Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
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 concept of Qi
Key attributes
Chinese name: 气陷 Pinyin name: Qì Xiàn
Pattern nature: Empty
Pattern hierarchy: General pattern
Causes
Precursor patterns: Qi Deficiency
Common causes: 1. Physical over-exertion, 2. Difficult birth-giving
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Tiredness Hemorrhoids Listlessness Anus prolapse Uterus prolapse and nine other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale tongue with white coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Tonify and rise Qi
Common formulas: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang Du Shen Tang
Pathology
Qi Collapse (or "Qi Sinking") is a form of Qi Deficiency so there are overlapping symptoms such as general weakness, fatigue, aversion to speak, short of breath, dizziness and etc.
On top of that, the weakened Qi fails to perform its holding functions, hence the prolapsing of the Organs. The patients also feels the bearing down of the abdomen. The Qi also can not hold Body Fluids, resulting in frequent and urgent urination, incontinence as well as extreme chronic diarrhea.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking can derive from Qi Deficiency
Physical over-exertion: Qi Collapsing or Sinking derives from Qi Deficiency. Prolonged working without proper rest can make the situation worse.
Difficult birth-giving : A difficult birth-giving can exhaust the general Qi. Thus the Organs of the Lower Burner fail to hold Qi properly.
Diagnosing Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
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): Empty (Xu) or weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale tongue with white coating
Main symptoms: Tiredness Hemorrhoids Listlessness Anus prolapse Uterus prolapse Kidney prolapse Vagina prolapse Bladder prolapse Stomach prolapse Chronic diarrhoea Intestines prolapse Incontinence of urine Frequent and urgent urination Bearing down sensation in abdomen
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the fatigue, listlessness and prolapse of Organs such as Stomach, Uterus, Intestines, anus, vagina or Bladder.
Treating Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Treatment principle
Tonify and rise Qi
Herbal formulas used to treat Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Formula summary
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1247, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi.
Besides Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is also used to treat Qi Deficiency or Spleen Qi Sinking.
Du Shen Tang
Source date: 1348 AD
Number of ingredients: 1 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Original Qi . Stabilizes from collapse.
Formula summary
Du Shen Tang is a 1-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1348 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that rescue devastated Yang.
Diet recommendations
Balance diets and try these foods that rich in nutrition but also easy to digest such as rise, meat, fish, shrimps. Avoid cold, raw, spicy or greasy foods.