The Korea Herald

Do you know enough about tuberculosis?

Mar 24, 2011

Authorities announce measures to bring down TB prevalence, highest in the OECDTo many people, tuberculosis, often abbreviated as TB, is a disease in novels or TV dramas: The beautiful but pale protagonist spits blood on his or her white handkerchief and cries over their fate. A classic scene in a romantic novel. However, the real tuberculosis is nothing romantic. The hemoptysis and excessive cough
Sex can be heart attack trigger for couch potatoes

Mar 24, 2011

CHICAGO (AP) ― Sex and exercise can trigger heart attacks in older people who don’t get much of either, a new analysis finds. The risk is low, but it’s a good reminder that slackers should change their exercise habits gradually, especially in middle age.People who exercise regularly have a much smaller risk of having a heart attack immediately after sexual or physical activity, said lead author Dr
‘Renal failure linked to hypertension, diabetes’

Mar 24, 2011

Those suffering from diabetes or hypertension are more likely to have chronic renal failure as well. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service said Monday that about 53 percent of those suffering from long-term kidney disorder had other chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure or diabetes.“We suspect such chronic disorders to affect one another,” the organization said in a press rele
What’s in popcorn? Cinemas don’t want to say

Mar 24, 2011

LOS ANGELES ― Theater owners to the FDA: Don’t mess with our popcorn.The nation’s cinema operators are fuming about proposed federal rules that could require them to disclose the calories in their concession food ― including popcorn, a highly profitable item for theater chains.Regulators could issue final rules as early as Wednesday that would force movie theaters to post calorie counts for popcor
Fatigue: A root cause of disease?

Mar 24, 2011

A man in his 40s came in one day, complaining of fatigue. He had a hard time waking up in the morning and got easily tired. “Constant fatigue made me concerned about whether I have any serious illnesses,” he said. “Isn’t fatigue the root cause of all disease? I want to treat the root of the problem.” Fatigue is a common presenting symptom in everyday practice. It negatively impacts work performanc
What you should know about chronic coughing

Mar 21, 2011

A female patient visited the clinic after two months of persistent coughing. Initially she assumed that she had caught a common cold, but it was getting worse and made her lose bladder control now and again. She became worried that she might have lung cancer and decided to consult a doctor. Coughing is a common symptom of most respiratory disorders and is a common reason for patients of all ages t
Massages of the world in Seoul

Mar 18, 2011

Find peace in the city with exotic massages including Swedish, Thai and IndianIf working hard has left you keen for a break, but you’re all out of holidays, then look no farther than Seoul. For exotic, blissful relaxation in the big city ― on a range of budgets ― let your mind travel and your body experience the pleasure of some of the world’s best massage traditions. Swedish massage at the Grand
Health fears rise amid Japan crisis

Mar 17, 2011

Fears about health risks rose dramatically in Japan on Tuesday with news of a greater radiation release and renewed warnings to remaining residents within 20 miles to stay indoors.Japanese officials said that more radiation was released at a nuclear plant disastrously damaged by last week’s tsunami. Prime Minister Naoto Kan said radiation had spread from four reactors.“The level seems very high, a
Those in 40s least likely to quit smoking

Mar 17, 2011

One of the most popular resolutions is to quit smoking, but according to a research result, those in their 40s are most unlikely to stick to their pledge while those over 60s tend to keep their promises. According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs’ study of 800 adult male smokers registered at smokers’ clinics nationwide between 2006 and 2008, 18.4 percent have succeeded in quit
Risk factors for strokes

Mar 10, 2011

A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Because strokes occur rapidly and require immediate treatment, a stroke is also called a brain attack. Most strokes are caused by an abrupt blockage of arteries leading to the brain (ischemic stroke). Other strokes are caused by bleeding into the brain tissue when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke).When the symptoms of a s
Could gene tests reveal future sports stars?

Mar 10, 2011

CHICAGO (AP) ― Was your kid born to be an elite athlete? Marketers of genetic tests claim the answer is in mail-order kits costing less than $200.Some customers say the test results help them steer their children to appropriate sports. But skeptical doctors and ethicists say the tests are putting profit before science and have a much greater price tag ― potentially robbing perfectly capable youngs
Daejeon Ye Dental gains JCI approval

Mar 10, 2011

Daejeon Ye Dental Clinic earned accreditation from Joint Commission International in January. This type of accreditation ― a first for a Korean clinic ― is widely used to evaluate the overall facilities as well as the techniques and services of a medical institute according to an international standard. “Earning accreditation from the JCI will be another step toward excellence,” said clinic chief
Constipation on rise among teens

Mar 10, 2011

The number of people suffering from constipation is on a steep rise, the National Health Insurance Corporation said Monday. According to its research on insurance payments between 2002 and 2009, 1.428 million people were treated for constipation in 2009, which is about a 50 percent jump from 2002’s 927,000.Women outnumbered men 800,000 to 630,000 and teenagers showed a significant increase of 7.65
SNU hospital succeeds in lung transplant

Mar 10, 2011

Doctors at Seoul National University Hospital successfully transplanted a lung on a stage-4 lung cancer patient last year for the first time in Korea. According to Prof. Kang Chang-hyun of the cardiothoracic department, a 58-year-old patient was diagnosed with stage-1 lung cancer in 2006 and had her left lower lobe removed. Then in 2007, the disease relapsed, spread to both lungs and the cancer de
How to encourage healthy computing

Mar 10, 2011

For today’s students, life is all about staring at a screen.They spend hours doing homework, playing games, chatting with friends, reading books and just hanging out ― all on computers, smart phones and e-readers or tablets.And doctors say they’re starting to pay the price: in eye strain, neck pain and wrist aches.“Kids have a limited degree of awareness, so they’ll just play and play until they’r