Epigastralgia
AliasStomach bloating
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Gastric Distention, also known as Stomach Distension, falls under the category of Spleen and Stomach diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is defined as a condition where the Spleen and Stomach are weakened, leading to impaired transformation and transportation, stagnant Qi flow, and subsequently causing a feeling of stuffiness and discomfort in the epigastrium, difficulty in digestion, and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
The clinical syndrome differentiation of gastric distention is as follows:
Core pathogenesis: Spleen-stomach weakness, failure of transportation and transformation, and obstructed Qi movement.
Common triggers: Irregular diet, emotional distress, and imbalance between work and rest.
Key points of syndrome differentiation:
1. Cold, heat, deficiency, and excess: It is necessary to distinguish whether the condition is caused by congealing cold pathogen or disturbing heat pathogen, and the degree of intermingled deficiency and excess.
2. Location: Differentiate whether the disease is located in the stomach or involves the liver and gallbladder.
3. Accompanying symptoms: Such as nausea and vomiting, belching and acid regurgitation, fullness in the chest and hypochondria.
Direction of regulation: In TCM clinical practice, corresponding methods are adopted for different syndrome types. For food stagnation syndrome, promote digestion and harmonize the stomach, move Qi and resolve distention; for phlegm-dampness obstructing the middle, drain dampness and resolve phlegm, regulate Qi and widen the middle; for liver-stomach disharmony, soothe the liver and relieve stagnation, harmonize the stomach and resolve distention. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that regulation should follow the principle of restoring spleen-stomach function and harmonizing Qi movement.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Syndrome of Stagnation of Food and Drink
Main Manifestations: Epigastric and abdominal stuffiness, belching, acid regurgitation, exacerbated after meals
Management Approach: Resolve food stagnation and harmonize the stomach, promote Qi and relieve mass
Phlegm-damp middle-energetic obstruction syndrome
Main Manifestations: Epigastric and abdominal stuffiness, dizziness, dizziness, heavy and tired body
Management Approach: Eliminate dampness and phlegm, regulate Qi and relieve middle-qi stagnation
Liver and stomach disharmony syndrome
Main Manifestations: Epigastric and abdominal stuffiness, chest and hypochondriac distension, irritability, prone to anger
Management Approach: Relieve Liver Qi Stagnation and Depressions, Harmonize Stomach and Dissipate Masses
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 gastric distention often complain of epigastric fullness. Soothing the liver and relieving stagnation is often the key to improving their symptoms.
— 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)