Fatigue, a disease of weakness, refers to physical and mental tiredness as well as short breath with concurrent low fever, sweat, vexation, thirst, poor appetite, anorexia, red tongue with a little coating, feeble and rapid pulse.
1. Syndrome differentiation and treatment
(1) Impairment of both qi and yin
It manifests lingering residual heat, emaciation, short breath, mental fatigue, anorexia, nausea with the inclination to vomiting, or concurrent low fever, vexation, thirst, dark urine, constipation, red tongue with yellowish and scanty coating, thready and rapid pulse. It is advisable to supplement qi, nourish yin and clear away the residual heat simultaneously. The prescription used is the modified Zhuye Shigao Decoction (Decoction of Lopha therum and Gypsum). The modified Wang's Qingshu Yiqi Decoction (Wang's Summer-heat-Removing and Qi-Supplementing Decoction) is advisable for the patients with low fever and profuse sweat due to summer-heat consuming qi and body fluids. More information, please continue to read Desert Cistanche (Rou congrong).
(2) Asthenia of the spleen and stomach
It manifests emaciation, sallow complexion, short breath with disinclination to speak, poor appetite, epigastric oppression, anorexia, flaccidity of limbs, loose stool, pale and tender tongue, feeble and weak pulse. It is suitable to strengthen the spleen and supplement qi. The prescription used is Shenling Baizhu Powder (Powder of Ginseng, Poria and Bighead Atractylodes). In the case of concurrent thoracic and epigastric fullness and oppression due to food retention, add Shenqu (Massa Fermentata Medicinalis), Shanzha (Fructus Crataegi), Maiya(Fructus Hordei Germinatus) and Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) accordingly; in the case of concurrent cold body with aversion to cold belonging to yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach, it is suitable to select Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction (Decoction of Astragalus for Tonifying Middle Energizer). More information, please continue to read Lucid Ganoderma.
(3) Deficiency of qi and blood
It manifests emaciation, short breath, hypodynamia, lustreless complexion, wrinkly skin, light-headedness, palpitation, insomnia, or sluggish expression, poor sleep, pale tongue with thin coating, thready and weak pulse. It is advisable to supplement qi and nourish blood. The prescription used is Renshen Yangrong Decoction (Ginseng Nutrition Decoction) with Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) removed and Huangjing (Rhizoma Polygonati) and Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii) added. In the case of dull expression, add aromatic mind-refreshing drugs like Changpu (Rhizoma Acori Graminei ) and Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae) accordingly, or take Jiling Paste. More information, please continue to read Cordyceps Sinensis.
2. Rehabilitation methods
(1) Regulating emotions and recreation therapy
Participate in recreational activities like appreciating music, playing a musical instrument, practicing calligraphy and painting, cultivating flowers and raising birds.
(2) Acumox and massage
Acumox: Rectifying deficiency is mainly advisable in acumox. In the case of impairment of both qi and yin, and lingering residual heat, it is advisable to regulate the lung and stomach, nourish yin and clear away heat by selecting Feishu (BL 13), Weishu (BL 21), Qihai (CV 6) and Zusanli (ST 36); in the case of deficiency of qi and blood as well as asthenia of the spleen and stomach, it is mainly advisable to strengthen both the spleen and stomach by selecting Pishu (BL 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). Puncturing with the filiform needle is applied in all the above cases in general, with the reinforcing method and moxibustion; in the case of lingering residual heat, the method of reinforcing-reducing is applied. Click here to learn Myasthenia Gravis (MG) in TCM.
(3) Dietary therapy
In the case of impairment of both qi and body fluids as well as lingering residual heat, select Zhuye Gruel (Gruel of Folium Phyllostachydis Nigrae); in the case of splenogastric asthenia, select Shenling Gruel (Gruel of Radix Ginseng and Poria); in the case of deficiency of qi and blood, select Buxu Zhengqi Gruel (Deficiency-Rectifying and Qi-Strengthening Gruel). Click here to learn Chinese medicine Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis.