From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), kidney deficiency (肾虚, shèn xū) is a complex and multifaceted concept that not only refers to the decline in kidney function but also involves the coordination and balance of the entire body’s organ systems. Kidney deficiency can be subdivided into four conditions, each with its unique etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations.
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1. Kidney Yang Deficiency (肾阳虚, shèn yáng xū)
Kidney Yang deficiency refers to the pathological changes resulting from insufficient kidney Yang energy, leading to a decline in warming, promoting, and transforming functions. This condition is often caused by congenital insufficiency, aging, chronic illness damaging the kidneys, and excessive sexual activity. Patients with Kidney Yang deficiency commonly exhibit symptoms such as cold intolerance, cold extremities, lower back and knee soreness, fatigue, impotence, premature ejaculation, and frequent clear urination at night.
2. Kidney Yin Deficiency (肾阴虚, shèn yīn xū)
Kidney Yin deficiency refers to the pathological changes resulting from insufficient kidney Yin fluid, leading to a decline in nourishing and moistening functions. This condition is often caused by prolonged illness, congenital insufficiency, excessive sexual activity, and overconsumption of warming and drying substances. Patients with Kidney Yin deficiency commonly exhibit symptoms such as five-center heat (五心烦热, wǔ xīn fán rè), tidal fever, night sweats, insomnia with vivid dreams, dry mouth and throat, premature ejaculation in men, and scanty or absent menstruation in women.
3. Insufficient Kidney Essence (肾精不足, shèn jīng bù zú)
Insufficient Kidney Essence refers to the pathological changes resulting from inadequate storage or excessive consumption of kidney essence. This condition is often caused by congenital insufficiency, lack of nourishment in later life, excessive sexual activity, and prolonged illness. Patients with insufficient Kidney Essence commonly exhibit symptoms such as delayed growth and development, reduced reproductive function, and premature aging.
4. Unstable Kidney Qi (肾气不固, shèn qì bù gù)
Unstable Kidney Qi refers to the pathological changes resulting from deficient kidney Qi, leading to an inability to secure and contain. This condition is often caused by immature kidney Qi in youth, deficient kidney Qi in old age, excessive sexual activity, and chronic illness damaging the kidneys. Patients with unstable Kidney Qi commonly exhibit symptoms such as lower back and knee soreness, fatigue, tinnitus, enuresis or frequent urination at night, premature ejaculation in men, and prolonged or irregular menstruation in women.
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