From "Zang Fu Syndromes," by McDonald and Penner
Etiology
Irregular eating patterns damage SP Qi, hence SP Yang.
Over indulgence in cold or raw food and drink damages SP Yang.
Excessive use of herbs with cool or cold nature depletes SP Yang.
Protracted, chronic disease injures SP Qi, hence SP Yang.
SP Yang Xu closely resembles SP Qi Xu in etiology but Cold influences
such as excessive cold herbs or cold (raw) food and drink will damage
SP Yang directly. SP Yang Xu is like SP Qi Xu but is more severely
Xu and has additional Cold signs and symptoms. (Yang Xu is a Xu
Cold condition).
Clinical Manifestations
Sallow complexion |
Abdominal and epigastric distention after eating
|
Fatigue |
Maybe acid regurgitation or vomiting |
Anorexia (maybe with vomiting) |
Loose stools or watery stools containing undigested food |
Four limbs feel tired and heavy |
Shortness of breath |
Pain in the epigastrium with cold sensations (pain is relieved
by warmth) |
Cold limbs |
Feeling chilled |
Mental fatigue |
Maybe scanty urine with edema (Sp
Xu Edema) |
Maybe clear, watery vaginal disharge |
T: Pale C: Thin and White P: Deep and weak
Complications
SP Yang Xu can lead to KI Yang Xu, creating SP and KI Yang Xu,
particularly in relation to edema or chronic diarrhea.
SP Yang Xu indicates poor transformation and transportation of
Fluids leading to Damp Stagnation. Hence, SP Yang Xu can contribute
to many Damp or Phlegm conditions such as:
- Phlegm-Damp Obstructs LU.
- Cold-Damp Distresses SP.
- Damp-Heat in SP / ST.
- Damp-Heat in LIV / GB.
SP Yang Xu can be involved with various SP Xu conditions which
are all related to either SP Qi Xu or SP Yang Xu, namely:
- SP Xu Edema.
- Central Qi Sinking.
- SP Not Governing Blood.
Associated Western Conditions
Gastric or duodenal ulcer
|
Chronic dysentery |
Chronic gastritis |
Chronic hepatitis |
Chronic enteritis |
Chronic glomerulonephritis
|
Cirrhosis of the liver
|
|
Differential Diagnosis
The differences between SP Yang Xu and Cold-Damp Distresses SP
are fairly subtle. This is because Cold-Damp Distresses SP is basically
SP Yang Xu with Damp Stagnation. The signs and symptoms are very
similar, however Damp Accumulation should be detectable in the pulse
and tongue coating.
Spleen Yang Xu: |
Cold-Damp Spleen |
T: Pale |
T: Pink |
C: Thin and white |
C: White and greasy or sticky |
P: Deep and weak |
P: Deep and slow |
Treatment Principle
Warm the Center and Dispel Cold.
Common Acupuncture Points
Select from the same points as given for SP Qi Xu. Warm needle,
moxa cones on ginger or other moxibustion techniques combined with
reinforcing needle technique are effective.
Common Herbal Formulae
Li Zhong Tang /
Decoction to Regulate the Center
Fu Zi Li Zhong
Wan / Prepared Aconite Pill to Regulate the Middle |