HEAD, HAIR AND FACE

HEAD, HAIR AND FACE

Chapter contents

Feeling of heaviness of the head

Feeling of distension of the head

Feeling of muzziness (fuzziness) of the head

Feeling of cold of the head

Feeling of heat of the head

Numbness of the head

Leaning of the head to one side

Tremor of the head

Swelling of the whole head

Ulcers in the mastoid region

Head tilted backwards

Premature greying of the hair

Hair falling out

Dry and brittle hair

Redness and pain of the scalp

Boils on the scalp

Erosion of the scalp

Ulcers on the scalp

Feeling of heat of the face

Numbness of the face

Oedema of the face

Deviation of eye and mouth

Facial paralysis

Papular/macular eruptions

Swelling and redness of the face

Swelling, redness and pain of the cheeks

Ulcers below the zygomatic arch

Lines on the face

HEAD

Dizziness

Interrogation, Chapter 34

The dizziness from a Full condition is always more severe than that from an Empty condition.

Liver-Blood deficiency

Mild dizziness, blurred vision, floaters, numbness/tingling of limbs, scanty menstruation, dull-pale complexion, Pale tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

Kidney deficiency

Dizziness worse after exertion, a feeling of emptiness of the head, tinnitus, backache, tiredness, weak knees.

Other symptoms and signs depend on whether there is a Kidney-Yin or Kidney-Yang deficiency.

Liver-Yang rising

Dizziness with headache, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, Wiry pulse.

Phlegm obstructing the head

Dizziness, a feeling of heaviness and muzziness of the head, a feeling of oppression of the chest, dizziness, blurred vision, somnolence, nausea, sputum in the throat, muzziness of the head, Swollen tongue with sticky coating, Slippery pulse.

Liver-Fire

Dizziness, headache, red face, tinnitus, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, thirst, bitter taste, constipation, dark urine, Red tongue with redder sides and dry yellow coating, Wiry-Rapid pulse.

Liver-Wind

Severe dizziness, vertigo, tremors, tinnitus, headache, numbness of limbs, tics, Stiff, Deviated or Moving tongue, Wiry pulse.

This is the most severe type of dizziness.

Qi and Blood deficiency of the Spleen and Heart

Mild, postural dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory, anxiety, tendency to be easily startled, dull-pale complexion, pale lips, tiredness, weak muscles, loose stools, poor appetite, scanty periods, Pale and Thin tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

Stomach- and Spleen-Qi deficiency

Mild dizziness, poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, an uncomfortable feeling in the epigastrium, lack of sense of taste, Pale tongue, Empty pulse.

• In women, Liver-Blood deficiency is the most common cause of dizziness. A Kidney deficiency is also common.

• In the elderly, look for Phlegm as a cause of dizziness.

• When it is clearly due to emotional problems, dizziness is often due to Liver-Yang rising.

Fainting

Interrogation, Chapter 34

Liver-Qi stagnation with Liver-Qi rebelling upwards to cloud the orifices

Fainting, mouth closed and hands clenched, coarse breathing, cold hands and feet, Wiry-Deep pulse.

Blood-Heat with Liver-Fire blazing upwards to cloud the orifices

Sudden fainting, unconsciousness, clenched teeth, closed mouth, clenched fists, red face, red lips, bloodshot eyes, Red tongue with yellow coating, Wiry-Overflowing-Rapid pulse.

Phlegm clouding the orifices

Sudden fainting with unconsciousness or episodes of fainting without complete loss of consciousness, sputum in the throat, a feeling of oppression of the chest, nausea, vomiting, coarse breathing, Swollen tongue with sticky coating, Slippery pulse.

Retention of food

Episodes of fainting after overeating, breathlessness, epigastric fullness and distension, foul breath, sour regurgitation, thick sticky tongue coating, Slippery pulse.

Heart-Blood deficiency

Short, transient episodes of fainting, often without complete loss of consciousness, dull-pale complexion, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, cold hands, pale lips, Pale tongue, Choppy pulse.

Heart-Yin deficiency

Short, transient episodes of fainting, often without complete loss of consciousness, dull-pale complexion with floating-red cheekbones, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, dry throat at night, tongue without coating, Floating-Empty pulse.

Liver-Blood deficiency

Short, transient episodes of fainting, often without complete loss of consciousness, in women often coinciding with the period, dull-pale face, pale lips, cold hands, dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, weak breathing, Pale tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

Liver-Yin deficiency

Short, transient episodes of fainting, often without complete loss of consciousness, in women often coinciding with the period, dull-pale face with red cheekbones, dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, weak breathing, dry hair, tongue without coating, Floating-Empty pulse.

Kidney-Yang deficiency and deficiency of the Original Qi

Short, transient episodes of fainting, often without loss of consciousness, open mouth, relaxed hands, weak breathing, pale complexion, sweating, cold limbs, Pale tongue, Deep-Weak pulse.

Feeling of heaviness of the head

Interrogation, Chapter 34

A feeling of heaviness of the head is always caused by Dampness or Phlegm obstructing the head.

Damp-Phlegm

A feeling of heaviness and muzziness of the head and body, dizziness, blurred vision, somnolence, a feeling of oppression of the chest, nausea, Swollen tongue with sticky coating, Slippery pulse.

Dampness

A feeling of heaviness of the head and body that is worse in the afternoon, a feeling of heaviness of the head and body, a sticky taste, epigastric fullness, a feeling of oppression of the chest, excessive vaginal discharge, sticky tongue coating, Slippery or Soggy pulse.

Other symptoms and signs depend on whether there is Damp-Heat or Cold-Dampness.

Headache

Interrogation, Chapter 34

Liver-Yang rising

Distending headache, which can be on the side of the head on the Gall-Bladder channel, on the temples or behind the eyes, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, Wiry pulse.

This is probably the most common type of headache. Liver-Yang rising may arise from deficiency of Liver-Blood or Liver-Yin, or both, or from Kidney-Yin deficiency and the clinical manifestations will vary accordingly.

Wind-Phlegm

Pulling headache with a feeling of heaviness of the head, severe dizziness, blurred vision, tremors, numbness/tingling of the limbs, tinnitus, nausea, sputum in the throat, a feeling of oppression of the chest, Stiff or Deviated and Swollen tongue, Wiry-Slippery pulse.

Dampness obstructing the head

Headache with a feeling of heaviness of the head, head feeling as if wrapped in cotton wool, a sticky taste, a feeling of heaviness of the head and body, epigastric fullness, a feeling of oppression of the chest, excessive vaginal discharge, sticky tongue coating, Slippery or Soggy pulse.

Turbid Phlegm obstructing the head

Dull headache with a feeling of heaviness and muzziness of the head, poor memory and concentration, dizziness, blurred vision, sputum in the throat, a feeling of oppression of the chest, nausea, Swollen tongue with sticky coating, Slippery pulse.

Liver-Fire

Distending headache, which can be on the side of the head on the Gall-Bladder channel, on the temples or behind the eyes, red and bloodshot eyes, red face, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, thirst, bitter taste, constipation, dark urine, Red tongue with redder sides and dry yellow coating, Wiry-Rapid pulse.

Liver-Wind

Pulling headache, tremors, severe dizziness, tinnitus, numbness of the limbs, tics, Stiff, Deviated or Moving tongue, Wiry pulse.

Liver-Qi stagnation

Distending headache on the temples or forehead, or both, hypochondrial or epigastric distension, irritability, moodiness, a feeling of a lump in the throat, premenstrual tension, Wiry pulse.

Blood stasis

Stabbing headache fixed in a small area, purple lips, dark complexion, Purple tongue.

Stomach-Heat

Severe headache on the forehead, burning epigastric pain, thirst, sour regurgitation, nausea, excessive hunger, foul breath, a feeling of heat, Red tongue with a yellow coating, Overflowing-Rapid pulse.

Qi deficiency

Dull headache on the forehead that is aggravated by overwork and alleviated by rest and by lying down, uncomfortable feeling in the epigastrium, no appetite, lack of sense of taste, loose stools, tiredness especially in the morning, weak limbs, Pale tongue, Empty pulse.

This is generally due to Stomach-Qi deficiency.

Blood deficiency

Dull headache on the forehead or the vertex, dizziness, blurred vision, poor memory, Pale and Thin tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

Other symptoms and signs depend on whether the Liver or Heart is affected.

Kidney deficiency

Dull headache with a feeling of emptiness of the head, aggravated by overexertion, dizziness, lower backache, weak knees, tinnitus.

The other clinical manifestations depend on whether there is a Kidney-Yin or Kidney-Yang deficiency.

Retention of food

Headache on the forehead that is worse after eating, fullness, pain and distension of the epigastrium which are relieved by vomiting, nausea, vomiting of sour fluids, foul breath, sour regurgitation, belching, insomnia, loose stools or constipation, poor appetite, thick tongue coating, Full-Slippery pulse.

This type of headache is usually seen only in children.

Invasion of Wind-Cold

Occipital headache, stiff neck, aversion to cold, fever, cough, itchy throat, slight breathlessness, stuffed or runny nose with clear watery discharge, sneezing, body aches, thin white tongue coating, Floating-Tight pulse.

Invasion of Wind-Heat

Headache of the whole head, aversion to cold, fever, cough, sore throat, stuffed or runny nose with yellow discharge, headache, body aches, slight sweating, slight thirst, swollen tonsils, tongue slightly Red on the sides in the chest area or on front part, Floating-Rapid pulse.

Invasion of Wind-Dampness

Frontal headache, feeling of heaviness of the head, aversion to cold, fever, epigastric fullness, body aches, tongue with thin, sticky white coating, Floating-Slippery pulse.

Apart from the above pattern identification according to Internal Organs, it is also important, especially from an acupuncturist’s perspective, to differentiate headaches according to the channel involved.

Greater-Yang channels

Occipital headache radiating to the back of the neck and top of the back.

Bright-Yang channels

Headache on the forehead.

Lesser-Yang channels

Headaches on the temples, the sides of the head and neck along the Gall-Bladder channel and Triple Burner channel.

Greater-Yin channels

Frontal headache.

Lesser-Yin channels

Headache felt inside the head or on the occiput, dull in character.

Terminal-Yin channels

Headache on the vertex.

• In my experience, the combination of Liver-Yang rising and Phlegm is the most common cause of chronic headaches.

• In women, Liver-Yang rising (causing chronic headaches) usually arises from Liver-Blood deficiency

Feeling of distension of the head

Interrogation, Chapter 34

Liver-Yang rising

A feeling of distension of the head, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, Wiry pulse.

Liver-Fire

A feeling of distension of the head, eye ache, blood-shot eyes, headaches, red face, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, thirst, bitter taste, constipation, dark urine, Red tongue with redder sides and dry yellow coating, Wiry-Rapid pulse.

Invasion of Wind-Heat

An acute feeling of distension of the head, aversion to cold, fever, cough, sore throat, stuffed or runny nose with yellow discharge, headache, body aches, slight sweating, slight thirst, swollen tonsils, tongue slightly Red on the sides in the chest area or on front part, Floating-Rapid pulse.

Feeling of muzziness (fuzziness) of the head

Interrogation, Chapter 34

Dampness

Muzziness of the head, a feeling of heaviness of the head, chronic sinusitis, stuffed nose, sticky nasal discharge, dull frontal headache as if the head were wrapped in cotton wool, epigastric fullness, a sticky taste, a feeling of oppression of the chest, excessive vaginal discharge, sticky tongue coating, Slippery or Soggy pulse.

Phlegm

Severe muzziness of the head, dizziness, a feeling of heaviness of the head, blurred vision, excessive production of ear wax, stuffed nose, dull frontal headache, sputum in the throat, a feeling of oppression of the chest, Swollen tongue with sticky coating, Slippery pulse.

• Phlegm is by far the most common cause of a feeling of muzziness (fuzziness) of the head.

Feeling of cold of the head

Interrogation, Chapter 34

This includes an actual feeling of cold of the head but also a propensity to wearing a hat and a strong dislike of wind.

Governing Vessel empty and cold

A feeling of cold of the head and back, cold limbs, a feeling of cold, sore back, cold feet, dizziness, tinnitus, weak knees, pale complexion, pulse Floating but Weak on all three positions on the left.

Cold in the Liver channel

A feeling of cold of the head, vertical headache, bluish complexion, cold hands and feet, Deep-Tight pulse.

Feeling of heat of the head

Interrogation, Chapter 34

Liver-Fire

A feeling of heat of the head, red face, red and bloodshot eyes, eye ache, headaches, red face, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, thirst, bitter taste, constipation, dark urine, Red tongue with redder sides and dry yellow coating, Wiry-Rapid pulse.

Kidney-Yin deficiency with Empty-Heat

A feeling of heat of the head especially in the evening, dizziness, tinnitus, hardness of hearing, night sweating, dry mouth at night, five-palm heat, a feeling of heat in the evening, malar flush, thirst with a desire to drink in small sips, lower backache, dark scanty urine, insomnia, Red tongue without coating, Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse.

Numbness of the head

Interrogation, Chapter 34

Liver-Blood deficiency

Numbness of the skin of the head, especially on the vertex, dull headache, dizziness, blurred vision, floaters, numbness/tingling of limbs, scanty menstruation, dull-pale complexion, Pale tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

Damp-Phlegm

Numbness of the skin of the head, especially on the forehead, a feeling of heaviness and muzziness of the head, a feeling of oppression of the chest, dizziness, blurred vision, somnolence, nausea, sputum in the throat, muzziness of the head, Swollen tongue with sticky coating, Slippery pulse.

Liver-Wind

Unilateral numbness of the head, tremors, severe dizziness, tinnitus, headache, numbness of limbs, tics, Stiff, Deviated or Moving tongue, Wiry pulse.

Drooping head

Stomach- and Spleen-Qi deficiency

Head drooping, poor appetite, tiredness, slight abdominal distension, pale complexion, loose stools, Pale tongue, Empty pulse.

Emptiness of the Sea of Marrow

Head drooping, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, sore back, poor memory, weak knees, difficulty in walking. This is usually, but not always, accompanied by Kidney-Yin deficiency.

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Tags: Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine A Comprehensive Guide

Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by admin in GENERAL & FAMILY MEDICINE | Comments Off

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