Today marks the 322nd day of HanKang Medicine accompanying you.8days
“Little girl, little girl, come help me get some medicine, my stomach has been uncomfortable lately.”
“Auntie, can you tell me your symptoms in detail?”
“I’ve been feeling bloated, sometimes constipated, my stools are very dry, and I have a strong odor in my mouth.”
“Alright, please open your mouth and stick out your tongue for me to see.”
“Ah…”
“Okay, Auntie, I understand your situation. You are experiencing symptoms caused by Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome. Taking some medication like Huo Xiang Qing Wei Jiao Nang (Agastache Clear Stomach Capsules) will help.”
“What is Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome?”
Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome is a pathological condition caused by dampness obstructing the spleen, which over time transforms into heat, leading to the mutual accumulation of dampness and heat. It primarily results from the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach in transforming and transporting, with damp-heat obstructing the middle jiao (middle burner), and is a common type of excess syndrome in the spleen and stomach.
So, how does Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome occur? What specific symptoms does it present? What medications can be used for its treatment?
With the fast pace of modern life, long-term irregular eating habits and stress have led to an increasing incidence of gastric diseases.
According to statistics, there are 120 million patients with gastrointestinal diseases in China, with over 70% being middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Common surveys show that the incidence of chronic enteritis is 38%, and superficial gastritis is as high as 30%.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that insufficient righteous qi in the body is the internal cause of Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat. Although there are various causes and mechanisms for the formation of this syndrome, the functional state of the spleen and stomach is the determining factor.
Insufficient righteous qi and weak spleen and stomach cannot properly transform and transport food and fluids, leading to dampness; prolonged dampness and stagnation can transform into heat, resulting in damp-heat.
Additionally, various disease factors can easily trigger dysfunction of the weak spleen and stomach, leading to damp-heat.
1) Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome can be caused by the following:
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Irregular diet, such as excessive consumption of rich, greasy foods and alcohol.
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External invasion of damp-heat pathogens.
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Chronic illness damaging the spleen and stomach or inherent weakness of the spleen and stomach.
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Excessive fatigue or emotional distress can also be a trigger for Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome.
2) Symptoms of Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome include:
1. Burning pain in the epigastrium, with a feeling of fullness and acid regurgitation.
2. Dry mouth and bitter taste, thirst without desire to drink, sweet and sticky mouth, sour regurgitation after eating sweet foods, poor appetite, nausea, and a heavy body with fatigue.
3. Yellow urine, constipation, yellow and greasy tongue coating, and a slippery and rapid pulse.
In terms of treatment, the focus is on resolving damp-heat, as removing dampness can easily alleviate heat. The methods for resolving damp-heat should vary according to the amount of damp-heat and the affected area.In the initial stage, when the pathogen is in the exterior and dampness is predominant, it is advisable to use aromatic herbs to disperse dampness;
When the pathogen is in the middle jiao and dampness is predominant, it is best to use bitter and warm herbs to drain and assist with clearing heat; as dampness transforms into heat, and both dampness and heat are present, it is advisable to use bitter and pungent herbs to promote downward movement, expel dampness, and clear heat simultaneously;
If heat is more severe than dampness, the focus should be on clearing heat, with appropriate measures to transform dampness. If dampness is retained below, leading to dysfunction of urination, the focus should be on gentle diuresis to facilitate the expulsion of dampness.
The pathogenesis of Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome lies in the obstruction of damp-heat, which hinders the spleen. Therefore, the treatment should primarily focus on clearing heat and transforming dampness, and the following medications can be used for treatment.
1) Huo Xiang Qing Wei Jiao Nang (Agastache Clear Stomach Capsules)
Indications: Clears heat and transforms dampness, awakens the spleen, and resolves stagnation. Used for digestive disorders caused by hidden fire in the spleen and stomach, symptoms include fullness in the abdomen, loss of appetite, bitter taste, and bad breath.
Dosage: Oral administration, 3 capsules each time, 3 times a day.
Applicable population: Suitable for individuals with Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat, especially when heat is more severe than dampness.
Combined medication: Huo Xiang Qing Wei Jiao Nang + Yi Qing Soft Capsules (for patients with dry stools/constipation).
Precautions: Not suitable for pregnant women; avoid cold, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods during medication.
2) Wei Tong Ning Pian (Stomach Pain Relief Tablets)
Indications: Clears heat and dries dampness, regulates qi and harmonizes the stomach, relieves acidity and pain. Used for stomach pain caused by damp-heat accumulation, excessive stomach acid, bloating, belching, poor appetite, constipation, and dark yellow urine.
Dosage: Oral administration, 3 tablets each time, 2-3 times a day.
Applicable population: Suitable for patients with gastritis and gastric ulcers belonging to Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome.
Combined medication: Omeprazole Enteric-Coated Capsules + Wei Tong Ning Pian.
Precautions: Not suitable for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers; contraindicated in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction; may worsen conditions in appendicitis or acute abdomen, increasing the risk of perforation, and should be avoided.
3) Xiang Lian Wan (Aromatic Lian Pills)
Indications: Clears heat and dries dampness, promotes qi and alleviates pain. Used for diarrhea and abdominal pain with yellow and sticky stools.
Dosage: Oral administration, 3-6 grams each time, 2-3 times a day.
Applicable population: Suitable for patients with diarrhea belonging to Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat syndrome.
Combined medication: Xiang Lian Wan + Montmorillonite Powder.
Precautions: Should not be combined with digoxin; avoid combining with tannin-containing medications.
4) Fu Ke An Pian (Abdominal Comfort Tablets)
Indications: Clears heat and promotes diuresis, astringes and relieves pain. Used for abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting caused by digestive disorders.
Dosage: 4 tablets each time, 3 times a day.
Applicable population: Patients with abdominal pain and diarrhea due to Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat.
Combined medication: Fu Ke An Pian + Lactic Acid Bacteria Tablets.
Precautions: Not suitable for pregnant women.
To prevent the recurrence of Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat, it is essential to actively treat the aforementioned diseases. Additionally, one should change unhealthy lifestyle habits, maintain a balanced diet, avoid smoking and drinking, and limit the intake of rich and heavy foods, as well as seafood. Drink water moderately to avoid internal dampness or external dampness entering the body. Maintain a regular sleep schedule, ventilate the room frequently, and avoid using air conditioning when possible. Develop a habit of regular bowel movements. Engage in physical activity until sweating occurs, as sweating can help expel dampness, but avoid excessive sweating to prevent qi deficiency.If internal damp-heat is only mildly symptomatic, the above adjustments may lead to improvement. However, if symptoms are severe and adjustments are ineffective, it is advisable to consult a TCM practitioner for differential diagnosis and treatment.
Many pharmacy staff, upon learning that a customer has a bitter taste in their mouth, may assume it is Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat syndrome and recommend medications like Long Dan Pian (Gentian Decoction Pills) to clear liver and gallbladder damp-heat. It is important to distinguish between Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat and Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat.
Patients with Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat syndrome have issues in the liver and gallbladder, leading to discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, often accompanied by burning sensations. Additionally, vomiting in patients with Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat is more severe than in those with Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat, with the vomitus being a large amount of yellow-green bitter fluid, while Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat typically presents with sour-tasting vomit.
