Home / Spleen and Digestive Problems / Indigestion

Indigestion

Typical symptoms:

abdominal pain, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea, fatigue, loose stool, nausea, stomach ache

Disease description:

Indigestion is a collective term for complaints of the digestive organs. In most cases, the causes are harmless, such as eating too fast or eating spicy, greasy and fatty foods. Sometimes the reason for indigestion is to be found in rather serious illnesses like inflammation of the stomach, ulcers, pancreas inflammation, intestinal blockage or reduced blood flow in the intestine. Symptoms of indigestion may be felt occasionally or as often as daily. Common symptoms are stomach aches, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, heartburn, acid reflux and fatigue.

Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Chinese medicine believes that Spleen and Stomach play the main role in completing the digestion and absorption of the diet. Indigestion is mainly due to the failure of Spleen and Stomach function. Since the digestion process also requires help from Liver Qi, the dysfunction of the Spleen, Stomach and Liver is the most common cause of indigestion. Overeating can also damage the Spleen and Stomach, leading to accumulation of food. High life pressure result in Liver Qi Stagnation, and further blocks Spleen function. Depression can also lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, forming Dampness, Heat, Phlegm or Blood Stasis which blocking the Spleen and Stomach.

Possible syndromes causing these problems:

Spleen Qi Deficiency

When there is Spleen Qi Deficiency, it fails to transform and transport, causing indigestion, distension after eating, poor appetite, loose stools and fatigue.

above symptoms:
+ increased stomach fullness: Stomach Tonic

+ increased tiredness: Four Gentlemen Formula

+ prolaps of organs, athrophy of stomach membrane: Arouse Center Qi

Recommended formulas to use:

Stomach Tonic, Four Gentlemen Formula, Arouse Center Qi

Qi Deficiency and Damp

When the Spleen fails to transform and transport, Damp Retention follows indigestion, epigastric and abdominal fullness and heaviness, nausea, poor appetite, loose stool.

Recommended formulas to use:

Consolidate Qi

Food Stagnation

Food Stagnation damages Spleen and Stomach functions, reverses Stomach Qi and generates Heat which could lead to epigastric distension and pain, aversion to food, belching with a foul odour.

Recommended formulas to use:

Relieve Stomach Stagnation

Disharmony of Stomach

A mixed condition with Heat and Cold manifesting as a fullness in epigastrium, stomach rumble, nausea, acid reflux or painful stomach. Patients mostly suffer from chronic stomach diseases.