Hypothyroidism (hereafter referred to as “hypothyroidism”) is a systemic hypometabolic syndrome caused by insufficient thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, or biological activity due to various causes. In severe cases, it presents as myxedema. In TCM, primary hypothyroidism is generally classified under “edema,” “deficiency taxation,” and “overflowing fluid.” The prevalence of this condition in the general population…
Schizophrenia is a group of severe mental disorders of unknown cause. It typically begins gradually or subacutely in young and middle-aged adults. Clinically, it often presents as a syndrome with varied symptoms, involving disturbances in perception, thought, emotion, and behavior, as well as a lack of coordination in mental activity. The condition may follow a…
Dementia is a syndrome characterized by memory and cognitive impairment (aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or executive dysfunction, or a marked decline in memory and cognitive abilities compared with the person’s previous level) severe enough to interfere with occupational and social activities. Etiologically, dementia includes Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and other conditions. TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication…
Anxiety disorders are conditions characterized primarily by pervasive and persistent anxiety or recurrent episodes of panic and distress, often accompanied by autonomic dysfunction and motor restlessness. Clinically, they are mainly classified into generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “yu bing” (depression syndrome), “zheng…
Depression is a type of mood disorder characterized primarily by markedly and persistently low mood, reduced activity, and slowed thinking and cognitive function. It is a mental disorder with high rates of incidence, recurrence, and suicide. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “yu bing” (depression), “bai he bing” (lily…
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired bleeding disorder of unknown cause, characterized by thrombocytopenia, a normal or increased number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, and the absence of an identifiable cause, including exogenous or secondary factors. It is now widely accepted that most cases of ITP result from immune-mediated platelet destruction; the condition…
Megaloblastic anemia is primarily caused by folate and/or vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. Impaired cellular DNA synthesis leads to abnormalities in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells. It commonly presents with pancytopenia and gastrointestinal symptoms. TCM Pattern Differentiation and Treatment Reference References
Aplastic anemia (AA) is a disease characterized by acquired bone marrow failure, reduced bone marrow hematopoietic cell proliferation, and pancytopenia in peripheral blood, without abnormal cell infiltration or increased reticulin in the bone marrow. Clinically, it is primarily manifested by anemia, infections, and bleeding resulting from reduced red blood cells, granulocytes, and platelets. TCM Pattern…
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a clonal multipotent hematopoietic stem cell proliferative disorder characterized predominantly by megakaryocytic proliferation. It is marked by excessive proliferation of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and a significantly increased platelet count in the peripheral blood, often accompanied by platelet dysfunction. TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference References
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a microcytic, hypochromic anemia caused by a deficiency of stored iron in the body that affects hemoglobin synthesis. It is characterized by depleted iron stores in the bone marrow, liver, spleen, and other tissues, along with reduced serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation. Common clinical manifestations include a sallow…
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory, itchy, chronic, and relapsing skin disease. It is more common in children but can also occur in adults, and is often seen in people with a personal or family history of atopic diseases (asthma and/or allergic rhinitis).In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), atopic dermatitis falls into categories such as Siwan…
Primary myelofibrosis (PMF), also known as chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by panmyelosis with morphologically normal cells across all lineages, bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, and extramedullary hematopoiesis in various organs. TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference References
Eczema is an itchy skin disorder caused by a variety of internal and external factors. In the acute phase, it is characterized mainly by papulovesicles; in the chronic phase, by epidermal thickening and lichenification. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eczema is called “damp sores” (湿疮). Historical TCM texts used different names according to the type…
