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Persistent dry eyes and mouth for over three months? It could be Sjogren’s syndrome

If you’ve been experiencing dry eyes and a parched throat for more than three months, don’t be too quick to blame the weather. Especially when dryness affects both the eyes and mouth, it may be a sign of Sjogren’s syndrome — an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong management. According to Kim Se-hee, a professor of rheumatology at Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong District, Seoul, Sjogren’s syndrome occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own exocrine glands, such as salivary and tear glands. “The number of patients seeking treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome rose from 21,282 in 2019 to 30,051 in 2023, marking an increase of about 41 percent,” Kim said, citing data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. “It is most common among women in their 50s and 60s, who accounted for more than half of all cases in 2023.” When asked why the condition affects mostly middle-aged women, Kim said the reason lies in hormonal changes. “There is a strong link between sex hormones and the disease. It tends to develop more frequently in

Apr 9, 2025By KTimes
Persistent dry eyes and mouth for over three months? It could be Sjogren’s syndrome

Why do experts say jjamppong broth could be deadly?

Heart failure — often called the “final stage of heart disease” — has become the leading cause of hospitalization among Koreans aged 65 and older. With nearly half of all patients dying within five years of diagnosis, experts warn it can be even more dangerous than many cancers. “Because Korea’s population is aging faster than any other country in the world, heart failure is likely to become an even greater public health issue,” said Yoon Jong-chan, a cardiology professor at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Seocho District, Seoul, on April 4. In 2002, fewer than one in 100 Koreans (0.77 percent) had heart failure. By 2020, that number had surged to 2.58 percent — more than tripling in less than two decades. “Once diagnosed with heart failure, patients should never stop taking their medication on their own, even if symptoms improve,” Yoon said. “We also need to consider expanding the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to patients with weakened right heart function as well.” “Among major cancers, the five-year survival rate is lowest for lung cancer, fol

Apr 8, 2025By KTimes
Why do experts say jjamppong broth could be deadly?

Beware of migraines in fluctuating weather: Botox injections also effective, experts say

As spring brings sharp differences between morning and evening temperatures, experts are warning that the sudden changes could trigger or worsen migraines — especially for those already prone to the condition. Migraines are often thought to affect only one side of the head, but according to medical experts, this isn’t always the case. In fact, only about 50 percent of migraine sufferers report pain on one side. The remaining half experience bilateral headaches. Furthermore, even one-sided headaches may be linked to other conditions, such as neuralgia or vascular inflammation, which is why a precise diagnosis is crucial. Kim Won-joo, a professor of neurology at Gangnam Severance Hospital, said, “Migraines typically begin in youth and tend to recur frequently. From 2021 to 2023, an average of around 600,000 people suffered from migraines each year. Women are three times more likely than men to experience migraines, and those with a family history are at a higher risk.” Among the various theories behind how migraines work, the most widely accepted one is the trigeminovascular theor

Apr 8, 2025By KTimes
Beware of migraines in fluctuating weather: Botox injections also effective, experts say

Protect your eyes this cherry blossom season: sunglasses without UV shielding cause retinal damage

As cherry blossom season invites more people outdoors, experts are urging the public to prioritize eye protection, warning that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage not only the skin but also the eyes. While many are familiar with using sunscreen to guard against UV rays, far fewer take steps to protect their vision. UV exposure can lead to cataracts and potentially cause macular degeneration — conditions that can permanently impair vision. Doctors recommend avoiding outdoor activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. If heading outside, people should wear sunglasses with UV protection or wide-brimmed hats to shield their eyes. According to the National Health Insurance Service’s 2023 surgical statistics report released on April 7, cataract surgery was the most common operation in South Korea, with 638,000 procedures performed — over three times more than general spinal surgeries, which ranked second. Cataracts occur when the eye’s lens — normally clear like a camera lens — becomes cloudy, causing blurred or hazy vision. While aging is the leading c

Apr 8, 2025By KTimes
Protect your eyes this cherry blossom season: sunglasses without UV shielding cause retinal damage

Persistent mouth pain or inflammation for over two weeks? It could be oral cancer, not just stomatitis

Oral cancer is often mistaken for more common conditions like stomatitis or gum disease, making early detection difficult. In many cases, symptoms are mild or pain is nonexistent in the early stages, allowing the disease to go untreated. Hwang Bo-yeon, a professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital, stressed the importance of early diagnosis, saying, “The later oral cancer is discovered, the harder it is to treat, and the larger the area that needs to be removed — which can lead to visible disfigurement.” In an interview, Professor Hwang addressed key questions about the disease. What are the symptoms of oral cancer? “Symptoms are usually subtle in the early stages. If inflammation or pain inside the mouth persists for more than two weeks, it’s advisable to visit a dentist for an examination. In more severe cases, symptoms may include jaw pain and swelling, unexplained bleeding, or voice changes.” What causes oral cancer? “While the exact causes are still unclear, smoking is considered a primary risk factor. Harmful substances in tobacco can

Apr 5, 2025By KTimes
Persistent mouth pain or inflammation for over two weeks? It could be oral cancer, not just stomatitis

Deadline for return of med students to expire Monday

The government-imposed deadline for all medical students nationwide to return to classes from mass yearlong leaves of absence is set to expire on Monday, as almost all students at major medical schools have already decided to resume their studies. The March 31 deadline was set by the government early this month, when it announced a conditional decision to set the medical school enrollment quota for 2026 at 3,058, which is equivalent to the figure before the government put forward a plan to increase admissions by 2,000 a year ago to address a chronic shortage of doctors. The government said the revised quota will be contingent on the return of all medical students who have been boycotting classes and taking collective leaves of absence in protest of the expansion of the medical school quota. Medical students initially reacted coldly to the government's proposal but have gradually changed their positions due largely to their professors' earnest persuasion and medical schools' hard-line reactions, such as a threat to expel students who fail to meet the deadline. Except Kangwon National Uni

Mar 31, 2025By yonhap
Deadline for return of med students to expire Monday

Gov't to provide telemedicine service to deep-sea vessel crews

Seoul will push forward the project to provide telemedicine services for 4,500 crew members of deep-sea vessels using satellite telecommunications, the oceans ministry said Sunday. There are many cases of belated treatment for the crews of deep-sea vessels during emergencies and for many diseases, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. To help resolve this, the government partnered with Pusan National University Hospital's maritime medical research center in 2015, providing 109,312 cases of telemedicine services for the crew of deep-sea vessels over the past 10 years, the ministry said. Last year alone, the government provided 24,026 cases of telemedicine services for 180 deep-sea vessels. Through the project, the government will instruct deep-sea vessel crews on how to respond to emergency cases and offer consultations for those who have chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, the ministry said. (Yonhap)

Mar 30, 2025By yonhap
Gov't to provide telemedicine service to deep-sea vessel crews

Gov't plans to foster 27,000 talents for bio-health industry in 2025

The government will work to foster some 27,000 bio-health talents this year as part of efforts to promote growth of the industry, the health ministry said Tuesday. The plan was announced in a bio-health innovation committee meeting as part of the government's broader initiative aimed at fostering a total of 108,000 experts in the sector by 2027, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The experts will include physician-scientists and young talents with master's or doctorate degrees in advanced technologies related to bio-health. For the goal, the government will strengthen support for cross-sectoral cooperation between private companies and academic institutions in the sector, according to the ministry. In the meeting, the government also discussed ways to streamline regulations that hinder the growth of the bio-health industry, such as a validation guideline on medical device software, and raise the burden on high-risk clinical research projects on advanced regenerative medicine. (Yonhap)

Mar 25, 2025By yonhap
Gov't plans to foster 27,000 talents for bio-health industry in 2025

Nearly a third of Korean shift workers face sleep disorder risks: research

Roughly three out of 10 shift workers in Korea are at risk of sleep disorders, with older adults and women being particularly vulnerable, according to researchers at the Sleep Center at Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong, Seoul, on Monday. Neurology professors Shin Won-chul and Byun Jung-ick surveyed 624 shift workers and found that 32.2 percent, or 201 people, were in the at-risk group for sleep disorders. The body’s circadian rhythm can adjust by only about one hour per day, making it difficult for workers to adapt to abrupt changes in their schedules. The study found that older participants and women were more likely to score higher for insomnia, daytime sleepiness and depression. Those with shift cycles that changed within one month were also at greater risk. Korea currently has around 3 million shift workers. With the World Health Organization classifying night shift work as a group 2A carcinogen, experts say proper sleep management is essential. Although irregular routines are unavoidable due to the nature of shift work, researchers say organizing work schedules from morni

Mar 25, 2025By KTimes
Nearly a third of Korean shift workers face sleep disorder risks: research

Korea reports 14th foot-and-mouth disease case

Korea reported an additional foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case at a local cattle farm, raising the number of cases this year to 14, the agriculture ministry said Monday. The latest case was found at the farm in the county of Yeongam, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul, which has 31 cows, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. FMD is an acute infectious viral disease that causes illness in cows, pigs, goats and other cloven-hoofed animals. It does not affect humans. (Yonhap)

Mar 24, 2025By yonhap
Korea reports 14th foot-and-mouth disease case
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