How can the teaching of Donguibogam that a weakened spleen leads to the accumulation of dampness be interpreted through modern medicine? While it appears to be simple edema on the outside, it may actually be a phenomenon where our body's complex nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system intertwine.
First, spleen deficiency can be linked in modern terms to hypofunction of the digestive system. Severe stress or an unbalanced diet can lead to leaky gut syndrome, which increases intestinal mucosal permeability. When the intestinal mucosa becomes loose, undigested food remnants and toxins enter the bloodstream, triggering a systemic chronic inflammation response. When an inflammatory response occurs, our body tends to draw fluid to surrounding areas to prevent tissue damage, and this can lead directly to edema.
In addition, autonomic nervous system imbalance exerts a significant influence. Chronic stress excessively activates the sympathetic nerve, which leads to vasoconstriction and decreased blood circulation, hindering the excretion of bodily wastes and water. On top of this, continuous secretion of stress hormones such as cortisol increases the kidneys' sodium reabsorption and water retention, which can worsen edema.
From an endocrinology perspective, hypothyroidism is also one of the important causes. Thyroid hormone regulates our body's metabolism. When this hormone is deficient, the overall metabolic rate drops, causing less energy to be used. As the excretion of water and salt from the body slows down, it triggers edema and weight gain. Furthermore, loss of appetite and lethargy are common symptoms of hypothyroidism. In women, edema due to hormonal changes around menstruation can also occur, as shifts in the balance of estrogen and progesterone affect water retention in the body.
Hypofunction of the lymphatic system cannot be overlooked either. Lymph plays a vital role in traveling through the entire body like blood to remove wastes and toxins. If lymphatic circulation is sluggish due to lack of exercise, prolonged sitting habits, or chronic inflammation, bodily fluids stagnate, causing edema and making the body feel heavy.
In conclusion, spleen deficiency with dampness exuberance from Donguibogam can be regarded as a wise concept that encompasses a state of physical imbalance resulting from the complex interplay of gut health, autonomic nervous system balance, hormonal regulation, and lymphatic circulation in modern medicine. This is why regaining total body balance is essential, rather than simply trying to flush out fluid.
