Malnutrition with parasites

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.

At a glance

Preliminary reading: What is a pattern?

Key attributes

Chinese name: 营养不良兼寄生虫 Pinyin name: Yíng Yǎng Bù Liáng Jiān Jì Shēng Chóng

Pattern nature: Full/Empty

Causes

Common causes: 1. malnutrition in children, 2. Diet

Diagnosis

Common symptoms: Dull eyes Feverishness Emaciated limbs Sallow complexion Dry and coarse hair and two other symptoms

Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)

Tongue color: Pale

Treatment

Treatment principle: Expels parasites, reduces childhood malnutrition, tonifies the Spleen and Stomach

Common formulas: Bu Dai Wan

Pathology

This pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine is seen in childhood nutritional impairment due to chronic parasitic infestation. This condition leads to Stagnation in the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach area), causing Spleen and Stomach injury. As a result, food stagnates in the Middle Burner, leading to poor nutrition distribution to the head and limbs.

This is manifested as a sallow complexion, emaciated limbs, and a large, distended abdomen. Over time, the Spleen Deficiency evolves into Empty Heat, contributing to feverishness, along with the internal heat generated by the accumulation itself.

The prolonged disturbance from parasites, coupled with reduced food intake and assimilation by the Spleen and Stomach, results in Blood Deficiency, evident in dry and coarse hair. This Deficiency primarily affects the Liver, leading to symptoms like dullness of the eyes and diminished vision acuity.

In this pattern, the parasite acts as a strong pathogenic influence against a backdrop of weak normal Qi. The pale tongue and frail pulse are diagnostic signs, reflecting the Deficiency of Spleen Qi and Liver Blood, characteristic of this pattern.

Causes

malnutrition in children :

Diet: Unhygienic diet can lead to parasites infetion.

Diagnosing Malnutrition with parasites

Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)

Tongue color: Pale

Main symptoms: Dull eyes Feverishness Emaciated limbs Sallow complexion Dry and coarse hair Abdominal distention Malnutrition in children

Diagnosis commentary: a large and distended abdomen, sallow complexion, emaciated limbs, and signs of nutritional deficiency such as dry and coarse hair.