Spleen Yang Deficiency
Spleen Yang Deficiency
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Diagnostic Signs
Pale and wet tongue
Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Other Associated Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
The key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the loose stools, feeling cold and tiredness.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Prolonged exposure in a cold and damp environment can largely harm the Spleen and cause Deficiency or Sinking there. If it is not addressed for a while, it can develop further to Spleen Yang Deficiency.
The Dampness and Cold here can be a nature environment or artificial ones such as air condition or refrigerated storage spaces.
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. If it is not addressed for a while, it can develop further to Spleen Yang Deficiency.
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 and Yang Deficiency there.
Any long-term illness tends to weaken the Spleen, causing Qi and Yang Deficient there.
Mental-excertion on work or study can largely deplete the Spleen Qi and eventually develops to Spleen Yang Deficiency.
Pathological Mechanism
Generally speaking, Spleen Yang Deficiency often develops from Spleen Qi Deficiency, but it is more extensive and severe. The common manifestations are these related to digestive functions such as loose stools, poor appetite, slight abdominal distension and pain after eating, gas and bloating. Since the Spleen fails to transport the Food Qi to the body, patients also suffer from general fatigue, lassitude, weak limbs, pale tongue and face. Patients prefers to lie down.
On top of above, the Yang Deficiency also brings in additional Cold symptoms, such as a cold feeling and cold limbs. It is because Spleen Yang fails to warm the body and Organs. Therefore, the body metabolism get slower and some food are not digested properly and passes directly into the stools.
Since the Spleen fails to perform the function of transforming and transporting fluids, the circulation of Body Fluids is disturbed, causing symptoms such as Oedema, vaginal discharge and Lung mucus. The Yang Deficiency pattern is even more likely to form Dampness and Phlegm.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Tonify and warm Spleen Yang.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Eat beef, lamb, rice, millet, barley, whole grains, winter squash, cooked vegetables, greens and plenty of protein, all cooked foods and avoid raw or cold foods which are hard to digest.
As for sports, try light exercises such as walking, swimming, bicycling, dancing Yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong. Can also try Four Purifications, Ujjayi pranayam or Eight Brocades with special emphasis on exercises numbers 2, 3 and 7.
As for therapies, try moxibustion over the navel, lower abdomen and Kidneys.
Find a way to destress and working on the emotional problems.
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Pattern Relationships
Can Develop Into
Related Conditions
This pattern can manifest as: