Health Education
Health Topics
A chest medicine and sleep health column put together by Dr. Hwa-Yen Chiu. Each piece starts from a real outpatient clinic story, then sets out the diagnosis and the treatment clearly, with charts and references. What follows is health information only; for an actual diagnosis and treatment, please consult a qualified physician.
A complete guide to pulmonary function testing
What are FEV1, FVC and DLCO actually telling you? How do you tell an obstructive pattern from a restrictive one, and why does the quality of the test matter more than the numbers?
Pulmonary rehabilitation
The treatment breathless people need most and are arranged for least. It will not change your lung function numbers, but it can let you walk further.
Asthma
Chronic inflammation with recurring wheeze, cough and chest tightness — understanding FeNO and inhaled corticosteroid treatment.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Airflow obstruction linked to smoking; stopping smoking and using inhalers are the key to treatment.
Pulmonary fibrosis
Chronic scarring of the lung tissue, and the part played by HRCT and antifibrotic drugs.
Lung cancer screening with LDCT
Eligibility for the Health Promotion Administration’s government-funded programme, Lung-RADS categories for lung nodules, and follow-up recommendations.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Snoring, daytime sleepiness and high blood pressure as warning signs; sleep studies and CPAP treatment.
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)
No symptoms and not infectious, but an “unexploded bomb” worth defusing — and the 3HP regimen.
Tuberculosis
Found early and treated regularly, it can be cured — understanding directly observed treatment (DOTS) and the six-month course.
The respiratory care ward (RCW)
What to prepare, and the major decisions to make, before and after a ventilator-dependent patient is transferred in.
Altitude illness
Essential reading before you go up: preventing and treating high-altitude cerebral and pulmonary oedema.