CHAPTER 55 Collapse after Childbirth
Aetiology
Severe blood loss during childbirth
If there is a massive loss of blood during childbirth, Blood becomes exhausted and this induces a collapse of Qi. Since the Heart governs Blood and houses the Mind, a severe exhaustion of Blood will deprive the Mind of its residence and this causes the sudden dizziness and fainting.
Pathology
From the pathology point of view, there are two main conditions, both characterized by a deficiency of Qi: in one there is a severe deficiency of Blood, and in the other a stasis of Blood. The former pattern is characterized by profuse discharge of lochia and is called ‘Flaccid Syndrome’, the other by retention of lochia and is called ‘Tense Syndrome’. The distinction between Flaccid and Tense Syndromes is somewhat similar to that for Wind-stroke; they are differentiated on the basis of symptoms, pulse, tongue and uterine bleeding.
In the Flaccid Syndrome, the situation is of collapse of Qi, with profuse discharge of lochia, pale complexion, palpitations, mental confusion, fainting, closed eyes, open mouth, cold limbs, and Deep and Fine pulse.
In the Tense Syndrome, there is a scanty discharge of lochia or no discharge at all, dark complexion, chest and abdominal pain, fainting, closed mouth, clenched hands and a Full, Rapid pulse. It corresponds to the ‘Lung rebellion’ of the ‘three rebellions’ (san chong) mentioned at the beginning of this section, i.e. stagnant Blood in the Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai) rising upward with rebellious Qi, and harassing the Lungs, causing the above symptoms.
The treatment of the Flaccid Syndrome is based on rescuing Qi from collapse and nourishing Blood, while that of the Tense Syndrome is based on invigorating Blood, eliminating stasis and subduing rebellious Qi.
Identification of patterns and treatment
Collapse of Qi with deficiency of Blood: Flaccid Syndrome
Clinical manifestations
Profuse bleeding after childbirth, sudden vertigo, pale, white complexion, palpitations, fainting, cold limbs, sweating. Tongue: Pale, Short. Pulse: Fine, Scattered.
Acupuncture
Ren-4 Guanyuan, Ren-6 Qihai, Du-26 Renzhong. ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, Ren-8 Shenque, Du-4 Mingmen, BL-23 Shenshu. All with reinforcing method; moxa must be used.
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