Q&A with Top Doctors

Is jaundice hepatitis contagious?

In general, whether jaundice hepatitis is contagious depends on its specific cause. If jaundice hepatitis is caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E viruses, then it is contagious. However, if it is drug-induced hepatitis or alcoholic hepatitis, caused by medications or alcohol consumption, it is not contagious.

Jaundice hepatitis caused by hepatitis D and E viruses is contagious. These viruses can spread through various routes, such as blood transmission, sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, and contaminated food and water.

Another type of jaundice hepatitis, such as drug-induced hepatitis and alcoholic hepatitis, is caused by factors like medications or alcohol consumption and is not contagious. If infection is suspected, timely medical consultation is necessary, and patients should follow the doctor's instructions for treatment and isolation to prevent further disease transmission.

Patients with jaundice hepatitis can use medications such as glutathione for injection, Qingkailing injection, and Babao Dan capsules under a doctor's guidance. Additionally, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid unsafe sexual practices, and refrain from sharing personal hygiene items.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
Jun 10, 2025
What are the negative effects of drinking too much coffee?

Excessive coffee consumption can have various negative effects on the body. From a neurological perspective, caffeine in coffee blocks adenosine receptors, and excessive intake can continuously stimulate the central nervous system, leading to insomnia, anxiety, irritability, headaches, and even symptoms of sympathetic nervous system overactivity such as palpitations and hand tremors.

Regarding the digestive system, caffeine stimulates gastric acid secretion. Drinking large amounts may irritate the gastric mucosa, causing stomach pain and acid reflux, and long-term consumption may increase the risk of gastric ulcers. Additionally, it accelerates intestinal motility, which may cause diarrhea in some individuals.

On the metabolic and cardiovascular level, coffee has a diuretic effect, and excessive consumption can lead to dehydration. It may also interfere with calcium absorption, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Caffeine can temporarily elevate blood pressure, which is detrimental for individuals with hypertension, and long-term heavy consumption may increase the burden on the heart.

Moreover, caffeine is addictive, and abrupt cessation may result in withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. It is generally recommended that adults consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
Jun 10, 2025
What happens if you eat too much monosodium glutamate (MSG)?

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a commonly used food additive primarily intended to enhance the umami flavor of food. Excessive consumption may lead to nervous system disorders, digestive system problems, metabolic disturbances, and other issues.

1. Nervous System Disorders

Sodium glutamate in MSG, when metabolized, produces large amounts of glutamic acid. When the concentration of glutamic acid in the bloodstream becomes too high, it may cause cerebral blood vessel constriction and result in headaches. If this occurs repeatedly over a long period, it could lead to migraines and potentially other complications.

2. Digestive System Problems

MSG contains a significant amount of sodium. Excessive intake can elevate the body's sodium levels, thereby irritating the gastrointestinal mucosa and causing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

3. Metabolic Disturbances

Excessive MSG consumption may increase the concentration of sodium ions in the body, leading to water and sodium retention, which can cause edema, elevated blood pressure, and potentially induce or exacerbate hypertension and other related conditions. Additionally, excessive MSG intake can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, resulting in metabolic disturbances.

Although moderate use of MSG does not significantly affect health, it is recommended that daily intake should not exceed 6 grams to avoid potential risks associated with long-term excessive consumption. If any adverse symptoms occur, timely medical consultation and targeted treatment are advised.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
Jun 10, 2025
Why does eating an apple on an empty stomach in the morning cause palpitations?

Eating apples on an empty stomach in the morning may cause palpitations, which could be related to the following reasons. Individual differences should be considered in the analysis.

1. Effects of Blood Sugar Fluctuations

Apples contain a certain amount of sugar, but on an empty stomach, the gastrointestinal tract digests and absorbs it quickly. Fructose metabolism relies on the liver's enzyme system. If an individual absorbs fructose slowly, blood sugar levels might not rise significantly in a short time. Moreover, gastric acid stimulation might accelerate gastric emptying, causing temporary blood sugar fluctuations. In individuals sensitive to blood sugar regulation, this may trigger sympathetic nervous system activation, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, hand tremors, and fatigue, similar to those of hypoglycemia.

2. Gastric Acid Stimulation and Gastrointestinal Reactions

When the stomach is empty, the concentration of gastric acid is relatively high. The malic acid in apples can further stimulate the gastric mucosa and promote gastric acid secretion. If someone already has underlying gastrointestinal conditions such as gastritis or peptic ulcer disease, this may cause gastric discomfort. Such discomfort might lead to dysfunction of the vagus or sympathetic nerves through neural conduction, indirectly causing cardiac symptoms such as palpitations and chest discomfort.

3. Individual Sensitivity or Allergic Factors

A small number of people may be sensitive to certain components in apples. Eating apples on an empty stomach might trigger gastrointestinal allergic reactions, manifesting as abdominal pain and diarrhea, accompanied by systemic stress responses such as increased heart rate and palpitations. Additionally, the cold stimulation from apples might cause gastrointestinal spasms and stimulate the vagus nerve, which could also induce palpitations.

Individuals prone to these symptoms should avoid eating apples on an empty stomach and instead consume them 1–2 hours after meals to reduce gastric acid secretion and blood sugar fluctuations. If persistent stomach pain, vomiting, or frequent palpitations occur, medical attention is advised to rule out conditions such as gastritis, hypoglycemia, and arrhythmia, thus preventing delayed diagnosis and treatment.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
Jun 10, 2025
Is a hard mass in the abdomen caused by constipation?

A hard mass in the abdomen could be caused by constipation, but may also result from other factors.

With prolonged constipation, dry, hardened stool can accumulate in the intestines, often forming a palpable mass in the lower left abdomen. This type of mass is somewhat pliable, slightly tender upon pressure, and frequently accompanied by difficulty in bowel movements and abdominal distension. The mass may decrease in size or disappear after defecation or using laxatives.

Abdominal masses can also be caused by conditions such as intestinal tumors, bowel obstruction, cysts or tumors of abdominal organs. Additionally, in individuals with slim body types, the rectus abdominis muscles might be mistaken for a mass. Fecaliths or foreign bodies within the gastrointestinal tract can also be misinterpreted as hard masses. These types of masses typically are unrelated to bowel movements and may be accompanied by symptoms such as pain, rectal bleeding, or weight loss.

If the mass is related to constipation, it may improve with dietary adjustments and moderate exercise. However, if the mass persists for a prolonged period or is accompanied by unusual symptoms, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
Jun 10, 2025
Can eating too many boiled eggs cause a child's head to become enlarged?

Eating too many boiled eggs generally does not cause a child's head to become larger; the two are not directly related.

A child's head circumference mainly depends on genetics and growth and development patterns. If the parents have larger head circumferences, the child's head circumference may also tend to be larger. From birth to age 5, a child's head circumference will grow along a normal growth curve. Only when a child's head circumference exceeds the normal range or grows too rapidly, accompanied by abnormal symptoms such as bulging fontanelles or vomiting, might it be related to conditions such as hydrocephalus or macrocephaly.

Boiled eggs are rich in nutrients such as protein and vitamins, which are necessary for children's growth and development. However, excessive consumption may increase digestive burden and potentially lead to other nutritional deficiencies due to an imbalanced diet. Parents should pay attention to regular check-up data regarding their child's head circumference and seek medical advice promptly if abnormalities occur, rather than worrying about the impact of boiled egg consumption on head size.

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Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Jun 10, 2025
Which has a higher blood sugar level, noodles or sticky rice cake?

The main ingredients of noodles and rice cakes are both wheat flour or glutinous rice flour, which are refined carbohydrates that are quickly digested and absorbed. However, their starch structures differ: wheat flour contains both amylose and amylopectin, with amylopectin being more easily broken down by amylase, leading to a quicker rise in blood sugar; glutinous rice flour consists almost entirely of amylopectin, with a more loosely packed molecular structure, resulting in faster digestion and theoretically a higher potential for increasing blood glucose levels.

Noodle preparation requires the formation of a gluten network, giving noodles and steamed buns a certain toughness. Chewing disrupts their structure during consumption, thereby delaying digestion to some extent. In contrast, rice cakes, after steaming and pounding, develop a sticky texture with more complete starch gelatinization. The resulting colloidal structure allows easier contact with digestive enzymes, leading to an earlier post-meal blood glucose peak.

If noodles are consumed with vegetables and protein, dietary fiber and protein can lower the glycemic index (GI) of the overall meal. However, rice cakes are often consumed as desserts, such as brown sugar rice cakes or deep-fried preparations like fried rice cakes, where added sugars and fats further elevate the glycemic response. Therefore, under equal portions, plain rice cakes raise blood sugar faster than plain noodles. However, in actual dietary practices, attention should be given to the overall meal composition.

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Dr. Liu Feng
Jun 10, 2025
Does eating pork raise blood sugar levels?

Pork itself does not directly raise blood sugar levels, as it contains almost no carbohydrates, and blood sugar elevation is primarily related to carbohydrate intake. However, pork contains nutrients such as protein and fat, which may be converted into glucose during metabolism in the body, thereby affecting blood glucose levels.

A high-fat diet may lead to insulin resistance, thus affecting blood sugar control. In individuals with normal blood sugar levels, the fat and protein in pork can be normally metabolized by the body and generally will not cause abnormal blood sugar fluctuations. However, for individuals with diabetes or poor blood sugar control, excessive consumption of high-fat meats may have adverse effects on blood sugar management. Long-term and excessive intake of pork, especially fatty pork, due to its high fat and calorie content, may lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

It is recommended to consume lean meats in a balanced diet, such as skinless chicken breast, fish, and lean pork, and to pair them with fiber-rich foods like vegetables and whole grains to help maintain stable blood sugar levels.

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Dr. Liu Feng
Jun 10, 2025
Can bitter melon juice lower blood sugar levels?

Bitter melon juice indeed has a certain effect in lowering blood sugar. This is mainly due to a protein found in bitter melon that functions similarly to insulin. This protein can promote the breakdown of sugar and convert excess sugar into heat energy, thereby improving the body's fat balance.

Specifically, this special protein is contained in bitter melon seeds, and extracts from the fruit or seeds of bitter melon also have similar effects. This mechanism works similarly to insulin by regulating blood sugar levels and maintaining them within the normal range.

However, it should be noted that bitter melon juice cannot be used directly as a medication for lowering blood sugar. If blood sugar levels rise, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital and follow the doctor's treatment advice, such as using medications like metformin hydrochloride tablets, acarbose tablets, or repaglinide tablets to achieve effective blood sugar control.

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Dr. Yang Ziqi
Jun 10, 2025
Can males experience hormonal imbalances?

Men may experience endocrine disorders. The human endocrine system consists of multiple glands that secrete hormones to regulate functions such as metabolism and growth and development, and men are no exception. Poor lifestyle habits such as high stress levels, long-term sleep deprivation, irregular eating habits, and lack of physical activity, as well as diseases or long-term use of certain medications, may disrupt the endocrine balance.

Endocrine disorders in men can manifest in various ways. Abnormal androgen levels may lead to reduced libido, hair loss, and decreased muscle mass; thyroid dysfunction can cause mood swings, weight changes, and fatigue; pancreatic dysfunction can impair blood glucose regulation and increase the risk of diabetes; elevated prolactin levels may result in breast development and lactation. In addition, endocrine disorders can cause abnormal sebum secretion, leading to acne.

If the above symptoms occur, timely medical consultation is necessary to check hormone levels, thyroid function, and other relevant indicators. Adjusting lifestyle is the foundation for improving endocrine disorders, including maintaining regular sleep patterns, balanced nutrition, and moderate exercise. If caused by disease, medication or surgical treatment may be required.

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Dr. Yang Ziqi
Jun 10, 2025