Heat invading the Channels joints and muscles
Heat invading the Channels joints and muscles
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Diagnostic Signs
Red tongue with yellow and dry coating
Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the joints pain, swollen, red and heat. These symptoms often occur to several joints at the same time.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Weak constitution means the Defensive Qi is not strong enough to fight against the external Pernicious Influence invasion. It can be due to genetic defect, overwork, lack of exercise, or long term sickness.
Prolong exposure to a hot environment can cause this pattern.
Pathological Mechanism
It is a type of the Painful Obstruction Syndrome (Bi Syndrome 痹证).
When Pernicious Influences such as Wind, Damp or Cold or Heat penetrates the Defensive Qi and obstructs the Channels, they disturb the normal Qi and Blood circulation of the Channels and give rise to pain and swollen.
If the patients happens to have Yang Excess or Yin Deficiency, the excessive Interior Heat then gets combined with the Exterior Wind, Damp or Cold and transforms to Exterior Heat, which then settles down in the joints.
The manifestation of the Heat are the red and hot joints in additional to pain, stiffness and swollen. The conditions often happen in several joints instead of a single local area. The patients also experience other symptoms such as thirst or anxiety.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Clear Heat, unblock Channels, expel Wind and Dampness