Dizziness & Vertigo

頭暈眩暈 / 头晕眩晕

Sensation of spinning, unsteadiness, or light-headedness.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Healthy Aging
Also Known As	Dizziness, Vertigo, Light-headedness, Spinning sensation, Unsteady head
Common Symptoms	A sensation of unsteadiness, light-headedness, or that the surroundings are moving. It may worsen on standing, with head movement, or when tired, and can come with blurred vision, tinnitus, or a heavy head. Severity ranges from mild fogginess to strong spinning that affects walking.
Related TCM Patterns	Kidney Yin Deficiency · Liver Fire · Blood Deficiency · Dampness · Phlegm-Dampness · Qi Deficiency
Related Classical Formulas	Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin · Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang · Qi Ju Di Huang Wan · Si Wu Tang · Liu Wei Di Huang Wan · Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang · Wen Dan Tang · Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang · Er Zhi Wan · Zuo Ci Wan · Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang

Dizziness & Vertigo in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dizziness and vertigo are organised by pattern rather than by intensity alone. Kidney Yin deficiency, Liver Fire and Blood deficiency are among the patterns that may present with unsteadiness or spinning. Differentiation looks at whether there is tinnitus and lumbar soreness, irritability and a bitter taste, or a pale complexion and palpitations, and whether the dizziness is empty and foggy or forceful and accompanied by heat signs. Classical formulas follow these pattern features.

TCM Patterns Associated With Dizziness & Vertigo

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency腎陰虛證Deficiency Patterns	Soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, tinnitus or dizziness, night sweats, warm palms and soles, and dry mouth or throat that is worse at night. Sleep may be light, and the person often prefers cool drinks. The frame may be thinner. Tongue red with little coating; pulse thin and rapid.	Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Er Zhi Wan Zuo Ci Wan
Liver Fire肝火證Heat Patterns	Irritability, a bitter taste in the mouth, redness of the eyes or face, and distending headache or rib-side discomfort. Sleep may be restless with vivid dreams, and the person often prefers cool drinks. Constipation or dark urine can appear when heat is stronger. Tongue red with a yellow coating; pulse wiry and rapid.	Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Blood Deficiency血虛證Deficiency Patterns	A pale or sallow complexion, dry hair or skin, light-headedness on standing, blurred vision, and easy fatigue. In women the menstrual flow is often scanty and pale. Sleep may be light, and the hands and feet can feel numb when tired. Tongue pale and thin; pulse thin and weak.	Si Wu Tang
Dampness濕阻證Damp Patterns	A heavy, sluggish body feeling, abdominal fullness, sticky sensation in the mouth, and reduced appetite. Stools may be sticky or incomplete, and the person often feels worse in humid weather. There can be oedema of the limbs or a greasy facial sheen. Tongue with a thick greasy white coating; pulse soft or slippery.	Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Phlegm-Dampness痰濕證Phlegm Patterns	Copious white or sticky phlegm, a heavy chest or head, and a greasy tongue coating. There may be nausea, poor appetite, and a foggy or heavy mental feeling that worsens in damp weather or after rich food. Coughing brings up phlegm that is hard to clear completely. Tongue pale with a thick greasy white coating; pulse slippery.	Wen Dan Tang Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Qi Deficiency氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Easy fatigue, shortness of breath on mild effort, a soft or low voice, and spontaneous sweating with light activity. The complexion is often pale, and recovery after exertion is slow. There may be a tendency to catch external pathogens more easily. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang