Plankton (stomach fullness and discomfort) is a condition characterized by fullness and discomfort in the epigastrium (abdomen). Depending on the type of symptoms, drugs such as Baohe Pill with addition and subtraction, Ercheng Tang with Pingqi San with addition and subtraction, and Rhubarb, Huanglian, and Diarrhea Heart Tang with Lianpuo Drink with addition and subtraction, etc., may be prescribed.
Plankton is due to the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, elevation disorder, congestion of stomach qi, which results in fullness and discomfort in the epigastric region. It is clinically characterized by self-awareness of fullness, invisible to the touch, soft to the touch, and painless to the touch. Plankton is categorized into solid plumpness and false plumpness.
1. Solid plumpness: for the evidence of internal stoppage of diet, add and subtract Baohe Pill; for the evidence of phlegm-dampness obstruction (phlegm-dampness evil qi stays in the spleen and stomach), add and subtract Er Chen Tang and Ping Qi San; for the evidence of damp-heat obstruction of the stomach, add and subtract Rhubarb, Huanglian, and Diarrhoea Heart Soup and Lian Pu Drink; for the evidence of liver-stomach disharmony, add and subtract Yueju Pill and Hovenia Pill.
2. Deficiency plumpness: Add or subtract tonifying Zhong Yi Qi Tang for cases of weakness of spleen and stomach.
When plumpness occurs, the medicine should be taken under the guidance of a Chinese medicine practitioner, and should not be taken blindly, which may damage the body and aggravate the condition.