Bladder Deficient and Cold
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Bladder in Chinese Medicine The concept of Deficiency The concept of Cold
Key attributes
Chinese name: 膀胱虚寒 Pinyin name: Páng Guāng Xū Hán
Pattern nature: Empty
Causes
Precursor patterns: Kidney Yang Deficiency
Common causes: 1. Excessive sexual activity, 2. Exposure to cold or dampness, 3. Excessive physical activity
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Enuresis Nocturia Dizziness Incontinence Lower back pain and four other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale, wet.
Treatment
Treatment principle: Tonify and warm the Bladder as well as Kidney Yang.
Common formulas: Sang Piao Xiao San Suo Quan Wan
Pathology
This pattern is similar to Kidney Yang Deficiency or Kidney Qi not Firm, except with more Bladder related symptoms. It can derive from Kidney Yang Deficiency like it can be a precursor for it, both patterns are intrinsically linked.
This is because the Bladder derives its Qi from Kidney Yang to transform Fluids. If Kidney Yang is deficient, it cannot perform this function properly and many Fluids Bladder symptoms follow. The Fluids tend to leak out, leading to frequent urination, incontinence, enuresis or nocturia.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Bladder Deficient and Cold can derive from Kidney Yang Deficiency
Excessive sexual activity: In men excessive sexual activity (mainly masturbation) can weaken Kidney Yang and trigger this pattern. In both men and women, it can also be caused by starting sexual activity too early (i.e. before puberty is complete).
Exposure to cold or dampness: Excessive exposure to cold and/or damp environments can cause this pattern. This particularly applies to women who are especially sensitive to Cold and Dampness during menstruation.
Excessive physical activity: Excessive physical activity, especially lifting things (like weighs in the gym) can cause the Bladder to become Deficient and Cold.
Diagnosing Bladder Deficient and Cold
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen) or weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale, wet.
Main symptoms: Enuresis Nocturia Dizziness Incontinence Lower back pain Feeling of cold Frequent urination White urethral discharge Pale and abudant urination
Diagnosis commentary: Frequent pale and abundant urination and a Deep-Weak pulse are enough in and of themselves to diagnose Bladder Deficient and Cold.
Treating Bladder Deficient and Cold
Treatment principle
Tonify and warm the Bladder as well as Kidney Yang.
Herbal formulas used to treat Bladder Deficient and Cold
Sang Piao Xiao San
Source date: 1116 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys. Stabilizes the Essence. Stops leakage.
Formula summary
Sang Piao Xiao San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1116 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis.
Besides Bladder Deficient and Cold, Sang Piao Xiao San is also used to treat Bladder Deficiency with Cold.
Suo Quan Wan
Source date: 1227 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Kidneys. Dispels cold. Reduces urinary frequency. Stops leakage.
Formula summary
Suo Quan Wan is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1227 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis.
Diet recommendations
Avoid prolonged exposure to cold or damp environments. Restrain from excessive sexual activity. Favor light physical exercise such as walking or swimming (especially avoid doing any lifting).
Consequence patterns
Kidney Yang Deficiency may be the precursor of Bladder Deficient and Cold but it can also derive from it