Article by Luo Dalun Illustration by 8 Years Old Edited by Yun Shao
First, let’s look at a news report: “On March 16, on the Hangjinqu Expressway in Quzhou, Zhejiang, a driver of a speeding car overturned after crashing into the guardrail due to fatigue. All five family members in the car were injured to varying degrees. The grandmother sitting in the back seat suffered a lumbar vertebra fracture, but she protected her 3-month-old grandchild in her arms, keeping the baby safe.”
To be honest, watching the video is quite shocking; the car violently hit the barrier, raising a cloud of dust. This family was lucky not to have suffered major injuries. The news attributed the cause of the accident to the driver’s “fatigue driving.” Is it really that simple?
Coincidentally, a good friend of mine experienced something similar. He was driving with his whole family for a trip, and while on the highway, he fell asleep and the car scraped violently against the barrier. He suddenly woke up, panicked, and braked just in time to avoid a tragedy. Although his family was unharmed, he was so scared that he stayed in the hospital for a week to adjust his body.
So, why do people fall asleep while driving? Is it really just fatigue driving?
In fact, these individuals may not necessarily be fatigued drivers. Fatigue driving refers to driving continuously without rest for long hours, or not having rested well before continuing to drive. However, these friends might have just been driving for half an hour before falling asleep, which can easily be confused with fatigue. Moreover, there is a significant secret hidden in this situation that many people may not realize puts them in danger.
Today, let’s talk about the spring predicament of those with a phlegm-damp constitution.
People with this constitution typically have a larger body type, snore heavily while sleeping, feel extremely drowsy during the day, and experience a heavy sensation throughout their body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is generally classified as a phlegm-damp constitution.
So, what exactly is a phlegm-damp constitution?
A phlegm-damp constitution refers to a dysfunction of the internal organs leading to disordered movement of qi (vital energy), blood, and body fluids, resulting in the accumulation of dampness and phlegm. This condition is often characterized by obesity, particularly in the abdomen, which feels soft like cotton when pressed. Symptoms may also include chest tightness, excessive phlegm, drowsiness, and a heavy sensation in the body.
Individuals with a phlegm-damp constitution tend to prefer rich and fatty foods, and there are many such people among food lovers. Their tongues may appear enlarged or have teeth marks, with a white, greasy, or slightly yellow coating.
Strictly speaking, there are two types of phlegm-damp constitution. One type is caused by qi deficiency, where the individual lacks the strength to transform and transport dampness, leading to its accumulation. Symptoms of qi deficiency are more pronounced in these individuals, such as a large, soft abdomen, sweating with minimal exertion, shortness of breath, and fatigue. This type represents the majority of phlegm-damp constitutions, and although they also consume rich foods, their inability to transform these leads to stagnation within the body. In the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), such individuals are referred to as “Gao Ren” (Fat People).
The other type belongs to the “excess” category. These individuals eat excessively, enjoy rich foods, and are also overweight, but their flesh is firm. We often describe them as “sturdy.” In the Huangdi Neijing, they are referred to as “Rou Ren” (Meat People). It is generally believed that these individuals are normal and represent a strong physique. However, I believe this is problematic; the transition between deficiency and excess can happen rapidly, and such individuals, with little exercise or as they age, may become mixed deficiency-excess individuals, leading to various diseases.
These two situations can sometimes overlap, but generally, phlegm-damp constitutions are more commonly associated with the former.
Individuals with this constitution tend to feel extremely drowsy in spring.
In fact, people generally feel more drowsy in spring due to the warming weather, which promotes the smooth flow of qi and blood throughout the body. This requires more blood to be distributed, so even ordinary people may feel sleepier than usual. Many of you may remember those moments in childhood during spring and summer when you struggled to keep your eyes open in class.
For those with a disordered constitution, drowsiness is even more pronounced. For example, individuals with blood deficiency feel sleepier than others. Those with a phlegm-damp constitution already have issues with qi and blood circulation, and during this time, their blood supply is even more insufficient, leading to extreme drowsiness.
I have a friend who is in this situation; he is particularly overweight, having been strong in childhood but became weak and overweight due to a diet rich in fatty foods. To what extent? He snores during the day, even when awake. When sitting across from you, he can look you in the eye while snoring. If you walk with him, you can hear the snoring sound coming from his throat.
This is a serious problem. Such overweight individuals, if they also have qi deficiency, will have particularly relaxed throat muscles, leading to loud snoring at night and possibly sleep apnea, known as sleep apnea syndrome.
This is a very dangerous condition. Many men experience this without realizing the danger. The muscle relaxation in the throat can completely block the airway, causing breathing to stop. The body then reacts, suddenly alerting and tensing the muscles, allowing the person to escape this state. Therefore, those who experience sleep apnea often appear to hold their breath for a long time, then suddenly take a deep breath, breathe for a moment, and then fall back into deep sleep, only to experience another apnea.
What are the dangers of this condition?
Sleep apnea syndrome is a group of sleep-related breathing disorders with potential fatal risks. Numerous studies have shown that this condition is prone to complications such as arrhythmias, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and even heart failure, respiratory failure, and sudden death. Some scholars estimate that 3,000 people die from this condition worldwide every day.
Moreover, this condition can trigger systemic organ responses. For example, it can damage the kidneys and cause disturbances in the nervous system due to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. Additionally, due to insufficient blood supply, it is closely related to sexual dysfunction, among other issues.
Furthermore, individuals with this condition may also experience disordered blood lipid levels, leading to thickened blood. Coupled with insufficient blood supply to the brain at night, a significant consequence is that daytime cognitive function severely declines, resulting in extreme drowsiness.
We have probably all seen such individuals; during meetings at work, they snore loudly, making it difficult for the leaders. In reality, they are not doing it on purpose; they simply cannot control it.
I have a friend who, whenever we sit together to chat, you will notice that he has already slumped over in his chair and fallen asleep.
Such individuals do not need to be fatigued drivers; they may have slept for eight hours the night before without any fatigue, but as soon as they sit in the car for a few minutes, drowsiness hits them, and their eyes begin to close. A friend of mine described this situation as very awkward; once on the highway, he couldn’t stop at will because he hadn’t reached a service area, yet his eyes were so heavy he couldn’t keep them open. He said he tried chewing gum, using menthol, singing, and various methods, but nothing worked. In this state, isn’t it dangerous?
What can be done?
I will tell everyone, there are only three methods.
The first is a light diet; stop eating rich and fatty foods and include more radishes and cabbage. A friend joked that he went to see an old TCM doctor for weight loss, and the doctor gave him a plaster, saying to stick it on and it would work perfectly, but he didn’t know where to stick it. When he got home and opened it, the plaster said, “Stick it on your mouth.” This is not a joke; controlling your mouth is particularly important.
The second method is to tonify qi. You can consult a TCM practitioner for a prescription or take qi-tonifying medicines such as Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Tonify the Middle and Benefit Qi Pill) or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan (Aromatic Sand Six Gentlemen Pill). Consistent use over time will yield results.
The third method is to get moving and exercise! In my opinion, individuals in this situation are already in a critical state, with various diseases imminent. They may seem comfortable, but they are actually teetering on the brink of death. At this point, it is crucial to make drastic lifestyle changes, starting with daily exercise to turn the tide. There is a feature in WeChat called “WeChat Sports,” where you can track how many steps you and your friends take daily, allowing for mutual supervision and daily records. I can walk seven to eight kilometers every day, but I find that many people can walk twenty kilometers!
Some people say they don’t have enough time to exercise. In reality, you no longer have the right to say that; it is only when you fall ill that you will truly feel that time is running out.
Let me tell you, as long as you follow these three points, you will find that your snoring at night improves, you no longer wake up gasping, your mind is clearer during the day, and you won’t feel drowsy while driving. Most importantly, you will be moving further away from the dangers of death!
Returning to my friend, the one who snores even while awake. He works as a leader in a company and performs exceptionally well. However, during meetings, he would snore while sitting there listening. Colleagues would remind him not to sleep, and he would open his eyes wide and say, “I’m not sleeping!” Later, while studying superior documents and during meetings, he sat in the front row and snored again. This time, the higher-ups spoke to him, saying this behavior was unacceptable and had a negative impact. He suddenly realized and immediately started exercising, walking to and from work, and when he had time, he would walk vigorously. As a result, he quickly lost dozens of pounds, and his big belly disappeared. Now he is a fitness role model for us.
Related Articles
“People with Phlegm-Damp Constitution Should Not Supplement; How to Regulate?”
“Use Moxibustion to Get Rid of Phlegm-Damp Constitution Troubles!”
“The ‘Middle-Aged Greasy Man’ May Very Well Be a Phlegm-Damp Constitution!”
“What to Do When Your Husband Snores?”
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