Are 80% of Enteritis Cases Viral? How to Care for a Painful Stomach Even When You Cannot Eat

Translating the sudden turmoil disorder of Donguibogam into the language of modern medicine, the most common equivalent is viral enteritis. Norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus are the primary culprits. When these tiny, cunning viruses invade our body, the very first site they attack is the small intestinal mucosa, specifically the enterocytes. The enterocytes of our small intestine act as an essential filter, absorbing nutrients from food and screening out harmful substances. When viruses infect and damage these enterocytes, their function breaks down. They fail to absorb nutrients and water properly, and alongside the inflammatory response, they excessively secrete water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. With absorption impaired and secretion surging, watery diarrhea naturally pours out in torrents. Furthermore, the inflammatory response generated as viruses destroy enterocytes stimulates our immune system, triggering symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting. What is particularly noteworthy is that our body's immune system is intimately connected with what Donguibogam describes as qi. Robust immunity serves as the frontline defense fighting against external pathogenic factors, namely viruses or bacteria. When immunity weakens, viruses invade more easily, and once infected, recovery is also delayed. Vomiting and diarrhea are natural defense mechanisms through which our body attempts to rapidly expel toxins and viruses. During this process, a crucial nerve called the vagus nerve becomes activated. This nerve connects the brain and gut directly, relaying the gut's condition to the brain, which in turn signals the gut to trigger the gag reflex or stimulate intestinal motility. It is just like the gut sounding an emergency alarm to the brain, signaling, 'Foreign substances have entered, expel them immediately!' This intricate regulation by the nervous system provides a modern interpretation of the ascending and descending of yin and yang described in Donguibogam. In other words, a breakdown in the harmony of yin and yang can signify a collapse in the multifaceted balance among the enteric nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system, resulting in excessive hyperactivation of excretory functions or an impairment of absorptive functions. Viral enteritis has no specific targeted cure and is a condition that must largely be overcome through our body's own immune system. However, if vomiting and diarrhea persist, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can become severe, making adequate replenishment of fluids and electrolytes paramount. When the intestinal mucosa is damaged, the balance of beneficial gut bacteria that assist digestion is also easily disrupted, a state known as gut dysbiosis. This can further aggravate enteritis symptoms and delay recovery. Therefore, during the recovery phase of enteritis, delicate care is required to restore a healthy gut environment without placing undue burden on the intestines.