From the perspective of modern medicine, symptoms like chronic fatigue, dizziness, a pale face, and xerostomia are also meaningful warning signs from the body. In particular, when these symptoms occur together, one of the first conditions to evaluate is anemia, specifically iron deficiency anemia. Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body, relies on iron as its primary building block. When iron levels fall, hemoglobin production is impaired, and the blood can no longer transport oxygen effectively.
When oxygen delivery is compromised, the cells and organs cannot produce energy normally. Without sufficient oxygen to the brain, dizziness or impaired concentration can develop, while metabolic fatigue products accumulate in muscles, leading to lethargy. A pale face, hands, or feet occur because blood volume in the capillaries under the skin is reduced, or because the red pigment of the blood itself has diminished. The heart beats faster and harder to compensate for the oxygen deficit, which can bring about an irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath. In severe cases, the possibility of cardiovascular disease cannot be excluded, so these signs should never be overlooked.
Furthermore, xerostomia and thirst can be indirectly linked to anemia. When oxygen delivery to systemic tissues drops due to anemia, the body activates compensatory physiological responses, and autonomic nervous system balance can be disrupted. In particular, when the sympathetic nerve becomes excessively active, salivary gland secretion decreases, creating the sensation of xerostomia, while systemic fluid metabolism is also affected, which can intensify thirst. In addition, a chronic inflammatory state or nutritional imbalance may contribute to salivary gland hypofunction.
Modern medicine looks beyond isolated symptoms to evaluate imbalances across the entire bodily system. Through a blood test, iron parameters, ferritin, and hemoglobin levels are measured precisely, guiding iron supplementation or nutritional adjustments when necessary. Just as Donguibogam describes a loss of balance between body fluids and blood, modern clinical medicine explains these states through concepts like iron deficiency anemia and autonomic nervous system imbalance. It is a reminder of how crucial a single nutrient within the body can be.
