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SEOUL, South Korea — Gout, a painful and often debilitating form of arthritis traditionally associated with older men, is now rapidly increasing among younger South Koreans—particularly men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Driven by changing dietary patterns, the condition—which most commonly affects the big toe but can also involve the ankles and knees—has become a growing public health concern.South Korea’s Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service reports a 73 percent rise in gout diagnoses over the past decade, from 308,728 cases in 2014 to 535,100 in 2023. In 2023, men accounted for2025.07.26 14:32
Blood accounts for approximately 7-8% of body weight, comprising roughly 55% plasma and 45% cellular components. It circulates through the vascular system, delivering oxygen and nutrients to organs, transporting antibodies and immune cells to fight infection, and enabling clotting to prevent excessive bleeding.Beyond these vital functions, blood offers a window into overall health. Laboratory analysis can facilitate early disease detection, confirm infections, assess nutritional status, evaluate organ function, and monitor drug efficacy or side effects. Dr. Young-sook Yoon, a professor of fami2025.07.26 14:20
Sleep occupies roughly one-third of the human lifespan. Inadequate sleep impairs memory, concentration, and emotional stability. During sleep, the brain cycles between non-REM and REM (rapid eye movement) stages. Disruptive behaviors such as shouting or kicking during sleep may signal a breakdown in the REM phase, potentially indicating REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).REM sleep, characterized by rapid eye movements and active brainwaves, occurs in five to seven cycles each night and makes up 20–25% of total sleep. Individuals awakened during this stage often recall vivid dreams. Unlike deep2025.07.26 14:14
A study presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference suggests that weekend catch-up sleep may help reduce the risk of heart disease in individuals who experience chronic sleep deprivation during the workweek. The research team from China analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale health database, and found a significant correlation between increased weekend sleep and improved cardiovascular health. The research team examined sleep records from 90,903 participants who self-reported their sleep duration. Of these, 19,816 individuals averaging less than seven hours of sleep pe2025.07.26 13:46
Though not life-threatening, hair loss profoundly impacts quality of life for countless individuals. Dr. Ohsang Kwon, a dermatology professor at Seoul National University Hospital, shares insights into the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this widespread condition.The Hair Growth CycleHealthy hair grows in a continuous cycle of three phases: the anagen (growth) phase, which lasts three to five years; the catagen (transition) phase, which lasts about one month; and the telogen (resting) phase, lasting roughly three months before shedding. In individuals with hair loss, the anagen phase short2025.07.26 13:36
SEOUL, South Korea — A new study by South Korea’s National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) reports that aspirin offers limited protection against colorectal cancer for most individuals and significantly raises the risk of serious bleeding complications.Led by Dr. Jae-tae Lee, the research team reviewed 19 systematic analyses published between 2016 and 2023. These studies assessed aspirin’s preventive effects across three categories: the general population, high-risk individuals predisposed to colorectal cancer, and patients undergoing or post-treatment. The findings, r2025.07.26 13:20
SEOUL, South Korea — On July 16, Lilly Korea hosted a media session to highlight the clinical significance of adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer patients at high risk of recurrence, with a particular focus on Verzenio (abemaciclib) and its role in treatment protocols.Dr. Kyung-hwa Park, professor of medical oncology at Korea University Anam Hospital, underscored the heightened challenges for high-risk early breast cancer patients. “While early-stage breast cancer typically has a high survival rate, recurrence can drastically worsen outcomes,” she said. “In HR-positive/HER2-negative c2025.07.26 13:12
SEOUL — South Korean biotechnology firm OncoCross and Seoul National University Hospital have embarked on a collaborative effort to advance drug discovery through artificial intelligence.On July 9, the two entities signed a memorandum of understanding at Seoul National University Hospital,, pledging to combine an AI-driven platform with clinical data to integrate an AI-driven platform with clinical data to establish a precision drug discovery framework.Under the agreement, Seoul National University Hospital will contribute prospective clinical trial support, patient datasets, and research des2025.07.26 13:07
[Physician's Column] By Dr. Ijunggeun, EnjoyUrology IncheonSongdoUrine is more than just waste—it reflects the body’s metabolic processes and helps eliminate toxins. Produced by the kidneys and stored in the bladder, urine offers valuable insights into our health. Changes in volume, color, or odor may signal underlying medical conditions.Normal urine ranges from pale yellow to amber. If it appears red or dark brown, it may indicate hematuria—blood in the urine. Hematuria occurs when red blood cells leak into the urinary tract, which can happen anywhere from the kidneys to the urethra and is2025.07.25 15:40
SEOUL, South Korea — With relentless heatwaves, tropical nights, and erratic weather patterns sweeping the region, the strain on public health is intensifying. For those with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease, summer poses an even greater threat. High temperatures interfere with the body’s ability to regulate heat, causing excessive sweating and rapid fluid loss. This can lead to sudden changes in blood pressure or blood sugar, and increase the risk of dehydration.Dr. Hae-ri Lee, an endocrinologist at H Plus Yangji Hospital, noted that high summ2025.07.25 15:33
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that, while not life-threatening, is increasingly common in modern populations. It is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, despite colonoscopy results often showing no structural abnormalities. Diagnosis typically requires abdominal pain occurring at least once a week for three months within a six-month period, along with at least two of the following: pain related to defecation, changes in stool frequency, or changes in stool form.Recent surveys indicate that IBS affects between 10% and 25% o2025.07.25 15:29
With temperatures soaring above 95°F in consecutive heatwaves, air conditioner use is at an all-time high. However, for individuals with arthritis or chronic joint conditions, prolonged exposure to cold indoor environments may exacerbate symptoms and require extra care.Spending extended periods in strongly air-conditioned environments—such as offices, malls, or subway cars—can aggravate joint symptoms, particularly in the shoulders, neck, and knees. While mild cooling is often tolerable, direct exposure to cold drafts may increase discomfort and even trigger tension headaches in some indivi2025.07.25 13:47
AUSTIN, Texas — OrganoidScience, a South Korean biotechnology firm, announced on July 25, 2025, the launch of its U.S. subsidiary, Organoids by Southwest, headquartered in Texas. The July 22 launch marks a strategic expansion into the American market. Departing from the industry’s usual focus on Boston or Silicon Valley, the company has designated Austin and Houston as operational hubs, while its Boston office will continues cultivating East Coast partnerships.The Texas subsidiary will focus on integrating healthcare technologies and advancing the commercialization of organoid-based therapeu