Vomiting

Vomiting is a common symptom in clinic , resulting from the failure of the stomach qi to descend , or from other disorders affecting the stomach . It may occur in many diseases , but the most common causes are retention of food , attack of the stomach by the liver qi and hypofunction of the spleen and stomach .

Etiology and Patbogenesis

• Overeating of raw , cold and greasy food leads to upward perversion of the stomach qi , resulting in vomiting .
• Emotional disturbance and depression of the liver qi harm the stomach , impairing the downward movement of the stomach qi , causing vomiting .
• Weakness of the spleen and stomach or overstrain leads to hypo function of the stomach in transportation and transformation , then causing retention of food . The stomach qi ascends instead of descends .

Differentiation

• Retention of food :

  Main manifestations : Acid fermented vomitus , epigastric and abdominal distension , belching , anorexia , loose stool or constipation , thick , granular tongue coating , rolling and forceful pulse .

  Analysis : Retention of food impedes the function of the spleen and stomach in transportation and transformation . Since qi in the middle jiao is stagnated , there appear epigastric and abdominal distension , belching and anorexia . Retention of food leads to upward flowing of the turbid qi , so acid fermented vomitus , and loose stool or constipation occur . Thick , granular tongue coating and rolling , forceful pulse are the signs of retention of food .

• Attack of the stomach by the liver qi :

  Main manifestations : Vomiting , acid regurgitation , frequent belching , distending pain in the chest and hypochondriac regions , irritability with an oppressed feeling , thin , sticky tongue coating , string - taut pulse

  Analysis : Depressed liver qi attacks the stomach , causing upward perversion of the stomach qi , so there occur vomiting , acid regurgitation , frequent belching , distending pain in the chest and hypochondriac regions . In case of stagnation of the liver qi , irritability with an oppressed feeling occurs . Thin , sticky tongue coating and string - taut pulse are the signs of the stagnation of the liver qi .

• Hypofunction of the spleen and stomach :

  Main manifestations : Sallow complexion , vomiting after a big meal , loss of appetite , lassitude , weakness , slightly loose stool , pale tongue , thin , white tongue coating , thready and forceless pulse .

  Analysis : Weakness of the spleen and stomach leads to hypoactivity of the yang in the middle jiao , which fails to receive food and water , so vomiting appears after a big meal . If the spleen fails in transportation and transformation , the essentials of water and food no longer supply the body for nourishment , there may appear lassitude , weakness , loss of appetite and slightly loose stool . Pale tongue , thin white tongue coating , and thready and forceless pulse are the signs of weakness of the spleen and stomach .

Treatment

Method : The points of Yangming and Taiyin Meridians of Foot are selected as the principal points to activate the descent of qi and to pacify the stomach . For retention of food , reducing is indicated , for attack of the stomach by the liver qi , even movement is usually used to soothe the liver and regulate the flow of qi , and for weakness of the spleen and stomach , reinforcing combined with moxibustion is used to strengthen the function of the spleen and warm up the middle jiao .

Prescription : Zhongwan ( Ren 12 ) , Zusanii ( S 36 ) , Neiguan ( P 6 ) , Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) .

Supplementary points : Retention of food : Xiawan ( Ren 10 ) . Attack of the stomach by the liver qi : Taichong ( Liv 3 ) .

Weakness of the spleen and stomach : Pishu ( B 20 ) .

Persistent vomiting : Jinjing , Yue ( Extra ) .

Explanation : Zusanii ( S 36 ) is the He - ( Sea ) point of the Stomach Meridian and Zhongwan ( Ren 12 ) , the Front - Mu point of the stomach . The two points used together are effective in pacifying the stomach and activating the descent of qi . Neiguan ( P 6 ) and Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) , one of the pair - points of the Eight Confluent points , relieve the fullness of the chest and stomach . Xiawan ( Ren 10 ) , a point located in the epigastria , is able to regulate the stomach qi and remove stagnation by applying reducing method Needling at Taichong ( Liv 3 ) , the Yuan ( Primary ) point of the Liver Meridian regulates the function of the liver . Pishu ( B 20 ) , a point where the spleen qi is infused , used in combination with Zusanii ( S 36 ) and Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) , may reinforce the spleen qi and invigorate the qi in the middle jiao to perform the function of transportation and transformation and to restore the normal activities of qi . Pricking Jinjing ( Extra ) and Yuye ( Extra ) to cause bleeding is an experienced method for checking vomiting .

Remarks

Vomiting as described here may be found in acute and chronic gastritis , cardiospasm , pylorospasm and neurotic vomiting .