Pathologies of Qi and Blood Flashcards
What are the four (4) primary pathologies of Qi?
Qi Deficiency (Vacuity)
Qi Stagnation
Qi Sinking
Rebellious Qi
What are the three (3) primary pathologies of Blood?
Blood Deficiency (Vacuity)
Blood Stasis (Stagnation)
Blood Heat
Symptoms of Qi Deficiency (Vacuity)
1) Tiredness / fatigue
2) Spontaneous sweating
3) Weak voice
4) Shortness of breath / dyspnea
5) Poor appetite
Tongue: Pale body, thin white coat
Pulse: Empty (deficient) / Weak
Additional symptoms based on affected Zang-fu
*Symptoms are worse after physical exertion
Symptoms of Qi Stagnation
1) Feeling of distension
2) Distending pain that migrates
3) Mental depression
4) Irritability/mood swings
5) Frequent sighing
Tongue: Unremarkable
Pulse: Wiry
Symptoms of Qi Fall (Sinking)
1) Feeling of bearing down
2) Tiredness
3) Listlessness
4) Mental depression
5) Prolapse of organs
Tongue: Pale body
Pulse: Empty (deficient)
What is Rebellious Qi?
Rebellious qi occurs when the qi flows in the wrong direction. Each organ has its own directionality of qi flow. Rebellious qi indicates the qi is not flowing according to the normal qi dynamic. In many cases, it represents the wrong, upward flow of qi.
Symptoms of Blood Deficiency (Vacuity)
1) Dull, sallow complexion
2) Dizziness
3) Visual disturbances
4) Poor memory
5) Pale lips, pale nails
6) Numbness / tingling
7) Palpitations
8) Insomnia
9) Scanty or delayed menstruation, or amenorrhea
Tongue: Pale, slightly dry
Pulse: Choppy (rough) or fine
Symptoms of Blood Stasis
1) Dark complexion, purplish lips
2) Pain: Sharp, stabbing, piercing, fixed
3) Bruising, swelling, petechia
4) Abdominal masses
5) Dry or scaly skin
6) Dysmenorrhea, blood clots
Tonge: Purplish body, or purple stasis spots
Pulse: Choppy (rough)
Symptoms of Blood Heat
1) Feeling of heat in the body
2) Skin symptoms, with red eruptions
3) Bleeding
4) Irritability
5) Insomnia
6) Thirst
Tongue: Red
Pulse: Rapid, wire, forceful
