Differentiating Syndromes of the Kidney

Kidney yang deficiency syndromes

The kidney stores essence which is the original source of reproduction, therefore kidney yang deficiency will influent the genital system and sexual activities. Symptoms seen in men are impotence and praecox ejaculation, and in women excessive and clear leukorrhea, and infertility. The kidney dominates the bones and is the site of primary yang qi convergence. Insufficient yang qi of the kidney fails to warm and nourish the body and extremities, causing chilliness, aching and weakness of the lumbar region and knee joints. The kidney dominates water metabolism, so kidney yang deficiency causes a dysfunction of urinary bladder restriction, manifesting enuresis or profuse and clear urine. A pale tongue proper with white coating and a deep, slow and forceless pulse are signs of yang deficiency.

Kidney yin deficiency syndromes

Yin deficiency produces internal heat, so symptoms such as low fever, malar flush, feverish sensation of the palms and soles, and night sweating occur. Yin deficiency also leads to insufficiency of body fluid manifested by dryness of the throat. Consumption of kidney yin causes soreness and weakness of the lumbar region and knee joints, hair loss and loosening teeth. Yin deficiency also causes the kidney to fail in its function of producing marrow, and with it filling out the brain. Manifestations are dizziness, vertigo, poor memory and insomnia. Yin deficiency is unable to nourish the upper orifices, and is manifested by ringing in the ears and deafness. Red tongue proper, and thready and rapid pulse are also signs of yin deficiency.

Kidney qi deficiency syndromes

The kidney dominates the reception of qi, so its weakness causes the qi to lose its function of controlling reception. The symptoms of shortness and weakness of breathing result. Asthmatic breathing aggravated by exertion is due to the consumption of qi. The xu condition of the kidney brings on yang deficiency leading to the weakness of wei (defensive) qi, so symptoms of perspiration appear. Cold extremities are due to yang qi failing to reach and warm the four extremities. yang deficiency also has difficulty in promoting qi circulation and water metabolism, so there is swelling of the face. Pale tongue proper and xu pulse are also signs of kidney qi deficiency.

Kidney xu leading to excessive water

The declining of kidney yang causes a dysfunction of the urinary bladder qi activity, manifesting as scanty urination. General edema is due to the water and fluid overflowing into the skin and muscles. Retention of water and fluid in the abdominal cavity gives rise to local distension. Excess water and fluid converts into phlegm, manifesting as cough and asthma with sputum gurgling in the throat. If water and fluid overflow upward they attack the heart and lung causing symptoms of palpitation and shortness of breath. yang deficiency fails to warm and nourish the extremities, so it causes chilliness and cold extremities. Flabby tongue body, white tongue coating, deep and thready pulse are signs of yang deficiency causing an overflow of water and fluid.

Unconsolidated kidney qi syndromes

The kidney stores essence, if kidney xu fails to consolidate the source of semen involuntary seminal discharge and praecox ejaculation occur. Kidney xu causes the dysfunction of urinary bladder restriction seen in the symptoms of frequent and clear urination, dribbling of urine, incontinence, and nocturnal enuresis. The waist is the house of the kidneys, deficiency causes soreness and weakness of the lumbar region. Wan complexion, pale tongue proper with white coating, and thready weak pulse are signs of yang xu in the kidney.

Syndromes a,c,d, and e are based on the insufficiency of kidney yang. However, each has its own emphasis on pathological changes and clinical manifestations. The non-consolidation of kidney qi mainly indicates syndromes of yang xu of the kidney which causes uncontrollable seminal emissions and the dysfunction of the urinary bladder restriction. Kidney yang xu also leads to an inability to receive qi from the lung. Kidney xu, resulting in the overflow and subsequent retention of water, derives from dysfunction syndromes of the kidney, which normally controls water metabolism and qi activity. The declining of kidney yang also shows the syndromes of hyperactive sexual function.

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