In the Dept. of Diagnostics and Biofunctional medicine, we evaluates the state of human body quantitatively, and provides the according management and treatment. We have upgraded the traditional methods of physical examination which can be overly subjective at times. We observe the body through various devices and questionnaires to help with diagnosis in KOREAN MEDICINE view. We are especially interested in sub-health, the border between health and illness.

A. Sub-health

Sub-health is the state of body before it shifts to illness. In preexisting examinations, sub-health state shows no sign of illness but the body is deviated from physiologically healthy state. In other words, the sub-health state means a pathologic state between health and disease.

In sub-health state, the patient complains of discomfort but preexisting examinations show no remark. To the patient who feels the pain, it is a very perplexing situation. In many of such cases, approach based on sub-health is needed.

Lately, increasingly many patients complain of such symptoms as, "eternal fatigue," "frequent headache and dizziness," "cramp and pain without a marked cause," "palpitation and feeling of suffocating," "insomnia," "shortness of breath," "persistent cold," "icy hands and feet," "hot flush," "dry and painful eyes," "depressive mood," and "severe menstrual pains."

According to the WHO report, only 5% of the whole human population is healthy and 20% are suffering from diseases. A startling 75% suffers sub-health state. Sub-health is on the increase in developed countries including Korea, and is recognized as a serious public concern.

B. Dysautonomia

Dysautonomia pertains to various symptoms of dysfunctional autonomic nerve.Patients usually complain dizziness, palpitation, shortness of breath, lethargy, malaise, or headache. In many situations, two or more symptoms concur, the intensity of which changes rapidly. At times the symptom disappears before reoccuring. The symptoms of dysautonomia are vairous and complex.

C. Health examination

It is very important to manage the sub-health state, to push away the borderline of illness and maintain a state free of disease. In our department, we provide the way to do so through accurate index of health by means of various devices and questionnaires.

A. Specialized exam and Indication
- Circulation(stroke, arteriosclerosis, diabetic vascular complication, etc..)
¨ç Pulse wave test
Evaluates function of the organs based on traditional pulse-taking theory.
¨è Second Derivative of Photoplethysmogram(SDPTG)
Evaluates blood circulation and vessel age by measuring the pulse wave of the peripheral blood vessels.
¨é Pulse wave velocity(PWV)
Evaluates the extent of arteriosclerosis.
¨ê Transcranial doppler(TCD)
Evaluates the extent of stenosis of the cranial arteries by measuring the blood circulation velocity with ultrasonic doppler.

- Autonomic function

¨ç Heart rate variability(HRV)
A common examination method of the autonomic nerve that measures the state of heart beat.
¨è Yangdorak
Evaluates the functional state of the 12 Meridians by measuring the electric conductivity of acupoints.
¨é Autonomic bioelectrix response(ABR)
Evaluates the harmony between above and below, left and right of the body. It measures the skin's electrical reactivity.
¨ê Thermography
Evaluates the state of blood circulation by measuring surface temperature. It is used for patients complaining of icy-cold hands and feet.

- Moire
Evaluates spinal balance by analyzing the Moire patter. Imbalance of figure can cause pain and dysfunction.

B. Treatment

We consider various ways of treatment that is essencial for the patients state of body based upon the results of the examinations. ½îµ® include acupuncture, moxibustion, Qigong, herbal medicine, and general management of everyday life.

Autonomic function Clinic
The autonomic nerve system is composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves systems. It is involved in almost every part of the body including the organs to maintain homeostasis. When various causes arouse problems in the autonomic nerve system, symptoms occur such as:

¡Þ Diverse symptoms of unknown cause recur without organic or psychologic problems.
¡Þ Occasional vertigo
¡Þ Sudden palpitation lasting 1~2 minutes
¡Þ Lethargy and fatigue
¡Þ Stiff neck and occiput
¡Þ Indigestion, constipation or diarrhea
¡Þ Wakefulness
¡Þ Chores seem bothersome, and mind is in depressive mood.
¡Þ Hot flushes to face, and icy-cold hands and feet

Dysfunctionomia questionnaire

10 or more of the following symptoms point to dysautonomia, and professional consultation is needed. The more manifestations of the symptoms mean the more severity of the condition.

1. Do you hear noise in your ears?
2. Have you felt a tight feeling around the chest and heart?
3. Have you felt a compressing feeling around the chest and heart?
4. Do you feel frequent palpitation?
5. Have you ever felt a very rapid heartbeat?
6. Are you frequently out of breath?
7. Are you out of breath sooner than others?
8. Have you been out of breath when sitting down?
9. Are your hands and feet cold even in summer?
10. Have your hands and feet been purple?
11. Are you always at loss of appetite?
12. Do you feel nausea and like vomiting?
13. Does your digestive system worry you?
14. Do you worry from indigestion?
15. Do you always have indigestion?
16. Does your stomach ache before or between meals?
17. Do you suffer diarrhea often?
18. Do you often suffer from constipation?
19. Is your back stiff?
20. Do your legs feel weak?
21. Do you feel lethargy?
22. Does your skin cause trouble easily?
23. Does your face turn red often?
24. Do you perspire excessively in winter?
25. Does your skin have rash?
26. Do you often have severe headache?
27. Does consistent headache depress you?
28. Do you feel sudden heat or coldness?
29. Do you often feel severe vertigo?
30. Have you ever faint from severe vertigo?
31. Have you lost consciousness more than twice?
32. Does a part of your body feel numb or painful?
33. Does your hands and feet shake?
34. Have you ever felt a sudden heat and excess perspiration?
35. Do you feel malaise often?
36. Do you feel lethargy, especially in the summer?
37. Does your job tire you?
38. Do you feel cranky in the morning?
39. Does every chore make you tired?
40. Do you feel to tired to eat?
41. Does the temperature affect your body condition?
42. Has a doctor diagnosed you with an idiosyncrasy?
43. Do you get sick in a moving device?
44. Are your eyes dry and painful?