The consumptive disease described in Donguibogam corresponds closely in modern medicine to decreased immunity caused by chronic stress or immune burnout syndrome. When under stress, our brain activates an emergency system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, releasing the stress hormone cortisol. An appropriate amount of cortisol helps regulate our body's immune response and suppress inflammation. However, if cortisol levels remain continuously high due to chronic stress, the situation changes.
Initially, the immune system may become overactive, but over time, immune cells enter a state of immune tolerance where they become desensitized or exhausted by elevated cortisol. This means immune cells lose their ability to properly recognize and eliminate external invaders or abnormal cells. It resembles a guard who has worked emergency shifts for so long that they are too exhausted to notice who is entering. Consequently, the function of core immune cells such as T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells declines, and the regulation of inflammatory cytokines collapses, maintaining low-grade inflammation throughout the body. This is why we experience frequent colds, stomatitis, and the reactivation of latent viruses like herpes zoster.
Furthermore, chronic stress adversely affects gut health. Severe stress increases intestinal mucosal permeability, which can cause leaky gut syndrome. Harmful substances in the gut then enter the bloodstream, triggering a systemic inflammatory response and overloading the immune system. Mitochondrial dysfunction is another factor in the modern understanding of consumptive disease. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our body. When stress and fatigue persist, mitochondrial hypofunction reduces cellular energy production, causing all cells, including immune cells, to decline in function. This leads not only to decreased immunity, but also to chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and lethargy. This goes beyond simply feeling tired; our body's fundamental defense system is under threat. It is time to listen to your body's signals and care for your exhausted immune system.
