Summerheat-damp dizziness

Dizziness attributed to contraction of dampness in summer. Distinction is made between damp-heat dizziness and cold-damp dizziness.

Patterns

Damp-heat (湿热 shī rè) dizziness is characterized by clouded head and dizzy vision, generalized heat and spontaneous sweating, grimy-looking face, and cold back, vexation and thirst with intake of fluid, and a vacuous rapid pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Clear heat and transform dampness with formulas such as White Tiger Decoction Plus Ginseng (白虎加人参汤 bái hǔ jiā rén shēn tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on ST, LI, and SP. Main points: ST-8 (Head Corner, 头维 tóu wéi), PC-6 (Inner Pass, 内关 nèi guān), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), and SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán); needle with drainage. For damp-heat, add GV-14 (Great Hammer, 大椎 dà zhuī), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), SI-3 (Back Ravine, 后溪 hòu xī), and KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi).

Cold-damp (寒湿 hán shī) dizziness is characterized by dizzy head with aversion to cold, generalized pain and heaviness, difficulty in turning sides, and vacuous moderate pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Transform dampness and disperse cold. Notopterygium Dampness-Overcoming Decoction (羌活胜湿汤 qiāng huó shèng shī tāng) combined with White Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction (朮附汤 zhú fù tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Use the main points given under damp-heat, and use large mounts of moxa.