Case Studies Flashcards
Patient is a 35 year old male. He complains of intense hunger that seems insatiable and also has burning stomach pain. He says his mouth is very dry and he has a bitter taste. He says he also has a severe headache and you notice his face and eyes are red. During the consultation you notice he has bad breath. His tongue is red with a dry, yellow coat. His pulse is slippery and rapid. He also mentioned that he just got back from partying on vacation in New Orleans.
liver fire causing stomach heat
Patient is a 14 day old baby boy. His mother reports a “weak suck,” that leads to difficulty feeding. He was born at 8lbs, 12oz. His weight dropped to 7lbs, 15 oz. In the last week he has gained about a pound. His parents state that they have to nudge him to eat. He begins to feed but loses interest and falls asleep. Your inspection reveals an apparently healthy infant. He does display slight lassitude and weakness. His eyes are clear and can focus to an appropriate degree. It was a home birth without complication. He was born “tongue tied” and with his upper lip attached to the upper gums. He is warm to the touch and his pulse is approximately 140 BPM (normal for a newborn). He displays a slightly weak grasp reflex and when observing a feeding, he does tire easily. Abdominal palpation reveals a slightly distended stomach and esophagus.
spleen qi deficiency and kidney essence vacuity
Patient complains of abdominal pain that seems worse after meals. She states she has had diarrhea with undigested food in her stool. She has been very fatigued and weak, She states that she feels cold and that she likes warm drinks, and warmth on her abdomen eases the pain. Her complexion is bright white. Her tongue is pale and swollen with a white coat. Her pulse is slow and soft.
Spleen yang deficiency
Patient is a 54 year old woman who complains of headache and ringing in her ears. She sees floaters and her vision has been blurry. She experiences night sweats and hot flashes that are worse in the afternoon and evening. Her pulse is fine and rapid. Her tongue is red with no coat.
kidney-liver yin deficiency
Patient is a 33 year old female. She is experiencing palpitations and insomnia. She has been feeling very agitated as well. She recently recovered from an illness that she claims was the “cold from hell,” meaning that it came on strong, as she soon developed a fever, and it took almost two months for her to recover. She also felt like she was dehydrated and dry. Her symptoms of insomnia, palpitations, and agitation started within a week of finally getting over the illness. She also states that she suddenly became forgetful. She thinks the agitation may be due to the fact that lately she is so easily startled and it is pissing her off. Inspection reveals a pale complexion without luster, pale nails, and a pale tongue. Her pulse is fine.
Heart-blood vacuity.
The patient is a 45-year old male. He shows up at your office complaining of a stomachache and tiredness. He is a project manager and has been very busy. He states that he is a worrier and perfectionist by nature, so each job is fraught with worry and anxiety until it is completed. He states that he has little or no time to eat during the day so he skips meals, or eats anything he can grab quick. This is usually a salad or a sandwich. This is okay because he says he has hardly any appetite. His complexion is pale; his tongue is pale and slightly swollen, and his pulse is weak.
spleen qi deficiency
Your patient complains of high pitched tinnitius. He states that he has clients from out of town and for the past week he has been entertaining them non-stop. This is one of the most stressful weeks he can remember. He feels like the top of his head is going to blow off. He has been eating steak, and bar food, and has been drinking, he admits, in excess, in order to show his clients a good time. He has been getting very little sleep. He feels thirsty, and although he is drinking water, his mouth is still dry. His face and eyes are red. His tongue is red with dry, yellow fur. His pulse is rapid and string-like (headed toward wiry)
liver fire flaming upward
Patient is a 28-year old female with a chief complaint of a cough. She states the cough comes in bouts and produces sticky white sputum. She also states that her limbs and body feel very heavy and her thinking feels sluggish. She states she has been trying to lose weight and has eaten nothing but salads for the past year. She reports that this winter was hard on her and she seemed to catch one cold after another. Upon examination, you see her complexion is pale. She states that it is difficult to lie flat and asks to be propped up for treatment.
phlegm damp-encumbering the lung
Patient is a 33-year old male who complains of tiredness. He states that normally he is very outgoing but lately he has been withdrawn with no desire to speak. He also reports that he will just be sitting at home watchingTV and will break out in a sweat, and feels short of breath with little or no exertion. His face and tongue are pale. The tongue is slightly swollen and his pulse is forceless.
heart qi deficiency
Patient is a 45 year old female. She shows up at your office complaining of insomnia and night sweating. She also complains of tinnitus and dryness in her throat. She states that sometimes her palms and bottom of her feet feel very hot. Observation shows you a wan complexion with red cheeks. When questioned, she states that her cheeks usually get red and hot in the afternoon or evening. Her tongue is red with no coat. Her pulse is fine.
kidney-heart yin deficiency
Your patient complains of dizziness and vertigo. She states that she has a one-month-old daughter. She had a difficult birth and suffered a severe hemorrhage. Upon inspection you notice her lips and nails are pale. Upon review of systems you learn that she has had a decreased appetite, is tired, and finds it difficult to speak. She states that she expected to be tired with a new baby, but she is way beyond what she expected.
dual qi and blood deficiency
Patient is 28 year old male with chief complaint of low back pain. He states the pain is fixed and feels like he is being stabbed. Upon examination you see the pain is worse with pressure, and he states it is worse with rest. The pain started soon after he fell and his low back landed on a rock. He stated it was stiff and sore immediately following the fall. He thought the pain would go away, but it has increased. His tongue is purplish and his pulse is rough.
blood stasis
2 days common cold fever sore throat light sweating floating/rapid pulse tongue: red with thin yellow coat
wind heat
cold for 1 day stuffy nose occipital headache fever with slight chills light sweating floating soft pulse tongue: pale/red, thin white coat
wind cold, deficiency
wheezing severe chills mild fever occipital headache floating/tight pulse tongue: pale/red, thin white coat
wind cold, excess
