On an ordinary weekend morning, Uncle Zhang and his wife sit leisurely in the park near the community, surrounded by laughter and the smell of breakfast stalls wafting through the air. However, these scents were challenging for him. Whenever he tried to taste some fried or cold food, the discomfort, gas, and pain in his abdomen would turn his good morning into torture. After the doctor's diagnosis, he knew that it was due to the symptoms caused by a weak spleen and stomach. This not only affected his eating pleasure, but also his daily activities and quality of life.
Cases like Uncle Zhang's are not uncommon around us. Weakness of the spleen and stomach is a common health problem, especially in the middle-aged and elderly population. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are the "source of qi and blood biochemistry" of the human body, and their health status directly affects people's energy, immunity and overall health. When the function of the spleen and stomach declines, not only the digestion and absorption function is impaired, but it can also lead to malnutrition and a variety of other chronic health problems in the body.
However, many people may not be aware that they are suffering from a weak spleen or stomach, or do not know how to accurately identify the problem. Next, we will explore how to effectively identify and self-assess spleen and stomach weakness, which can not only help individuals detect problems early, but also take appropriate measures to improve their own health.
Methods of identification and self-assessment of weakness of the spleen and stomach
A list of symptoms that I can understand
The symptoms of a weak spleen and stomach are varied, but there are some common manifestations that most people can easily observe. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Loss of appetite: one of the most common symptoms, manifested by a decrease in interest in food.
Abdominal distention: It is easy to feel bloating after eating, and sometimes you can feel abdominal discomfort even if you eat very little.
Indigestion: Problems with the reflux of food debris, a burning sensation in the stomach, or slow digestion are common.
Abnormal stools: such as constipation or loose stools, irregular stool shape.
Decreased physical strength: Weakness of the spleen and stomach will affect the transformation and absorption of food, resulting in insufficient physical strength.
A simple way to self-assess
Once you know the common symptoms of a weak spleen and stomach, you can use some simple self-assessment methods to determine if you may have such problems:
Diet diary: record the type and amount of food and drink every day, and observe the reaction after eating. Long-term records can help uncover the relationship between certain foods and uncomfortable symptoms.
Poop Cards: Record the frequency and texture of your stools with poo cards, which is a visual way to assess your digestive health.
Simple physical examination: Simple physical examinations, such as abdominal compressions, can be performed to check for pain or tender points.
Through these simple identification and self-assessment methods, people can not only discover their possible spleen and stomach weakness problems in time, but also take corresponding dietary therapy and lifestyle adjustments in their daily life to improve their health.
Spleen and stomach care from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine: core principles and practical strategies
TCM understanding and treatment of weakness of the spleen and stomach
In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are regarded as the "acquired foundation" and are the important digestion and absorption centers of the human body. The spleen is the main transport of the water valley, and the stomach is the sea of the water valley, and the coordination of the two is the key to maintaining the balance and health of qi and blood in the body. The weakness of the spleen and stomach not only affects the digestion and absorption of food, but also leads to weakness and lack of qi and blood, which in turn affects the physiological functions of the entire body.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) focuses on reconciling the spleen and stomach and restoring its normal function. The principles of treatment include strengthening the spleen and stomach, and nourishing qi. Specific methods usually include medication, diet, and appropriate massage and exercise, etc., aiming to promote spleen and stomach health through multi-faceted treatment.
Medication: Commonly used traditional Chinese medicines such as Codonopsis, Atractylodes, Poria cocos, etc., can effectively enhance the function of the spleen and stomach.
Dietary conditioning: Choose foods that are easy to digest and rich in nutrients, and avoid foods that are too cold or irritating.
Lifestyle: Eating regularly and quantitatively, getting a good night's sleep, and getting moderate physical activity are recommended.
Therapeutic diet: Practical and specific dietary advice
Diet therapy is a very effective method of TCM to treat weakness of the spleen and stomach. Here are a few simple and practical dietary formulas that can help enhance the function of the spleen and stomach and improve digestion and absorption.
Yam porridge
Ingredients: 50 grams of yam, 100 grams of japonica rice.
Method: Wash the yam and cut it into small pieces, wash the japonica rice, put it in a pot with the yam, add an appropriate amount of water and cook it into porridge.
Efficacy: Yam can strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, and japonica rice can replenish the middle and invigorate qi, and the combination of the two has a good conditioning effect on the weakness of the spleen and stomach.
Coix seed and red date soup
Ingredients: 30 grams of coix seeds, 10 red dates.
Method: Soak the coix seeds for several hours in advance, wash and remove the core of the red dates, put the two into a saucepan, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer until ripe.
Efficacy: Coix seed has the effect of strengthening the spleen and dampness, clearing heat and draining pus, and red jujube can replenish qi and nourish blood, which is suitable for people with spleen deficiency.
Astragalus wolfberry chicken soup
Ingredients: 20 grams of astragalus, 15 grams of wolfberry, 250 grams of chicken.
Method: Wash the astragalus and wolfberry, cut the chicken into pieces, put it in a stew pot with the astragalus and wolfberry, add an appropriate amount of water and simmer.
Efficacy: Astragalus can strengthen the spleen and stomach, wolfberry can nourish the liver and kidney, and chicken is rich in protein, which combines the three to supplement nutrition and enhance the function of the spleen and stomach.
These dietary regimens can not only help improve the function of the spleen and stomach, but also achieve sustainable health results through daily diet. Practicing these dietary formulas, combined with appropriate lifestyle adjustments, can significantly improve the health of the spleen and stomach and enhance the overall physique.