Stomach

Question 1

Uncomfortable feeling in the epigastrium

Answer 1

Stomach Qi Xu

An uncomfortable feeling in the epigastrium is caused by weak Stomach Qi failing to descend.
Impaired function of rotting and ripening

Question 2

inappropriate sympathy, over-thinking and worry.

Answer 2

Stomach Qi Xu
Stomach Yin Xu

Stomach Qi Xu weakens the supply of Qi and Blood to the mind.
Spleen houses thought and the function of the Spleen is impacted leading to overthinking and worry.

Question 3

poor or abnormal appetite, lack of taste sensation

Answer 3

Stomach Qi Xu
Spleen Qi Xu
Stomach Yin Xu

Spleen opens into the mouth, therefore Dampness obstructing Spleen affects the taste Loose stools, no appetite, and lack of taste are due to Spleen Qi Deficiency.

Stomach Yin Xu—Appetite will be poor if the rotting and ripening function of the Stomach is impaired. However, if the Yin deficiency has led to a build-up of Empty Heat then the appetite may be greater than normal as Heat will speed up the rotting and ripening process meaning that the Stomach becomes empty more quickly.

Question 4

dull or slightly burning epigastric pain
slight feeling of fullness after eating

Answer 4

Stomach Yin Xu

Rotting and ripening function of the Stomach is impaired leading to dull pain, feeling of fullness.

However, if the Yin deficiency has led to a build-up of Empty Heat then the appetite may be greater than normal as Heat will speed up the rotting and ripening process meaning that the Stomach becomes empty more quickly and may have a slightly burning pain.

Empty Heat also obstructs descending of Stomach Qi causing epigastric pain

Question 5

dry mouth and throat especially in the afternoon, thirst with a desire to drink in small sips, constipation with dry stools

Answer 5

Stomach Yin Xu

The Stomach is the origin of fluids and when its Yin is deficient there will be dryness, causing dry stools, dry mouth and throat and thirst. The dry mouth in Stomach-Yin deficiency is peculiar in so far as it is with a desire to drink in small sips. Because the thirst is due to deficiency of Yin, the person likes to drink in small sips or sometimes even likes to drink warm liquids.

Question 6

Burning pain in epigastrium, constant hunger

.

Answer 6

Stomach Fire
Stomach Phlegm-Fire

Fire obstructs descending of Stomach Qi causing epigastric pain.

Fire speeds up up the rotting and ripening process meaning that the Stomach becomes empty more quickly and will be constant hunger.

Question 7

Intense thirst with desire to drink cold liquids

Answer 7

Stomach Fire
Stomach Phlegm-Fire

Stomach is the origin of fluids
Fire leads to drying up of fluids and intense thirst.

In the case of Phlegm Fire there will be less thirst

Question 8

feeling cold, cold limbs, preference for warmth and warm fluids, feels worse after swallowing cold fluids which are quickly vomited

Answer 8

Cold Invading the Stomach

All symptoms due to acute Interior Full Cold invading the Stomach. Cold also impairs
Stomach and Spleen Yang, preventing the food essences from reaching the body which may lead to a
feeling of cold and cold limbs, as well as a desire for warmth and warm liquids.

Question 9

Sudden, severe pain in the epigastrium, vomiting clear fluid (which may alleviate the pain), nausea

Answer 9

Cold Invading the Stomach

All symptoms due to acute Interior Full Cold invading the Stomach. Exterior Cold prevents the Stomach Qi from descending, hence the vomiting, nausea and pain.

Question 11

Fullness, pain and distension of the epigastrium that are relieved by vomiting, vomiting of sour fluids, sour regurgitation, belching, nausea, No appetite or poor appetite, loose stools or constipation

Answer 11

Retention of Food in the Stomach

Full Interior syndrome that could be associated with either Cold or Heat. Most symptoms are caused by obstruction of food in the Stomach which prevents Stomach Qi from
descending and leads to nausea, vomiting, fullness, pain and distension, belching and sour regurgitation.

Question 12

foul breath

Answer 12

Retention of Food in the Stomach

Foul breath is due to food fermenting in the Stomach.

Question 13

insomnia

Answer 13

Retention of Food in the Stomach

Prolonged retention of food creates an obstruction in the Middle Burner which prevents Heart Qi from descending and this may lead to the Shen being disturbed, resulting in insomnia.

Question 14

Severe, stabbing pain in the epigastrium which may be worse at night and with
pressure

Answer 14

Stagnation of Blood in the Stomach

The pain from Blood
stagnation is usually severe and stabbing.

Question 15

vomiting, possibly vomiting of dark blood.

Answer 15

Stagnation of Blood in the Stomach

Blood stagnation always manifests with dark-coloured blood, hence the vomiting of dark blood.

Question 16

dark blood in stools

Answer 16

Stagnation of Blood in the Stomach

Blood in stools due to Blood Stasis extending to Large Intestine.

Question 17

Nausea, pain after eating

Answer 17

Stagnation of Blood in the Stomach

Stagnation of Blood in stomach interferes with stomach function of rottening and ripening and stomach decending of Qi causing nausea and pain after eating