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Cases of 'three major eye diseases' linked to blindness surge

Cases of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy — known as the "three major eye diseases" that can cause blindness — have surged by nearly 37 percent in four years, data show. Experts are calling for greater public awareness and regular eye screenings, warning that these diseases often have no early symptoms yet can lead to irreversible vision loss. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on May 26, the number of patients with macular degeneration increased from 200,471 in 2019 to 497,338 in 2023. When combined with patients suffering from glaucoma (about 1.19 million) and diabetic retinopathy (about 370,000), the total number of patients rose from around 1.5 million to over 2.06 million during the same period — an increase of approximately 37 percent. More than 80 percent of these cases involve patients over the age of 50. Macular degeneration is a condition affecting the central part of the retina, or macula, which acts like the film in a camera and is essential for sharp vision. The disease occurs when waste accumulates or s

May 31, 2025By Hankookilbo
Cases of 'three major eye diseases' linked to blindness surge

Pets bring joy and challenges to older owners: Experts say small dogs, cats best fit

"Thanks to my dog, I started walking again." "I make sure to go for walks twice a day. I used to avoid walking because of knee pain, but thanks to my dog, I’m moving again." For 78-year-old Kim Young-ja, who lives in Seoul’s Mapo District, her life changed after she lost her husband three years ago and battled long-term depression. On the recommendation of a friend, she adopted a small dog named Kong from a shelter. Although at first she found caring for the dog burdensome, her days soon became livelier. Walking Kong allowed her to greet neighbors, feel less lonely at home and return from outings with the comforting thought that someone was waiting for her. In fact, Kong's companionship often felt more reassuring than distant family members. As Korea’s population ages, various strategies are being explored to improve the quality of life and mental health of older adults, and pets are increasingly part of the solution. Many seniors, like Kim, have found renewed health and vitality through their pets. Studies have shown that seniors who own pets are less likely to suffer from depress

May 31, 2025By Hankookilbo
Pets bring joy and challenges to older owners: Experts say small dogs, cats best fit

Korea's childbirths rise for 9th month in March amid post-pandemic marriage boom

The number of babies born in Korea increased for the ninth consecutive month in March, data showed Wednesday, in a positive sign for a country struggling with a demographic crisis. A total of 21,041 babies were born in March, up 6.8 percent from 19,694 babies born a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea. The upward trend in births has continued since July 2024, the agency said. It also marked the first time in 10 years that the number of babies born in March increased on-year. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of newborns rose 7.4 percent from a year before to 65,022, marking the largest on-year increase for any first quarter since the agency began compiling relevant data in 1981. It also represents the highest number of first-quarter births in three years, after 68,339 recorded in the first quarter of 2022. The country's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, also rose by 0.05 from a year earlier to 0.82 in the January-March period, largely due to increased childbirths among women in their 30s. "W

May 28, 2025By Yonhap
Korea's childbirths rise for 9th month in March amid post-pandemic marriage boom

Gov’t calls for COVID vaccinations amid spike in cases in neighboring countries

Health authorities in Korea are calling for older adults to receive COVID-19 vaccines as a resurgent wave spreads across neighboring countries. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Friday that the risk of spread here should not be dismissed, despite no such signs observed so far here. Between May 11 and 17, 100 patients were admitted to hospitals after contracting the virus, a decrease from 146 the previous week, officials said. In the past four weeks, there has been no drastic change in the number of patients, they added. But given a recent surge in cases in Singapore, China and other Asian countries, the public should take precautions by wearing masks, washing hands frequently and getting vaccinated for COVID-19, the agency said. “To prevent domestic transmission and outbreaks, it’s important to take precautions such as washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough and wearing a mask in crowds,” agency chief Jee Young-mee said. “In particular, high-risk groups such as the elderly, those with weak immune systems and patients staying in medical facilit

May 24, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Gov’t calls for COVID vaccinations amid spike in cases in neighboring countries

Clicking jaw joints could be a warning sign — ignoring it may make it hard to open your mouth

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw to the skull, allows us to open and close our mouths. However, frequent consumption of tough foods or chronic stress can trigger temporomandibular joint disorders — often starting with a clicking sound in the jaw. Left untreated, this condition could eventually make it difficult to open your mouth, experts warn. What is a TMJ disorder? Temporomandibular joint disorder refers to a variety of functional abnormalities and pain occurring in the jaw joint, surrounding ligaments and the muscles involved in chewing. It can appear suddenly in acute cases but more often develops gradually over many years. Since it’s not caused by bacteria or viruses like the common cold, even after treatment, ongoing management is essential. What are the main symptoms? There are three main signs to watch: joint noises, pain and restricted mouth opening. If you only hear clicking sounds in your jaw, immediate treatment may not be necessary. However, if left unaddressed, the disc (articular disk) that enables smooth jaw movement may shift out of pl

May 24, 2025By Hankookilbo
Clicking jaw joints could be a warning sign — ignoring it may make it hard to open your mouth

Incheon reports over 1,200 drug-resistant infection cases

Incheon has reported over 1,200 confirmed cases of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections this year, fueling growing concerns over bacteria that have developed resistance to certain antibiotics, officials said Thursday. The increasing prevalence of CRE, a group of germs that are difficult to treat, highlights an ongoing public health challenge as medical professionals grapple with dwindling options for effective treatment. According to the Incheon Metropolitan Government, the number of CRE cases rose to 1,233 over the first months of 2025 at a rapid pace. By the year’s end, the figure is expected to hit far above the city’s previous record of 3,649 in 2024, officials said. These bacteria are resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics, considered the most reliable last-resort treatment for bacterial infections. For this reason, CRE infections can be highly risky and even fatal. Left untreated, they can lead to complications like pneumonia and bloodstream infections. To curb this worrying trend, city officials are now developing a new system in collaboration wit

May 23, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Incheon reports over 1,200 drug-resistant infection cases

Saline rinses and excess eye drops? Experts debunk common myths about conjunctivitis and dry eyes

With allergy-related conjunctivitis cases rising 33 percent in spring, eye health is under seasonal threat — but common remedies such as saline rinses and excessive artificial tear use may do more harm than good, experts warn. This spring, a 43-year-old resident of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, found herself stuck at home despite the long holiday weekend. Her second-grade child was suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. “Cold compresses help with the itchiness, but only temporarily,” she said. “We can’t use the prescribed eye drops more than recommended, and rubbing makes it worse — I just hope the pollen season ends soon.” Spring, despite its clear skies and flowers, is ironically a danger zone for eyes. Pollen, fine dust and yellow dust all irritate the conjunctiva, causing redness, itching and tearing — classic symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients treated for conjunctivitis between March and May last year reached 555,952, up 33 percent from winter (416,933). Professor Baek

May 17, 2025By Hankookilbo
Saline rinses and excess eye drops? Experts debunk common myths about conjunctivitis and dry eyes

AI outperforms doctors in detecting secondary breast cancer, SNUH study finds

A new study by Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) has found that artificial intelligence (AI) is more accurate than doctors at detecting secondary breast cancer, particularly identifying cases that physicians missed. The findings suggest that AI could significantly improve the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer survivors. On Friday, SNUH’s Department of Radiology, led by Professors Chang Jung-min and Ha Su-min, announced the results of a comparative study involving 4,189 patients who had undergone a mastectomy. The researchers compared the diagnostic accuracy of AI software with that of experienced radiologists by analyzing mammography images of the patients’ remaining breasts — where the risk of secondary cancer is known to be elevated. Secondary cancer refers to a new malignancy that appears in a different location after successful treatment of the initial cancer. Breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, often develops in the opposite breast following a mastectomy. The AI software used in the study is commonly employed in routine breast cancer screening for the g

May 10, 2025By KTimes
AI outperforms doctors in detecting secondary breast cancer, SNUH study finds

Is it just aging — or male menopause? Ignoring symptoms could raise cardiovascular risks

What feels like simple aging may actually be something more serious: male menopause. Experts warn that declining testosterone can trigger a range of physical and psychological changes that, if left untreated, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. A man who finds himself more frequently anxious or fatigued for no clear reason, struggling with memory or concentration or noticing physical changes such as reduced muscle mass and a growing belly, may be experiencing symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism — commonly referred to as male menopause. Dr. Park Min-gu, a urology professor at Korea University Anam Hospital, explained the condition and how to manage it. What is male menopause? “Male menopause, also called late-onset hypogonadism, refers to the physical and mental changes that occur as testosterone levels decline,” Park said. “In general, testosterone levels in men begin to fall gradually after the age of 30. When those levels drop below the normal range and typical symptoms are present, we diagnose it as male menopause.” What are the symptoms? “Unlike female menopaus

May 10, 2025By KTimes
Is it just aging — or male menopause? Ignoring symptoms could raise cardiovascular risks

Korea reports 52 cases of measles

Korea has confirmed 52 cases of measles so far this year, the health authorities said Sunday, marking the nation's highest confirmed cases in six years amid a global resurgence of infectious diseases once deemed to be eradicated. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), a total of 52 such cases were reported in the country this year as of Thursday, exceeding last year's total of 49 cases and marking the highest figure since 2019, when 194 cases were confirmed. Korea was recognized as a measles-free country by the World Health Organization in 2014, but the number of cases appears to have increased this year amid increased overseas travel and the aging population. Of the 52 cases, 34 came from abroad — primarily from Vietnam — while the remaining 18 were transmitted domestically at home or medical facilities through international travelers. "The global increase in measles is likely to result in more imported cases," a KDCA official said. "The risk of rapid outbreaks remains low because of our stable vaccination rates and monitoring system." Officials said oth

May 4, 2025By Yonhap
Korea reports 52 cases of measles
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