The Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome According to TCM


 

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

 

Dr. Sam C. Liang

Golden Needle Acupuncture, Inc.

 

(This article is adapted from the contents of Dr. Sam C. Liang's presentation delivered at the seminar "Traditional Chinese Medicine for Adrenal Fatigue" hosted by the Oriental Healing Arts Institute (OHAI) in Irvine, CA on June 13th, 2010)

 


 

Introduction

Adrenal fatigue is a type of syndrome caused by the decreased function of the adrenal glands. This syndrome is caused by prolonged periods of overwork, nervousness, stress, and pressure from daily life. It may also be triggered by acute or chronic infections, including respiratory disorders, such as the common cold, bronchitis, or pneumonia. This type of fatigue persists even with rest or sleep. Adrenal fatigue patients will feel like they are in a constant state of illness, lethargic or "feeling gray". Suffering this type of listlessness, they become dependent on coffee, caffeine or other stimulants to get through the day. Adrenal fatigue syndrome is also referred to as non-Addison hypadrenia, sub-clinical neurasthenia, and adrenal apathy. Millions of people in the United States and throughout the world suffer adrenal fatigue. There are eight types of differential diagnosis for "Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome" according to TCM:

  1. Kidney Yin deficiency

  2. Kidney Yang deficiency

  3. Kidney Yin & Yang deficiency

  4. Kidney Qi deficiency

  5. Miscommunication between Heart and Kidneys

  6. Liver & Kidney Yin deficiency

  7. Spleen & Kidney Yang deficiency

  8. Lung and Kidney Yin deficiency

 

The TCM Diagnosis & Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

1. Kidney Yin Deficiency

Kidney Yin becomes injured by overwork, chronic illness, late-stage Kidney patterns, or following febrile disease. As a result, deficient Kidney fire flares and the excessive heat damages Kidney Yin and fluids. Clinical signs and symptoms include five-center heat, insomnia with night sweats, dry mouth, sore throat, heel pain, low back soreness, beng luo, a red tongue body, and a thin, rapid pulse.

 

1.1    Treatment of Kidney Yin Deficiency with Insomnia

Signs & Symptoms

This pattern is caused by over-thinking. Excessive over-thinking leads to Kidney Yin/ Essence deficiency and flaring of Heart fire. The signs and symptoms are palpitation, insomnia, random/bizarre dreams, five-center heat, dizziness, and tinnitus.

 

Treatment Principle

Because the kidney is deficient, its water is unable to nourish the Heart's fire and insomnia results. Treatment includes replenishing Kidney water to subdue the deficiency fire and, calming and stabilizing the spirit.

 

Recommended Herbal Formulas:

The following formulas are combined together and taken 3 times during a day after each meal with warm water.

 

 

The following formulas are combined together and taken 2 hours before bed or immediately after dinner with warm water.

 

 

1.2    Treatment of Kidney Yin Deficiency with Fatigue

Signs & Symptoms

The body is thin and emaciated, low-grade fever, dizziness with tinnitus and deafness, weakness in the legs, and lusterless facial color.

 

Treatment Principle

Tonify and nourish Kidney Yin.

 

Recommended Herbal Formulas:

The following formulas are combined together and taken 3 times a day after each meal with warm water.

 

2. Kidney Yang Deficiency

The body is unable to warm up the Zang-fu organ because of deficiency of the primordial yang which results in dampness and water retention in the body as well as decreased function of the reproductive system. This is due to overwork, aging-induced Kidney deficiency, or chronic diseases.

 

Clinical signs and symptoms include cold signs such as white and pale face, cold and soreness of the low back, abundant clear urine or retention of urine, edema (especially below the waist), erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, excessive vaginal discharge, infertility due to coldness in the uterus, pale tongue body with a white coat, deep thin pulse at the Chi position or a deep hesitant pulse.

 

2.1 Treatment of Kidney Yang Deficiency with Fatigue

Signs & Symptoms

Interior cold causes watery diarrhea with undigested food, abundant clear urine, sore upper and low back, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and weight gain, especially around the waist, that is hard to lose.

 

Treatment Principle

Warm Shen Men (神門), tonify the essence and blood.

 

Recommended Herbal Formulas:

The following formulas are combined together and taken 3 times a day after each meal with warm water.

 

 

2.2 Treatment of Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water Retention/Swelling

Signs & Symptoms

Edema of the whole body, pitting edema especially below the waist, scanty urine, low back pain, cold stagnation affecting the limbs, and a pale flabby tongue body with teeth marks.

 

Treatment Principle

Warm the Kidneys, move the Qi and promote water movement.

 

Recommended Herbal Formulas:

The following formulas are combined together and taken 3 times a day after each meal with warm water.

 

 

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