
Can pregnant women eat Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra)?

Generally speaking, pregnant women can eat bayberries, but should do so in moderation and pay attention to food hygiene.

Nutritional needs increase during pregnancy, and taste preferences often change. Bayberries are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, dietary fiber, and minerals. Vitamin C helps enhance the immune system and promotes iron absorption. From a nutritional perspective, moderate consumption of bayberries is beneficial to a pregnant woman's health.

Pregnant women can eat bayberries, but should choose fresh ones that are not rotten or spoiled. Pesticide residues or bacterial contamination may exist on the surface of bayberries; therefore, pregnant women should thoroughly wash them before consumption to ensure food safety. Additionally, daily intake should be limited to about 10–15 berries to avoid excessive consumption that could lead to blood sugar fluctuations or increased gastrointestinal burden.

Eating bayberries on an empty stomach may stimulate gastric acid secretion and increase the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort. Therefore, it is recommended to consume bayberries after meals or between meals. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes or elevated blood sugar levels should consume them cautiously under a doctor's guidance and closely monitor their blood sugar afterward. If symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea occur after eating bayberries, immediate medical attention should be sought.

avatar
Dr. Zhang Lu
May 24, 2025
Can you drink milk when you have a fever?

Fever refers to an elevated body temperature. Generally, if a febrile patient has relatively good gastrointestinal function, drinking milk in moderation may be appropriate; however, if the patient has poor gastrointestinal function, milk consumption may not be advisable. The analysis is as follows:

During fever, the body's digestive function tends to decline. Milk, being rich in protein—a large molecular substance—requires more energy and time for digestion and absorption compared to bland, easily digestible foods like congee, potentially increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal system. However, milk contains abundant nutrients such as protein and calcium. When consumed in moderation and well tolerated by the gastrointestinal tract, it can provide essential energy and nutrients, aiding recovery. Thus, it is not absolutely contraindicated.

If a febrile patient has good gastrointestinal function without symptoms such as abdominal distension, nausea, or vomiting, warm milk can be consumed in small amounts multiple times throughout the day. This approach provides necessary nutrition while minimizing gastrointestinal strain.

For patients with inherently weak gastrointestinal function or those experiencing symptoms of indigestion, it is advisable to avoid milk initially. Instead, easily digestible liquid foods such as millet porridge or pumpkin porridge may be chosen, complemented by steamed egg custard and vegetable soup to ensure balanced nutrition. Milk intake can be gradually increased once body temperature returns to normal and gastrointestinal function improves.

Diet during fever should primarily consist of easily digestible, nutritionally balanced foods, avoiding overly greasy or hard-to-digest items to reduce the burden on the digestive system and promote rapid recovery.

avatar
Dr. Yang Ziqi
May 24, 2025
Does honey help with digestion?

Honey can aid digestion to some extent. It contains various enzymes, such as amylase and sucrase, which help break down food and promote digestion. Honey also has a mild laxative effect, helping relieve constipation and improve intestinal function. Additionally, the antioxidants and antibacterial components in honey help protect the gastric mucosa and reduce stomach discomfort. Due to its gentle nature, honey is suitable for most people, especially those with weak digestion.

To better utilize honey's digestive benefits, it is recommended to drink a cup of warm water mixed with honey on an empty stomach every morning, which can help cleanse the intestines and promote digestion. Drinking honey water about half an hour after meals may also aid in digestion and nutrient absorption. Choose pure, unprocessed honey and avoid products with added ingredients. Although honey has many benefits, excessive consumption should be avoided, particularly by individuals with diabetes. If symptoms of indigestion persist or worsen, seek timely medical attention and undergo examination and treatment by a qualified physician.

avatar
Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 24, 2025
Can I get a dental filling during lactation?

In general, dental fillings can be performed during lactation, but the decision should be made based on a comprehensive evaluation of the tooth damage severity, treatment methods, and medication use, strictly following medical advice.

If the tooth damage is minor, such as superficial caries without pulp involvement, normal dental filling can be performed, typically without affecting breastfeeding. The local anesthetic agents used at this time, such as lidocaine, are metabolized quickly and only minimal amounts enter breast milk, causing no significant effects on the infant. Filling materials, such as composite resin and glass ionomer, are considered safe and generally do not require special concern. However, maintaining oral hygiene after treatment is important to prevent infection.

If the tooth damage is severe, such as deep caries involving the pulp or requiring root canal treatment, local anesthesia, antibiotics, or analgesics may be used during the procedure. If anesthetic agents containing epinephrine are used, they may affect the infant through breast milk. It is recommended to suspend breastfeeding for 6–8 hours until the drugs are metabolized before resuming. Post-treatment antibiotics and analgesics should be selected carefully to ensure they are safe for breastfeeding and should be used under a doctor's guidance. If infection occurs after treatment, timely intervention is necessary to prevent the spread of inflammation and potential harm to maternal and infant health.

Prior to treatment, it is advisable to inform the dentist about breastfeeding status to help assess risks and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Choose a qualified medical facility to ensure proper sterilization protocols and reduce the risk of infection. Schedule treatment after breastfeeding to allow sufficient time for completion and minimize impact on nursing.

avatar
Dr. Liu Chao
May 24, 2025
Is Watermelon Frost effective for swollen and painful gums?

Generally, watermelon frost (Xigua Shuang) is usually effective for swollen and painful gums, especially for symptoms caused by accumulation of heat toxins such as lung heat and stomach fire, although its efficacy should be determined according to the specific cause.

Watermelon frost has the functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It can alleviate inflammatory responses in the gum tissue, improve local blood circulation, and relieve redness, swelling, heat, and pain of the gums caused by heat toxins. Its mechanism of action involves reducing internal heat accumulation and thereby decreasing inflammation-induced irritation to the gums, thus improving symptoms of swelling and pain. However, if the gum swelling and pain are caused by non-heat toxin factors such as bacterial infection, tartar irritation, or trauma, the effectiveness of watermelon frost may be limited.

When using watermelon frost, maintaining good oral hygiene is important. Proper tooth brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash should be continued during treatment, while spicy and greasy foods should be avoided to prevent interference with the drug's effectiveness. It is contraindicated for individuals allergic to any of its components, and special populations such as pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a physician before use. If swelling and pain persist beyond three days or are accompanied by fever or pus formation, prompt medical consultation is advised to determine the underlying cause. Watermelon frost may serve as an adjunctive treatment for relieving gum swelling and pain, but for severe symptoms or complex etiologies, professional medical intervention remains necessary.

avatar
Dr. Liu Chao
May 24, 2025
Can gingivitis heal on its own?

In general, gingivitis usually cannot resolve on its own and must be managed through professional treatment and good oral hygiene habits.

Whether gingivitis can resolve spontaneously depends on the severity of the condition. If symptoms are mild, such as slight redness and swelling of the gums and minimal bleeding, the inflammation may gradually subside through improved oral care, including proper brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash. However, the self-healing process is slow and prone to recurrence. If the condition is severe—for instance, with noticeable gum swelling, frequent bleeding, formation of abscesses, or signs of periodontitis such as periodontal pockets and tooth mobility—it cannot heal on its own and requires timely medical intervention.

If left untreated, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, leading to tooth loosening or even tooth loss. It may also increase the risk of systemic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly upon noticing symptoms such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Professional cleaning (scaling) should be performed to remove dental plaque and calculus, and medication may be needed in some cases. Maintaining good oral hygiene practices and undergoing regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential for preventing recurrence of gingivitis.

avatar
Dr. Liu Chao
May 24, 2025
How is a full gastrointestinal tract imaging performed?

Full gastrointestinal tract radiography is an imaging examination method that uses X-rays to visualize the digestive tract. During the examination, the patient is required to orally ingest a contrast agent called barium, which is visible under X-ray and clearly outlines the digestive tract's shape and structure. During the procedure, the patient will be asked to lie on an X-ray examination table, and the physician will use X-ray equipment to capture a series of images to evaluate the condition of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The entire process usually takes 1 to 2 hours, during which the patient may need to change positions multiple times so that the physician can observe the digestive tract from different angles.

To ensure a successful full gastrointestinal tract radiography examination, it is recommended that the patient fast starting the night before the exam until its completion. Prior to the examination, bowel cleansing is necessary, and the physician will typically prescribe a laxative to help clear fecal matter from the intestines. On the day of the exam, patients should wear loose and comfortable clothing to facilitate the procedure. If there is a history of allergies or if the patient is currently taking any medications, this information must be communicated to the physician in advance. During the examination, the patient should follow the physician's instructions for changing positions, remain relaxed, and avoid becoming anxious. After the examination, drinking plenty of water is advised to help expel the barium from the body. Rest is also recommended, and if any discomfort occurs, the patient should promptly contact the physician.

avatar
Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 24, 2025
Can I brush my teeth after getting a dental filling?

In general, you can brush your teeth after a filling.

If a light-cured resin material is used for the filling, you can usually brush your teeth normally right after the procedure. However, it is recommended to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid brushing too vigorously around the filled area to prevent disturbing the curing process of the filling material. If traditional silver amalgam is used for the filling, you generally need to wait at least 24 hours to allow the filling material to fully harden before brushing. This is because silver amalgam is soft immediately after placement and requires time to gradually harden; brushing too early may affect the effectiveness of the filling.

After a filling, tooth brushing should be adjusted according to the type of filling material and healing stage. Initially, extra care should be taken; once the filling has stabilized, normal brushing can resume with attention to proper technique. In special cases, brushing may need to be temporarily avoided or medical attention sought promptly. Long-term maintenance of good oral hygiene and avoidance of harmful habits are important. It is advisable to maintain good oral hygiene practices in daily life, such as regular brushing and flossing, which help protect the filling and prevent oral diseases. Following medical advice and proper care techniques can extend the lifespan of the filling material and promote overall oral health.

avatar
Dr. Liu Chao
May 24, 2025