The concept of the spleen in the Donguibogam is not explained merely by a single specific organ in modern medicine. Rather, it can be viewed as closely connected to complex biological systems, especially the functional regulatory capacity of the overall digestive organs. The chronic dyspepsia we commonly experience is frequently diagnosed modern-medically as functional dyspepsia. This refers to cases where an endoscope or other examinations reveal no particular abnormalities, yet the patient continuously complains of symptoms such as bloating, epigastric pain, and heartburn.
The causes of functional dyspepsia are very complex. One of the most important concepts is the gut-brain axis. Our brain and gut constantly exchange signals through the vagus nerve, and psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression can directly affect intestinal motility and digestive enzyme secretion. Just as it was said that energy drops when the spleen weakens, stress diminishes the vitality of the digestive organs, slowing down peristalsis and causing food to remain in the stomach and intestines for a long time.
In addition, an imbalance in the gut microbiome is also a major cause. A healthy intestine is rich in beneficial bacteria, which aid food fermentation and facilitate smooth digestion, but when harmful bacteria increase, they can generate excessive gas and cause inflammation in the intestinal barrier, worsening dyspepsia. This can be seen as consistent with how the Donguibogam expresses that dampness accumulates when spleen function declines. Modernly, dampness can be interpreted similarly to abnormal fluid retention or inflammatory reactions.
Furthermore, decreased gastrointestinal motility is also an important factor. When the stomach slows down in digesting food and passing it to the next stage, it causes a continuous feeling of fullness and bloating. In addition, visceral hypersensitivity cannot be overlooked. This is a case where the enteric nerves react excessively even to normal stimulation, causing pain or discomfort. This can be linked to a situation where the transportation and transformation function of the spleen drops, making one easily perceive symptoms even from subtle stimuli.
Ultimately, chronic dyspepsia is not simply a problem of the stomach, but can be seen as the result of complex entanglements between the brain and gut, the gut microbiota, and overall systemic condition. Modern medicine explains that all of these elements have a profound connection with the transportation and transformation function governed by the spleen, namely the entire process of digestion, absorption, and nutritional metabolism.
