Gastrointestinal Disorders

Western medicine categorizes gastritis as the inflammation of the stomach lining, with erosive and non-erosive forms indicating whether the lining is worn away or merely inflamed (Tarnawski et al., 2018, Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology). Notably, H. pylori-induced gastritis is a prevalent variant and can herald more serious gastrointestinal conditions (Malfertheiner et al., 2017, Gut). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), gastritis is understood through two distinct disharmony patterns: 1) Phlegm fluids accumulating above the diaphragm due to stagnant Qi, affecting the chest and lungs, and 2) Liver Qi Stagnation, characterized by impaired Qi flow in the liver leading to symptoms such as distention, poor appetite, chills, and vomiting (Yuan et al., 2017, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine). Both Western and Eastern approaches to understanding gastritis are backed by a robust body of interdisciplinary research, as cited in the National Institutes of Health database.