• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.72-76
• /
• 2006

Background: The objective of this study was to describe the extent of pain relief after an epidural steroid injection in the patients suffering from chronic low back pain from herniated disks or lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: The study was prospectively designed for patients suffering with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and herniated disks (HD) who were referred to a hospital-based pain clinic for epidural steroid injections (ESI). The pain was assessed with using a visual analog scale at baseline, two weeks after the first ESI and two weeks after the third ESI. Results: Eighty patients were enrolled, and all of them provided pain ratings before and after the injections. The LSS patients seemed to improve less than did the HD patients. The results showed no significant differences in the triamcinolone dosage and the frequency of injections for determining the efficacy of ESI. Conclusions: The LSS patients tended to have a less effective respond to ESIs than did the HD patients. The unsatisfactory response to ESI by the LSS patients underscores the need for randomized controlled trials of performing ESI in this population.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.104-106
• /
• 2006

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a rare self-limiting disease that's characterized by painful ophthalmoplegia. It has a relapsing and remitting course, and the pain responds promptly to systemic corticosteroid therapy. Yet it is diagnosed by the exclusion of other major causes involving the superior orbital fissure or cavernous sinus, including trauma, neoplasm, aneurysm and inflammation. Further, the associated ophthalmoplegia may follow days to weeks after the onset of orbital or hemifacial pain. Hence, this condition is often misdiagnosed as atypical facial pain, and so improper management could result in unnecessary suffering of the patient. The following case describes a patient suffering with hemifacial pain associated with ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy, which was evident 2 weeks after the onset of pain, and this was misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.323-328
• /
• 1998

The liver extract of chicks, Gallus domesticus, suffering from hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) was inoculated intraperitoneally into healthy chicks to produce HPS. After inoculation the blood serum and the pericardial fluid of the newly infected chicks were analyzed, at regular intervals for a total period of 72 hours for concentration of proteins, $K^+$ ions, $Na^+$ ions and the LDH activity. The protein content was significantly decreased both in the blood serum (30%) and the pericardial fluid (39%) within 24 hours of inoculation, which was then maintained during the subsequent period. The $K^+$ ions and the LDH activity, on the other hand, were significantly increased in the blood serum (26% and 169%, respectively) as well as the pericardial fluid (131% and 217%, respectively) within 24 hours of inoculation. After 72 hours this increase was, respectively, 43% and 191% in blood serum, and 153% and 200% in the pericardial fluid. Accumulation of $K^+$ ions, and decrease of protein and $Na^+$ ions in the pericardial fluid indicate homoestatic imbalance, which may prove fatal. The increased LDH activity is indicative of heptocytic damage.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.175-184
• /
• 2016

Stress at work and in the family is a very common issue in our society that generates many health-related problems. During recent years, numerous studies have sought to define the term stress, raising many contradictions that various authors have studied. Other authors have attempted to establish some criteria, in subjective and not very quantitative ways, in an attempt to reduce and even to eliminate stressors and their effects at work and in the family context. The purpose of this study was to quantify so-called cushioning variables, such as control, social support, home/work life conciliation, and even sports and leisure activities, with the purpose of, as much as possible, reducing the negative effects of stress, which seriously affects the health of workers. The study employs data from the Fifth European Working Conditions Survey, in which nearly 44,000 interviewees from 34 countries in the European Union participated. We constructed a probabilistic model based on a Bayesian network, using variables from both the workplace and the family, the aforementioned cushioning variables, as well as the variable stress. If action is taken on the above variables, then the probabilities of suffering high levels of stress may be reduced. Such action may improve the quality of life of people at work and in the family.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2015

Pain and sensory disorder resulting from injury to peripheral nerves of the face and jaws are a major source of patient dissatisfaction and suffering. The majority of patient who sustain injuries to the peripheral sensory nerves of the face and jaws experience a slow but orderly return of sensation that is functional and tolerable in quality, if not "normal". For many patients, however, the long-term effects are a source of aggravation, and for a few, a significant cause of suffering. Common complaints relate to reduced sensory information causing embarrassing food accumulations or drooling, biting a burning the lip or tongue, and difficulty in performing routine activities such as shaving and apply makeup. For some patients posttraumatic symptoms become pathological and frankly painful. The predominent pain components are (1) numbing anesthesia dolorosa pain, (2) triggered neuralgiaform pain, (3) burning, aching causalgiaform pain, and (4) phantom pain. This is a report of cases about posttraumatic pain syndrome associated with dental treatment in a psychologically disabled patient.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.695-706
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was aimed to explore and describe the disease experience of Korean women with eating disorders within psychological and sociocultural context. Methods: The participants were 12 young adult women suffering with eating disorders or have recovered from the diseases. Data were collected via in-depth interviews and analyzed according to the grounded theory methodology by Strauss and Corbin. Results: The core category of the disease experience was 'becoming the master of life through desperate efforts'. The disease experience was categorized into five different phases including 'falling under the influence of others', 'collapsing the self: life swallowed by loosening weight', 'facing the wrecked self', 'struggling between the self and others', 'truly facing the self'. The intervening conditions were various supporting systems such as 'support from family', 'economic support' and 'support from trustworthy health professionals'. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that it is necessary to develop nursing interventions to support women with eating disorders and alleviate their suffering from eating disorders. Also specialized educational programs are warranted to prevent the eating disorders, and to reduce social stigma of eating disorders.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.24-29
• /
• 1999

This study was conducted of investigate the antioxidant vitamins and serum lipids status of 23 healthy female subjects and 22 female patients suffering from cerebrovascular disease hospitalized at any of three of general hospitals in Taegu. The systolic blood pressure of patients suffering from cerebrovascular disease(151.4$\pm$30.2mmHg) was significantly higher than healthy controls(129.7$\pm$17.8mmHg). The frequency of drinking alcohol and smoking in patients was also higher. Analysis of patient and control dietary intakes revealed that all subjects were consuming the minimed recommended energy-nutrient levels. HDL-cholesterol(26.15 vs 37.74mg/dl), serum vitamin E(12.69 vs 17.74mg/l) and vitamin C(65.59 vs 152.50ug/dl) levels were significantly lower, but triglyceride(221.01 vs 87.30 mg/dl) and total-cholesterol / HDL-cholesterol levels(5.98 vs 4.89)were significantly higher in the patient group. According to the results of this study, it is expercted that refraining from smoking and drinking alcohol, cultivating healthy living habits which can decrease stress, and maintaining suitable levels of serum antioxidant vitamins can prevent the occurrence of cerebrovascular disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.128-136
• /
• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate water distribution differences of the right and left low limb in patients who had low back pain with sciatica or not. Methods : Water distribution differences of the right and left low limb by body composition(INBODY 2.0, Biospace, seoul, korea) were analysed in the views of groups(low back pain with and without sciatica) and duration of disease. Results : 1. In the case of low back pain patient, there was no significance in variance of water distribution of the right and left lower limbs regardless of suffering period, but significance difference in patients that have suffered low back pain with one side sciatica showed according to suffering period. 2. Within 2 weeks, there was no significant deflection between low back pain with and without sciatica in water distribution of the right and left lower limbs, More than 2 weeks significant deflection showed. Conclusion : Loss of lower limb's muscle that ensue in contracting a disease period was observed in Low Back Pain with Sciatica. The continuos studies about pathological change of lower limb in low back pain have to be perfomed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.955-966
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning and nature of pain experienced among patients with chronic pain. The present study adopted a hermeneutic phenomenological method which was developed by van Manen. Method: The participants for this study were 4 men and 5 women, who were over the age of 20 with chronic pain more than 6 months. Data was collected by using in-depth interviews and observations from September, 2004 to December, 2004. The contents of the interviews were tape-recorded with the consent of the subject. Result: The essential themes that fit into the context of the 4 existential grounds of body, time, space and other people were 'untamed and unremitting pain', 'the body as an obstacle', 'continuity of suffering time as if the moment would never end', 'a narrow radial range of action' and 'separating from other people'. Conclusion: Patients with chronic pain experienced and perceived the world through the filter of their pain. It is necessary for nurses to understand the experiences of chronic pain patients and to provide more empathic, supportive care. Further research is needed on nursing interventions that could help chronic patients cope with and find the meaning in their suffering.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.37 no.7
• /
• pp.1119-1130
• /
• 2007

Purpose: This study was done to develop the concept of grief focusing on the process of spousal bereavement in Korea. Methods: The Hybrid model was used for analysis according to the 3 phases. An extensive literature review was done for the Theoretical phase. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 participants whose spouses died within the past 3 years in the Field phase. In the Final analytic phase, the results in the Theoretical and the Field phases were compared, analyzed, and integrated according to the process of grief. Results: The antecedent of the concept of spousal grief was spousal death. The dimensions of grief were classified to inner dimensions related to oneself, relational dimensions related to family and others, and existential dimensions related to the meaning of being. The attributes of grief were physical suffering, decline of cognitive ability, heartbreaking sorrow, expectations and conflicts of a new life, social stigma, dependence on or resentment towards God, etc. The empirical referent of grief was physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health status. The grieving progressed through 3 phases-shock-emancipation, suffering, and integration. Conclusion: Nurses should recognize the importance of their unique position as supporters for grievers, and try to assess individual characteristics and to provide tailored nursing interventions.