Hello dear Readers!

In this new wave of the Omicron variant of Covid 19, I have received many patients with sequelae of Fatigue. Have you ever wondered, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, what does this mean? Why can a disease that primarily affects the Lungs cause such extreme fatigue?

Let’s think according to the 5 Elements to better understand what is happening with our patients.

In Chinese Medicine we know that the Lung is the body’s biggest energy producer. This is because the Lungs is responsible for producing Defense Energy (Wei Qi) and Nutritive Energy (Yin Qi) through the union of Air and Food Energies (Gu Qi).

When the individual contracts Covid, the Lung will be affected even if there are no severe symptoms. The Omicron variant has been classified as a milder form of the disease (even though severe cases are still reported) and its main symptoms are mild upper respiratory system respiratory problems and fatigue.

Many patients report not being able to do simple things like talking on the phone, doing the dishes or playing the piano. And unlike the first version, what the patient reports is tiredness, not shortness of breath.

As the Lung is responsible for the body’s high energy production, when affected, it will try to correct its production and balanced functioning using the strength of its mother organ, that is, the Spleen. The Spleen, in turn, is responsible for capturing energy from food, and at first it will try to help the Lung in reestablishing their functions, however, with the average duration of the illness being 10 days, the Spleen becomes overloaded, not being able to perform its functions, among them, sending Gu Qi so that the Lungs work again.

Thus, fatigue is installed in the body, due to a low energy production and a low use of food.

Following the Spleen, the Stomach will be impaired. As the first viscera with a digestive function, the Stomach is responsible for breaking down food, maturing it and sending it to the Spleen to extract its essences. Since the Spleen will be weak and overloaded, it will not be able to carry out the reception of matter that comes from the Stomach.

Without reception by the Spleen, the Stomach diminishes its functions, as its work will not be efficiently used by the Spleen. With a deficient Stomach, the patient will have tiredness, lack of appetite, difficulty in digestion, intestinal malfunction, decreased production of Yin fluids by the Stomach, which will result in dry mouth, burning in the stomach and in more severe cases, persistent fever.

When the Stomach weakens, the entire energy-forming chair is broken, so the patient’s tiredness is severe. It is important, therefore, that the therapist knows how to evaluate and treat a post-Covid patient, not only strengthening his Lung, but also the Spleen and Stomach.

I suggest the following points:

• To strengthen the Lungs: Lu7, Lu9, CV17, in auriculotherapy, Lung point.
• To strengthen the Spleen: SP2, SP3, in auriculotherapy, Spleen point.
• To strengthen the Stomach: CV15, CV12, ST36 and SP6, in auriculotherapy, Stomach point.

Once the function of the Spleen is reestablished, which will be able to capture the energy of the Stomach and strengthening the Lungs so that it no longer steals the energy from the Spleen in excess, the patient will be able to resume normal energy production and the symptom of tiredness. and fatigue will resolve more quickly.

Hope it was helpful.

A big hug to everyone.

Fernanda Mara

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Good morning readers!

Today we are going to talk about the difference between Tiredness and Exhaustion in Chinese Medicine point of view and understand what organs are affected by these situations plus how we should treat patients that suffer from these problems.

Before, we need to define the difference between Tiredness and Exhaustion.

Tiredness is a fatigue sensation caused by an excess of mental or physical activities. A feeling that we can no longer keep an adequate activity. Thus, the body demands “rest”, namely, the act of “ceasing movement or activity in order to relax”. The individual must stop what he is doing and give the body what it needs. Some hours of resting, sleep, or doing tasks that don’t require either physical or mental excess.

Therefore, we may say that when the individual rests, tiredness fades away. Wakes up ready for a new day and whatever caused that fatigue is a problem that belongs to the past.

In Chinese Medicine, Tiredness affects the Spleen function, the organ who is responsible for turning food into something that the body can use, also playing a major role in blood making, guarantees the capacity of focusing, memorization and learning, on top of other functions, it’s also responsible for maintaining physical strength.

When the individual does not rest properly, the Spleen becomes deficiency. Days turn longer, the capacity of focusing and memorization are harmed, the body becomes heavy, there is liquid retention, sleepless, memory lapses, muscular weakness and many other symptoms. In order  to get out of this situation, besides rest (mandatory), it’s essential that we strengthen Spleen. Acupuncture and auriculotherapy points combined with therapy diet may be helpful.

My suggestion is to use: SP2, SP3, SP6 in body acupuncture, and Spleen and Metabolism auriculotherapy points. Diet must be rich in energy, that’s why, roots like potato, yam, cassava are recommended. Oat, pumpkin and ginseng are also excellent to heal tiredness.

Now, Exhaustion is a feeling of mental and physical depletion. The body is unable to maintain its basic cognitive functions. Talking becomes difficult. Reasoning, impossible. Muscles demand for bed and the individual don’t want to leave it. We may say that chronic tiredness leads to exhaustion.

In Chinese Medicine, Exhaustion affects the Kidney. The Kidney is the base of our vital energy. It’s the organ that determines our birth, development, reproduction, aging and death. The Kidney decides the alterations that happen during each one of life stages. That’s why, when an individual feels exhausted, that means that his vital energy is being consumed in excess. Fastening life’s aging.

Exhausted patients, sleep, rest and remain exhausted. Strengthening only Spleen won’t improve the situation. Hence why, when we face a patient that suffers from this problem, we should work on the Kidney and the vital energy.

As in previous case, body acupuncture and auricular points combined with therapy diet are recommended. My suggestion is to use KI3, CV4 e GV4, to treat exhausted patients, we can also work them with moxibustion. In auriculotherapy however, Kidney and Apex points are very indicated. In Chinese Therapy Diet, we must use foods that strengthen the water element, such as eggs, sunflower seeds, plums, and grapes. Seeds in general are always recommended.

It’s important to know that Spleen and Kidney have an intimacy relation when it comes to functioning in Chinese Medicine. A chronic Spleen energy injury may lead to a chronic Kidney injury. The opposite is also true. Thus, an extremely tired patient may in few time feel exhausted. And that’s why we should always pay attention and protect these two organs, whenever the patient relates the problem.

Let’s avoid tiredness and exhaustion, shall we? Let’s make our patients ready to enjoy life again?Being always in the mood is the key to a good and happy life!

I hope that you liked it.

A very tight hug!

Profa. Fernanda Mara