1. Syndrome differentiation and treatment
(1) Deficiency of stomach yin
It manifests poor appetite, thirst with inclination to drink, red and dry lips, constipation, scanty urine, or nocturnal low fever, reddish complexion, red tongue with a little coating, thready and slightly rapid pulse. It is advisable to nourish yin and regulate the stomach. The prescription used is Yiwei Decoction (Stomach-Benefiting Decoction) or Wuzhi Beverage (Five-juice Drink). In the case of adverse qi flow with the desire for vomiting due to gastric heat, select Zhuye Shigao Decoction (Lophatherum and Gypsum Decoction); in the case of deficiency of qi and yin and concurrent short breath, palpitation and listlessness, select Xue's Shenmai Decoction (Xue's Decoction of Radix Ginseng and Radix Ophiopogonis). Click here to learn Causes of Thrombocytosis in TCM.
(2) Residual dampness and turbidity
It manifests removal of fever, no appetite or anorexia, slight thoracic and epigastric oppression, mild lightheadedness, mental fatigue, thin and greasy coating, soft and slow pulse. It is advisable to remove the residual dampness and turbidity with light-natured and aromatic-flavored drugs. The prescription used is the modified Xue's Wuye Lugen Decoction (Xue's Five-Leaf and Reed Rhizome Decoction).
(3) Asthenia of the spleen and stomach
It manifests freedom from starvation feeling, loss of appetite, constant abdominal distension after meals, or inclination to vomiting, lassitude of limbs, loose stool, or edema of limbs in severe cases, pale tongue with white fur, feeble and weak pulse. It is suitable to strengthen the spleen and regulate the middle energizer, regulate qi and remove dampness. The prescription used is Yigong Powder with additional ingredients (Highly Effective Powder with Additional Ingredients) or the modified Shenling Baizhu Powder (Powder of Ginseng, Poria and Bighead Atractylodes). Xiao Jianzhong Decoction (Minor Decoction for Strengthening Middle Energizer) may be used in the case of loss of appetite due to yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach, sallow complexion, feeble and taut pulse. More information, please continue to read Relationship Between Spleen and Stomach.
2. Rehabilitation methods
(1) Regulating emotions and recreation therapy
Emotional activities are closely related to the splenogastric functions in transportation and transformation, and thus they affect appetite directly. Accordingly, the patient should be encouraged to be free from worries and vexation, and remain a cheerful frame of mind and a sanguine disposition. Before taking a meal, do not think of difficult problems and avoid adverse mental stimulation. Besides, stabilize the mood, avoid noises and do not eat while talking during the meal. It is advisable to appreciate music while taking a meal.
(2) Physical training
Physical training can promote the splenogastric function. In addition to taking a walk, jogging, setting-up exercises and Taijiquan, practice deep abdominal breathing to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, increase digestive juice and improve appetite.
(3) Acumox and massage
Acumox: Select Zhongwan (CV 12), Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Zusanli (ST 36) and Rangu (KI 2) in acumox, with the reinforcing method or the method of reinforcing and reducing. In the case of qi deficiency or yang deficiency, add moxibustion. More information, please continue to read Rangu (KI 2).
Massage: Take the supine position. First, knead the upper abdomen, mainly on Jiuwei (CV 15) and Zhongwan (CV 12). Then, proceed downwards to the lower abdomen, chiefly on the part around the navel as well as Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6). Meanwhile, vibrate Zhongwan (CV 12) and the upper abdomen with fingers, and rub the two parts clockwise and anticlockwise respectively for 100 times. Next, ask the patient to take the prone position and massage the bilateral urinary bladder meridians with gentle rolling manipulation, mainly on the bilateral acupoints of the sixth to the twelfth thoracic vertebrae. Finally, massage Pishu (BL 13), Weishu (BL 21) and Ganshu (BL 18) with gentle manipulation. Click here to learn Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis in TCM.
(4) Dietary therapy
In the case of deficiency of the kidney yin, select Maidong Gruel (Gruel of Radix Ophiopogonis); in the case of residual dampness, select Heye Gruel (Gruel of Folium Nelumbinis ); in the case of asthenia of the spleen and stomach, select Huaishanyao and Biandou Gruel (Gruel of Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Semen Dolichoris); in the case of yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach, select Shanyao Yangrou Gruel (Gruel of Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Caro Caprae seu Ovis). Click here to learn TCM Treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis.