Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome (Shen Yang Xu Zheng) refers to a type of deficiency-cold syndrome characterized by the deficiency of Kidney Yang, failure to warm, and loss of Qi transformation. When Kidney Yang is deficient, the Yang energy throughout the body is also deficient, leading to weakened physiological functions, reduced metabolic activity, and decreased heat production. Yang deficiency results in coldness, while Yin deficiency leads to heat. The Ling Shu – Bai Bing Shi Sheng Pian states that insufficient Kidney Yang leads to coldness, hence individuals with Kidney Yang deficiency tend to fear cold and have cold extremities.
Clinical manifestations of Kidney Yang Deficiency include: soreness and cold pain in the lower back and knees, fear of cold and cold limbs, especially in the lower extremities; pale or dark complexion, lack of vitality, easy fatigue; hair loss and premature graying; frequent urination, dribbling after urination, nocturia; men may experience impotence and infertility; women may have cold womb and infertility, or decreased libido; chronic diarrhea, undigested food in stools, or early morning diarrhea; or edema (more pronounced below the waist), with a pitting effect upon pressure, and in severe cases, abdominal distension and palpitations; pale, swollen tongue with white, slippery coating, and a deep, thin pulse, especially at the wrist.
How many symptoms of Kidney Deficiency do you have?
1. Observe the extremities, fear of cold, cold hands and feet.
This is a typical manifestation of Kidney Yang deficiency. Additionally, it extends to the whole body, leading to a general fear of cold. Since Kidney Yang is the root of Yang energy in the body, if it is weak, the warming effect of Yang energy throughout the body will decrease.
2. Observe urination: frequent urination, clear and prolonged urine, easy loose stools, unformed.
Urine appears whitish, with noticeable pain, and there is a feeling of incomplete urination, with discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Kidney Yang is unable to transform and distribute body fluids, leading to increased urination frequency, especially at night when Kidney Yang is weaker. Thus, nocturia becomes more frequent.
3. Observe the lower back: back pain can be due to internal injury or strain.
Cold pain in the lower back. Soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, especially in the lower extremities. Kidney Yang deficiency often leads to back pain, as the lower back is the residence of the kidneys. Due to insufficient Yang energy, the warming effect is weak, and this pain generally has a cold sensation. Patients often feel a cold sensation in the lower back.
Internal injury: Kidney deficiency generally refers to congenital insufficiency, chronic illness, or excessive fatigue. Mild cases may find it difficult to bend or stand upright, while severe cases may experience heel pain and weakness in the lower back.
Strain: Long-term engagement in the same posture (such as using a computer or driving) can damage Kidney Qi, leading to insufficient Kidney essence.
4. Observe the lower abdomen: lack of appetite, abdominal distension after meals, increased abdominal girth, and excess body fat are often manifestations of Kidney deficiency.
5. Observe mental state: even without staying up late, one may feel sleepy all day, constantly yawning, and experiencing fatigue and dizziness.
6. Dizziness, mental fatigue, pale complexion; or dark complexion. Insufficient Kidney Yang fails to warm, leading to insufficient ascending Qi, resulting in dizziness and mental fatigue. In the Shang Han Lun, this condition is described as: not wanting to wake, only wanting to sleep. Often, there is a feeling of drowsiness without a sense of having fully awakened.
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