Acid regurgitation
AliasHeartburn
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Acid Reflux (Tǔ Suān), classified as a spleen and stomach disorder in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is also known as acid regurgitation and heartburn. According to the *Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine*, it refers to the upward gushing of sour and hot sensations from the stomach, accompanied by belching or vomiting, along with a burning sensation or pain behind the sternum. It is often triggered by factors such as improper diet and emotional disturbances. The pathogenesis involves internal accumulation of stomach heat, liver depression transforming into fire, or deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach, leading to impaired qi movement in the middle jiao.
The clinical differentiation of Acid Reflux primarily revolves around the core pathogenesis of spleen and stomach dysfunction. Common triggers include irregular diet, emotional distress, and excessive fatigue. During differentiation, attention should be paid to the following key points:
1. Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess: Heat-type Acid Reflux manifests as sour regurgitation with heartburn, bitter taste and dry throat, irritability, red tongue with yellow coating; Cold-type Acid Reflux presents as thin, clear sour regurgitation, preference for warmth and pressure, loss of appetite, pale tongue with white coating.
2. Liver-Stomach Heat Stagnation Pattern: Characterized by heartburn and acid reflux, retrosternal burning pain, irritability and anger, dry mouth and bitter taste.
3. Food Stagnation Acid Reflux: Accompanied by sour and foul-smelling regurgitation, epigastric and abdominal distension, belching and aversion to food, thick and greasy tongue coating.
Overall treatment direction: In TCM clinical practice, corresponding therapeutic methods are applied based on different patterns. For Heat-type Acid Reflux, the approach is to clear the liver and drain fire, harmonize the stomach and direct qi downward; for Cold-type Acid Reflux, warm the middle jiao and disperse cold, harmonize the stomach and control acid; for Food Stagnation Acid Reflux, promote digestion and relieve stagnation, harmonize the stomach and control acid; for Liver-Stomach Heat Stagnation Pattern, soothe the liver and drain heat, harmonize the stomach and control acid. During treatment, attention should also be paid to adjusting dietary structure and maintaining emotional well-being to promote the recovery of spleen and stomach function.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Heat syndrome with acid regurgitation
Main Manifestations: Regurgitation of acid, burning sensation in the chest, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, irritability, red tongue with yellow coating
Management Approach: Clear liver and drain fire, harmonize the stomach and descend rebellious qi
Cold syndrome with acid regurgitation
Main Manifestations: Regurgitation of sour fluid, preference for warmth and pressure, decreased appetite, pale tongue with white coating
Management Approach: Wen zhong san han, he wei zhi suan
Dyspeptic acid regurgitation
Main Manifestations: Regurgitation of sour, foul-smelling substances, epigastric distension, belching, loss of appetite, thick and greasy tongue coating
Management Approach: Digestive aid, stomach acid regulation
Liver and Stomach Stagnation with Damp-Heat Syndrome
Main Manifestations: Heartburn and acid reflux, retrosternal burning pain, irritability and easy anger, dry mouth and bitter taste.
Management Approach: Relieve liver Qi and drain heat, harmonize the stomach and control acid secretion
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
Patients with Acid Reflux often experience a burning sensation in the chest and epigastrium. I pay close attention to observing a red tongue with scanty coating, and treatment is often based on the method of clearing the stomach and directing qi downward.
— Li Mingjiu 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)