Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is a neurosis-like syndrome involving physical symptoms caused by dysfunction of organs or systems regulated by the autonomic nervous system, such as the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems. In addition to symptoms of autonomic arousal (such as palpitations, sweating, flushing, and tremor), patients experience nonspecific symptoms that are more individual and subjective, such as pain of varying location, burning, a feeling of heaviness, tightness, or swelling. Examinations cannot confirm that these symptoms are actually caused by dysfunction of the relevant organs or systems. The disorder is therefore characterized by prominent autonomic involvement, nonspecific symptoms accompanied by subjective complaints, and a persistent attribution of the symptoms to a particular organ or system.
TCM Pattern Identification and Treatment Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, low energy, poor appetite, loose stools, a pale tongue with a white coating, and a fine, weak pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- You may experience a pounding or unsettled heartbeat, with a feeling of tightness or fluttering in the chest.
- You may sleep poorly and be more forgetful, with noticeably reduced memory.
- You may feel low in energy, lacking motivation and becoming tired easily.
- You may eat less and have a poor appetite, with little desire to eat even when food is available.
- Your stools may be soft or loose, poorly formed, and possibly more frequent.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a light white coating.
- Your pulse may feel fine and weak, with little strength under pressure.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the Heart and Spleen
Plain-language explanation:
- May help nourish Heart qi and blood and ease symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, or forgetfulness.
- May help support Spleen function and replenish qi, easing symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, abdominal bloating, or loose stools.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Distending pain in the chest and hypochondrium or lower abdomen, worsening when emotions are unsettled; frequent sighing; a pale tongue with a thin white coating; and a wiry pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- You may feel distending pain or discomfort on either side of the chest or in the lower abdomen, with symptoms that vary in intensity and may interfere with activity.
- The distending pain may become more noticeable when you feel emotionally distressed or suppressed.
- You may sigh unconsciously, often to relieve a feeling of chest tightness.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a thin, light white coating.
- Your pulse may feel tense and taut, like a tightly stretched string.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the Liver and regulate qi
Plain-language explanation:
- May help soothe Liver qi and promote the smooth flow of qi, easing discomfort such as distending fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, low mood, or difficulty belching.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Shortness of breath, fatigue, breathlessness on exertion, spontaneous sweating, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, clear and copious urination, a pale tongue, and a deep, fine pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- You may feel short of breath and low in stamina, and become breathless with even light activity.
- You may sweat spontaneously, even without exertion.
- Your lower back and knees may feel sore and weak, especially after standing or walking for a long time.
- Your urine may be clear, pale, and copious, with urination lasting longer than usual.
- Your tongue may look pale overall.
- Your pulse may feel deep and fine, with little strength under pressure.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the Lungs and support the Kidneys’ grasping of qi
Plain-language explanation:
- May help tonify Lung qi and ease symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, a weak cough, or a soft, low voice.
- May help secure Kidney qi and ease symptoms such as difficulty inhaling after exhaling, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, or weak breathing.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Facial and eye redness, tidal fever and night sweats, soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, menstrual irregularities, a red tongue with little coating, and a fine, rapid pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- Your face and eyes may appear red.
- You may feel waves of heat and sweat at night.
- You may experience soreness or pain in the lower back and knees.
- Your menstrual cycle or flow may be irregular.
- Your tongue may look red, with very little coating.
- Your pulse may feel fine and rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the Liver and Kidneys
Plain-language explanation:
- May help nourish the Liver and Kidneys and ease discomfort such as dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, or low energy.
- May help nourish Liver and Kidney essence and blood and support a more stable, balanced state of health.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Aversion to cold, cold limbs, cold pain in the lower back and knees, persistent diarrhea, seminal emission, erectile dysfunction, clear and copious or frequent urination, or puffiness of the face and swelling of the limbs; a pale, enlarged tongue with a white, slippery coating; and a deep, fine pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- You may be very sensitive to cold, with persistently cold hands and feet that feel worse in cold weather.
- Your lower back and knees may feel cold and painful, with discomfort worsening after prolonged standing or walking.
- You may have frequent, persistent loose stools or diarrhea.
- You may experience seminal emission or reduced sexual function, such as difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
- Your urine may be clear and copious, and you may urinate frequently; your face or limbs may also appear swollen.
- Your tongue may look pale and enlarged, with a white, slippery coating.
- Your pulse may feel deep and fine, with little strength overall.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm and tonify the Spleen and Kidneys
Plain-language explanation:
- May help warm and support Spleen and Kidney yang and replenish qi, easing discomfort such as aversion to cold, cold limbs, poor appetite, or soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.
- May help support digestion and fluid metabolism, easing symptoms such as abdominal bloating, loose stools, difficulty urinating, or a heavy feeling in the body.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Cold pain in the lower back, heat in the palms, soles, and chest, dizziness, tinnitus, seminal emission, menstrual irregularities, a pale tongue with a thin coating, and a deep, weak pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- Your lower back may feel cold and painful.
- Your palms, soles, and chest may feel hot.
- You may feel dizzy and hear ringing in your ears.
- You may experience seminal emission.
- Your menstrual cycle may be irregular.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a thin coating.
- Your pulse may feel deep and weak under pressure.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish both Yin and Yang
Plain-language explanation:
- May help nourish Yin and support Yang at the same time, easing discomfort such as dry mouth and throat, heat in the palms and soles, or aversion to cold and cold limbs.
- May help promote balance between Yin and Yang and support a more coordinated, stable state of health.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
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- Shen Yucun. Psychiatry [M]. 5th ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2009: 606.
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- Lu Guoguang. Examples of Professor Lian Jianwei’s use of the method of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis to treat autonomic nervous dysfunction [J]. Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 2014, 38(5): 559–560.
- Zhao Rui, Wang Zuoshun. Examples of experience using modified Xuefu Zhuyu Tang to regulate autonomic nervous dysfunction [J]. Global Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2016, 9(12): 1532–1534.
- Qiu Gang. TCM treatment of autonomic nervous dysfunction [J]. China News of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2012, 4(1): 229.
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- Wang Yu, Yang Shuangshuang, Xia Xing, et al. Experimental study of the antidepressant effects of Huanshao Capsules [J]. Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 2008, 16(6): 446–449.
- Yin Tianlei, Chen Fenghua, Guan Hongying, et al. Clinical observation of Guhan Yangsheng Jing in the treatment of 72 cases of neurasthenia [J]. Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015, 31(1): 43–45.