Kai Chen Ph.D. in
Chinese Medicine
TCM Dr. in British Columbia, Canada
205 Burnside Road East, Victoria, B.C. V9A 1A4 Canada
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TCM Dr. in British Columbia, Canada 205 Burnside Road East, Victoria, B.C. V9A 1A4 Canada |
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Hypertension Introduction Hypertension is defined as an
intermittent or sustained elevation in diastolic or systolic blood pressure.
In 95% of patients, no specific cause is found. These cases are known as
primary or essential hypertension. The vast majority of cases are due to
increased resistance of the peripheral arteries. Increased peripheral artery
resistance is associated with genetics, obesity, lack of exercise, overuse of
salt, and the natural aging process. 5% of patients have hypertension with a
known cause (secondary hypertension). Chronic kidney disease accounts for most
of these patients. Serial blood
pressure measurements that are greater than 140/90 mm Hg in people under the age
of 50 or greater than 150/95 mm Hg in people over the age of 50 confirm
hypertension. This is the level above which there is a significantly higher risk
of heart and kidney disease as well as arteriosclerosis, which can lead to
stroke. Uncomplicated high blood pressure usually occurs without any overt
symptoms and has therefore been labeled "the silent killer." This
condition can be present for decades, causing progressive unnoticed heart and
blood vessel disease, before it is recognized. Symptoms such as headache,
dizziness and blurred vision can occur. Complications
include
cerebrovascular accident, blindness, myocardial infarction, edema, renal
failure, etc. TCM etiology and pathology Because the main symptoms of
hypertension are dizziness and headache, hypertension commonly falls within the
TCM syndromes of "headache", or "dizziness".
The underlying TCM disharmonies are Liver Yang hyperactivity, Kidney
deficiency, retention of phlegm and disharmony between Chong and Ren vessels,
etc. TCM
differentiation and treatment 1. Liver Yang hyperactivity Clinical
manifestation: Vertigo, tinnitus, headache, head distension, irritability, red
eyes, bitter taste in mouth, red tongue with thin yellow fur, taut and forceful
pulse Treatment
principle: Calm the Liver and subdue Liver Yang hyperactivity Herbal
prescription: Tianma Gouteng Yin (Decoction of Gastrodia and Uncaria) Acupuncture:
Fengchi (GB20), Xingjian (Liv2), Taichong (Liv3), Hegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11) 2. Phlegm obstructing the mind Clinical
manifestation: Vertigo, headache, distention and heaviness in the head, chest
and abdominal distention, poor appetite, swollen tongue with greasy fur, taut
and slippery pulse Treatment
principle: Tonify Spleen and resolve Phlegm Herbal
prescription: Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (Decoction of Pinellia tuber, Bighead
atractylodes and Gastrodia) Acupuncture:
Baihui (DU20), Fengchi (GB20), Zhongwan (Ren12), Zusanli (ST26), Fenglong
(ST40), Quchi (LI11) 3. Chong and Ren Vessel Disharmony Clinical
manifestation: Vertigo, headache, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hot flashes
or irregular menses, a red tongue body with thin, yellow fur, and a taut and
slippery pulse Treatment
principle: Harmonizing the Chong and Ren vessels Herbal
prescription: Modified Er-Xian Tang (Two Marvelous Herbs Decoction)
Acupuncture:
Baihui (DU20), Fengchi (GB20), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xuehai (SP10), Diji (SP8) 4. Yin deficiency and Liver Yang hyperactivity Clinical
manifestation: Vertigo, headache, tinnitus, blurred vision, numbness of the
limbs, weak and sore low back and knees, a red narrow tongue body with thin
yellow fur or without fur, and a taut, thin and weak pulse. Treatment
principle: Tonify Yin, calm the Liver, and subdue hyperactivity of the Liver
Yang Herbal
prescription: Qiju Dihuang Wan (Six Ingredient Pill Including Rehmannia with
Wolfberry fruit and Chrysanthemum flower) Acupuncture:
Fengchi (GB20), Taichong (Liv3), Ganshu (UB 18), Shenshu (UB23), Sanyinjiao
(SP6), Neiguan (PC6) Copyright by Kai Chen Ph.D. in Chinese Medicine
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