• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.460-468
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• 2022

Objective: In this case report, we address the case of a 22-year-old man complaining of generalized tonic-clonic seizures due to drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine, including herbal medication, Shihogyeji-tang (SGT), and acupuncture. We evaluated improvements in symptoms using the Korean version of the Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale and quality of life. Results: After 37 days of Korean medicine treatment, there were improvements in the patient's quality of life and self-efficacy in seizure control. Conclusions: This case report suggests that SGT and acupuncture might be effective in drug-resistant epilepsy via action on neurons. SGT showed excellent tolerability for drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Our experience provides evidence that SGT and acupunctue may be used as alternative treatment options when antiepileptic drugs do not work in epilepsy patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2021

Background: Bladder calculi greater than 10 mm should be managed via surgical treatment, such as cystolithotomy or percutaneous removal. Because risk evaluation for underlying disease must precede operation, patients are medicated with uroselective alpha blockers or analgesics until the operation occurs. However, disagreement exists about the success of these treatments. Case report: We present a case of a male patient who was hospitalized for sequelae of internal cerebral hemorrhage with complaints of nocturia and perineal discomfort. Abdominal computed tomography showed large bladder calculi. However, because of suspected pheochromocytoma, immediate surgery could not be performed, so we treated him with Korean medicine for 27 days (Daesiho-tang for 27 days and Jakyakgamcho-tang was started at 14th day of treatment, treated till 27th day.) until a cystolithotomy could be performed. Nocturia and perineal discomfort improved after 9 days, and the patient stopped taking acetaminophen. Conclusion: The administration of Daesiho-tang and Jakyakgamcho-tang to a patient with bladder calculi successfully controlled symptoms of nocturia and perineal discomfort until cystolithotomy could be performed.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2022

■Background Overall prevalence of visual field loss after stroke was estimated at 31%, ranged from 5.5- 57%. Among them, homonymous hemianopia is the most common symptom of post-stroke visual field loss and leads to a decrease in the quality of life and therapeutic effect. However, standard treatment has not been established. ■Case report A 48-year-old male with right side homonymous hemianopia by a left occipital-parietal lobe hemorrhage was treated with Qu-Ji-Du-Huang-Wan, acupuncture and electroacupuncture for 20 days. We used confrontation visual field exam, automated perimetry and visual analog scale for evaluating symptoms. Following treatment, confrontation visual field exam and the subjective discomfort was improved. ■Conclusions The present case report suggests that combined Korean medicine treatment might be an effective treatment of post-stroke homonymous hemianopia. A number of follow up studies should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of treatment.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.41-54
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• 2022

Brady-arrhythmia is defined as an arrhythmia in which the heart rate slows to less than 60 beats per minute. Brady-arrhythmia reduces cardiac output and causes changes in blood flow. As a result, dizziness occurs because not only ischemia occurs in the central nervous system, but also blood flow in major organs decreases. The insertion of an artificial pacemaker is known as almost the only treatment alternative for patients with brady-arrhythmia with symptoms. This study reports a case of 85 year old male diagnosed with brady-arrhythmia complaining presyncope type of dizziness. The patient underwent complex Korean medicine treatments by herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion. The daily average value of pulse rate, K-DHI score, NRS score and the patient's subjective expression of symptoms were used as evaluation tools. This study suggested a significant improvement in symptoms through complex Korean medicine treatments without the use of anti-arrhythmic drugs or insertion of an artificial pacemaker in the patient with brady-arrhythmia complaining dizziness.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1198-1207
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• 2022

Objectives: This study examined a case of an 80-year-old woman with extensive ascites and hypervolemic hyponatremia due to decompensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: The patient was first treated with a diuretic to treat her ascites. However, during hospitalization, she developed hypervolemic hyponatremia due to liver cirrhosis. Therefore, we discontinued the diuretic and treated her with Korean herbal medicine (Insamyangyoung-tang with Oryeong-san). We measured her abdominal circumference, followed by radiography, to evaluate the effect of Korean herbal medicine. Result: We treated the patient only with Korean medicine and without diuretics, and her ascites was successfully reduced. No recurrence was observed. Conclusion: Korean herbal medicine can be used as an adjuvant therapy for patients with ascites and hyponatremia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.146-157
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• 2023

Restless leg syndrome is a nervous system disorder that causes an overpowering urge to move one's legs. Symptoms of restless leg syndrome usually worsen when one tries to fall asleep and can prevent sufficient sleep. Restless leg syndrome is common in patients with chronic kidney failure and can be caused or worsened by chronic kidney failure and hemodialysis. Various medications can treat restless leg syndrome, though the long-term use of medications can cause augmentation and adverse effects. In addition, the use of dopamine agonists is limited in patients with chronic kidney failure. This is because the dose of administration should be controlled for patients with chronic kidney failure, and the treatment effect has not been clearly proven. This study reports the case of a 56-year-old male diagnosed with chronic kidney failure complaining of uncomfortable leg sensations. The patient underwent Korean medicine treatment using Jakyakgamcho-tang. The IRLS, NRS, and AIS scores were evaluation tools during treatment. This study suggested significantly improved symptoms through the individual interventions of Jakyakgamcho-tang in a restless leg syndrome patient with chronic kidney failure.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 2023

Background: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ASD) is caused by the involuntary contraction of laryngeal muscles due to dystonia localized to the larynx. In the case of ASD, conventional treatment is mainly performed with a botulinum toxin injection. However, the botulinum toxin injection has a short-lasting effect and requires repeated injections. Alternatives are needed due to concerns over adverse effects, such as general weakness and airway aspiration caused by the botulinum toxin injection. Case report: A 46-year-old female patient with ASD complained of voice tremor and hoarseness. The combined Korean medical treatments-Ukgan-san-gami, Jakyakgamcho-tang, acupuncture, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)-were administered on the first day the patient was hospitalized. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) was evaluated during the treatment. The VHI taken on the second day totaled 92 points. On the ninth day, 81 points were recorded. Total score gradually improved, and on the 16th day, 62 points were recorded. Combined Korean medical treatment lasted 19 days. Conclusion: The present case report suggests that a combined Korean medical treatment approach with Ukgan-san-gami, Jakyakgamcho-tang, acupuncture, and TENS might be effective for symptoms such as voice tremors and hoarseness. Combined Korean medical treatment can be a therapeutic option for patients with ASD.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2017

A case of a 47-year-old male patient with Lt.hand pain & cold sensation due to Thrombotic occlusion of Lt. brachial a. is presented. He was treated with acupuncture, electroacupuncture and herbal medicine - 桂枝茯苓丸(Gyejibongnyeong-hwan, Keishibukuryo-gan). We used NRS of pain and Digital Infrared Thermal Image(DITI) to evaluate the progress. After 11days of treatment, there were notable improvement in pain scale, DITI. Korean medical treatment may be effective in treating thrombotic occlusion.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2017

■ Objectives The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate the effect of Low-frequency Electroacupuncture on a patient with spasticity due to cerebral infarction. ■ Methods A patient with spasticity with cerebral infarction was treated with herbal medication, acupuncture, electroacupuncture. Then we evaluated the improvement by modified Ashworth scale(MAS). ■ Results Decrease of MAS was observed after low-frequency electroacupuncture for 3 weeks. ■ Conclusion This study proved the effect of Low-frequency electroacupuncture on spasticity due to cerebral infarction.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2023

Background: Although not clarified, the overall prevalence of visual field loss after stroke was estimated at 52% of stroke survivors and for visual acuity loss, at 70% of them. Among visual field loss patients after stroke, homonymous hemianopia is the most common symptom. Visual defect degrades the quality of life by disrupting independent life and affecting the survival of the patients, but highly-evidenced treatment has not been found until now. ■Case report A 51-year-old female with left-side homonymous hemianopia and central vision loss by a right occipital-temporal hemorrhage was treated with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang, Ikgibohyeol-tang, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion. We used a confrontation visual field exam, automated perimetry and visual analog scale, and visual acuity test to observe changes in the patient's symptoms and evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. After 61 days of such interventions, the patient's subjective discomfort lessened, followed by positive changes in the scales of tests mentioned above. ■Conclusion This case suggests that combined Korean medicine treatment might be an effective tool for treating post-stroke homonymous hemianopia and central vision loss. More studies should be conducted to support the effectiveness of the treatment.