Habits that damage the liver are not just drinking: staying up late, emotions and "liver qi imbalance" in the eyes of traditional Chinese medicine

When many people hear "liver damage", their first reaction is to drink alcohol. But in clinical practice, what really needs attention is oftendaily habits. At Guoyitang Clinic in Flushing, New York, we often encounter: chronic emotional stress, staying up late, eating disorders, andLiver Qi imbalance, liver blood deficiencyComplaints related to syndrome differentiation are no less common than occasional drinking. Let’s talk systematically about the habits that damage the liver, and how Chinese medicine differentiates and regulates them.

1. The "liver" in Chinese medicine is not a simple organ

In modern medicine, the liver is responsible for metabolism, detoxification and other functions. In the traditional Chinese medicine system, "liver" is more emphasizedDisperses Qi, stores and regulates blood, and opens up eyes., and closely related to emotional activities. When this functional system is out of balance, mood swings, unstable sleep, blurred vision, headache, abdominal distension, premenstrual discomfort, etc. may appear. The superficial symptoms are different, but the syndrome differentiation is often different from theDiscomfort of liver qirelated. Note: "liver" in traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine liver test indicators, viral hepatitis, etc.cannot be simply equated, organic diseases must be evaluated by specialists.

2. Which habits are more likely to aggravate liver qi imbalance?

1. Staying up late for a long time

As the saying goes, "When a person lies down, blood returns to the liver." Sleeping at night is an important period for liver blood repair and conservation. Going to bed late for a long time can easily lead to difficulty falling asleep, dry eyes, emotional instability, and increased fatigue. In fast-paced cities such as New York, staying up late is common, and it is also one of the life histories that is often questioned during clinical diagnosis.

2. Long-term emotional depression or excessive pressure

"The liver governs dispersion and regulates emotions." Long-term depression, anxiety, and stress are prone to liver qi stagnation, which manifests as chest tightness, excessive breathlessness, premenstrual breast swelling and pain, irritability, and anorexia, etc.

3. Excessive drinking

Alcohol is directly toxic to the liver as defined by modern medicine; Chinese medicine believes that alcohol is pungent and hot, and can easily help fire, damage yin, and disturb liver fire. People who overdose for a long time may have tendencies such as bitter mouth, irritability, poor sleep, and flushed face and eyes.

4. Eat greasy and heavy-flavored food

Long-term high-fat, fried, over-salty, etc., can easily help dampness hinder the spleen and cause qi stagnation, which is related to syndrome differentiation such as increased burden of liver and gallbladder drainage and accumulation of phlegm and dampness. People who eat out frequently need to pay more attention to their dietary structure.

5. Sit for long periods of time and move less

Sitting for long periods of time can easily cause qi and blood to flow slowly, which can interact with stagnation of liver qi, stiffness in the neck, shoulders, waist and back, slow digestion, and emotional depression. People in the office should get up and move intermittently.

6. Long-term medication and physical conditioning

Some drugs need to be metabolized by the liver;Do not stop or change medications on your own because you are worried about "liver damage", must be monitored according to medical advice. When seeing a Chinese medicine doctor, you should be fully informed of the prescription drugs, health products, and drinking history to facilitate syndrome differentiation and avoid interactions; whether to cooperate with traditional Chinese medicine conditioning will be evaluated by the doctor.

3. What signals may appear after liver injury? (Indicative enumeration)

If the following conditions occur for a long time or repeatedly, it is recommended to undergo a face-to-face consultation to rule out other organ and organic problems:

• Difficulty falling asleep, shallow sleep
• Dry eyes, visual fatigue
• Menstrual discomfort, premenstrual mood swings
• Chest tightness, sighing
• Mood swings, irritability, or depressive tendencies
• Headache, head fullness
• persistent feeling of fatigue

4. How does Chinese medicine differentiate syndrome and regulate liver?

existLicensed Chinese PhysicianAfter evaluation, treatment is often carried out according to the syndrome in the direction of soothing the liver and relieving stagnation, nourishing the liver and blood, calming the liver and subduing yang. The methods may include acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine compound, massage and daily routine suggestions.Different physiques, different plans, it is not advisable to take "liver-clearing" or "liver-protecting" health products on your own for a long time.

5. What can you do to nourish your liver daily?

• Try to have a regular schedule and try to fall asleep before midnight.
• Reduce long-term emotional depression: Moderate talking, exercise, mindfulness or psychological counseling can all be used as assistants.
• Moderate aerobic exercise and stretching every week.
• Less alcohol, less fried and high-sugar drinks, and a light and varied diet.
• Maintain a relatively comfortable state of mind - the essence of nourishing the liver is to adjust the rhythm, rather than relying on a single "magic medicine".

6. Conclusion

Liver Qi imbalance may not immediately manifest as a serious illness, but long-term neglect may affect sleep, mood, digestion, menstruation, and overall energy. If you are in New York or Queens and suffer from long-term sleep, mood, menstrual discomfort or chronic fatigue, welcome toFlushing GuoyitangA syndrome differentiation assessment will be conducted, and the doctor will discuss whether acupuncture treatment is suitable for you based on your physical constitution, and coordinate with your attending physician's plan.