Abdominal Fullness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different abdominal fullness patterns according to TCM theory

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9
TCM Patterns
39
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 9 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each abdominal fullness pattern
Classical remedies 39 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on abdominal fullness, viewing it not just as a symptom but as a sign of imbalance within the body's energetic pathways. According to TCM, this condition often arises from disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital energy) or the accumulation of Dampness, Heat and Phlegm within the digestive system.

TCM practitioners aim to diagnose the underlying pattern of disharmony causing the symptom, whether it be related to the Spleen, Stomach, Liver, or Kidneys, and treat it accordingly to restore balance and alleviate discomfort.

TCM Patterns for Abdominal Fullness

Heat

Causes: Abdominal fullness, Abdominal and epigastric fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness, Epigastrium fullness, Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium

12 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Dry stools,

Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite, Nausea,

Damp-Heat
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal and epigastric fullness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Epigastrium fullness

Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Gallbladder Heat
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Epigastrium fullness

Along with: Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Bitter taste in the mouth, Thirst, Dry throat, Hypochondriac pain, Nausea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Upper abdominal focal distention, Dry heaving, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Peptic ulcer, Gastroesophageal reflux disease,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Severe constipation, Excessive gas and flatulence, Focal distention, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Abdominal tightness, Pancreatitis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in Gall Bladder
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Epigastrium fullness

Along with: Mild chills with high fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Vomiting of sour fluids, Thirst, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Abdominal fullness, Abdominal and epigastric fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness, Epigastrium fullness, Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium

8 variations documented
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite, Nausea,

Damp-Heat
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal and epigastric fullness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal and epigastric fullness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Epigastrium fullness

Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Abdominal fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness

4 variations documented
Phlegm
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness

Phlegm-Fluids
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Feeling of heaviness, Shortness of breath, Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Coughing,

Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Dry tongue, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Stomach splashing sound, Chest distension,

Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Upper abdominal focal distention, Dry heaving, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Peptic ulcer, Gastroesophageal reflux disease,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Abdominal fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness

4 variations documented
Greater Yin stage
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Vomit, Chills, Diarrhea, Absence of thirst, Generalized fatigue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Pale face, Facial edema, Oedema of limbs, Abdominal distention, Cold extremities, Shortness of breath,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Abdominal fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness, Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium

3 variations documented
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Abdominal fullness, Abdominal and epigastric fullness

3 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Dry stools,

Greater Yin stage
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Vomit, Chills, Diarrhea, Absence of thirst, Generalized fatigue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal and epigastric fullness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Abdominal fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness

2 variations documented
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness, Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Blood Stagnation
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps,

Yin Excess

Causes: Abdominal distention and fullness

1 variation documented
Yin Excess
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal distention and fullness

Along with: Absence of thirst, Slow and forceful movement, Epigastric pain worsen by pressure, Polyuria, Feeling of chest oppression, Nausea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Abdominal fullness

1 variation documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with abdominal fullness

Abdominal fullness

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Dry stools,

Herbal Formulas for Abdominal Fullness

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address abdominal fullness

Xiao Yao San

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Qi Stagnation Blood Stasis Heat Dampness

Ping Wei San

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Dampness Cold Heat Qi Stagnation

Wu Ling San

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Dampness Yang Deficiency Phlegm Yin Excess

Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Heat Cold Wind

Xiao Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Heat Cold Wind

Dang Gui Shao Yao San

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Heat Dampness Qi Stagnation

Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Qi Stagnation Blood Stasis

Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Heat Phlegm

Li Zhong Wan

Addresses these abdominal fullness patterns:

Yang Deficiency Cold