While the Donguibogam concept of the triple energizer may sound unfamiliar, translated into modern medicine, it closely resembles disturbances in the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system regulates bodily functions automatically, without conscious control. It works continuously to carry out vital functions such as heartbeat, breathing, thermoregulation, and blood pressure maintenance. This system is largely divided into two branches: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, which balance each other like a seesaw to maintain an optimal internal state.
The sympathetic nervous system activates during states of tension, arousal, and activity, increasing heart rate, causing vasoconstriction, and mobilizing energy. It functions like a guard prepared for emergencies. In contrast, the parasympathetic nervous system predominates during rest, relaxation, and digestion, lowering heart rate and dilating blood vessels so the body can rest and conserve energy.
During the climacteric, estrogen levels decline sharply. Estrogen does not act solely on reproductive organs; it also directly affects autonomic centers, including the hypothalamus in the brain. When estrogen levels fluctuate, the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus is prone to dysfunction. Common manifestations include sudden flushing of the face, neck, and chest known as a hot flash, as well as night sweats, which occur when unstable vasomotor function in the autonomic nervous system causes blood vessels to rapidly dilate and constrict.
Furthermore, an autonomic nervous system imbalance extends beyond thermoregulation. When the sympathetic nervous system becomes excessively active, the heart pounds, blood pressure rises, digestive function declines, and muscles tense, occasionally causing neck or shoulder stiffness. Upward heat symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and chest tightness can all stem from sympathetic nervous system hyperactivation. Difficulty sleeping, irritability over minor matters, and low mood share this same background.
Conversely, cold extremities reflecting lower body cold can arise when peripheral blood circulation is impaired due to dysfunction in autonomic vascular constriction and dilation. When blood vessels constrict excessively, warm blood cannot adequately reach the hands and feet, producing a cold sensation. In addition, the autonomic nervous system influences the secretion of cortisol, a stress hormone, and chronic stress further disrupts autonomic function, creating a cycle that aggravates climacteric symptoms.
In Donguibogam, the triple energizer oversees the body's qi and balance; in modern medicine, the autonomic nervous system regulates unconscious physiological functions and maintains equilibrium. Symptoms like upper heat and lower cold during the climacteric are clear signals that the autonomic nervous system is under strain, making it important to attend to these signs and work toward restoring balance.
