A Study on the Method of Health Promotion in Korean Medicine: Correlation between Night-shift Work and Yin-deficiency

This study regarded irregular life styles such as nigh-shifts as contrary to the norm advised in the rules of Yang-saeng to analyze the problems brought about in relation to the concept of 'Yin-deficiency syndrome'. Yin-deficiency survey was given to sales workers on a big shopping mall in Seoul to compare the measurements of daytime workers to those of nigh-shift workers. The measurement of complaining symptoms related to Yin-deficiency of daytime workers and night-shift workers were compared, In comparison of the daytime workers and the night-shift workers, night-shift workers showed higher measurements than the daytime workers in the item of irritable fever on the five Hearts, flushing of the zygomatic region in the afternoon, tidal fever, dizziness, insomnia, yellow and scanty urination, and constipation. Especially tidal fever, insomnia, and constipation showed statistically significant difference. The total of ten items consisting of Yin-deficiency-related symptoms showed statistically significant high score in night-shift workers than the daytime workers. 'Factors for deficiency-type Heat' consisting of irritable fever on the five Hearts, flushing of the zygomatic region in the afternoon, tidal fever, and dried mouth and throat showed statistically significant high score in night-shift workers than the daytime workers. 'Accompanying factors' consisting of night sweats, emaciation, dizziness, insomnia, yellowish and scanty urination, and constipation also showed statistically and significantly high score in night-shift workers than the daytime workers. From the above results that night-shift workers show high degree of Yin-deficiency than daytime workers, and those overworking irregularly also show high degree of Yin-deficiency than those who work for adequate amount of time regularly implies that sitting up at night for work and sleeping at daytime, excessive work, and irregular life styles all function as high-risk factor for Yin-deficiency.

건강증진을 위한 한의학적 방법론 연구 -야간근로와 음허증의 상관관계를 중심으로-