malaria
Aliasmalarial fever
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Malaria, also known as malaria syndrome, falls under the category of diseases related to the liver and gallbladder in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). According to the records in "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," malaria is an infectious disease caused by malaria parasites, primarily transmitted through mosquito bites. It is characterized by alternating chills and fevers, with intermittent clinical manifestations such as intermittent chills, high fever, sweating, and so on. The pathogenesis of malaria is mainly related to disharmony between Nutritive qi(guardian Qi) andDefensive qi(defensive Qi), as well as the obstruction of Qi and blood circulation.
In the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the core pathogenesis of malaria is disharmony between the nutritive and defensive qi, with impaired movement of qi and blood. Common triggering factors include contraction of malarial pathogens, irregular diet, and excessive fatigue. During pattern differentiation, attention must be paid to distinguishing cold, heat, deficiency, and excess. For instance, regular malaria manifests as chills and high fever, with intermittent episodes at fixed times, beginning with yawning and fatigue, followed by chills, and after the chills subside, both internal and external heat; warm malaria presents with more heat and less cold, incomplete sweating, thirst with a desire to drink, and headache. The overall therapeutic direction suggests eliminating pathogens to stop malaria, harmonizing the exterior and interior, as well as clearing heat and releasing the exterior, harmonizing and eliminating pathogens. In the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the treatment of malaria emphasizes harmonizing the nutritive and defensive qi and restoring the normal movement of qi and blood, so as to expel pathogens outward and restore health. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that through pattern differentiation and treatment, combined with Chinese medicinals, acupuncture, and other methods, malaria symptoms can be effectively alleviated and patients' quality of life improved.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Regular Malaria
Main Manifestations: Chills and high fever, rest and activity alternate, initially with yawns and fatigue, followed by chills, and then both internally and externally hot after the chills subside.
Management Approach: Expel evil and stop malaria, harmonize the exterior and interior
Warm Malaria
Main Manifestations: Excessive heat and less cold, sweating is not smooth, thirst with desire for drinking, headache
Management Approach: Clear heat and relieve the exterior, harmonize and expel evil
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
For physicians, the regularity of the onset and remission of chills and fever during an attack of malaria, as well as the physical condition during the remission period, are crucial for differential diagnosis.
— Chen Yan 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)