Is anemia the blood deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine? The difference between indicators and syndrome differentiation

Many people will ask after discovering "anemia" during a physical examination: "Am I an anemia as described by traditional Chinese medicine?" But in fact, in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine,Anemiawith western medicineanemiaThey are not completely equivalent concepts. At the Guoyitang Clinic in Flushing, New York, we often encounter cases where anemia is not found in the examination, but it is consistent with blood deficiency syndrome differentiation; or anemia is found in the laboratory, but blood deficiency may not be the main body constitution. The differences and maintenance ideas between the two are explained below.

1. What is anemia? (Modern medical perspective)

In modern medicine, anemia mostly refers to abnormalities in laboratory indicators. Common judgments include reduced hemoglobin (Hb), reduced number of red blood cells, or abnormalities in red blood cell morphology and function. Common causes include iron deficiency, acute and chronic blood loss (such as menorrhagia), anemia associated with chronic disease, vitamin B₁₂Or folic acid deficiency, etc.Anemia is first and foremost a quantifiable laboratory and etiological problem, the cause must be determined by a licensed physician based on medical history and other examinations, rather than relying solely on subjective feeling.

2. What is anemia? (from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective)

what traditional Chinese medicine saysAnemia, refers to the bodyInsufficient blood nourishing, moisturizing and running functionsA type of syndrome that is often related to dysfunction of the heart, liver, spleen and other organs; it does not simply mean "fewer red blood cells in the blood." Common symptoms may include sallow or pale complexion, dizziness and fatigue, palpitations, insomnia and dreaminess, dry eyes and blurred vision, low menstrual flow and pale color in women, etc. - specific requirements must beHope, hear and askAccording to syndrome differentiation, it can be combined with Qi deficiency, blood stasis, etc.

3. Anemia ≠ anemia (core difference)

Scenario 1: There is anemia, but the diagnosis may not be based on blood deficiency.

For example, if the indicators are abnormal after mild iron deficiency or short-term blood loss, if the body can still compensate, the typical blood deficiency syndrome may not appear; it may also be accompanied by other pathogenesis such as phlegm-dampness and qi stagnation.

Scenario 2: No anemia is found in the blood test, but symptoms related to blood deficiency are seen (not uncommon in clinical practice)

Staying up late for a long time, high stress, irregular diet, chronic fatigue, etc., even if the hemoglobin is within the normal range, insomnia, dizziness, emotional instability, scanty menstruation, etc. may still occur. The syndrome differentiation may tend to be blood deficiency or Qi and blood deficiency, etc.——It is still necessary to rule out other causes such as hypothyroidism, depression, sleep apnea, etc.。

4. Why are modern people more prone to syndromes related to blood deficiency?

In a fast-paced, brain-intensive lifestyle, the following factors are often related to syndrome differentiation of blood deficiency or Qi and blood deficiency (different from person to person):

• Staying up late to consume blood:"When people lie down, blood returns to the liver." Sleeping late for a long time can affect liver blood conservation.
• Overuse and stress:It is easy to consume the heart and spleen.
• Poor mood:Stagnation of liver qi can affect the production and movement of blood.
• Improper diet:Takeaways, cold foods, dieting, etc. can damage the spleen and stomach, and insufficient acquired chemical sources will lead to lack of sources of blood.

5. What aspects may be affected if blood deficiency is not regulated for a long time?

From the overall perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, if blood deficiency or syndrome persists for a long time, it may be related to restless sleep, easy mood swings, menstrual discomfort, loss of skin moisture, susceptibility to fatigue, etc. Therefore, clinical practice often emphasizesNourishing blood requires a combination of strengthening the spleen, soothing the liver, and calming the mindTreatment should be based on the symptoms, rather than just supplementing iron or using blood-tonifying drugs.

6. How does Chinese medicine differentiate and regulate blood deficiency?

existFlushing, New York Guoyitang, doctors will differentiate based on physical constitution and syndromes, rather than simply "replenishing blood". Common directions include nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen and promoting blood circulation, soothing the liver and regulating blood, etc.; methods can include individualized prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and guidance on daily routine and diet.It is not recommended to take donkey hide gelatin, red date products or supplements with unknown ingredients for a long time by yourself, so as not to disturb the stomach, support fire, or interact with medications for chronic diseases.

If anemia has been confirmed by the laboratory,At the same time, follow the treatment of the cause of Western medicine(Such as iron supplementation, treatment of blood loss, treatment of underlying diseases, etc.) Traditional Chinese medicine is an auxiliary treatment and cannot replace the treatment of the underlying cause.

7. When is it recommended to undergo a traditional Chinese medicine evaluation? When should I first see a Western doctor?

If you often experience the following conditions, you may consider a physical and syndrome assessment at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic (it is still recommended that those with persistent symptoms keep basic blood routine and other records):

• Easily tired and dizzy
• Light sleep and many dreams
• dry eyes
• Low menstrual flow or light color
• Pale or sallow complexion

If it appearsProgressive fatigue, palpitations and shortness of breath, melena, obvious weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and progressive decrease in hemoglobinetc. Priority must be given to modern medical investigation and should not be delayed.

Conclusion

Many people only pay attention to the numbers on the physical examination form, but ignore the overall feeling of the body.Anemia is a problem at the laboratory and etiology level; anemia is a status description at the syndrome differentiation level.——The two can overlap, but are not equivalent. If you have long-term fatigue, sleep, menstrual discomfort or sub-health problems in New York or Queens, welcome toGuoyitangUndertake a syndrome assessment, coordinating with your family physician or specialist program if necessary.