Stomach Syndromes Flashcards
Stomach Qi Deficiency
1) Symptoms
2) Pulse and Tongue
3) Pathology
4) Aetiology
5) Treatment
1)
Key symptoms: Uncomfortable feeling in the epigastrium, poor or abnormal appetite, tiredness especially in the morning.
AccompanYing symptoms: Weak limbs, lack of taste sensation, loose stools, inappropriate sympathy, over-thinking and worry.
2)
Pulse: Deficient, especially in right, middle position.
Tongue Body: Pale.
3)
Pathology: Most symptoms arise from Stomach Qi Deficiency. Stomach is the root of Post-Heaven Qi and the beginning stage in the production of Qi from food. Therefore, if the Stomach is deficient all other organs will suffer. Consequently, tiredness is the key symptom of Stomach Qi Deficiency. An uncomfortable feeling in the epigastrium is caused by weak Stomach Qi failing to descend. Weak limbs are due to Stomach Qi failing to transport the food essences to the limbs. Loose stools, no appetite, and lack of taste are due to Spleen Qi Deficiency.
4)
Aetiology: a) Poor diet – undereating, irregular eating habits. b) Chronic disease.
5) Treatment Principle: Tonify Stomach Qi.
Examples of Points: St 36, St 41, St 42, Ren 12, Bl 21, Ren 6. Needle Technique: Tonification.
Other applicable techniques: Moxa.
Stomach Yin Deficiency
1) Symptoms
2) Pulse and Tongue
3) Pathology
4) Aetiology
5) Treatment
1)
Key symptoms: Abnormal appetite, dull or slightly burning epigastric pain, constipation with dry
stools.
AccompanYing symptoms: Feeling of heat in the afternoon, dry mouth and throat especially in the afternoon, thirst with a desire to drink in small sips, a slight feeling of fullness after eating, inappropriate sympathy, over-thinking and worry.
2)
Pulse: Floating, Empty, especially right, middle position and Rapid.
Tongue Body: Red, rootless coating or peeled in centre.
3)
Pathology: The Stomach is the origin of fluids and when its Yin is deficient there will be Dryness, causing dry stools, dry mouth, a dry throat and thirst. A feeling of heat in the afternoon is due to generalized Yin deficiency. Appetite will be poor if the rotting and ripening function of the Stomach is impaired. However, if the Yin deficiency has led to a build-up of Empty Heat then the appetite may be greater than normal as Heat will speed up the rotting and ripening process meaning that the Stomach becomes empty more quickly.
4)
Aetiology: a) Poor diet - irregular eating habits. b) Constitutional. c) After-effects of external attack of Heat. d) Medication.
5)
Treatment Principle: Nourish Stomach Yin.
Examples of Points: Ren 12, St 36, Sp 6, Sp 3, Bl 21. Needle technique: Tonification.
Stomach Fire (and Phlegm-Fire)
1) Symptoms
2) Pulse and Tongue
3) Pathology
4) Aetiology
5) Treatment
1)
Key symptoms: Burning pain in epigastrium, intense thirst with desire to drink cold liquids, constant hunger.
AccompanYing symptoms: Mental restlessness, swollen, painful and bleeding gums, dry mouth, mouth ulcers, sour regurgitation, constipation, nausea, vomiting soon after eating, dry stools, bad breath, a feeling of heat.
Phlegm-Fire: In addition to above, stuffiness or oppression in the epigastrium and chest, less thirst, mucus in stools, mental derangement, expectoration of phlegm.
2)
Pulse: Overflowing, esp. on right middle position, and Rapid (If Phlegm-Fire, also Slippery). Tongue Body: Red.
Tongue Coat: Thick, Yellow, Dry (If Phlegm-Fire may be yellow prickles in mid crack).
3)
Pathology: Interior Full Heat dries fluids, causing intense thirst and constipation. Heat causes blood to extravasate in the Stomach channel leading to bleeding gums. Swelling and pain in gums are due to Heat rising in the Stomach channel. Heat also obstructs descending of Stomach Qi causing epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and sour regurgitation. In the case of Phlegm-Fire, Phlegm causes more obstruction leading to a feeling of oppression and also affects the Shen.
4)
Aetiology: a) Poor diet - excessive consumption of hot foods (and greasy foods in cases of Phlegm- Fire). b) Emotional problems. c) Liver Fire invades the Stomach.
5)
Treatment Principles: Clear Stomach Heat. Stimulate Stomach Descending function.
Examples of Points: Ren 12, St 36, Sp 6, Sp 3, Bl 21. Needle technique: Tonification.
Examples of Points: St 21, St 44, St 34, St 45, Sp 6, Pc 6, Ren 12, Ren 13, LI 11, LI 4. Needle technique: Even or Reduction.
Stagnation of Blood in the Stomach
1) Symptoms
2) Pulse and Tongue
3) Pathology
4) Aetiology
5) Treatment
1) Key symptoms: Severe, stabbing pain in the epigastrium which may be worse at night and with pressure, vomiting, possibly vomiting of dark blood.
AccompanYing symptoms: Nausea, pain after eating, dark blood in stools.
2) Pulse: Wiry or Choppy, especially right, middle position.
Tongue Body: Purple, especially in the centre.
3) Pathology: Most symptoms due to Stagnation of Blood in the Stomach. The pain from Blood
stagnation is usually severe and stabbing. Blood stagnation always manifests with dark-coloured
blood, hence the vomiting of dark blood. Blood in stools due to Blood Stasis extending to Large
Intestine.
4) Aetiology: No specific aetiology but will derive from other long-standing patterns, particularly: a) Stomach Fire. b) Retention of Food in the Stomach. c) Liver Qi Invades the Stomach d) Cold in the Stomach.
5) Treatment Principles: Regulate Blood. Stimulate Descending of Stomach Qi.
Examples of Points: Ren 12, St 21, St 19, Ki 21, St 34, Sp 4, P 6, TB 6, Sp 10, Bl 17, LI 4, Ren 11.
Needle technique: Even or Reduction.
Other Stomach Syndromes
- Stomach Deficient and Cold
- Stomach Qi Stagnation
- Stomach Qi Rebelling Upwards
- Damp-Heat in the Stomach
