Dysphagia - Ye Ge

Dysphagia is difficult swallowing with possible vomiting after eating (severe case). This condition starts with a stagnated feeling in throat (distention in the throat), there may be pain behind sternum when eating. Dysphagia is commonly found in middle aged men but can be found in both women or men. 

Western Medicine Diagnosis of Dysphagia: Possible tumor, cardiac spasms

Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis:

Excessive or complicated excess and deficiency

actual stagnation of QI, FIRE, PHLEGM or BLOOD STASIS

Principle of Treatment for Dysphagia: Remove stagnation, promote Qi/Blood circulation or purge fire.

Etiology (causes) of Dysphagia:

1. Emotion - unbalanced lifestyle causes dysfunction of liver and spleen creating Qi stagnation and phlegm accumulation. Long term = blood stasis

2. Diet - over consumption of hot and spicy , greasy and sweet foods causing Qi and Phlegm stagnation

3. External Pathogens - cold or hot invades digestive system blocking digestive tract.

4. Deficiency - chronic illness = deficiency of kidneys

5. Kidney yin deficiency = whole body dryness, digestive tract not moist

6. Kidney yang deficiency = ming men fire deficiency unable to warm middle jiao to transform and transport phlegm - phlegm stagnates in digestive tract = Ye Ge

Differentiate Dysphagia from:

Plum Pit in throat (Mei He Qi) -  no trouble swallowing and no vomiting, Upset stomach (Fan Wei) - delayed vomiting (vomit hours after eating), Vomiting - no swallowing difficulty, Guan Ge - retention of urine with vomiting, no bowel movement., Hiccup - Qi up surging only causes noise, no pain

Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment of Dysphagia

 Stagnated Qi and Phlegm Swallowing difficult with fullness or pain behind sternum, belching, hiccup, nautious, vomit of phlegm fluids, EMACIATION, dry throat, dry mouth. Tongue - red with fissures, greasy coat Pulse - wiry, slippery

Principle of Treatment: Eliminate phlegm, promote Qi circulation, lubricate dryness

Herbal Medicine Formula: Qi Gu San

Fluid Deficiency with Stagnated Dry Heat Heat injures body fluid, cant lubricate intestines, severe swallowing difficulty-painful, can swallow fluid but not dry food, vomit after eating, vomit sticky phlegm, burning pain behind sternum, emaciation, St. yin deficiency Symptoms-burning pain in St. like cold drink, night sweat, dry stools Tongue - deep fissures Pulse -thin/wiry, rapid

Principle of Treatment: Nourish fluid, clear dry heat to dissolve stagnation

Herbal Medicine Formula: Sha Shen Mai men Dong Tang

Phlegm and Blood Stasis Severe  vomit after water, swallowing difficulty, pain in chest, vomit dark brown fluid, dry dark stools, emaciation, dark grey complexion Tongue - dark purple, dry Pulse - thin, uneven

Principle of Treatment: Remove blood stasis, dissolve hardness, nourish yin and blood

Herbal Medicine Formula: Tong You Tang LATER STAGE

Deficient Qi and Yang Pale/dull complexion, fatigued, short of breath, painful swallowing, edema (ankles), bloated abdomen, vomiting Tongue - pale, purple, swollen Pulse - deep, thin  

Principle of Treatment: Nourish Qi and Yang  rescue yang