Liver Cirrhosis

Hepatic cirrhosis (HC) is a chronic, progressive, diffuse inflammatory and fibrotic liver disease caused by various factors. Under the repeated or persistent effects of causative factors, liver cells undergo diffuse degeneration, necrosis, and apoptosis. Surviving liver cells regenerate to form regenerative nodules, while diffuse connective tissue proliferation forms fibrous septa. These processes ultimately divide and disrupt the normal hepatic lobular architecture, replacing it with cirrhotic nodules and pseudolobules. Clinical manifestations include impaired liver function and portal hypertension. Large volumes of ascites often develop in the late stages. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the condition falls within the categories of “hypochondriac pain,” “masses and accumulations,” and “abdominal masses”; when ascites develops in the late stages, it falls within the category of “drum distention.”

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

A soft, non-firm abdominal mass that remains fixed in place; distending pain in the upper abdomen; fullness in the epigastrium; a dark tongue or one with stasis spots; a thin coating; and a wiry pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • You may feel a lump in the abdomen that is somewhat soft and not firm, and does not move from its fixed position.
  • The upper abdomen may feel distended and painful, causing noticeable discomfort.
  • The upper abdomen may feel distended and painful, with a persistent sense of discomfort in the upper belly.
  • The tongue may look dark, or have spots resembling bruises.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and not noticeably thick.
  • The pulse may feel tight, like a taut string.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Regulate qi, invigorate blood, unblock the channels, and disperse masses.

In Plain Language:

  • Use an approach intended to regulate “stagnant qi” and promote the movement of blood, helping circulation flow more smoothly and easing distending pain, stabbing pain, fixed points of pain, or tenderness to pressure.
  • Use an approach intended to unblock the channels and gradually disperse accumulations, so that hard or swollen nodules may become softer and smaller, easing sensations of a local lump or cord-like area, numbness, soreness or distention, and restricted movement.

| Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and leaflet, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Distending pain in both hypochondria; distention and oppression in the epigastrium and abdomen; fatigue and lack of strength; reduced appetite; a sallow complexion; uncomfortable belching; a pale tongue with a thin white coating; and a wiry, fine pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • The areas beneath both sides of the ribs may feel distended and painful.
  • The upper abdomen and belly may feel stuffy and distended, as if blocked and uncomfortable.
  • You may feel low in energy, tire easily, and lack strength.
  • You may have a poor appetite and eat less than usual.
  • Your face may look yellowish, pale, and sallow.
  • You may belch and feel uncomfortable, without much relief afterward.
  • Your tongue may look paler than usual.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and white, with little thickness visible.
  • Your pulse may feel taut like a string and fine beneath the fingers.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Soothe the liver and regulate qi; strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach.

In Plain Language:

  • Use an approach intended to soothe the liver and regulate qi, helping qi move more smoothly and easing distending pain beneath the ribs, chest tightness, low mood or irritability, and frequent sighing.
  • Use an approach intended to support the spleen and stomach and harmonize stomach qi, helping digestion and easing poor appetite, bloating after meals, upper abdominal fullness, belching, acid regurgitation, nausea, or loose stools.

| Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and leaflet, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

An abdominal mass that is hard and painful and remains fixed, or stabbing pain beneath the ribs that stays in one place; weight loss; red spots or threadlike red marks on the head, neck, chest, or abdomen; purplish-brown lips; black stools; a dark purplish tongue, possibly with stasis spots; and a fine, choppy pulse, or “艽” pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • You may feel a lump in the abdomen that is fairly hard and painful, and does not move from its fixed position.
  • You may have stabbing pain beneath either side of the ribs, with the pain staying in one place.
  • You may lose weight and appear noticeably thin.
  • Small red spots or fine, red, threadlike marks may be visible on the head, neck, chest, and abdomen.
  • Your lips may look purplish-brown and darker than usual.
  • Your stools may appear black.
  • Your tongue may look dark purplish overall.
  • Bruise-like or purple spots may be visible on the tongue.
  • Your pulse may feel fine and choppy, or hollow in the middle when pressed.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Invigorate blood and move qi; resolve blood stasis and soften hardness.

In Plain Language:

  • Use an approach intended to promote blood flow and regulate “stagnant qi,” helping circulation flow more smoothly and easing distending pain, stabbing pain, tenderness to pressure, or pain that stays in one place.
  • Use an approach intended to disperse blood stasis and gradually soften hard masses, so that hard or swollen nodules or cord-like areas may become smaller and softer, easing local swelling or pulling sensations and restricted movement.

| Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and leaflet, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

A hard, painful abdominal mass that remains fixed; marked weight loss; generalized fatigue; greatly reduced food intake; a sallow complexion; a pale, dark tongue with little coating; and a wiry, fine pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • You may feel a lump in the abdomen that is fairly hard and painful, and does not move from its fixed position.
  • You may become noticeably thin, with a frail appearance and a generally worn-down look.
  • You may feel weak and low in energy throughout the body, tire easily, and lack strength in your limbs.
  • You may eat much less because of a poor appetite and reduced interest in food.
  • Your face may look yellowish and pale, with a generally sallow appearance.
  • Your tongue may look pale and dark.
  • The tongue may have very little coating and look mostly bare.
  • Your pulse may feel taut like a string and fine beneath the fingers.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Tonify qi and nourish blood; invigorate blood and resolve stasis.

In Plain Language:

  • Use an approach intended to replenish qi and nourish the blood, supporting strength and a healthier-looking complexion and easing fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, or a pale complexion.
  • Use an approach intended to promote blood flow and disperse “stagnant blood,” helping qi and blood circulate more smoothly and easing stabbing pain, pain in a fixed spot, tenderness to pressure, local hardness, or purplish bruising.

| Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and leaflet, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Abdominal distention; dull pain beneath the ribs that worsens with exertion; dry, gritty eyes; irritability with heat in the palms, soles, and chest, or low-grade fever; tinnitus or hearing loss; dizziness and blurred vision; dry mouth and throat; hard stools; scant, dark urine; soreness in the lower back or weakness and soreness in the lower back and legs; a red tongue with little coating; and a fine or fine, rapid pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • Your abdomen may look enlarged and feel distended and uncomfortable.
  • You may have a mild, persistent ache beneath both sides of the ribs.
  • Symptoms may worsen after exertion and feel more noticeable than usual.
  • Your eyes may feel dry and gritty, with discomfort when blinking.
  • You may feel irritable and hot in the palms, soles, and chest, or feel mildly feverish.
  • You may hear ringing in your ears or notice reduced hearing.
  • You may feel dizzy and have blurred vision.
  • Your mouth and throat may feel dry.
  • Your stools may be dry and hard to pass.
  • You may pass smaller amounts of urine, which may look yellow or reddish.
  • You may have lower back soreness or soreness in the lower back with weakness in the legs.
  • Your tongue may look red with very little coating.
  • Your pulse may feel fine or fine and rapid.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Nourish the liver and kidneys; invigorate blood and resolve stasis.

In Plain Language:

  • Use an approach intended to nourish the liver and kidneys and replenish yin, blood, and essence, easing dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, poor sleep or vivid dreams, and dry, gritty eyes.
  • Use an approach intended to promote blood flow and disperse “stagnant blood,” helping qi and blood circulate more smoothly and easing stabbing pain, pain in a fixed spot, tenderness to pressure, local hardness, or purplish bruising.

| Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and leaflet, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Abdominal distention that worsens toward evening; erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation; fatigue and aversion to cold; swelling of the lower limbs; epigastric stuffiness and poor appetite; a sallow, pale, or dull complexion; loose stools; clear, copious urine or frequent nighttime urination; a pale, swollen tongue with a moist coating; and a deep, fine or slow pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • Your abdomen may look enlarged and distended, becoming more noticeable toward evening.
  • You may have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, or ejaculate sooner than desired.
  • You may feel very tired and low in energy, and be sensitive to cold.
  • Your lower legs may become swollen, especially around the calves and ankles, and feel tight.
  • Your upper abdomen may feel stuffy and uncomfortable, and you may have a poor appetite.
  • Your face may look yellowish and pale, or generally dull.
  • Your stools may be loose and poorly formed.
  • Your urine may be clear and plentiful, or you may need to urinate more often at night.
  • Your tongue may look pale and enlarged.
  • Your tongue coating may look moist.
  • Your pulse may feel deep and fine, or somewhat slow.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys; transform dampness and promote urination.

In Plain Language:

  • Use a gentle warming and tonifying approach to support yang in the spleen and kidneys and support digestion and metabolism, easing sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, poor appetite, bloating after meals, low energy, and loose stools.
  • Use an approach intended to transform internal dampness and promote fluid excretion, easing a heavy, sluggish feeling, swelling of the face or lower legs, a sticky feeling in the mouth, a thick, greasy tongue coating, or reduced urination.

| Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and leaflet, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

Jingui Shenqi Wan

References

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