Health Blog
Written by Dr. Heo Ji-young. Each piece takes a single symptom and follows what is actually happening in the body.
When Your Eyes and Mouth Are Dry and Gritty but the Tests Are Normal
Why are my eyes gritty and my mouth often dry when tests are normal? Tear and salivary glands are regulated by autonomic nerves, and many medicines can reduce secretion; joint pain or severe persistent dryness needs evaluation for Sjögren’s syndrome and other causes.
When Your Upper Belly Feels Stuffed and You Often Get Indigestion but the Endoscopy Is Clean
Many people feel stuffed in the upper belly and get indigestion often, yet their gastroscopy is clean. Rather than whether the stomach lining is eroded, I first look at the rhythm of the nerve that moves the stomach.
When Your Legs Swell and Your Body Feels Heavy in the Afternoon
Why do my legs swell and my shoes tighten only in the afternoon? Long standing or sitting can reduce the calf pump and slow venous and lymphatic return; sudden painful swelling in one leg needs medical assessment first.
When no amount of sleep feels refreshing and your days are heavy
Why do I never feel refreshed, no matter how long I sleep? Sleep duration is not the same as reaching the deeper stages in which the body can recover.
When Your Eyelid Keeps Twitching and Fluttering
Why does my eyelid keep twitching? Sleep loss, stress, caffeine, and eye strain can make nerves more excitable, but spreading or persistent twitching needs care.
When your hands and feet tingle and you cramp often, but the tests are normal
Why do my hands and feet tingle and cramp at night when the tests are normal? Over-breathing can lower carbon dioxide, changing ionized calcium and nerve–muscle excitability; sudden one-sided tingling or weakness needs urgent care first.
When Your Blood Pressure Is Different Every Time You Measure It
Normal at home but high at the clinic, and some days it drops sharply. I see this kind of swinging blood pressure differently from 'fixed hypertension.' What has broken is often not the blood vessels but the balance that regulates blood pressure.
When Your Neck and Shoulders Tighten Up Again No Matter How You Loosen Them
Why do my neck and shoulders tighten again within days despite massage or stretching? Along with posture and repetitive work, shallow breathing can keep accessory breathing muscles on duty; arm numbness or weakness needs medical assessment first.
When You're Often Dizzy and Foggy-Headed but the Tests Are Normal
Why am I often dizzy and foggy-headed when brain and ear tests are normal? Over-breathing can lower carbon dioxide and constrict cerebral vessels, causing dizziness or tingling; weakness, slurred speech, severe headache, or fainting needs urgent care first.
If You Sigh and Yawn Often and Feel Short of Air
Why do I sigh and yawn often and need a deep breath to feel satisfied when heart–lung tests and oxygen levels are normal? Frequent deep breaths can lower carbon dioxide and create air hunger; breathlessness at rest or chest pain needs medical assessment first.
The Medicine Travels the Whole Body — So Why Does It Work Only Where It Hurts?
Medicine travels through the whole body—so why can its effect feel strongest where it hurts? Rather than finding the painful spot, an ingredient may become active where acidity and enzymes in chronically painful tissue have changed.
Why I Look at Your Eyes in the Consultation Room
Why look at the eyes during a consultation? Pallor, yellowing, or swelling can offer clues about the body, but sudden vision loss, double vision, or severe eye pain needs urgent eye or emergency care.