Our ancestors viewed the condition where the body cannot rest comfortably throughout the night and snores heavily within the broader framework of unstable breathing during sleep. In Donguibogam, this state was not viewed merely as noisy sleep, but as a sign that internal balance had been disrupted. In particular, symptoms such as snoring or stopping breathing after falling asleep can be interpreted as occurring because phlegm accumulates in the body, obstructing the circulation of qi and blood and blocking the airway. Here, phlegm refers not only to standard sputum, but encompasses all abnormal substances formed when bodily waste stagnates and turns viscous and turbid.
Loud snoring resonating throughout the night functions much like turbid water blocking a steady stream. The qi and blood of our body should circulate smoothly at night and the five viscera and six bowels must rest comfortably, yet because phlegm fills and blocks the passages, clear qi cannot ascend to the head and turbid qi cannot descend downward. In particular, when phlegm obstructs even the heart orifice, which governs the mind and spirit—namely the functions of the brain—daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and memory impairment occur, and symptoms of slurred speech may also appear. This occurs because the heart orifice is not clear, clouding the spirit and impairing smooth language function.
Donguibogam explains that when sleep is unstable and deep sleep cannot be achieved, our body's spirit cannot become settled, the circulation of qi and blood becomes blocked, and the overall functions of the five viscera and six bowels decline. In particular, the liver rests at night to store blood and detoxify, so when sleep is insufficient, liver function weakens and fatigue accumulates; meanwhile, the lung governs qi, but due to a blocked airway it cannot properly receive clear qi, which can also impair oxygen delivery throughout the entire body. Donguibogam warned that if this vicious cycle persists, illness will eventually seep deep into the body and develop into serious disease. Snoring or sleep apnea is therefore not merely an inconvenient habit, but a serious warning sign sent by the body.
