Stomach Discomfort

胃脘不適 / 胃脘不适

General unease, pain, or heaviness in the epigastric region.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Digestive Health
Also Known As	Epigastric discomfort, Stomach upset, Upper abdominal discomfort, Gastric discomfort, Queasy stomach
Common Symptoms	Unpleasant sensations in the upper abdomen or stomach region, such as dull pain, fullness, burning, or a vague uneasy feeling. It may relate to meals, improve or worsen with warmth, and can come with mild nausea, reduced appetite, or a preference for certain foods and drinks.
Related TCM Patterns	Yang Deficiency · Dampness · Qi Stagnation · Spleen Qi Deficiency · Food Stagnation · Stomach Heat
Related Classical Formulas	Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang · Liu Jun Zi Tang · Li Zhong Tang · Da Jian Zhong Tang · Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang · Si Ni Tang · Wei Ling Tang · Ping Wei San · Bao He Wan · Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San · Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang · Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang · Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang · Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang · Xie Huang San · Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang

Stomach Discomfort in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, stomach discomfort is differentiated by pattern rather than treated as one uniform gastric complaint. Yang deficiency, dampness, Spleen Qi deficiency and food stagnation are among the patterns that may present in this way. Differentiation considers whether the discomfort prefers warmth, whether there is bloating after meals, a greasy tongue coating, acid regurgitation, or a history of irregular eating. Classical formulas follow the pattern, not the location of the discomfort alone.

TCM Patterns Associated With Stomach Discomfort

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
Yang Deficiency陽虛證Deficiency Patterns	Aversion to cold, cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and clothing, and low energy that worsens in cold weather. There may be loose stools, clear copious urine, a pale puffy face, and reduced libido or lumbar weakness. The person feels better with warmth and worse with cold exposure. Tongue pale and possibly swollen with a white coating; pulse deep and weak.	Li Zhong Tang Da Jian Zhong Tang Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang Si Ni 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.	Wei Ling Tang Ping Wei San Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Spleen Qi Deficiency脾氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Poor appetite, loose or unformed stools, fatigue that worsens after meals, a pale or sallow complexion, and a soft or low voice. There may be abdominal fullness after eating, easy bruising, or a tendency toward thin white phlegm. The person often feels better with rest and simple warm food. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Liu Jun Zi Tang Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang
Food Stagnation食積證Stagnation Patterns	Epigastric or abdominal fullness and distension after eating, foul belching or sour regurgitation, and reduced appetite for the next meal. Stools may be foul-smelling or sticky, and the person often feels better after vomiting or passing stool. Symptoms clearly relate to overeating or irregular meals. Tongue with a thick greasy coating; pulse slippery.	Bao He Wan
Stomach Heat胃熱證Heat Patterns	Burning or discomfort in the epigastrium, thirst with preference for cold drinks, bad breath, and a tendency toward constipation or dry stools. The gums may feel swollen or sore, and appetite can be strong yet unsettled. Tongue red with a yellow coating, possibly dry in the centre; pulse slippery and rapid.	Xie Huang San