Morning sickness during pregnancy
AliasNausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Gestational Nausea and Vomiting, also known as morning sickness, is a category of gynecological diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. According to the records in "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," gestational nausea and vomiting refer to the symptoms of nausea and vomiting that occur in early pregnancy, which in severe cases can affect the nutritional intake and physical health of the pregnant woman. This condition is commonly caused by spleen and stomach weakness or disharmony between the liver and stomach, and is a common disease during the physiological changes of pregnancy.
In clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the core pathogenesis of gestational nausea and vomiting is often related to spleen and stomach weakness or disharmony between the liver and stomach. Spleen and stomach weakness is common in pregnant women with weak constitution and impaired spleen and stomach function, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, fatigue, and a desire for sleep. Disharmony between the liver and stomach is often caused by emotional disturbances in pregnant women, leading to liver qi stagnation that affects the stomach, manifested as vomiting of sour or bitter fluid, chest and hypochondriac distension, irritability, and a bitter taste in the mouth.
In clinical differentiation, it is necessary to distinguish between the different patterns of spleen and stomach weakness and liver and stomach disharmony, with key points lying in the observation of the nature of the vomit, accompanying symptoms, and tongue and pulse changes. Spleen and stomach weakness is often characterized by thin and watery vomit, pale tongue with white coating, and slow, weak pulse; while liver and stomach disharmony is characterized by acid and bitter vomit, red tongue with thin yellow coating, and wiry and slippery pulse.
The overall direction of treatment suggests that in clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the treatment of gestational nausea and vomiting often involves strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, as well as clearing the liver and harmonizing the stomach. This is achieved by adjusting the diet, emotions, and lifestyle of the pregnant woman to alleviate symptoms and ensure the health of both the mother and the fetus.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Syndrome
Main Manifestations: Nausea and vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy, abdominal distension, fatigue, desire to sleep
Management Approach: Strengthen the Spleen and Harmonize the Stomach, Reduce Reverse Flow and Stop Vomiting
Liver and stomach disharmony syndrome
Main Manifestations: Early pregnancy vomiting of sour or bitter water, chest and hypochondriac distension, irritability and bitter taste in the mouth
Management Approach: Clear the liver and harmonize the stomach, reduce reverse flow and stop vomiting
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 the treatment of gestational nausea and vomiting, it is important to consider both the protection of the fetus and the cessation of vomiting, while also paying attention to individual differences.
— Zhu Yongbing 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)