Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Hydrocephalus Treatment In Traditional Chinese medicine perspective

Monday 2 December 2013

Hydrocephalus Treatment In Traditional Chinese medicine perspective

Hydrocephalus, also known as "water in the brain" is defined as complex and multifactorial neurological disorders of accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavity of brain of that can lead to intracranial pressure inside the side, resulting of brain trauma, stroke, infection, tumor, etc.
Other than structures abnormalities caused by genetic defects, accidence, etc., most acquired hydrocephalus can be prevented by enhancing the immune system in fighting against forming of free radicals causes of irregular cells growth and foreign invasion such virus and bacteria and reduce the risk of diseases cause of Hydrocephalus, such as dementia.
Treatments
In Traditional Chinese medicine perspective
According to the article of Hydrocephalus posted on Dicovery TCM, Hydrocephalusis a result of

1. Deficiency of the kidney qi

a. Main symptoms and signs

Marked enlargement of skull, widened fontanel with separation of sutures,sluggish expression, dimness in the eyes, dropping eyeballs like "the setting sun", large anteverted head with thin neck, strabismus, vomiting and convulsion in severe cases, whitish complexion, poor appetite, loose stools, pale tongue with a little fur, weak pulse and bluish superficial venule of index finger.

b. Therapeutic method

Tonifying the kidney and marrow.

c. Prescription and drugs The prescription used is the modified Bushen Dihuang Pill (Rehmannia Pill for Tonifying the kidney) composed of 10 g of Shudihuang ( Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata ), 10 g of Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae ), 10 g of Shanzhuyu ( Fructus Corni), 10 g of Fuling (Poria), 10 g of Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis), 10 g of Mudanpi ( Cortex Moutan Radicis), 6 g of Niuxi (RadixAchyranthis Bidentatae), 6 g of Lujiaojiao (colla Comus Cervi) (melted) and 6 g of Danggui ( Radix Angelicae Sinensis )

Modification For the patients with concurrent talantropia, strabismus or blurred vision, 10 g of Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii), 8 g of Tusizi (Semen Cuscutae), 10 g of Juemingzi ( Semen Cassiae ) and 10 g of Juhua ( Flos Chrysanthemi) are added.

2. Hyperactivity of the liver due to asthenia of the kidney
a. Main symptoms and signs

Separation of skull sutures, large and wide anterior fontanel, dropping eyeballs with more white than black, brightless eyes, dry mouth, dysphoria, feverish palms and soles, muscular twitching and cramp, occasional scream, red tongue,deep, thready and rapid pulse and purplish superficial venule of index finger

b.Therapeutic methods

Nourishing the kidney yin, calming the liver yang to stop wind.

c. Prescription and drugs The prescription used is the modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill in combination with Sanjia Fumai Decoction composed of 6 g of Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata), 10 g of Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae), 8 g of Shanzhuyu (Fructus Corni), 10 g of Fuling ( Poria ), 6 g of Zexie ( Rhizoma Alismatis ), 10 g of Guiban ( Plastrum Testudinis) ( to be decocted first), 6 g of Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), 3 g of Huangbai ( Cortex Phellodendri), 6 g of Ejiao ( Colla COrii Asini) and 12 g of Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba ).

Modification For the patients with fever due to yin deficiency, 6 g of Yuzhu (Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati) and 6 g of Baiwei (Radix Cynanchi Atrati ) are added; for the patients with dysphoria, 3 g of Hupofen (powder of Succinum) (taken separately) and 15 g of Zhenzhumu (Concha Margaritifera Usta) (to be decocted first) are included; for patients with muscular twitching and cramp, or occasional scream, 6 g of Tianma ( Rhizoma Gastrodiae ), 10 g of Gouteng ( Bamulus Uncariae cum Uncis) (to be decocted later) and 10 g of Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) are added.

3. Water retention due to asthenia of the spleen

a. Main symptoms and signs Wide and large fontanel, separation of fontanel sutures, whitish complexion,lassitude, poor appetite, loose stools, epigastric and abdominal distension, pale tongue with whitish and thin or whitish and greasy fur, thready and weak pulse and light red superficial venule of index finger.

b. Therapeutic method

Warming the spleen to promote water metabolism.

c. Prescription and drugs The prescription used is the modifided Fuzi Lizhong Decoction (Aconite Decoction for Regulating the Middle Energizer) in combination with Wuling Powder (Five-ingredient Powder with Poria) composed of 3 g of Renshen (Radix Ginseng), 10 g of Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), 6 g of Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis), 3 g of Zhifuzi ( Radix Aconiti Praeparata) (to be decocted first), 10 g of Zhuling (Polygorus Umbellatus), 10 g of Fuling (Poria), 6 g of Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis ) and 6 g of Guizhi ( Ramulus Cinnamomi )

Modification For the patients with poor appetite, 10 g of Jiaoshanzha (carbonized Fructus Crataegi), 10 g of Jiaomaiya (carbonized Fructus Hordei Germinatus ) and 10 g of Jiaoshenqu (carbonized Massa Fermentata Medicinalis) are added; for the patients with loose stools,6 g of Cheqianzi ( Semen Plantaginis) (to be wrapped) and 10 g of Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) are included; for the patients with vomiting, 6 g of Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae ) and 6 g of Zhuru ( Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam) are added; for the patients with yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney, poor appetite and loose stools,Kidney-regulating Powder may be applied. The powder is composed of 10 g of Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae), 3 g of Renshen (Radix Ginseng), 10 g of Baifuling (Poria), 10 g of Fushen (Poria cum Ligno Hospite ), 10 g of Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), 12 g of Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba ), 6 g of Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata), 8 g of Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ), 10 g of Huangqi (Radix Astragall seu Hedysari), 6 g of Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong) , 3 g of Zhigancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparata) and 10 g of Shichangpu ( Rhizoma Acori Graminei). The ingredients are ground into fine powder, 10 g of which is decocted with ginger and Chinese dates to be taken each time.

4. Stagnation of preponderant heat and toxin

a. Main symptoms and signs Gradual enlargement of skull, prominent and distending fontanel, closure of fontanel sutures with recurrent separation, dropping eyes, fever, short breath, dysphoria with cry and tantrum, flushed complexion with red lips or strabismus, spasm of limbs, dark and scanty and deep yellow urine, constipation, red tongue with yellowish fur, taut and rapid pulse, purple and sluggish superficial venule of index finger.

b. Therapeutic methods

Clearing away heat and removing toxin, removing blood stasis and dredging collaterals.

c. Prescription and drugs The prescription used is the modified Xidi Qingluo Decoction (Decoction of Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Root for Clearing away Heat from Collaterals) composed of 15g of Shuiniujiaopian (slices ofcornu Bubali) (to be decocted first), 10 g of Shengdihuang ( Radix Rehmanniae ), 10 g of Lianqiao ( Fructus Forsythiae ), 3 g of Dengxincao ( Medulla Junci), 10 g of Mudanpi ( Cortex Moutan Radicis ),10 g of Chishaoyao ( Radix Paeoniae Rubra ), 6 g of Taoren (Semen Persicae ) and 10 g of Baimaogen (Rhizoma Imperatae ) .

Modification For the patients with stagnation of phlegm and heat, chest distress with nausea, red tongue with yellowish fur, 6 g of Danxing (Arisaema cum Bile), 10 g of Shichangpu ( Rhizoma Acori Graminei ) ,6 g of Dilong ( Lumbricus ) and 10 g of Tianzhuhuang (concretio silicea Bambusae ) are added; for the patients with clonic convulsion, 6 g of Quanxie (Scorpio), 10 g of Gouteng (Bamulus Uncariae cure Uncis) (to be decocted later) and 12 g of Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) are included. For enlargement of skull, separation of fontanel sutures without closure, visible local bluish superficial venules, tongue with ecchymosis, or deafness and dumbness, hypophrenia and paralysis of limbs resulted from the fact that blood stasis obstructs cerebral collaterals, constricts cerebral marrow and blocks cerebral orifices, the therapeutic method is removing blood stasis to eliminate obstructive orifices. The prescription used is the modified Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction (Decoction for Removing Obstruction from Orifices and Activating Blood Circulation) composed of 10 g of Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ), 8 g of Chuanxiong ( Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong), 10 g of Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), 6 g of Taoren ( Semen Persicae), 6 g of Honghua (Flos Carthami ), 10 g of Danshen ( Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizea), 8 g of Dilong (Lumbricus), O. 05 g of Shexiang (artificial Moschus) (to be infused separately),8 g of Niuxi (RadixAchyranthis Bidentatae) and 10 g of Fuling (Poria).

For more information of TCM in treating please visit (66)