Upper Abdominal Fullness in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different upper abdominal fullness patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Upper abdominal fullness is a symptom characterized by a sensation of tightness, swelling, or an uncomfortable pressure in the area above the navel and below the chest. This sensation can be persistent or intermittent, often worsening after eating or during periods of stress. It is associated with a range of digestive discomforts, including bloating and a feeling of being overly full regardless of the amount of food consumed.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets upper abdominal fullness as a manifestation of disharmony within the body’s energy system, particularly involving the Spleen and Stomach. TCM emphasizes the flow of Qi (vital energy) and balance among the body's organ systems.
It suggests that upper abdominal fullness can result from imbalances such as Dampness, Heat, or Stagnation affecting these organs, impacting the smooth flow of Qi and Body Fluids through the body.
TCM Patterns for Upper Abdominal Fullness
Heat
Causes: Abdominal and epigastric fullness, Epigastrium fullness, Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
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, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Low grade fever, Dull headache, Dull yellow complexion, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Epigastrium fullness
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth
Gallbladder Heat
Epigastrium fullness
Along with: Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Bitter taste in the mouth, Thirst, Dry throat, Hypochondriac pain, Nausea, Upper abdominal fullness
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
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, Dull shallow face, Irritability, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac distention, Hypochondriac pain
Heat in Gall Bladder
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, Nausea, Upper abdominal fullness, Cholecystitis, Icteric hepatitis
Dampness
Causes: Abdominal and epigastric fullness, Epigastrium fullness, Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
Abdominal and epigastric fullness
Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea, General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Nausea, Edema, Dull pale complexion, White vaginal discharge, Upper abdominal fullness
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
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, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Low grade fever, Dull headache, Dull yellow complexion, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Epigastrium fullness
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
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, Dull shallow face, Irritability, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac distention, Hypochondriac pain
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
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, Dull shallow face, Irritability, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac distention, Hypochondriac pain
Cold
Causes: Abdominal and epigastric fullness
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
Abdominal and epigastric fullness
Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea, General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Nausea, Edema, Dull pale complexion, White vaginal discharge, Upper abdominal fullness
Herbal Formulas for Upper Abdominal Fullness
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address upper abdominal fullness
Ping Wei San
Addresses these upper abdominal fullness patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Improves the Spleen's transportive function
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Upper Abdominal Fullness Pattern Variations
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it manifests:
Abdominal and epigastric fullness
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea...
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink...
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Addresses these upper abdominal fullness patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Addresses These Upper Abdominal Fullness Pattern Variations
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink...
Lian Po Yin
Addresses these upper abdominal fullness patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Addresses These Upper Abdominal Fullness Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it manifests:
Abdominal and epigastric fullness
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning...
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Epigastrium fullness
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge...
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Addresses these upper abdominal fullness patterns:
Main Actions
- Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness
- Warms the Middle
- Strengthens the Spleen
Addresses These Upper Abdominal Fullness Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Epigastrium fullness
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge...
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Addresses these upper abdominal fullness patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder
- Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes
- Resolves Phlegm
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Upper Abdominal Fullness Pattern Variations
Gallbladder Heat
How it manifests:
Epigastrium fullness
Accompanying symptoms:
Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Bitter taste in the mouth, Thirst, Dry throat, Hypochondriac pain, Nausea...
Heat in Gall Bladder
How it manifests:
Epigastrium fullness
Accompanying symptoms:
Mild chills with high fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Vomiting of sour fluids, Thirst, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort...