Ascites from cirrhosis according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Ascites from cirrhosis factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
Symptoms: Edema Coughing Vomiting and seven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Zhen Wu Tang
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Symptoms: Dizziness Unsteadiness Generalized twitching and two other symptoms
Recommended formula: Zhen Wu Tang
In Chinese Medicine, ascites from cirrhosis can be associated with four so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here ascites from cirrhosis can be caused by four different patterns.
To understand whether someone's ascites from cirrhosis might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from ascites from cirrhosis alone. For instance when ascites from cirrhosis is caused by the pattern Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as abdominal pain that worsens with cold, urinary difficulty, deep aching and heaviness in the extremities and dizziness. Similarly, patients with Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency typically exhibit deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
We've listed below a description of the four patterns associated with ascites from cirrhosis so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below two formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with ascites from cirrhosis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The four "patterns of disharmony" associated with ascites from cirrhosis
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen, Tooth-marked
Recommended herbal formula: Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Edema Coughing Vomiting Dizziness Loose stools Palpitations Urinary difficulty Heavy sensation in the head Abdominal pain that worsens with cold Deep aching and heaviness in the extremities
Ascites from cirrhosis might be due to Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain that worsens with cold, urinary difficulty, deep aching and heaviness in the extremities and dizziness. Similarly, patients with Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency typically exhibit deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Zhen Wu Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Dizziness Unsteadiness Generalized twitching Palpitations in the epigastrium Sweating that doesn't reduce fever
Ascites from cirrhosis might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as sweating that doesn't reduce fever, palpitations in the epigastrium, dizziness and generalized twitching. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formulas: Zhen Wu Tang Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Yi Huang Tang, Huang Tu Tang, Wen Pi Tang, Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Gas Edema Chills Fatigue Bloating Lassitude Cold limbs Weak Limbs Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Feeling of cold Vagina discharge Sallow complexion Desire to lie down curled up Undigested food in the stools Slight abdominal distension after eating Abdominal pain and distension relieved by pressure and warmth
Generally speaking, Spleen Yang Deficiency often develops from Spleen Qi Deficiency, but it is more extensive and severe. The common manifestations are these related to digestive functions such as loose stools, poor appetite, slight abdominal distension and pain after eating, gas and bloating. Since the Spleen fails to transport the Food Qi to the body, patients also suffer from general fatigue, lassitude, weak limbs, pale tongue and face. Patients prefers to lie down.
On top of above, the Yang Deficiency also brings in additional Cold symptoms, such as a cold feeling and cold limbs. It is because Spleen Yang fails to warm the body and Organs. Therefore, the body metabolism get slower and some food are not digested properly and passes directly into the stools.
Since the Spleen fails to perform the function of transforming and transporting fluids, the circulation of Body Fluids is disturbed, causing symptoms such as Oedema, vaginal discharge and Lung mucus. The Yang Deficiency pattern is even more likely to form Dampness and Phlegm.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) is the key herb for Wu Pi Yin, a formula used for Oedema
Oedema
Pulse type(s): Hidden (Fu), Slowed-down (Huan)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Pi Yin
Symptoms: Labored breathing Urinary difficulty General sensation of heaviness distention and fullness
Ascites from cirrhosis might be due to Oedema if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as labored breathing, urinary difficulty and general sensation of heaviness distention and fullness. Similarly, patients with Oedema typically exhibit hidden (Fu) or slowed-down (Huan) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The two herbal formulas that might help with ascites from cirrhosis
Zhen Wu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Zhen Wu Tang help with ascites from cirrhosis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency, Exterior Cold invading the Interior and Spleen Yang Deficiency which are sometimes associated with ascites from cirrhosis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Wu Pi Yin
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Reduces edema, diuretic. Regulates and strengthens Spleen Qi.
Why might Wu Pi Yin help with ascites from cirrhosis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Oedema, a pattern sometimes associated with ascites from cirrhosis. If it looks like you might suffer from Oedema, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to ascites from cirrhosis
Urinary difficulty Dizziness Edema Loose stools Abdominal pain that worsens with cold Deep aching and heaviness in the extremities Heavy sensation in the head Palpitations Coughing Vomiting
