From a modern medical perspective, edema, where the body swells, is a complex physiological phenomenon that can arise from diverse causes beyond simple fatigue or salty food intake. Our body’s fluid balance is regulated through coordination among multiple organs, such as the kidneys, heart, liver, and lymphatic system. In particular, the kidneys filter blood and produce urine, playing a central role in maintaining the body’s water volume and electrolyte balance, including sodium and potassium.
When you eat salty food, the sodium concentration in the blood rises, and our body draws water into the blood vessels to keep this concentration constant. Because of this, blood volume temporarily increases, and as water shifts to tissues outside the blood vessels, edema develops. In addition, habits such as prolonged standing or sitting can cause body fluids to pool toward the legs under the influence of gravity, hindering lymphatic circulation and triggering edema.
Chronic edema can also be a signal of an underlying disease beyond simple discomfort. If heart function weakens, blood circulation becomes impaired, which can cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs or legs. If kidney disease leads to hypofunction of the kidneys' filtration, discharging waste and water from the body becomes difficult, sometimes resulting in generalized edema. Liver hypofunction, thyroid gland dysfunction, and venous insufficiency can also cause edema, so it is important to consult a specialist if swelling persists.
The symptom referred to as dysuria can primarily be explained as a urinary tract infection. When bacteria invade the urethra and urinary bladder and cause inflammation, you may urinate frequently or experience pain during urination, a sensation of residual urine, and lower abdominal discomfort. Women have a shorter urethra, making them more vulnerable to bacterial infection, and factors like stress, decreased immunity, and hygiene issues can act in combination. The Donguibogam concept of urinary bladder qi transformation aligns with the complex process in modern medicine where the nervous system and endocrine system regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. Paying attention to these bodily signals with a scientific perspective helps protect long-term health.
