Spleen and stomach yang deficiency refers to a condition where the yang energy in the spleen and stomach is excessively weak, leading to a series of symptoms caused by the accumulation of internal cold. The primary cause of spleen and stomach yang deficiency is generally related to improper diet, such as a preference for excessive cold and raw foods.
Patients may experience a range of discomforts including edema, abdominal distension and pain, fatigue, lower back pain, and a sensation of heaviness in the lower abdomen. For women, spleen and stomach yang deficiency can also affect menstrual health and lead to a pale complexion.
Spleen and stomach yang deficiency has a significant impact on overall health. Once symptoms appear, timely adjustment is essential. So, how should one manage spleen and stomach yang deficiency?
1. Dietary Adjustment
The main cause of spleen and stomach yang deficiency is improper diet, so dietary management should be the first step. Patients should avoid cold foods and reduce the intake of greasy and spicy foods.
Meals should primarily consist of warm, easily digestible foods, and it is advisable to consume more hot porridge. Nutritional balance is important, with an emphasis on increasing vitamins and appropriate whole grains.
Additionally, patients can drink longan and red date tea or ginger tea with brown sugar, which can help dispel cold and regulate qi and blood.
2. Maintain Abdominal Warmth
Especially for women, who often prefer to wear less clothing, such as crop tops, this can expose the abdomen and lower back to cold air, which can lead to cold invasion of the gastrointestinal tract and result in spleen and stomach yang deficiency.
Therefore, it is crucial to keep the body warm, particularly the abdomen. When experiencing spleen and stomach yang deficiency, using a hot water bottle on the abdomen daily can be beneficial.
Alternatively, warming the hands and then massaging the abdomen can help dispel cold and enhance gastrointestinal motility.
3. Medicinal Adjustment
For patients with severe gastrointestinal cold symptoms, appropriate medications should be used for adjustment.
First, a visit to a reputable hospital for examination is necessary, and then medications should be used under the guidance of a physician based on the severity of the condition.
If patients experience significant diarrhea, they can take Fuzi Lizhong Wan (Aconite and Ginseng Pill); if abdominal pain and cold sensitivity are prominent, Huangqi Jianzhong Granules can be used for treatment, which is quite effective.
4. Exercise Adjustment
Individuals with gastrointestinal cold should avoid prolonged sitting, as this can further decrease gastrointestinal function and exacerbate symptoms.
Daily physical activities such as jogging or yoga should be encouraged. These exercises can enhance gastrointestinal motility and promote the secretion of digestive fluids.
For those with gastrointestinal cold, these activities can significantly improve digestive capacity and also help boost metabolism and dispel cold.
In summary, if symptoms of spleen and stomach yang deficiency occur, dietary adjustments and maintaining abdominal warmth are essential. Patients should also engage in aerobic exercise daily.
When symptoms are pronounced, medications should be used for treatment. Additionally, patients can soak their feet in hot water daily and massage their feet and calves to improve blood circulation and dispel cold.
Patients can also drink pepper and pig stomach soup, ginger porridge, or ginger milk, which are effective in alleviating gastrointestinal cold symptoms.