Cirrhosis is a common chronic progressive liver disease caused by the long-term or repeated action of one or more etiological factors, resulting in diffuse liver damage. In China, most cases are post-hepatitis cirrhosis, with a minority being alcoholic cirrhosis and schistosomal cirrhosis. Pathologically, there is extensive hepatocyte necrosis, nodular regeneration of residual hepatocytes, proliferation of connective tissue, and formation of fibrous septa, leading to the destruction of the liver lobule structure and the formation of pseudo-lobules, with the liver gradually deforming and hardening to develop into cirrhosis. In the early stages, due to the strong compensatory function of the liver, there may be no obvious symptoms, but in the later stages, the main manifestations are liver function damage and portal hypertension, with multiple systems involved. Complications such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, secondary infections, hypersplenism, ascites, and cancer often occur in the advanced stages.
Qi Stagnation and Dysfunction Type: Abdominal distension that is not firm to the touch, fullness or pain under the ribs, reduced appetite, increased abdominal distension after eating, which slightly decreases after belching, and reduced urine volume; the tongue coating is white and greasy, and the pulse is taut and thin.
Dampness-Water Retention and Spleen Impairment Type: Significant abdominal distension, palpable like a bag filled with water, chest and epigastric bloating and discomfort, relieved by warmth, general heaviness and fatigue of the body, aversion to cold with swollen limbs, facial edema or slight swelling of the lower limbs, loose stools, and reduced urination; the tongue is swollen, with a white, slippery, and greasy coating, and the pulse is slow.
Stasis and Water Retention Type: Significant abdominal distension and firmness, with prominent veins, stabbing pain in the hypochondriac and abdominal areas that worsens with pressure, dull complexion, red spots and streaks visible on the head, neck, and chest, purplish-brown lips, dark-colored stools, skin with a mottled appearance, dry mouth, and an aversion to drinking water; the tongue is dark purple or has ecchymotic spots on the edges, and the pulse is fine and choppy.
Yang Deficiency and Excessive Water Type: Significant abdominal distension, resembling a frog's belly, with mild support distension, relieved in the morning but worsening in the evening, a sallow complexion, chest and epigastric fullness, reduced appetite with loose stools, aversion to cold with cold limbs, oliguria and leg swelling; the tongue is pale, swollen, with tooth marks on the edges, and has a thick, greasy, and slippery coating, and the pulse is fine, deep, and weak.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Strengthen the early prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis, avoid contact with schistosome-infested water and toxic substances to the liver, and promptly treat patients with jaundice and ascites. 2. Pay attention to the combination of work and rest, do not stay up late, and when the condition is severe, rest more in bed. Those with a large amount of ascites can take a semi-reclining position to avoid fatigue. Strengthen nutrition, avoid excessive drinking, and after the illness, abstain from alcohol and coarse and hard food. During the ascites period, avoid salt to prevent liver damage due to anger and frustration.