The Korea Herald

Park honors Ebola relief team

May 17, 2015

President Park Geun-hye has awarded medals to 24 health care professionals for completing a nearly three-month Ebola relief mission in Sierra Leone. “I was deeply touched to find out that so many health care professionals applied for this mission in spite of the potential risks,” Park told the health care workers during the ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae last Friday. “We believe philanthropy requires courage. I am convinced that the completion of this mission has been indebted to your courageous deci
Boosting serotonin

May 14, 2015

Serotonin is also called the “happy substance” or “study substance” because it is associated with happiness and learning ability in modern people living busy lives. It also calms the mind and improves immunity, as well as promoting endorphin production.Lifestyle factors that increase serotonin1. Eat foods rich in vitamins B6 and B3, and magnesiumThese substances are needed to make serotonin from tryptophan.Foods rich in vitamins B6 and B3: brown rice, whole wheat, peanuts, shiitake mushrooms, oy
Authorities warn of illegal remedies for erectile dysfunction

May 7, 2015

Health authorities Thursday warned that many “natural remedies” for erectile dysfunction that are currently being sold illegally online contain sildenafil, a medication that can be purchased only with a doctor’s prescription. An overdose of the drug, which is most commonly sold as Viagra, can lead to serious health problems including a heart attack. The authorities strongly advised the public to consult a doctor before purchasing any medical or non-medical remedies for erectile dysfunction. Amon
Binge eating disorder (bulimia)

Apr 16, 2015

The desire to eat is not only driven by hunger, but also by the emotional state and psychological stress. Binge eating, which is different to anorexia where one does not eat enough food, is another common eating disorder. This eating disorder is becoming more prevalent with the increase of interest in weight loss, as in Western countries, and in a rise in socioeconomic status as in Korea. Eating disorders, including both bulimia and anorexia, mostly occur in young women, particularly in adolesce
Bicycle imports jump 18.5 pct in three years: data

Mar 29, 2015

South Korea's bicycle imports rose 18.5 percent in the last three years, government data showed Sunday, fueled by the spike in people enjoying leisure and sports activities. According to data by the Korea Customs Service, the country imported $210 million worth of bikes last year, up from $170 million for the whole of 2012. This translates into an average 8.8 percent growth every year. In terms of volume, annual growth averaged 6.4 percent in the three-year period, with numbers reaching 1.9 mi
Korea needs more narcotics

Mar 26, 2015

Medical experts say more Koreans should have access to pain-relieving drugs
Pollen Allergy

Mar 26, 2015

Each year, people with hay fever and pollen allergies suffer from various symptoms in the spring and autumn when there is abundant pollen in the atmosphere. Pollen is an allergen that can trigger allergies, particularly allergic rhinitis. Those who are sensitive to pollen develop symptoms ― generally at its worst from early morning to 9 a.m. ― during these seasons. The symptoms are common in children under the age of 5. From 5 to 10 years old it is more prevalent in boys than girls, but among th
Stressed teens vulnerable to jaw disorder

Mar 12, 2015

Stressed teenagers in South Korea are vulnerable to temporomandibular disorders, a condition that affects the muscles and nerves surrounding the jaw, experts say.The condition is known for pain and restricted movement, and stress is thought to be a major contributing factor, along with poor posture and overuse of the joint muscles.According to the National Health Insurance Service, some 457,500 teenagers were treated for TMD in 2012, making up the highest proportion of all patients with the diso
Yellow dust

Mar 12, 2015

During the spring, there are increased changes in the daily temperature and biorhythms become unstable so that the body’s immune system becomes weaker, making you more susceptible to diseases. The spring season is particularly a concern for children who have weak immune systems but are highly active, or other people who have allergic conditions or respiratory diseases. Yellow dust can cause various diseases, or make preexisting conditions worse. The main conditions associated with it include res
China on brink of heart disease 'epidemic': study

Mar 10, 2015

Unhealthy eating, smoking and obesity are threatening a heart disease epidemic in China, where three out of four people are in poor cardiovascular shape, said a study on Monday.The findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology are based on data from 96,000 men and women in the general Chinese population.Health was classified as ideal, intermediate or poor according to seven behaviors and lifestyle factors set out by the American Heart Association: smoking status, body m
Exercises for menopausal women

Feb 26, 2015

For a healthy post-menopausal life, regular exercise, good nutrition, sufficient sleep and rest, and stress relief is important. Exercises can easily be adapted to one’s likes. Regular exercise helps to maintain weight and improves the heart and lung functions. It also increases stamina for a better life and negates psychological stress, such as anxiety and depression. In addition, it prevents osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.The right exercise program should include workouts to improve t
Hiking S. Koreans' favorite pastime: survey

Feb 25, 2015

Hiking is South Koreans' favorite pastime, with dogs chosen as their most beloved pet, a poll showed Wednesday. According to the survey of 1,700 South Koreans aged 13 and older, taken by Gallup Korea, 14 percent of the respondents said their favorite hobby is hiking. Listening to music is the second most popular pastime activity at 8 percent, followed by exercise and video games tied at 5 percent. By age group, those in their 40s preferred hiking most, while teenagers and 20-somethings were
Mood disorders associated with biorhythm

Feb 5, 2015

A major medical condition closely related to one’s biorhythm is bipolar disorder. The disease is characterized by repeated episodes of depression and manic periods. Compared to the manic phase, when the person is very active, in a good mood and full of confidence, the depressive phase tends to last for longer periods. Of course, the depressive period is more difficult for the patient to go through. The main symptoms of depression include decreased levels of enjoyment of activities, poor appetite
Winter foot care tips for diabetics

Feb 5, 2015

Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to one’s feet and this can cause a loss of feeling. This means foot injuries do not heal well.
AbbVie’s new hepatitis C treatment gets approval in EU

Jan 22, 2015

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) ― Drugmaker AbbVie Inc. said its new, all-pill hepatitis C combo treatment has been approved for patients in the 28 European Union member countries.The company said the European Commission had granted marketing authorization for the combination of Viekirax and Exviera. Viekirax itself is a combination pill containing antiviral drugs ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir; Exviera is a single pill containing dasabuvir. It’s already approved in EU nonmembers Switzerland, N