Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jayjayjay]

I��m consistently meeting teachers from the west that arrived in Korea perfectly healthy, but now have an array of ailments. Could there be a correlation? And if so, what? The polluted air comes to mind. No one seems to want to admit that there may indeed be a correlation because, quite frankly, it doesn��t make sense--contract-driven denial? For example, how could joint problems possibly have anything to do with the hazy air? But something seems to be going on. I, myself, was healthy upon arrival, and now endure headaches, sore joints and other nagging ailments. So, I��m wondering, is this experience common?

[some waygug-in]

I think so, but I haven't done a survey or anything.

Another factor could be that there are different strains of flu and or other diseases and your body hasn't been exposed to them yet.

I have all kinds of skin problems here as well that magically disappear when I leave Korea............. hmmm.

I also have trouble sleeping............ ?

I have to take melatonin to get a good nights sleep here , I don't have to anywhere else?

[JeJuJitsu]

I dunno, I've had the opposite happen--many nagging ailments have gone away, and have lost 20 lbs. without dieting since I've been here.

[jayjayjay]

[casey's moon]

No idea about the joints aching, although could that be the humidity? As for colds and such (and sinus problems could be causing your headaches), that would likely be due to the fact that you're less likely to have any immunity to the viruses going around in a foreign country than you would be at home. The pollution and the change of climate also make you more susceptible.

I now find I'm mostly healthier in Korea than I was in Canada because I have less seasonal allergies here, and strangely have had way fewer migraines. However, in my first year and a half I was plagued with month-long colds and sinus infections all the time.

The poster who needs melatonin -- is there any chance that your room is too bright? Maybe you need better curtains.

[Homer]

Scratch it up to a change in locale.

Like it was said here: your body has to adjust to different strains of viruses, different diet...

The pollution can play a role if you live in a bad area but how about those who go out 4-5 times a week, get plastered and work full time and then complain of body breakdowns? Correlation...hmmmm...

Also to consider: your diet.

Are you eating well?

Then there is the stress of living in a different country. This sends some to curl into the foetal position and cry out "I'm in my happy place" over and over...

For others it is no big deal but stress can surely lead to physical ailements for those who have lots of it.

Other reasons for body ailements and general health problems: lack of excercise or physical activity, booze, not enough rest....

As you can see it goes far beyond Korea itself.

I would say I am just as healthy as I was back home with the difference that I am in better shape here because I work out now. I also tend to eat healthier.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think stress is an important cause of sickness. Teaching, even on a good day, is a stressful job. In addition, in teaching you are in close and daily contact with a fairly large number of people.

[fidel]

It's a dirty, filthy country with MASSIVE pollution problems throughout the country. Just because you may not see it doesn't mean it's not there! Thousands die and countless others seek medical treatment from polluted related ailments in such cities as LA, so I can't imagine why Korea would be any different.

Hell, I came here with a full crop of hair and you should see it now

[some waygug-in]

[casey's moon]

some waygoogin -- That sounds awful! I have had sleep troubles before, but none since coming to Korea. Have you done any research into your problem? It sounds like some sort of long-term jet lag.... Are you otherwise also having trouble adjusting to life in Korea? My sleep problems were always related to psychological/emotional distress.

Also, (and you probably know this but just in case) you can try staying up all night and not napping at all, then going to bed at a decent time the next night to try to regulate your schedule. This takes a lot of self discipline as the urge to nap is quite powerful -- but if you do it, it might work. It's how I got back on schedule when I became a night owl psycho napper in university.

Good luck... not being able to sleep at night is miserable.

[Homer]

some waygug-in,

Perhaps you have some sort of stress related sleep disorder....

Did you have this problem before at home?

Anyway...see a doc if this persists....

[BigBlackEquus]

I ejaculate a lot less than I used to, and I thought it was the pollution, but my doctor said it's just me getting older.

[Hollywoodaction]

Actually, it can't be explained by the different strands of cold and flu viruses as these viruses are constantly mutating and most new flu viruses in North America originate from Asia. The population density probably has more to do with it because it increases the chance that you come in contact with someone who is infected. But, I'm sure that the pollution, the dust, and the different pollens have something to do with it, too.

[blackbird]

I too have skin problems that seem to go away when I leave Korea. I think it might have something to do with the chemicals in the water. Just a guess. Never had skin problems of any kind before I came to reside in the land of the morning calm.

[blunder1983]

Chalk another person up with mild excema which has gotten worse here.

I've also had minor phlegm issues (like asthma/allergies), but i find once i goto the gym 3+ times a week those rapidly disappear.