TCM Diagnosis Made Easy: Focus on the Heart System

Introduction

• Topic: TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnosis focusing on inquiry, particularly related to the heart system.
• Resource: Additional videos and resources on observation in TCM are available.

Heart Functions in TCM

• Blood Circulation: Heart controls blood circulation and sweat.
• Speech and Tongue: Heart opens into the tongue, affecting speech and anxiety.
• Emotions and Face: Emotions manifest on the face, reflecting heart health.
• Pulse and Blood Vessels: Corresponds with Western medicine's understanding of heart function.
• Mind and Sleep: Heart houses the mind, affects mental activities and sleep.

Inquiry in TCM Diagnosis

• Purpose: To gather detailed information from patients during consultations.
• Questions to Ask:
  • How do you sleep?
  • Do you wake up between 1-3 AM?
  • Do you have disturbing dreams or nightmares?

Common Heart Patterns and Symptoms

Heart and Kidney Disharmony

• Symptoms: Tossing and turning during sleep, possibly hot flashes and night sweats.
• Possible Causes: Heart and kidney yin deficiency.

Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency vs. Liver Overacting on Spleen

• Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency: Difficulty falling asleep, anxiety, pale appearance.
• Liver Overacting on Spleen: Stress-related issues, irritability, headaches, and digestive concerns.
• Differentiation: Based on stress symptoms, menstrual issues, and digestive health.

Liver Yang Rising or Liver Fire

• Symptoms: Waking up between 1-3 AM, irritability, headaches.
• Differences:
  • Liver Yang Rising: Stress and frustration.
  • Liver Fire: More severe symptoms like anger, high blood pressure.

Heart Phlegm Fire and Gallbladder Qi Deficiency

• Recurring Nightmares: Indicate gallbladder qi deficiency.
• Frequent Changing Nightmares: Linked to phlegm fire invading the heart.

Heart and Sweating in TCM

• Sweating When Anxious: Indicates heart qi deficiency.
• Night Sweats: Often due to heart yin deficiency.
• Lack of Sweating: May indicate fluid or blood deficiency.

Heart Fire in TCM Diagnosis

• Symptoms: Palpitations, canker sores, insomnia, thirst, irritability.
• Pulse and Tongue: Rapid pulse, red tongue with yellow coat.
• Dietary Recommendations:
  • Cooling foods: Dandelion, celery, lettuce, watermelon.
  • Avoid: Alcohol, spicy foods, and lamb.

Differentiating Heart Patterns

Qi and Yang Deficiency

• Heart Qi Deficiency: Anxiety, sweating when nervous, fatigue.
• Heart Yang Deficiency: Cold limbs, discomfort in heart area.

Blood and Yin Deficiency

• Heart Blood Deficiency: Poor sleep, anxiety, pale appearance.
• Heart Yin Deficiency: Night sweats, restlessness, red cheeks.

Heart Yang Collapse

• Symptoms: Cold sweats, fainting, purple lips.
• Emergency: Requires immediate medical attention.

Excess Patterns

• Heart Fire Blazing: Agitation, red face, insomnia.
• Phlegm Fire: Mental confusion, incoherent speech.
• Heart Blood Stasis: Chest pain, purple lips, emergency situation.

Conclusion

• Resources and Next Steps: Further learning available on lung system and TCM diagnosis.
• Engagement: Encouraged to comment, like, and subscribe for more insights.

Additional Resources

• Website: Explore more on Clarify Market Economy's website for resources and courses.

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These notes summarize the key points of TCM heart diagnosis as discussed in the presentation. They provide a framework for understanding the diagnostic criteria and symptoms related to the heart in TCM, as well as practical inquiry methods for gathering patient information.