Sunstroke and TCM

Sunstroke is an acute case occurring in summer , manifested by high fever , irritability , nausea , or even followed by collapse and loss of consciousness . The onset of this disease is due mostly to prolonged exposure to the sun , or to an environment with high temperature .

Etiology and Pathogenesis Summer heat , a pathogenic factor , is prevalent in summer time when the weather is scorching . Long exposure to the sun and to an environment with high temperature damages qi . Invasion of pathogenic summer heat in a condition of lower resistance brings about sunstroke . Summer heat is a pathogenic factor of yang nature with a tendency to attack the human body quickly . Therefore the onset is abrupt and the changing of the pathological condition is rapid . Pathogenic summer heat is likely to damage the primary qi and consume the body fluid , leading to exhaustion of qi and yin . Furthermore , pathogenic summer heat may penetrate the pericardium and disturb the mind , followed by impairment of consciousness . Sunstroke , according to its clinical manifestations , may be classified into mild and severe types .

Differentiation

Mild type :

Main manifestations : Headache , dizziness , profuse sweating , hot skin , coarse breathing , dry mouth and tongue , dire thirst , superficial , large and rapid pulse .

Analysis : Pathogenic summer heat tends to attack the head and gives rise to headache and dizziness . Hot skin results from the accumulation of pathogenic summer heat in the body surface . Profuse sweating , coarse breathing , dry mouth and tongue , dire thirst are all due to evaporation of body fluid by the summer heat . Superficial , large and rapid pulse is a sign showing the presence of the pathogenic summer heat .

Severe type :

Main manifestations : Headache , dire thirst , and shortness of breath at first , and then collapse , loss of consciousness , sweating , deep and forceless pulse .

Analysis : This syndrome mostly occurs in those doing physical labor in the scorching summer sun . Over fatigue plus the attack of summer heat results in lowered body resistance and excessiveness of the pathogenic factor with consumption of qi and body fluid . So there are headache , dire thirst and shortness of breath at the very beginning . The pathogenic summer heat can rapidly penetrate into the interior , affecting the pericardium and disturbing the mind . Therefore loss of consciousness follows . Sweating and deep , forceless pulse indicate exhaustion of qi and body fluid .

Treatment

Mild type :

Method : Reducing is applied to the points of the Du , Pericardium and Large Intestine Meridians to eliminate the summer heat .

Prescription : Dazhui ( Du 14 ) , Neiguan ( P 6 ) , Quchi ( LI 11 ) , Weizhong ( B 40 ) .

Explanation : Dazhui ( Du 14 ) , the meeting point of the Du Meridian and all yang meridians , Weizhong ( B 40 ) , also named Xuexi , and Quclii ( LI 11 ) , an important point for eliminating heat , are used to dispel the summer heat . Neiguan ( P 6 ) , the Luo - ( Connecting ) point of Jueyin Meridian of Hand , is chosen to reduce the fire and to protect the heart .

Severe type :

Method : Reducing is applied to the points of the Du Meridian to promote resuscitation , and to dispel the summer heat .

Prescription : Shuigou ( Du 26 ) , Baihui ( Du 20 ) , Shixuan ( Extra ) , Quze ( P 3 ) , Weizhong ( B 40 ) .

Explanation : Summer heat is a pathogenic factor of yang nature , which is apt to attack the pericardium and disturb the mind . Shuigou ( Du 26 ) and Baihui ( Du 20 ) are selected to promote resuscitation . Quze ( P 6 ) , the He - ( Sea ) point of Hand - Jueyin , Weizhong ( B 40 ) , the He - ( Sea ) point of Foot Taiyang are pricked superficially to remove the heat from the blood . Blood letting at Shixuan ( Extra ) can reduce heat and promote resuscitation .

Remarks

This illness includes thermoplegia , thermospasm , heliosis , etc .

Scraping therapy : It is a popular treatment for mild sunstroke . Dip a smooth spoon into water or vegetable oil and scrape the both sides of the spine , the neck , intercostal spaces , shoulder regions , cubital and axilla fossae until purplish red colour appears .