Jaundice
AliasHepatitis and Jaundice
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
In traditional Chinese medicine, jaundice is referred to as "yellow jaundice," which is a syndrome caused by the internal obstruction of dampness, the derangement of the liver and gallbladder's function, and the overflow of bile into the skin. The characteristic symptoms include jaundice of the body and eyes, and yellowish urine. According to the records in "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," the pathogenesis of jaundice primarily involves the dysfunction of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidney, with damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder being the key factor.
Jaundice is a common liver and gallbladder syndrome in clinical traditional Chinese medicine, with the core pathogenesis being the internal obstruction of dampness and the derangement of the liver and gallbladder function. Common precipitating factors include irregular diet, emotional disorders, and excessive fatigue. In the process of differentiation, attention should be paid to the following key points:
1. Heat predominant over dampness: Characterized by jaundice of the body and eyes, with a bright yellow color, fever, thirst, and yellowish urine.
2. Dampness predominant over heat: Jaundice of the body and eyes, but less bright than in heat predominant cases, often accompanied by symptoms such as heavy-headedness, body fatigue, and epigastric and abdominal fullness.
3. Epidemic toxicity syndrome (acute jaundice): Onset is acute, with the jaundice deepening rapidly, the color resembling gold, and symptoms such as high fever and thirst.
Overall treatment direction: In clinical traditional Chinese medicine, the treatment of jaundice should follow the principles of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis and jaundice, and soothing the liver and resolving depression. According to different patterns, different treatment methods such as clearing heat and purging the bowels, promoting diuresis and transforming turbidity, and clearing heat and detoxifying can be adopted. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that by adjusting the functions of the organs and restoring the liver and gallbladder's function, the symptoms of jaundice can be improved.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Heat Exceeding Dampness Syndrome
Main Manifestations: Body and eyes are yellow, with a bright yellow color, fever, thirst, and yellow and red urine
Management Approach: Qing re tong fu, li shi tui huang
Dampness Exceeding Heat Syndrome
Main Manifestations: The whole body and eyes are yellow, but not as vivid as before, with a heavy head and body fatigue, and a feeling of stuffiness in the chest and abdomen
Management Approach: Li shi hua zhuo, zu yi qing re
Yi du chi sheng zheng (ji huang)
Main Manifestations: Acute onset, rapid deepening of jaundice, its color like gold, high fever and thirst
Management Approach: Clear heat and detoxify, cool blood and open orifices
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 clinical practice, for patients with hepatitis jaundice, the observation of the color change of the skin, with a bright yellow color often indicating damp-heat, and a dim yellow color usually indicating cold-dampness.
— Tang Yulan Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (Apprentice)
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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)