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Stomach Ache

Typical symptoms:

Disease description:

The stomach is located in the upper part of the abdomen mostly under the left rib arch. Pain or stomach cramps occur there, often lasting only a few seconds and being seizure-like and recurring. The causes are usually harmless such as stress, eating habits, allergies and intolerances but also other diseases such as gastritis or gastric ulcer. Stomach pains are often accompanied by nausea, diarrhoea, flatulence or vomiting.

Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Chinese medicine believes that the Stomach and Spleen work together to digest and absorb food. Disharmony of Cold and Heat in Stomach, Stagnation of Stomach, Stomach Qi and Stomach Yin Deficiency, and Stomach Insufficiency can all lead to impaired Stomach Qi, resulting in pain in the gastric. The main causes of stomach pain are coldness, inappropriate diet, impaired emotions and weakness of Spleen and Stomach.

The treatment principle for stomach pain is based on regulating Qi and to relieve pain. According to the difference of cold coagulation, food cessation, Qi Blockage, Heat or Blood Stasis, the treatment warms the Stomach to disperse cold, remove food stagnation, smooth Liver and Qi, clear Stomach Heat; those with deficiency are mainly treated with nourishment. According to the difference between Deficiency Cold and Yin Deficiency, the methods of warming and nourishing Yin are respectively used.

Possible syndromes causing these problems:

Rebellious Liver Qi Invades the Stomach

Stagnant Liver Qi invades and obstructs Stomach Qi and patient experiences stomach ache, distension, sour regurgitation, belching, worse with stress and strong emotion.

Recommended formulas to use:

Smooth Liver

Qi Deficiency

Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency can manifest as a chronic and dull pain, fatigue, poor appetite. The tongue is pale.

Recommended formulas to use:

Four Gentlemen Formula, Stomach Tonic

Stomach Heat

Stomach Heat interferes with the proper flow of Spleen and Stomach Qi and patients experience burning epigastric pain, thirst, irritability, sour regurgitation, dry mouth, halitosis.