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Is taking a nap really good for your health? Recommended nap length explained

Following your natural biological rhythm and getting proper sleep are excellent ways to maintain your body in good condition — and taking a nap can be part of that. A short nap when feeling tired can relieve fatigue and improve performance and concentration. But is napping truly beneficial for health? And if so, how long should a nap be? A study that tracked adults aged 35 to 70 across 21 countries for an average of 7.8 years found that people who slept less than six hours at night and took naps of less than one hour had a 10 percent lower risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and those who napped more than one hour had a 20 percent lower risk, compared to those who slept six to eight hours at night without napping. However, among those who slept more than six hours at night, taking naps of less than one hour increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 10 percent and naps of more than one hour increased the risk by 30 percent. The results suggest that additional napping after sufficient nighttime sleep may not be beneficial. A meta-analysis of studies on naps and hea

May 3, 2025By KTimes
Is taking a nap really good for your health? Recommended nap length explained

A sneeze can cause fracture? How to prevent vertebral compression fractures

Healthy bones have a dense, net-like structure formed by countless interconnected pillars. When these pillars become thin or weakened, leaving the bone porous, it leads to osteoporosis. A vertebral compression fracture occurs when a weakened spinal bone collapses under pressure. These fractures commonly affect people aged 65 and older and can happen while lifting objects — or even simply sneezing. What are the main causes? In Korea, 37 percent of people in their 60s and 69 percent of those over 70 suffer from osteoporosis. Age-related osteoporosis is the most common cause of vertebral compression fractures. Women, especially postmenopausal women, need to be even more cautious, as hormonal changes after menopause significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis. What symptoms should you watch for? If you notice a decrease in height, a hunched posture or experience sudden, severe back pain — especially when changing positions like sitting or standing — you should suspect a vertebral compression fracture. If you also experience leg numbness or even symptoms of paralysis, it could indic

May 3, 2025By KTimes
A sneeze can cause fracture? How to prevent vertebral compression fractures

'4-year-old admissions tests' to blame? Depression, anxiety surge among young children in Seoul's Gangnam area

The number of children aged 9 and under diagnosed with depression or anxiety in Seoul's Gangnam area has more than tripled over the past five years, recent data show. Experts attribute the surge to the mounting stress caused by early private education pressures, symbolized by so-called "4-year-old admissions tests" and "7-year-old admissions tests" — intense level tests for entry into prestigious English and math academies for young children. According to data released on Friday by Rep. Jin Sun-mee of the National Assembly’s Education Committee, who obtained the figures from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of health insurance claims for depression and anxiety disorders among children aged nine and under living in Seoul’s Gangnam, Seocho and Songpa districts rose sharply from 1,037 cases in 2020 to 1,612 in 2021, 2,188 in 2022, 2,797 in 2023, and 3,309 in 2024. Over the five years, there were a total of 10,943 claims. In 2024 alone, Songpa District recorded the highest number of cases with 1,442, followed by Gangnam District with 1,045 and Seocho Dis

Apr 26, 2025By KTimes
'4-year-old admissions tests' to blame? Depression, anxiety surge among young children in Seoul's Gangnam area

Gov't to introduce Korean medicine majors at overseas colleges to promote traditional medicine

The health ministry said Tuesday it plans to establish Korean medicine majors at overseas colleges in an effort to enhance the global competitiveness of traditional Korean medicine and support local medical institutions' advance into overseas markets. They are part of the annual implementation plan under the state five-year comprehensive scheme from 2021-2025 to promote Korean medicine based on the Korean Medicine Promotion Act, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Korean medicine programs will be introduced at universities in such nations as Turkey and Thailand, offering clinical training for foreign medical professionals and traditional practitioners. The government will also launch programs for policy training on traditional Korean medicine for health ministry officials from other countries. The government will extend backing for domestic Korean medicine institutions seeking to expand into overseas markets, and will support Korean medicine product manufacturers and sellers with exports promotion and marketing efforts, according to the ministry. Currently, the ministry is su

Apr 22, 2025By Yonhap
Gov't to introduce Korean medicine majors at overseas colleges to promote traditional medicine

Want to stay healthy? Brisk walking beats lifting dumbbells

When it comes to staying healthy, aerobic exercise may be more effective than strength training alone — despite the visible appeal of sculpted muscles. That’s the conclusion drawn from several long-term studies highlighting the benefits of brisk walking, cycling, swimming and other sustained physical activities. Aerobic exercise refers to continuous, moderate-intensity movements that elevate the heart rate without causing extreme breathlessness. Examples include brisk walking, hiking, cycling and swimming. These activities improve cardiovascular and pulmonary function while also reducing body fat. In contrast, strength or anaerobic training focuses on short bursts of intense muscle contractions using equipment such as barbells, dumbbells or resistance machines. It helps build muscle size, power and strength, and increases basal metabolic rate by boosting muscle mass. But when it comes to overall longevity, aerobic activity offers greater benefits. A U.S.-based longitudinal study that followed healthy men without diabetes for an average of 26 years found that those who performed stren

Apr 15, 2025By KTimes
Want to stay healthy? Brisk walking beats lifting dumbbells

What seems like aging could be Parkinson’s disease, experts say

As South Korea rapidly ages, Parkinson’s disease is emerging alongside dementia and stroke as one of the country’s fastest growing neurological conditions. The number of patients has risen by nearly 50 percent over the past decade, and experts warn that the upward trend is likely to accelerate. Named for British physician James Parkinson, who first identified the disease, Parkinson’s is a degenerative brain disorder characterized by motor symptoms caused by the decline of dopamine-producing nerve cells. While there is no known cure, regular exercise and early intervention can help slow its progression. April 11, Parkinson’s birthday, is designated as World Parkinson’s Day annually. According to data released by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on Monday, the number of Parkinson’s patients in Korea increased from 84,333 in 2014 to 125,526 in 2023. Of these, 116,723 patients were over the age of 65, meaning 93 percent of patients are elderly. “The number of cases will continue to rise sharply as Korean society enters a super-aged phase,” said Park Jung-ho

Apr 15, 2025By KTimes
What seems like aging could be Parkinson’s disease, experts say

YouTuber Pani Bottle warns of side effects after 10kg weight loss with Wegovy

Popular YouTuber and TV personality Pani Bottle, who recently revealed he lost 10 kilograms using the obesity medication Wegovy, has issued a public warning about the drug’s potential side effects. Pani Bottle, who has over 2.4 million YouTube followers, addressed concerns on social media on Monday following reports about his weight loss. While confirming that he is currently using Wegovy, he aimed to clarify misconceptions and urge caution. “Somehow I’ve ended up looking like a Wegovy ambassador, but I have no relationship with the company and I’ve never promoted the drug,” he wrote. “Medical advertising laws are strict, and making the wrong move can lead to serious consequences.” He continued by sharing that several people he knows have experienced negative side effects from Wegovy. “I’ve heard cases of fatigue, nausea, and depression,” he said, adding that he himself has been struggling with persistent nausea. Pani Bottle emphasized the importance of medical supervision, saying, “Make sure to consult with a doctor before taking any medication.” His remarks came

Apr 15, 2025By KTimes
YouTuber Pani Bottle warns of side effects after 10kg weight loss with Wegovy

Korea unveils world’s first genetically engineered anthrax vaccine

South Korea approved the world’s first genetically engineered anthrax vaccine, which significantly reduces toxin-related side effects compared to earlier versions. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday that BARYTHRAX, a recombinant protein anthrax vaccine developed in collaboration with biopharmaceutical company GC Pharma, has been approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. "While traditional vaccines made from anthrax bacteria contained toxic components that could cause adverse effects, the new vaccine uses genetic recombination to express only specific antigens, significantly reducing the risk of toxin-related reactions," Chung Yoon-seok, an agency official involved in its development, told The Korea Times. He added that, due to anthrax’s high fatality rate in humans, the vaccine underwent a Phase 3 clinical trial using rabbits. After vaccination and exposure to the bacterium, the animals exhibited a high survival rate, demonstrating the vaccine’s strong protective efficacy. The agency said the domestically developed vaccine is expected to cut import

Apr 10, 2025By Park Ung
Korea unveils world’s first genetically engineered anthrax vaccine

Cases of multiple myeloma, featured in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' doubled in decade

The disease Yang Gwan-sik in the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines” is diagnosed with is multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. In Korea, the number of patients with the condition more than doubled from about 1,000 in 2010 to around 2,500 in 2020. With over 60 percent of patients aged 65 or older, experts warn that the figure is likely to continue rising as the population rapidly ages. Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects a type of white blood cell known as lymphocytes, which are responsible for immune function. The disease develops when plasma cells — which normally produce antibodies — proliferate abnormally. These excessive plasma cells generate an abnormal protein known as M protein, which can thicken the blood or interfere with the production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, causing a variety of symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is bone pain, particularly in the lower back and ribs. This results from the activation of osteoclasts, which break down bone tissue. As bones are broken down, calcium is released into the blood

Apr 9, 2025By KTimes
Cases of multiple myeloma, featured in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' doubled in decade

Malaria advisory issued for troops serving near inter-Korean border

The defense ministry issued a malaria advisory Wednesday for troops serving near the border with North Korea, citing new cases involving those who had been stationed in border areas. The joint advisory with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) came after two discharged soldiers who served in the western border city of Paju and the central border county of Cheorwon, respectively, were diagnosed with malaria this month. South Korea has reported more than 600 cases of malaria per year since 2023, with about 20 percent of them confirmed from active and recently discharged service members, according to the KDCA. Soldiers stationed near the border are relatively more susceptible to the mosquito-borne disease due to outdoor guard duties and training, it said. The KDCA advised troops in border areas to use mosquito repellents and nets from April to October when malaria transmission is active, adding those discharged from service can be tested for malaria for free for two years if they show symptoms. After being bitten by a malaria-infected mosquito, patients can suffer from feve

Apr 9, 2025By Yonhap
Malaria advisory issued for troops serving near inter-Korean border
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