Diet - Food Stagnation
Food stagnation is a common component of abdominal distension. Eating more food than the Spleen and Stomach can cope with, either because too much is consumed, or because the Spleen is already weak, will obstruct the qi mechanism and thus the descent and ascent of middle jiao qi. Once the qi mechanism is obstructed by unprocessed food, various complications can arise to further aggravate the distension. One of the most common complications is constipation. Thus disruption of the qi mechanism, food stagnation and constipation form a common clinical picture.
there are several different situations that can cause weakness in qi of the Spleen and Stomach. Overeating, eating irregularly, or at odd hours, especially late at night, weakens Spleen and Stomach qi and leads to food stagnation. Too much cold natured or raw food also weakens Spleen qi and yang. Overconsumption in general and excessive consumption of rich, heating and supplementing foods in particular, can lead to the accumulation of food and Damp Heat in the Intestines.
Food stagnation is a common precursor to a large number of other pathologies and is a common etiological factor in the development of many of the diseases that occur in modern life. In traditional Chinese Medicine texts, food stagnation as a cause of disease has been underrated, mainly because overeating or having a rich diet was not common among the Chinese people. However, in modern times, food stagnation is more common and more insidious. Patients can become conditioned to ignoring, or may not even be conscious of, the typical symptoms of bloating, belching, bad breath, and flatulence. The eating patterns that give rise to such symptoms may be so ingrained that individuals cease to be aware of them, or the symptoms experienced are considered to be normal.
By habitually overloading the Spleen and Stomach and exceeding their capacities to process the food ingested, a cycle is begun that can have profound ramifications. Instead of being sent through the intestines, the food lingers longer than it should, fermenting and rotting. The stagnation in the digestive tract may produce Heat which can intensify this process of putrefaction. The Spleen and Stomach are weakened, further inhibiting their abilities to perform their digestive tasks efficiently. The weakened Spleen produces Damp which in turn may be congealed into Phlegm by the Heat. The Phlegm or Phlegm Heat so produced can then affect other systems, for example the cardiovascular system (Phlegm stagnation in the chest causing chest pain), neurological system (some types of tremors, anxiety states, insomnia, vertigo, paralysis) and skin (cysts, various ulcerations, chronic sores and swellings). In addition, chronic Heat or Damp Heat can injure intestinal yin and the intestinal lining, compromising the circulation of qi and blood. Phlegm accumulation may eventually evolve into Blood stagnation, causing polyps, nodules and tumors.
Food Stagnation is a continuous problem in our society in regards to our gut health. Changing your diet and watching your portions can help remedy this stagnation and improve the function of the Spleen and Stomach all together!