Spleen Qi Sinking
Spleen Qi Sinking
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Diagnostic Signs
Pale tongue
Weak (Ruo)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
The key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the weak pulse and sensation of bearing down.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Nowadays our diets are rich in sugars, fats, iced drinks, junk food and cold raw foods. This harms the Spleen function of transformation and transportation and leads to Spleen Qi Deficiency or Qi Sinking. Other bad eating habits also impair Spleen Qi, such as inconsistent meals, eating standing up or on the run, eating while reading or discussing business over meals, eating too little or too much food, or eating a protein-deficient diet.
Emotional stress, especially pensiveness and worry, can greatly weakened the Spleen function and cause Qi Deficiency or Sinking there.
Prolonged exposure to external Dampness can largely harm the Spleen and cause Deficiency or Sinking there. The Dampness here can be a nature environment or artificial ones such as air condition or refrigerated storage spaces.
Any long-term illness tends to weaken the Spleen, causing Deficient or Sinking Spleen Qi.
Mental-excertion on work or study can largely deplete the Spleen Qi and cause its Deficiency or Sinking
Patients who have to stand for long hours every day, are more prone to this pattern.
Pathological Mechanism
The causes of Spleen Qi Sinking is quite similar to the ones of Spleen Qi Deficiency, which are unbalanced diet, unhealthy eating habits, emotional stress or Damp environment. Other than these, people who have to stand up for long hours every day have a tendency to obtain this pattern.
Spleen Qi Sinking is a type of Qi Deficiency, therefore both pattern's can give rise to various digesting issues such as poor appetite, slightly abdominal distension and pain after eating or loose stools. The Spleen Qi is so weak that it fails to transport Food-Qi throughout the body, hence the symptoms of pale tongue and complexion, general fatigue, lassitude and weak limbs.
When the Spleen Qi is Deficient or Sinking for a long period of time, Body Fluids can not be transformed properly. It then accumulates and form Dampness and Phlegm. It leads to symptoms such as overweight or even obesity.
Apart from above common symptoms, Spleen Qi Sinking has its unique manifestations as the sense of bearing down and the prolapse of various Organs.
When the Spleen Qi sinks, it fails to raise Qi so that it can not hold the Organs in their original places in Lower and Middle Burners. Therefore some Organs prolapse such as the Uterus, the Anus, the Bladder or the Stomach. Also, patients often complain about frequent and urgent urination as well as Heavy Menstruation. This occurs more obviously if this pattern is paired with Kidney Qi sinking.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Tonify Spleen Qi, raise Spleen Qi
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Eat only cooked foods, including rice, millet, meat (especially red beef), winter squash, adzuki beans, vegetables, greens, congee and warm drinks such as warm milk with ginger, cinnamon or cardamom and honey.
Avoid cold, raw vegetables and fruits, juices, iced drinks, ice cream and frozen yogurt, salads, uncooked foods and the excessive use of sugar and other sweeteners.
As for other therapies, try breathing exercises, meditation or moxibustion over the lower abdomen and Kidneys.
As for sport, try mild aerobic exercise such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, swimming, walking or light cycling. Do avoid intense exercise.
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