Hiccups
AliasNausea
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Erbrechen, also known as hiccups, is a common disease syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is believed to be caused by the upward movement of stomach Qi, affecting the diaphragm. According to the "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," "Erbrechen is characterized by the upward movement of stomach Qi, affecting the diaphragm, and is often due to irregular diet, emotional disturbances, and weakness of the spleen and stomach."
In clinical practice of TCM, the core pathogenesis of hiccups is the upward movement of stomach Qi, affecting the diaphragm. Common triggers include irregular diet, emotional disturbances, and weakness of the spleen and stomach. During diagnosis, attention should be paid to the following key points:
1. Cold and heat, deficiency and excess: Cold in the stomach manifests as deep, forceful hiccups, exacerbated by cold and alleviated by warmth; upward movement of stomach fire is characterized by loud, forceful hiccups, halitosis, thirst, and constipation; Qi stagnation manifests as continuous hiccups, often triggered or exacerbated by emotional disturbances.
2. Key points for diagnosis: Observe the nature of the hiccups, accompanying symptoms, and triggers to determine the type of disease syndrome.
3. Treatment direction: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the treatment of hiccups should follow principles such as warming the middle-jiao, dispersing cold, clearing heat from the stomach, resolving Qi stagnation, harmonizing the stomach, and reversing the upward movement of Qi, aiming to harmonize the spleen and stomach and restore the normal flow of stomach Qi.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Cold in the stomach syndrome
Main Manifestations: Hiccups are deep, slow, and strong, exacerbated by cold and alleviated by warmth
Management Approach: Warming the Middle Jiao and Dispelling Cold, Stabilize the Stomach and Stop Hiccups
Stagnation of stomach fire upwards syndrome
Main Manifestations: Loud and strong hiccups, halitosis, thirst, constipation
Management Approach: Clear the Stomach and Release Heat, Stabilize the Stomach and Stop Hiccups
Stagnation of Qi syndrome
Main Manifestations: Hiccups accompanied by continuous sounds, often induced or exacerbated due to emotional discomfort
Management Approach: Regulate Qi and resolve depression, harmonize the stomach and reverse the flow of Qi
The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.
Physician's Clinical Insights
In treating hiccups, it is often necessary to regulate Qi and harmonize the stomach, while also paying attention to the transformation of liver Qi stagnation into fire.
— Wang Zhengxiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
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This page is for the popular science of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Specific diagnosis should be completed by a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in person.
This article has been reviewed by licensed TCM physicians at Hangzhou Kezhentang TCM Clinic. It is for TCM popular science reference only and does not involve specific treatment plan recommendations.
References: Internal Medicine of TCM (13th Five-Year Plan Textbook), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Effectiveness Standards for TCM Diseases and Syndromes (ZY/T001.1-94), Classification and Codes of TCM Diseases and Syndromes (GB/T 15657-2021)