Nephritis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different nephritis patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Nephritis, commonly referred to as inflammation of the kidneys, encompasses various forms such as acute or chronic nephritis, glomerulonephritis, and pyelonephritis.
This condition involves the inflammation of the kidneys, which can impede their ability to filter waste and regulate fluid balance. It often manifests as swelling, hypertension, and in severe cases, can lead to kidney failure. The causes can range from autoimmune diseases to infections, with symptoms varying based on the specific type of nephritis.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches nephritis from a holistic perspective, viewing it as a symptom of imbalance or disharmony within the body's systems.
Unlike Western medicine, which typically focuses on the organ itself, TCM considers underlying patterns of disharmony that may contribute to nephritis. These patterns are identified through detailed patient assessments, and treatment is tailored to address the specific disharmonies, which could vary significantly from one patient to another.
TCM Patterns for Nephritis
Qi Deficiency
Insufficient vital energy causing fatigue, weakness, poor digestion, and reduced function of organs and protective systems
Causes: Edema, General sensation of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary difficulty
Phlegm
Thick, sticky pathological fluid that obstructs body functions and can manifest anywhere in the body
Causes: Throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, Vomiting frothy saliva, Vertigo, Shortness of breath, Coughing, Cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria, Hard focal distention in the epigastrium, Dry heaves, Headaches, Feeling of oppression of the chest, Muzziness of the head, Dizziness, Asthma, Oedema, Profuse white sputum
Yang Deficiency
Insufficient yang qi causing coldness, fatigue, and diminished physiological functions throughout the body
Causes: Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary difficulty, Deep aching and heaviness in the extremities, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema, Loose stools, Palpitations, Coughing, Vomiting, Generalized body pain, Aching bones and joints, Cold extremities, No thirst, Aversion to cold - especially at the back, Lower back pain, Tinnitus, Cold and weak knees, Sensation of cold in the lower back, Feeling of cold, Weak legs, Bright-white complexion, Fatigue, Lassitude, Oedema of legs, Infertility in women, Depression, Impotence, Premature ejaculation, Low sperm count, Decreased libido, Pale and abudant urination, Sore lower back, Constipation, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale complexion, Cold limbs, Chills, Undigested food in the stools, Gas, Bloating, Abdominal pain and distension relieved by pressure and warmth, Sallow complexion
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Causes: Abdominal pain, Constipation, Hypochondriac pain, Chills, Low-grade fever, Cold hands and feet, Sweating that doesn't reduce fever, Palpitations in the epigastrium, Dizziness, Generalized twitching, Unsteadiness
Yin Deficiency
Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body
Causes: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular menstruation, Hot flushes, Sweating, Irritability, Fatigue, Lassitude, Depression, Palpitations, Frequent urination, Night fever, Emaciation, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Diminished hearing, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headaches, Insomnia, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurred vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Dry skin, Withered and brittle nails, Dry vagina, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emissions, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Delayed period, Infertility, Melasma
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
Causes: Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of the lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Red and swollen knees, Thick yellow smelly vaginal discharge, Sores on the lower extremities, Scanty and dark urine, Painful urination, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Urinary retention, Lower abdominal pain, Frequent and urgent urination, Difficult urination, Incomplete urination, Urinary dribbling, Turbid urine, Dark Urine, Lower abdomen distension
Herbal Formulas for Nephritis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address nephritis