Responses

  1. Hello Everyone, Here is the case for Wednesday
    As always, be prepared to answer the following questions or provide input for any of the following:
    1. What other questions might you ask?
    2. A diagnosis using Chinese medicine or Western herbal medicine.
    3. A treatment strategy based on the diagnosis.
    4. An appropriate formula.

    Case Study Class 12 February 2025
    Gender: female
    Age: 36
    Height: 5’ 8”
    Weight: 135 lb
    Ethnicity: American/European
    Occupation: self-employed/part-time NGO

    Chief complaint: tired, stressed
    Symptoms: feels exhausted, tired upon waking
    Brief history: patient has 3 children (2, 4, 7 yo), is a single mom. Menarche at 14. History of trauma (sexual and psychological abuse).
    Diet and Lifestyle: Cooks most meals, eats a well-rounded diet. Non-smoker, rarely drinks alcohol. Gets regular exercise. Lots of stress with children who are young and needy, normal stuff. Has help from parents, which allows her to work.
    Sleep: sleeps very well and deep but wakes with the children at night and is tired in the morning.
    Energy: very good, except when it’s not. She feels like she has lots of energy some times but mostly is tired/exhausted.
    Appetite: good, cooks most meals with good attention to diet.
    Stool: 1 X/day, slightly dry with occasional diarrhea if she eats heavier foods like diary
    Thirst: doesn’t drink enough water, not thirsty or just “forgets” to drink.
    Urine: 6–9 X/day, sometimes darker, mostly unremarkable
    Menstruation: regular (28–30 days), scant with occasional heavy flow. Some but few clots, often none. Minor abdominal pain/discomfort, weepy or irritated pre-menstrual time.
    Basic observations: Patient is in good physical health, gets regular exercise, often with the kids, walking to wild-harvest herbs and seaweeds. Patient has a classic “single mom” lifestyle and is simply fried from doing it along with the drama that came with the dad of the youngest two kids (won’t take his meds and has psychotic episodes – needed to get a restraining order)
    Pulse: n/a
    Tongue: slightly red, thin white coat