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📖 Donguibogam > Neijing Pian (Chapter of the Inner Canon)
Slurred Speech: A Critical Warning for Cerebral Blood Vessels
Translation Disclaimer
This content is a carefully translated version of traditional Korean medical records (Donguibogam) and its modern interpretations. While prepared by specialized medical translators, it is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions.
Modern Symptoms
Why are we experiencing this pain?
"Have you ever suddenly felt your words get tangled or your tongue feel numb? You might wonder if it's because you're overly tired or haven't slept enough, but then a chilling thought might cross your mind: 'Could there be a problem with my brain?' Our bodies don't dismiss even the smallest discomfort."
Modern Medical Proof
The Silent Warning of Cerebral Blood Vessels: Don't Miss Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
So, how does modern medicine interpret this warning from the Donguibogam? The symptom of 'slurred speech' is medically termed 'dysarthria,' and it occurs when there's a problem with a specific brain region, preventing proper coordination of the muscles needed to produce speech sounds. This involves abnormalities in the neural pathways that move vocal organs such as the tongue, lips, jaw, and neck.
Most critically, and something we must never overlook, is that it can be a precursor to a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) refers to a temporary impairment in brain function that occurs when cerebral blood vessels are temporarily blocked and then reopen. Although symptoms often resolve on their own within minutes to hours, making them easy to dismiss, a concerning statistic shows that one-third of people who experience a TIA will have an actual stroke within months or even years. Thus, even temporary symptoms can be a warning of a serious problem with cerebral blood vessel health.
What the Donguibogam refers to as 'disharmony between the Heart and Kidney' can be understood in modern terms as a complex imbalance of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and atrial fibrillation gradually damage cerebral blood vessels by impeding blood flow, which ultimately becomes the main cause leading to a TIA or stroke. As atherosclerosis progresses, with cholesterol accumulating in vascular walls, hardening and narrowing them, small thrombus fragments can break off and block cerebral blood vessels. Specifically, if blood flow problems occur in the brain's language centers (Broca's area, Wernicke's area) or motor nerve pathways, which control articulation muscles, symptoms of slurred speech will appear.
If you suddenly experience slurred speech, no matter how brief, it is crucial to visit a hospital immediately for a detailed examination. Delaying can lead to permanent brain injury. Our bodies never lie. Remember that listening to even small signals and responding proactively is the wisest way to maintain a healthy life.
When Speech is Slurred: Changes to Apply to Your Life Today
2 steps you can take right now
1
Develop a habit of consistently checking and recording your blood pressure and blood glucose daily. This is a fundamental aspect of vascular health for the brain. Measure morning and evening, and don't miss even small changes.
2
Integrate tongue stretching into your daily routine. Practicing by rotating your tongue widely inside your mouth or clearly pronouncing 'A, E, I, O, U' can help strengthen your tongue and perioral muscles (around the mouth) and stimulate cerebral blood flow. Practicing a wide smile in the mirror is also beneficial.
Traditional Wisdom
Donguibogam: The Warning of 'Disharmony Between Heart and Kidney' for Cerebral Blood Vessels
Slurred speech, even as a small signal from our body, can be a profound and important warning. In the Donguibogam, a treasure trove of wisdom left by our ancestors, the phenomenon of disordered speech was not seen as merely a problem with the tongue. It specifically warned of 'disharmony between the Heart and Kidney,' which describes a state where the Qi of the Heart (which governs the mind) and the Qi of the Kidney (which stores the body's marrow and nourishes the brain) fail to achieve balance and become misaligned. For harmony, the Heart should rise like hot fire, and the Kidney should descend like cold water. If communication between them is blocked, the water and fire within the body become entangled, making the path to the brain turbid, as if fog or mist were obstructing it. If the path to the brain is not clear, the ability to speak fluently will naturally be affected.
The Donguibogam also saw these symptoms as deeply related to pathogenic Wind Qi within the body. This 'wind' refers not only to external pathogenic Wind but also to sudden, unpredictable internal changes, like a gust of wind shaking blood vessels or the nervous system. The Donguibogam warned that if such internal pathogenic Wind affects the brain, it can cause impairment in the subtle ability to coordinate the tongue or facial muscles, leading to slurred speech or, in severe cases, the complete inability to speak. This is not something to simply dismiss as being fatigue; it is a very important SOS signal our body sends. It's important to remember this, as our body is truly honest.
Original Donguibogam Record
心腎相交 則言語分明 若心腎不交 則言語謇澀
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Author: AI Donguibogam Research Team
We analyze Heo Jun's 'Donguibogam', a UNESCO Memory of the World, using modern data science and AI. Our goal is to reinterpret the wisdom of traditional medicine hidden in ancient texts to suit the lifestyles of busy modern people and deliver it in an easy-to-understand way.
Caution (Disclaimer): This content is for providing health information based on historical literature and cannot replace medical diagnosis and treatment. If you have any health problems, please consult a specialist (doctor/oriental medical doctor).