Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease involving degeneration, fissuring, ulceration, and loss of articular cartilage, arising from multiple factors. Its cause is not fully understood; its development is associated with factors such as age, obesity, inflammation, trauma, and genetics. Pathological features include degeneration and destruction of articular cartilage, sclerosis or cystic changes in the subchondral…
Gout is a crystal-associated arthropathy caused by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. It is directly associated with hyperuricemia resulting from disordered purine metabolism and/or reduced uric acid excretion, and falls within the category of metabolic rheumatic diseases. Gout specifically refers to acute characteristic arthritis and chronic tophaceous disease. It may be complicated by…
Acute bacterial conjunctivitis (acute conjunctivitis) is an acute, contagious inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacterial infection and characterized by marked conjunctival redness and purulent or mucopurulent discharge. It is also called acute catarrhal conjunctivitis and is commonly known as “pink eye.” The incubation period is short, onset is rapid, and the condition is highly…
Blepharitis is a subacute or chronic inflammation of the skin of the eyelid margin, eyelash follicles, and associated glands, characterized by dryness, itching, stinging, and a foreign-body sensation. Clinically, it can be classified as squamous, ulcerative, or angular blepharitis. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “red, ulcerated eyelid margins,”…
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a group of clinical syndromes of unknown etiology, characterized primarily by widespread pain and marked physical discomfort. It is often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, and psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. FMS is classified as primary or secondary. Primary FMS is idiopathic and is not associated with…
Postpartum Bi syndrome refers to muscle, limb, or joint soreness or pain, heaviness, numbness, and impaired movement occurring within 100 days after childbirth, miscarriage, or induced labor, following exposure to external pathogenic factors. It may be accompanied by sweating, aversion to wind, and sensitivity to cold, with symptoms worsening in cold or rainy weather. Recurrent…
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease associated with psoriasis. It is characterized by psoriatic skin lesions and can cause pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and limited movement in the joints and surrounding soft tissues. Some patients may also have sacroiliitis and/or spondylitis. The condition may persist over time and is prone to relapse; in advanced…
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) most commonly occurs in people over 50. It is characterized by pigment loss or proliferation in the macular region, drusen, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the macular region, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment, and recurrent macular hemorrhage, which may lead to reduced or lost vision. This condition is also known as senile…
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints, spinal processes, paraspinal soft tissues, and peripheral joints. It may also be accompanied by extra-articular manifestations. In severe cases, spinal deformity and ankylosis may occur. TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference References
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) occurs when blood flow is impaired anywhere from the central retinal vein to the small retinal veins, causing hemorrhage, edema, and exudation in the corresponding retinal area. Clinically, it is commonly classified as central retinal vein occlusion, hemi-retinal vein occlusion, or branch retinal vein occlusion. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this…
Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is characterized by a sudden, marked decrease in vision or even loss of vision, extremely narrowed retinal arteries, and gray-white retinal edema. Depending on the degree and location of the occlusion, it may be classified as central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), cilioretinal artery occlusion, or precapillary…
Uveitis is a group of inflammatory conditions affecting the uvea that can have many different causes. In the past, the term was used narrowly to refer to inflammation of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It is now commonly used internationally in a broader sense to include inflammation of the uvea, retina, retinal blood vessels,…
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), also known as chronic simple glaucoma, is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy. Pathologically elevated intraocular pressure is an important factor contributing to optic nerve damage. Clinical features include progressive visual field narrowing and vision loss, accompanied by characteristic optic disc cupping and optic atrophy. It occurs mainly in middle-aged and older…
Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) refers to acute or chronic elevation of intraocular pressure caused by primary angle closure, with or without glaucomatous optic disc changes and visual field loss. Based on clinical presentation, PACG is classified as acute angle-closure glaucoma or chronic angle-closure glaucoma. Its main clinical features include ocular distension and pain, headache, reduced…
