"Doctor, I feel like my spleen and stomach are weak. What's going on?"
"What important roles do the spleen and stomach play in the body?"
During a recent clinic session, a patient asked me these questions. He felt his spleen and stomach were particularly weak, and he noted that out of ten people, nine seemed to have weak spleen and stomach function. What's really going on here? And what roles do the spleen and stomach play in the body?Many may not fully understand this, so let me guide you through some medical knowledge about the spleen and stomach. What exactly is spleen deficiency?
Medically speaking, spleen deficiency refers to a series of physiological dysfunction in the spleen caused by weakness in the spleen and stomach. Simply put, weakness in the spleen and stomach can lead to frequent nausea, diarrhea, edema, bleeding, and cold limbs, significantly impacting bodily functions.So what causes spleen deficiency?
1. Poor emotional state and excessive worry
Young people in today's society face increasing mental pressure. When they lack outlets to release stress, it can lead to excessive mental strain, making them prone to spleen deficiency. Once mental pressure causes poor emotional state, it affects liver digestion, leading to spleen and stomach issues—even causing abdominal distension and pain.
Therefore, it is crucial to manage emotions effectively and maintain an optimistic outlook. This approach benefits overall health, as emotional state significantly influences spleen and stomach function—emotional well-being directly impacts both physical and mental health.
2. Dietary Factors
As the saying goes, "Illness enters through the mouth." Many may notice that when health issues arise, they often stem from dietary habits. Unsurprisingly, spleen deficiency follows this pattern. Some young people neglect proper eating habits, frequently consuming heavily seasoned, spicy, or raw/cold foods, or maintaining irregular meal schedules. Prolonged exposure to such stimuli weakens the spleen and stomach, impairing their functions.
Therefore, it's crucial to be mindful of what you eat. Opt for more vegetables, fruits, and other beneficial foods to replenish vitamins and proteins promptly.
3. Environmental Factors
In daily life, we may observe that some women tend to have weaker spleen and stomach functions compared to men. This is primarily because women's bodies are naturally cooler. If they also live in damp environments, the excess yin energy absorbed by the body can lead to spleen and stomach deficiency.Therefore, daily living environments should maintain relative warmth and avoid prolonged dampness, as prolonged exposure can gradually damage the spleen and stomach, causing irreparable harm to the body.
4. Weight Loss and Slimming
Many people today experience appearance anxiety and body image concerns, leading many to pursue weight loss relentlessly.During this process, some may resort to extreme dieting or skipping meals. Such improper weight loss methods can damage the spleen and stomach, potentially leading to other complications. Therefore, it is crucial to choose appropriate methods for weight loss. Avoid excessive dieting or consuming unsuitable weight loss products, as these can cause significant harm to the spleen and stomach.
These factors can contribute to spleen and stomach weakness. Now, let's explore the vital roles these organs play in our bodies.The Vital Functions of the Spleen and Stomach in the Human Body
1. Aiding Digestion and Absorption
The spleen and stomach form a paired organ system responsible for the body's absorption functions. Typically, when the body ingests substances, the stomach receives them, performs initial digestion and absorption, then conveys them downward. Afterward, the spleen and stomach receive these substances, converting them into nutrients for absorption and distribution throughout the body.This is what we commonly refer to as qi and blood. Therefore, the spleen and stomach are vital to the human body.
2. Nourishing Kidney Qi and Maintaining Vitality
Many kidney issues stem from irregular eating habits or other causes. In such cases, doctors typically advise regulating the spleen and stomach before attempting to strengthen the kidneys.This is primarily because spleen deficiency can lead to insufficient essence and fluids to nourish the kidneys. This deficiency can result in kidney yang deficiency, preventing the proper distribution of these vital substances to the limbs and causing overall physical weakness. Thus, a crucial function of the spleen and stomach is to nourish and maintain robust kidney qi within the body.
3. Impact on Other Diseases
Spleen-stomach weakness increases damp pathogenic factors in the body, leading to qi and blood deficiency. Its typical symptom is often obesity. Beyond this, it can contribute to serious malignant conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., cerebral thrombosis, myocardial infarction) and even malignant tumors. In severe cases, it may lead to sudden acute death.Thus, spleen-stomach deficiency inflicts significant harm on the body and may precipitate these malignant conditions.
4. The Spleen and Stomach Play Vital Roles in the Human Body
Yet many neglect their importance, sometimes even resorting to surgical removal when other diseases arise.In reality, the spleen and stomach constitute the body's largest immune organ. Damaging or removing them compromises the immune system, leading to frequent illness, cellular invasion, and even premature aging.Therefore, it is essential to take good care of your spleen and stomach. Avoid excessive consumption of spicy or raw foods, opt for fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome options, and maintain regular meal times. Only by safeguarding the spleen and stomach can the body achieve robust health.
Through today's discussion, I believe I have addressed the initial question posed by the patient. Many individuals experiencing spleen and stomach deficiency now have a clearer understanding of these organs and recognize the critical importance of protecting them.
Beyond aiding digestion and nutrient absorption, the spleen and stomach function as vital immune organs, blocking viral invasions while nourishing kidney qi to maintain its vigor. Their role is truly beyond imagination. So, have you learned this today?