Summer-Heat
Summer-Heat
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Diagnostic Signs
Red in the front or sides with a white sticky coating
Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Other Associated Symptoms
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Summer Heat, as the name indicates, is the invasion of an External Pathogenic Factor Summer-Heat
Pathological Mechanism
Summer Heat is one of the four patterns of the Defensive Qi level, the first level of invasion in the Four Level theory.
It corresponds to the invasion of "External Evil" Summer-Heat. As the name indicates, it predominantly tends to occur during the summer.
As a pattern situated at the Defensive Qi level, it remains in the Exterior of the body, hence the aversion to cold. That being said, Summer Heat is very good at penetrating deeper in the body almost immediately. This is why the pattern includes signs of Interior Heat such as irritability and thirst.
The feeling of heaviness and uncomfortable sensation of the epigastrium is because Summer Heat often combines with Dampness.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Release the Exterior, expel Summer-Heat, clear Heat, promote Fluids.
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Related Conditions
This pattern can manifest as: