Wind-Cold-Damp
Wind-Cold-Damp
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Diagnostic Signs
Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu), Slowed-down (Huan)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
stiffness and a lack of movement, dry stools, an absence of thirst, and no nausea or diarrhea.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
A chronic diseases, especially these come with Spleen Yang Deficiency, can harm Kidney Yang if they are kept untreated for a very long time. This is a precondition for this pattern.
Excessive intake of cold and raw foods and drinks as well as juices, fruits, iced drinks and foods such as ice cream or frozen yogurt create Cold in the Kidneys and injure the Yang.
There are other Kidney depleting substances such as alcohol, coffee, caffeinated drinks or foods, tobacco and sugar.
Excessive sexual activities can also cause this pattern, especially if one is exposed to cold immediately after intercourse.
For woman patients, their Kidney Yang can be largely impaired if they happen to have too early, for example, during puberty.
Excessive physical work depletes Kidney Yang.
Pathological Mechanism
This pattern is characterized by Yang Deficiency with a predominance of Dampness, leading to specific symptoms and signs. This pattern is not primarily due to a disorder in the Spleen, despite its association with Spleen, as indicated by the absence of nausea or diarrhea. Instead, the root lies in a Deficiency of Yang in the Kidneys, which fails to provide the necessary warmth for transportation processes in the body.
This Yang Deficiency leads to an excess of Dampness within the Spleen, the Yin aspect of the Middle Burner. This excess Dampness hinders the movement of Body Fluids in the Stomach and Intestines, the yang aspect of the Middle Burner, resulting in dry stools and an absence of thirst. The symptomatology of this pattern is dominated by stiffness and lack of movement, rather than pain, reflecting the obstructive nature of Wind-Cold-Dampness.
The pulse characteristics in this pattern are also telling: it is floating, indicating that the pathogenic factors are predominantly affecting the exterior of the body; Fine, suggesting insufficient Yang to move physiological body fluids effectively; and Slowed-down, reflecting the accumulation of Dampness in the channels and collaterals. These symptoms and pulse characteristics together confirm the diagnosis of a Wind-Cold-Damp pattern due to Yang Deficiency with Dampness as the predominant factor.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Expel Wind-Cold-Damp, warm the Channels,
Recommended Herbal Formulas
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