TCM Syndrome Differentiation of Stomach Qi Deficiency

Stomach Qi deficiency syndrome: refers to the weakness of stomach Qi, disharmony and descending of the stomach, with dull pain or distension in the epigastric region, preference for pressure, and poor appetite as the main symptoms.

Cause: This syndrome is mostly caused by improper diet, worry, excessive fatigue, or prolonged vomiting and diarrhea, which lead to weak stomach qi, weakened function of stomach qi in receiving and digesting food and water, malnutrition of stomach meridians, and loss of harmony and descending of the stomach.

Clinical manifestations: dull pain or distension in the epigastric region, relief upon pressing, loss of appetite, or relief of pain after eating, severe distension after eating, belching, bland mouth without thirst, sallow complexion, shortness of breath, laziness to speak, fatigue, pale tongue, thin white fur, and weak pulse.

Symptom analysis: This syndrome is mostly caused by improper diet, abnormal hunger and satiety, excessive fatigue, long-term illness and lack of nourishment, the influence of other viscera diseases, etc., which damage the stomach qi. The stomach is responsible for receiving and digesting food, and the smooth flow of stomach qi occurs when it descends. Deficiency of stomach qi, decreased functions of receiving and digesting food, disharmony of stomach qi, and stagnation of qi in the middle burner will cause dull pain or distension in the stomach and loss of appetite. The stomach qi is already weak and cannot fulfill its responsibility of digestion after food, so the distension in the stomach is worse after food. The nature of the disease is deficiency, so it feels comfortable when pressed. Disharmony of stomach qi cannot descend, but instead goes upward, causing belching from time to time. Stomach deficiency affects the spleen. The spleen fails to function properly, the source of transformation is insufficient, and the qi and blood are deficient and cannot nourish the face, which causes a sallow complexion. The functions of the internal organs throughout the body decline, causing shortness of breath, laziness to speak, and fatigue. Pale tongue, thin white fur and weak pulse are signs of qi deficiency.

The main basis for diagnosis of this syndrome is fullness and distension in the stomach, dull pain that is relieved by pressing, poor appetite and symptoms of qi deficiency.