Key Points for Diagnosis:
Edema caused by exogenous wind
This begins on the face and spreads to the limbs but is concentrated in the head. It presents as pitted edema and is believed to be caused by wind-heat or wind-cold. The affected area is seen as thin, taut and shiny skin. This edema is accompanied by fever, soreness, coughing and racy pulse.

Edema caused by retention of dampness
This presents with pitted edema on the legs and can involve low urine production, fatigue and distended abdomen.

Edema caused by damp heat
This presents as taut and shiny skin, with fever, thirst, low urine production and tightness of the chest.

Edema caused by deficiency of spleen yang
This is a pitted edema found in the lower part of the body. It involves diarrhea, low appetite, distension of the abdomen, low urine volume and coldness in the limbs.

Edema caused by declining kidney qi
This is experienced as a pitted edema which is more prominent in the lower half of the body. It presents with cold limbs, lumbar pain, shortness of breath and mental fatigue.

Edema caused by deficiency of the stomach and spleen
This type of edema causes a sallow skin. It is found in the head in the morning and moves to the limbs later in the day or after physical exertion.

                                                                                                                                              
In TCM, a disease or a symptom might be caused by one pathogenic factor, even two or three pathogenic factors. When diagnosing a disease or a symptom, TCM doctors must follow the principle of "Syndrome Dfferentiation", and then "Suit the Remedy to the Case". In order to gain a more definite and valuable diagnosis, it's important and necessary for the doctor to learn the detailed health information of the patient, including his/her disease duration, age, sex, height, weight, family history, urine, stool, diet, sleep, sweat, energy, mood (emotion), as well as the tongue conditions and the palm conditions, etc. If you would want our expert to create a TCM diagnosis, you're welcome to contact us.