Spleen vacuity qì fall

Also:

• Qì fall (气陷 qì xiàn)
• Spleen qì fall (脾气下陷 pí qì xià xiàn)
• Center qì fall (中气下陷 zhōng qì xià xiàn)

A disease pattern chiefly characterized by incessant diarrhea and prolapse of the rectum; prolapse of the uterus; sagging in the stomach duct and abdomen; spleen vacuity signs.

Description: Distension and sagging in the stomach duct and abdomen more pronounced after eating; lassitude of spirit and lack of strength; scantness of breath or shortness of breath; dizzy head and vision; lusterless white complexion; reduced eating; sloppy stool; pale tongue with white fur; a pulse that is moderate or weak. In some cases, the following signs may be observed:

• frequent desire to defecate, heaviness and sagging in the rectum, enduring incessant diarrhea, and even prolapse of the rectum;
• prolapse of the uterus;
• turbid urine like rice water (water in which rice has been washed); or
• vaginal discharge or seminal emission.

Diseases: Diarrhea; prolapse of the rectum; prolapse of the uterus.

Pathogenesis: This pattern is one of insufficiency of spleen qì manifesting in diminished uplifting action. The causes are as for spleen qì vacuity, but enduring diarrhea or dysentery, excessive taxation fatigue (overwork), excessive childbearing and poor postpartum care are prominent factors.

Analysis of signs: The main signs are attributable to failure of the spleen’s uplifting action.

• Abdomen: Sagging and distension in the stomach duct and abdomen that is most pronounced after eating or physical exertion.
• Intestines and rectum: Frequent desire to defecate with sagging heaviness in the rectum; enduring incessant diarrhea, in severe cases with prolapse of the rectum.
• Uterus: Prolapse of the uterus.
• Urine: Murky urine like rice water (white turbidity).
• Upper body: Dizzy head and vision, caused by spleen qì failing to ascend to the head.
• Spleen and general qì vacuity: Shortness of breath and lack of strength, lassitude of spirit and physical fatigue, faint low voice and laziness to speak, reduced eating, sloppy stool, and white facial complexion.
• Tongue: Pale with white fur.
• Pulse: Moderate and weak.

Treatment

Medicinal therapy: Supplement the center and boost qì; upbear yáng and raise the fall. Use formulas such as Center-Supplementing Qì-Boosting Decoction (补中益气汤 bǔ zhōng yì qì tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on CV, GV, back transport points and ST, selecting GV-20 (Hundred Convergences, 百会 bǎi huì), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), and BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù). Needle with supplementation and add moxa.