Kidney Patterns

Question 1

Key problem areas & symptoms of Kidney patterns?

Answer 1

1. Low Back (bones & spine, knees, teeth)
2. Reproductive
3. Urination
4. Edema
5. Temperature Regulation
6. Hearing
7. Head Hair
8. Respiratory
9. Growth & Development
10. Premature Aging
11. Chronic Degenerative Diseases
12. Exhaustion
13. Psycho-Emotional

Question 2

Kidney Qi Xu…

Answer 2

GENERAL Sx:
• exhaustion, chronic fatigue
• chronic/history of low back ache, sore or weak knees
• tinnitus (intermittent, esp. when tired, usu. bilateral & high pitch)
• hair changing (thinning, graying, loss of luster)
• general or specific decline of body functions

Question 3

Kidney Qi Not Secure…

not securing the lower yin

Answer 3

MAIN:
• more frequent &/or more copious urination, incontinence or enuresis, weak stream, dribbling after urination, nocturia
PSYCH:
• insecure
EXAM:
• T: pale
• P: deep & weak (esp. chi position)

Question 4

Kidney Not Grasping Qi…

Answer 4

MAIN:
• respiratory problems esp. difficulty with inhalation
• rapid, shallow breathing
• chronic asthma, weak cough, or shortness of breath
• sweats spontaneously or upon mild exertion
AUX:
• cold limbs, clear urine
PSYCH:
• mentally listless
EXAM:
• facial edema
• T: pale
• P: deep & thin, but tight

Question 5

Kidney Yang Xu…

usu. leads to yang xu in other organs, esp. SP & HT

Answer 5

MAIN:
• qi xu Sx (worse & more chronic) + cold signs
• fatigue is more significant, sleeps more hours, but still tired
• generally hard to keep warm (torso & limbs), esp. cold low back and knees, overdressed compared to others
• cold sweats
• urine is frequent, long & clear; repeated nocturia, incontinence or scant urine w/ edema in the legs
• early morning watery stools/diarrhea w/ undigested food
• much reduced libido, impotence/infertility
• shallow, difficult or labored breathing, worse with cold weather, dsypnea/asthma more frequent or severe
AUX:
• Hx of excessive sex/masturbation, childbirths, miscarriages/abortions, vaginal discharge
PSYCH:
• mentally listless; apathy, hopelessness or resignation sets in; more dependency
EXAM:
• feels cold to touch
• T: pale, swollen, wet
• P: deep, weak & thin/fine/thready

Question 6

Kidney Yang Xu w/ Water Flooding…

Answer 6

GENERAL:
• scant urine, instead of abundant, but clear (vs. yellow/concentrated)
• edema (usu. lower body, or fascial/eyelids)
• generally feel cold; back, legs, & knees cold on palpation

Question 7

Water Floods the Lungs…

Answer 7

MAIN:

• short of breath; watery, frothy sputum (pulmonary edema)

Question 8

Water Floods the Heart…

Answer 8

MAIN:

• palpitations, short of breath, frigid hands (congestive heart failure)

Question 9

Kidney Yin Xu…

Answer 9

MAIN: (dryness first, heat signs later)
• dry mouth & throat (esp. at night)
• thirst is variable, but not excessive in spite of apparent heat and dry signs
• restless, fidgety
• afternoon/evening overheating; night sweats
• insomnia (wakes up easily & frequently, often d/t heat, sweats, vivid dreams, wet dreams)
• premature &/or nocturnal emissions (usu. w/ dreams), vaginal dryness
• scant urination, dry stools/constipation (dry pellets)
• dizziness, tinnitus deafness & declining auditory acuity)
AUX:
• dry lusterless hair, split ends
PSYCH:
• poor memory
EXAM:
• red cheeks/malar flush
• T: dry and may be cracked, no coat or patchy, tip is red
• P: empty-weak & rapid, may float

Question 10

Kidney Yin Xu, Fire Flourishes/Exuberant…

Answer 10

MAIN:
• all Yin Xu signs + Sx worse & more chronic
• heat in the five hearts (chest, palms, soles)
• heat seems to steam out, as if from the bones
• agitation (fairly severe)
EXAM:
• thin emaciated build
• T: red w/ no coat (peeled off); mirrored surface (extreme case)
• P: thin & rapid

Question 11

Kidney Jing Xu…

Answer 11

GENERAL:
• no particular hot or cold signs
CHILDREN:
• slow.retarded physical, mental & sexual development
INFANTS:
• 5 slownesses - standing, walking, teething, hair growth, speaking
PUBESCENCE:
• late (girls: 14, boys: 16)
• scoliosis
ADULTS:
• premature aging - acuity of mind & senses; hair, teeth, bones (osteoporosis); weak feet, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis
• decline of sexual function & libido
ETIOLOGIES:
• inherited (check family history)
• constitutional weakness
• chronic debilitating illnesses (autoimmune)
• prolonged hard physical labor, mental stress (soldier’s, POW’s, PTSD)
• prolonged excessive sexuality (masturbation, childbirths)