Digestion

In Western medicine, poor digestion is often described through a range of conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. Gastroparesis specifically refers to delayed gastric emptying, resulting in unpredictable digestion rates (Camilleri et al., Gastroenterology, 2018). On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) attributes many digestive issues to a pattern of disharmony known as Spleen Qi Deficiency, which is influenced by poor diet, stress, and damp environments. This pattern is often marked by poor digestion, fatigue, and loose stools (Maciocia, "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine," 2015). According to TCM, a weak Spleen Qi hampers the transformation and transportation of 'food Qi,' leading to the formation of dampness and phlegm. Both Western and TCM paradigms offer valuable perspectives, with Western medicine focusing on specific disorders like GERD and IBS (Ford et al., Gut, 2014; Longstreth et al., Gastroenterology, 2006), and TCM offering a holistic view centered on Qi imbalances.