Interpreting the concept of phlegm-fluid from Donguibogam through modern medical science shows that it is closely linked to decreased gastrointestinal motility, functional dyspepsia, and neurological and endocrinological imbalances of the digestive system. Symptoms we commonly describe as feeling stuffy and nauseous actually appear frequently during gastrointestinal motility disorders, specifically delayed gastric emptying, where the stomach fails to properly digest and empty food.
These gastrointestinal motility issues are deeply connected to autonomic nervous system imbalance. In particular, the vagus nerve, the core of the parasympathetic nerve, functions like a vital highway directly connecting the brain and the gut. Chronic fatigue factors in modern life, such as stress, irregular eating habits, and sleep deprivation, can weaken the function of this vagus nerve, reducing gastrointestinal peristalsis, making gastric acid secretion irregular, and sensitizing the gastric lining. Like a road with severe traffic congestion, when this balance called the gut-brain axis is disrupted, the stomach cannot move properly and digestive enzyme secretion becomes sluggish, leaving food stagnant for prolonged periods. In this process, unfermented food residues trigger gut dysbiosis, generating gas and toxins that induce an inflammatory response. This inflammatory response can increase the permeability of the gastrointestinal wall, creating a state similar to leaky gut syndrome, which in turn leads to systemic inflammation and immune responses, aggravating overall bodily discomfort.
Furthermore, excessive consumption of processed foods and high-fat diets adds to the digestive burden and disrupts bile acid secretion, inducing symptoms similar to phlegm-fluid. Chronic nausea can also appear alongside heartburn as an atypical symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, where gastric contents reflux into the esophagus with gastric acid. In this way, rather than being explained by a single cause, phlegm-fluid can be understood as an overarching expression of chronic digestive symptoms resulting from the complex interplay of decreased gastrointestinal motility, nervous system imbalance, altered gut microbiota, and dietary issues. It is important to notice and take good care of the signals that appear when the body's delicate balance is broken.
