Spleen Patterns

Question 1

Key problem areas & symptoms of Spleen patterns?

Answer 1

1. Digestion / Elimination Problems
2. Appetite Disturbances
3. Oral Cavity (mouth, tongue, gums, lips)
4. Abdominal Discomfort
5. Edema
6. Energy
7. Muscle / Flesh
8. Prolapses
9. GYN Problems
10. Bleeding
11. Psycho-Emotional

Question 2

Spleen Qi Xu signs & symptoms?

Answer 2

MAIN:
• lassitude, diminished/poor appetite, bloating & abd distention, tired after eating
• loose/poorly formed &/or frequent stools
AUX:
• belching &/or flatulence, food seems tasteless or unappealing, gravitate to sweets
• bland taste in mouth, excess salivation; weak, spindly limbs
PSYCH:
• picky/fussy about food/diet, compulsive eater
• inability to concentrate
EXAM:
• sallow complexion
• T: normal to pale w/ scallops
• P: empty, weak (esp. in R guan position)

Question 3

Spleen Qi Xu + Dampness: signs & symptoms?

Answer 3

MAIN:
• feelings of heaviness esp. head or limbs, sluggish/lethargic movemtents
• sense of stuffiness in chest or abdomen; nausea
• edema, extra weight
PSYCH:
• mental sluggishness, head feels like a fog
EXAM:
• T: enlarged, puffy, slippery-wet (exc. saliva)
• P: slippery/soggy

Question 4

Spleen Yang Xu signs & symptoms?

Answer 4

MAIN:
• SP Qi Xu Sx, only worse &/or more chronic; more edema
+++++
• cold limbs & general chilliness, dislike of cold and damp
• consistently has undigested food in stools
• stools more diarrhea-like, but not foul smelling (more fishy)
PSYCH:
• more spacey
EXAM:
• more sallow (gray)
• T: pale, swollen, wet
• P: deep & slow

Question 5

Spleen Qi Sinking signs & symptoms?

Answer 5

MAIN:
• SP Qi Xu Sx
+++++
• pressing/pulling/bearing down sensations in the abdomen
• organ prolapses: esp. stomach, uterus/vaginal, anus/rectum (including hemorrhoids &varicose veins)
• chronic diarrhea, frequent & smt. urgent urination
EXAM:
• sallow
• T: pale
• P: empty, weak

Question 6

Spleen Not-Controlling Blood: signs & symptoms?

Answer 6

MAIN:
• SP Qi Xu Sx
\+++++
• bleeding: bruising easily, petechia, purpura, bleeding gums, epistaxis (nose bleeds)
• blood in urine/stool; menorrhagia, metrorrhagia 
EXAM:
• sallow
• T: pale
• P: thin/thready

Question 7

Cold & Damp Encumber the Spleen: signs & symptoms?

Answer 7

MAIN:
• stuffy chest & epigastrium, cold abdomen relieved by warmth
AUX:
• severe lethargy, heavy head, headache, dizziness, nausea, maybe vomiting
• loss of appetite, loss of taste or sweet taste in mouth
• no thirst or little desire to drink
• loose, thin stools
• pale, but turbid/cloudy urine
PSYCH:
• foggy, unclear thinking, can’t focus (spacey, stuporific)
EXAM:
• sallow (more gray)
• T: pale w/ thick sticky/greasy white coat
• P: slow & slippery

Question 8

Damp-Heat Encumbers the Spleen: signs & symptoms?

Answer 8

MAIN:
• bloated &/or painful upper & lower abdomen; low grade fever (all day)
AUX:
• lethargy, heavy head, headache, dizziness, nausea, maybe vomiting
• loss of appetite
• no thirst or drinks only small sips
• loose, malodorous stools, burning anus
• scant, dark turbid/cloudy urine
• vaginal discharge: yellow, chronic and foul smelling
PSYCH:
• foggy, unclear thinking, can’t focus (more hyper, frenetic)
EXAM:
• T: pale or red w/ thick sticky/greasy yellow coat
• P: slippery & rapid