"I Thought It Was Just Indigestion"... Chuseok Abdominal Pain Could Signal a Medical Emergency [Health Talk]

[Financial News]  During the Chuseok holiday, overeating and changes in eating habits can lead to more cases of abdominal pain and indigestion. Facial injuries can also occur when people fall or hit their faces while clearing or visiting ancestral graves, preparing food, or traveling. Caution is necessary because people may be inclined to dismiss symptoms simply because it is a holiday.
Bloating, abdominal fullness, or mild abdominal pain after overeating during the holiday often improves with dietary moderation and rest. However, sudden severe pain, pain that persists or worsens even after resting, or symptoms accompanied by vomiting, fever, or chills should not be dismissed as simple indigestion. In particular, when pain is concentrated in a specific area or gradually intensifies over time, the possibility of an acute abdominal condition should be considered.

Acute pancreatitis causes persistent, severe pain in the epigastric or upper abdominal area. The pain may radiate to the back and can be accompanied by vomiting. In acute appendicitis, pain may initially begin around the navel or in the upper abdomen before shifting to the lower right abdomen. Acute cholecystitis causes pain in the upper right abdomen and may be accompanied by fever or vomiting. In some cases, the pain may radiate to the right shoulder or back.
Go Yun-song, head of the Abdominal Center at Seran General Hospital, said, "Mild indigestion after overeating may improve with rest and dietary moderation, but severe abdominal pain that persists or is accompanied by vomiting or fever should not be dismissed as simple indigestion." Go added, "If you experience abdominal pain that is different from usual, it is best to seek medical attention, even during the holiday, to determine the cause."

Facial injuries can occur during the Chuseok holiday when people fall while clearing or visiting ancestral graves or cut themselves with knives or cooking utensils while preparing food. If a facial wound is deeply gaping or bleeding continues, medical treatment, including sutures, may be necessary. In such cases, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
After a strong impact, facial fractures may occur even when visible wounds or bruising do not appear serious. A fracture should be evaluated if the shape of the nose or cheekbones changes, severe swelling develops, double vision or visual disturbances occur after an injury around the eyes, or it becomes difficult to open the mouth or chew.
Cho Sung-tae, head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Seran General Hospital, said, "Treatment methods for facial wounds may vary depending on their location and depth." Cho added, "Because the possibility of scarring on the face must also be considered, it is best to receive appropriate treatment if the wound is deeply gaping or bleeding continues."
Oh Min-seok, head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Seran General Hospital, said, "A strong blow to the face can cause fractures to the facial bones, including the nose, cheekbones, jaw, and eye socket." He added, "Immediately after an injury, it may be difficult to determine whether a fracture has occurred based solely on visible wounds or bruising. If the shape or movement of the face changes, or if double vision or visual disturbances develop, it is necessary to seek medical attention to check for a fracture."
As these cases show, situations requiring immediate treatment, such as severe abdominal pain or facial trauma, can occur even during the Chuseok holiday. To prepare for emergencies, it is advisable to check in advance which medical institutions remain open during the holiday and whether patients requiring emergency surgery can be promptly transferred to surgery.  


[email protected] Jung Myung-jin, medical correspondent Reporter