Our body functions much like an intricate orchestra. If even a single instrument is out of tune, the harmony breaks down. Just as the Donguibogam connected the nose and the lung, modern medicine explains that allergic rhinitis is not a problem confined to the nose, but is deeply tied to the systemic immune system.
Allergic rhinitis is an excessive immune response against specific substances such as pollen, house dust mites, or animal dander. While the immune system functions to defend against external invaders, the body of a person with allergies mistakes harmless substances for dangerous threats and reacts hypersensitively. Immune cells release excess inflammatory substances like histamine, producing symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion, much like an alarm sounding far louder than necessary.
Why do certain individuals display this hypersensitivity reaction? Here, the role of the lung becomes essential once again. In the Donguibogam, the lung does not refer solely to the physical organ. It is a broad concept encompassing the entire respiratory system, governing bodily qi, and directing the defensive qi system responsible for external defense. In modern terms, this defensive qi system corresponds closely to the respiratory immune system spanning the bronchus, pulmonary alveolus, and nasal mucosa.
When lung function weakens or the defense capacity of the respiratory mucosa declines, the primary barrier against external antigens breaks down, allowing allergens to penetrate the body more easily. The overall immune system then mounts a more intense reaction against these antigens. Lung health plays a central role not only in oxygen exchange, but also in maintaining the broader immune defenses of the respiratory system, including mucus secretion across the bronchus and nasal mucosa, ciliary movement, and regulation of the inflammatory response. Only when the lung is healthy can the mucosa remain resilient and effectively filter out irritants.
Furthermore, lung health is closely linked to the parasympathetic nervous system. When lung function declines, autonomic nervous system balance is easily disrupted, which can exacerbate allergic reactions. In particular, when the parasympathetic nervous system becomes hyperactive due to stress or irregular habits, secretions like nasal discharge increase and bronchoconstriction can occur, worsening rhinitis symptoms. Allergic rhinitis is thus the combined result of an autonomic nervous system imbalance and dysfunction in the respiratory immune system centered on the lung, rather than an isolated nasal complaint. Strengthening lung function and restoring immune balance are fundamental steps in managing rhinitis.
