Stomach problems -- Need TCM help

[Guest guest]

I could sure use a diagnosis and some help...

 

I've had a whole slew of stomach problems in the past few months.

First, I kept getting this strong hiccuping and upset stomach for weeks

after I would eat every meal. I deduced that this was probably due to

having my right nostril physically blocked, (this is something more

important in Yoga than TCM) and when I got it fixed, the problem went

away.

 

So then I get this incredibly large amount of gas. Turning again to

Ayurveda, I ate less " vata " aggravating foods (if any of you know about

this.) This seemed to work well, until about a week ago when I started

getting chronic nausea. It was on and off, often alternating with great

hunger and then back to nausea again. Bowels were very infrequent. So I

figure it was probably rebellious Qi and maybe an overactive liver and

a weakened spleen. So I go heavier on the sweet foods, lay off the

sour, increase the pungent to control the liver, and take lots of

ginger, fennel, and some almonds. I think it's starting to work. But

now I started getting gas again. It seems like I'm bouncing around from

problem to problem or something.

 

What are possible TCM reasons for flatulence? If there is more than one

reason, what other symptoms tend to accompany certain reasons so I can

narrow it down? I leafed through the Nei Ching but it's not too clear

on stomach problems, I must say.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 04/02/2002 7:55:11 PM Pacific Standard Time,

lr4444lr writes:

 

<< So then I get this incredibly large amount of gas. Turning again to

Ayurveda, I ate less " vata " aggravating foods (if any of you know about

this.) This seemed to work well, until about a week ago when I started

getting chronic nausea.

 

Nausea can be from too much moisture stagnating in the digestive tract ... a

Vata diet is very moistening and could be why this symptom suddenly appeared.

 

<< It was on and off, often alternating with great hunger and then back to

nausea again. Bowels were very infrequent. So I figure it was probably

rebellious Qi and maybe an overactive liver and a weakened spleen. So I go

heavier on the sweet foods, lay off the sour, increase the pungent to control

the liver, and take lots of

ginger, fennel, and some almonds. I think it's starting to work. But

now I started getting gas again. It seems like I'm bouncing around from

problem to problem or something.

 

This does sound like a problem stemming from stagnation. One of the biggest

mistakes I made when I first started to learn about TCM and Ayurveda .... was

that I ate alot of sweet foods in an attempt to tone the Spleen. Not a good

idea ... if the Spleen is weak, sweet foods can and often will aggravate

symptoms and produce alot of stagnation .... because the sweet taste is very

dampening. To tone the Spleen ... it needs to be warmed and dried. The

Spleen can't do it's job if it's bogged down with heavy moist foods. Sweet

herbs are indeed used in formulas to tone the Spleen, but they are balanced

with other herbs to address this issue.

 

<< What are possible TCM reasons for flatulence? If there is more than one

reason, what other symptoms tend to accompany certain reasons so I can

narrow it down?

 

Stagnation .... Damp Heat (which is often a result of the stagnation) ...

 

Do you know your Ayurvedic constitution? I work alot with Ayurveda for diet.

It's very difficult to say what your next best bet would be without knowing

more. In general .... to tone the Spleen you would want to definately use

spices that are compatible with your constitution. Always address imbalance

first while at the same time using foods that accomplish the goal ....

without aggravating your constitution.

 

For instance: I am very strong Vata and I have many of these same problems

under similar circumstance. I find spices like cardamom, ginger and fennel

to be excellent for these types of problems foe me and I take them with each

meal. But .... I also find that I have to strike a balance in that I want to

keep from overloading myself with sweet heavy foods .... while at the same

time making sure that I don't go in the opposite direction and dry myself out

too much. A bit of a balancing act .... but basmati rice and oats are both

good .... wheat tends to be too cooling and moist. Almonds are good if not

overdone .... and only if you are Vata predominent.

 

First figure out what your constitution is. This will be based on physical

characteristics and natural lifetime tendencies. Then figure your imbalance

patterns based on symptoms and emotional trends (like irritabilty etc ....

things that change). Then .... choose a diet that addresses the imbalance

first (I suspect it will be too much moisture and possibly cold in the diet)

..... while at the same time being careful not to use foods that strongly

aggravate your constitution. This is often why we tend to go round in

circles. We address symptoms ... without realizing that we are aggravating

the very nature that they stemmed from in the beginning.

 

You are always welcome to e-mail me privately for more info. Since this is a

TCM list, I don't know that discussions on Ayurveda would be appropriate here.

 

Lynn

GDurst1774

[Guest guest]

I don't know that discussions on Ayurveda

would be appropriate here.

 

Hi Lynn and lr4444lr,

 

I would be interested in your continuing the discussion on the list.

Relating it to TCM, as you have done, would be helpful.

Kit

[Guest guest]

 

I don't know that discussions on Ayurveda would be appropriate here.

I would be interested in your continuing the discussion on the list.Relating it to TCM, as you have done, would be helpful. Kit Hi , Yes I agree with Kit, I also would find that discussing Ayurveda relating to TCM would be rewarding.

 

patrick.