AKOM News
Contributed by Dr. Jewon Lee, Director of BM Korean Internal Medicine Clinic
: Peering into Internal Medicine, 23rd
2025. 8. 20.
"In order to heal a part, we must understand the whole."
This quote from a recent animated film captures the 'Holistic View' (整體觀念), a core philosophy of Korean Medicine.
An 80-year-old female patient visited, stating, "I can't digest my food, even with medicine."
She was on medication for hypertension and diabetes. Her indigestion began 20 days prior, immediately after a 3-day hospitalization for back pain.
Problem 1: Indigestion (Polypharmacy)
A review of her medication history (Drug Utillization Review, DUR) showed 11 different drugs were administered during her hospital stay.
Suspecting this polypharmacy caused the indigestion, we advised stopping all but her essential BP meds and began Hanyak (herbal medicine) treatment.
Her digestion recovered in 7 days.
Medications used for the patient during hospitalization at the orthopedic clinic, and their gastrointestinal and digestive system side effects and adverse reactions
Problem 2: Drug-Induced Parkinsonism (Levosulpiride)
Six months later, she reported falling from leg weakness (Brain MRI was clear of acute causes).er face stiffened and her speech became slurred.
A review of the new prescription revealed 'Levosulpiride'. This was the main culprit for all her new symptoms—the falls, facial stiffness, and slurred speech—a classic case of 'Drug-Induced Parkinsonism'.
After stopping the drug, the symptoms vanished.
The patient's Brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and Brain MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) scans
Medications prescribed to the patient at the time of onset of Drug-induced parkinsonism
Problem 3: Hypokalemia (Steroids)
She later returned with severe lethargy. A blood test revealed severe 'Hypokalemia' (Potassium 2.5 mmol/L).
The cause was suspected to be long-term (3+ months) corticosteroid use for back pain. We advised stopping the steroid and prescribed a Hanyak. Her potassium levels normalized in 15 days, and her energy returned.
Results of diagnostic laboratory tests during the treatment process for symptoms of lethargy
The patient often says, "I was going to the (Western) internal medicine clinic but came here instead, and I'm so glad I did."
Instead of fragmented, symptom-only treatment, the holistic view of Korean Medicine identifies the root causes. This comprehensive internal medicine, which the world's healthcare is striving for, is already being practiced in the Korean Medicine physician's clinic.
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Peering into Internal Medicine 23 - AKOM News
“I was hospitalized for back pain, and ever since, I can't digest food even with medicine”
To heal a part, we must understand the whole. In the Korean Medicine physician's internal medicine clinic, the internal medicine that global healthcare is striving for is already being practiced.
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