Abdominal Pain Due To Overeatingaccording to TCM
Symptom families: General Abdominal Pain and Discomfort, Digestive Disturbances
Parent symptom: Abdominal Pain
Did you mean? Indigestion
What is Abdominal Pain Due to Overeating?
Abdominal pain due to overeating is a discomfort or pain in the stomach area resulting from excessive food intake. This condition is often characterized by a sense of fullness, bloating, and discomfort in the abdomen. It occurs when the digestive system is overwhelmed by the amount of food ingested, leading to temporary digestive stagnation.
Symptoms may include epigastric pain, nausea, and a feeling of being overly full. While generally not serious, this type of abdominal pain can cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily activities.
How does TCM view Abdominal Pain Due to Overeating?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets abdominal pain due to overeating differently from Western medicine. In TCM, this symptom is seen as a manifestation of disharmony in the body’s energy flow, specifically related to the digestive system.
It is believed that overeating disrupts the balance of Qi, the vital life energy, and impairs the Spleen and Stomach's function. TCM emphasizes that symptoms are caused by various patterns of disharmony and that identifying the correct pattern is essential for effective treatment.
Root Causes of Abdominal Pain Due To Overeating in TCM
In TCM, abdominal pain due to overeating is commonly associated with the pattern of Food Stagnation in the Stomach. This condition arises when excessive food intake overburdens the digestive system, leading to an accumulation of undigested food. Symptoms of this pattern include abdominal pain, epigastric fullness, nausea, vomiting of sour fluids, and alternating diarrhea and constipation.
Another related pattern is the disruption of Qi flow due to overeating, causing symptoms like belching, acid reflux, and halitosis. These patterns illustrate the TCM principle that abdominal pain from overeating is a result of specific imbalances in the body’s digestive energy.
Explore below more details about what might cause Abdominal pain due to overeating according to TCM.
- By Organ
- Stomach
Stomach
In TCM the Stomach is regarded as the "sea of nourishment," pivotal for digesting food and transforming it into Qi and blood. It works closely with the Spleen to distribute these essential nutrients throughout the body. When the Stomach is out of balance or malfunctions in TCM, it often leads to digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, or a feeling of fullness. There may also be issues like acid reflux or a sour taste in the mouth. Emotionally, an imbalanced Stomach can contribute to excessive worry and overthinking, reflecting the TCM belief that physical and emotional well-being are deeply interconnected.... see more
Stomach Patterns That Can Lead to Abdominal Pain Due To Overeating
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Food Stagnation in the Stomach | Abdominal pain due to overeating, Epigastric fullness and pain relieved by vomiting, Nausea, Vomiting of sour fluids, Bad breath, Acid reflux, Belching, Insomnia, Alternating diarrhea and constipation, Lack of appetite... see more | Bao He Wan | Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan | Gua Di San |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Abdominal Pain Due To Overeating
To address abdominal pain due to overeating, TCM recommends specific formulas and herbs based on the identified patterns. Bao He Wan, which includes Hawthorn Berries (Shan Zha), is commonly used to reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation. This formula aids in digesting the accumulated food and alleviating abdominal discomfort.
Another formula, Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan, containing Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi), is effective for regulating Qi and transforming Stagnation. These treatments are tailored to the individual's pattern of disharmony, focusing on restoring the balance of digestive energy and relieving symptoms.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address abdominal pain due to overeating, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform stagnation
- Formulas that induce vomiting
Formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation
These formulas are suitable for some abdominal pain due to overeating-causing patterns like Food Stagnation in the Stomach.
One such formula is Bao He Wan, with hawthorn berry as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform stagnation" recommended for abdominal pain due to overeating
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Bao He Wan | Food Stagnation in the Stomach |
| Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan | Food Stagnation in the Stomach |
Formulas that induce vomiting
These formulas are suitable for some abdominal pain due to overeating-causing patterns like Food Stagnation in the Stomach.
One such formula is Gua Di San, with melon stalk as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Abdominal Pain Due To Overeating
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address abdominal pain due to overeating, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that relieve food stagnation
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Abdominal pain due to overeating can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Diverse Wormwood Herbs (Liu Ji Nu), which is directly recommended for abdominal pain due to overeating.
Herbs that relieve Food Stagnation
Abdominal pain due to overeating can be treated by these herbs in cases of digestive disturbances due to overeating or consuming hard-to-digest foods, assisting in breaking down and moving food through the digestive system.
One such herb is Hawthorn Berries (Shan Zha), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal pain due to overeating, like Bao He Wan.
Herbs that regulate Qi
Abdominal pain due to overeating can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal pain due to overeating, like Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Abdominal pain due to overeating can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal pain due to overeating, like Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan.
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Abdominal pain due to overeating can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Melon Stalks (Gua Di ), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal pain due to overeating, like Gua Di San.