Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a common autoimmune disease that primarily affects women aged 15–40. It has diverse clinical manifestations, can affect organs throughout the body, and often follows a complex, prolonged, and relapsing course. LE encompasses a spectrum of conditions. At one end is discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), in which lesions are mainly limited to…
Edema refers to the retention of fluids in the body, with fluid overflowing into the skin and causing swelling of the eyelids, head and face, limbs, abdomen and back, or even the whole body. Severe cases may be accompanied by pleural effusion, ascites, and other conditions. The condition is often caused by external pathogens, dietary…
Lin syndrome refers to a group of disorders caused by dietary factors, overexertion, or invasion by damp-heat. The main pathomechanisms are kidney deficiency, damp-heat in the bladder, and impaired qi transformation. Its principal clinical manifestations include frequent, urgent urination; dribbling that does not fully stop; painful, difficult urination; lower abdominal tension; and pain radiating to…
Lin syndrome refers to a group of disorders caused by factors such as improper diet, overexertion, and invasion by dampness-heat. Its main pathomechanisms are kidney deficiency, dampness-heat in the urinary bladder, and impaired qi transformation. It is characterized clinically by frequent, urgent urination; dribbling or incomplete emptying; urethral soreness or pain; lower abdominal cramping; and…
Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a clinical syndrome in which the renal parenchyma is severely damaged against a background of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of various causes, leading to a gradual, progressive decline in kidney function and eventual failure. Clinically, it is characterized mainly by a decreased glomerular filtration rate, retention of metabolic waste, and…
Chronic urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infectious disease of the urinary tract caused by various pathogens. It generally refers to cases in which acute symptoms have subsided but the condition has persisted for more than six months. Based on the site of infection, it may be classified as an upper UTI (pyelonephritis) or a…
Chronic pyelonephritis (CPN), also known as chronic upper urinary tract infection, may present with symptoms such as abnormal urination, flank pain, low-grade fever, and pyuria. It is primarily associated with recurrent episodes of acute pyelonephritis over a period of more than six months. Supporting investigations may show repeatedly positive clean-catch midstream urine cultures or microscopy;…
Chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) refers to a group of conditions primarily involving chronic glomerular lesions. The cause is unknown in most patients. Clinical manifestations include proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension, edema, and impaired renal function; the disease course generally lasts more than one year. Chronic nephritis was not identified by this name in ancient medical texts. Based on…
Urinary retention (long bi) is a disorder characterized by reduced urine output and difficulty urinating, which may progress to complete urinary obstruction. When urination is impaired, with only a small amount of urine passing drop by drop and a slower course, it is called long; when urination is obstructed and no urine passes, with a…
Low back pain (LBP) in TCM refers to a disorder characterized primarily by pain in the lumbar spine or the area alongside it. It may result from external pathogenic factors, internal injury, or sprains and strains that impede the flow of qi and blood in the lower back or deprive it of nourishment. In modern…
Blood disorders arise when heat damages the blood vessels, Qi fails to contain the blood, or blood stasis obstructs the vessels, causing blood to flow outside its normal channels. Their main clinical features include bleeding from the mouth, nose, or other orifices; bleeding from the upper or lower body openings; or purplish skin spots. Hematuria…
