TCM Treatment for Vitamin A Deficiency

Ang pangunahing tungkulin ng vitamin A ay sumali sa pagbuo ng retinal rod cells' visual pigment para mapanatili ang vision sa dim light; mapabilis ang growth at development, lalo na ng bones at teeth; mapanatili ang integrity ng epithelial cells, mapanatili ang stability ng cell membrane, at mapataas ang resistance ng skin at mucous membranes sa sakit; mapataas ang immune function, at mapabilis ang proliferation at function ng T and B lymphocytes. Ang recommended daily intake ay 900–1500μg (3000–5000 IU)/day. Ang kakulangan ng vitamin A ay nagdudulot ng sintomas sa mata, skin, at mucous membranes, at bumababa ang immune function.
(I) Medical History
1. Mga tanong tungkol sa feeding history: malawak na pagkain ng starch-based foods; o may chronic gastrointestinal diseases tulad ng diarrhea, hepatitis, na nagdudulot ng malusog na absorption; prolonged infections tulad ng pneumonia, tuberculosis, na nagdudulot ng malusog na absorption at increased consumption.
2. Ang unang sintomas ay madalas eye dryness, less tears, poor dark adaptation, o night blindness, ngunit mahirap matuklasan sa mga bata.
3. Madalas magkaroon ng respiratory, urinary, at gastrointestinal infections.
(II) Physical Examination
1. Eyes
Matanggal ang shine sa conjunctiva at cornea, dryness, fewer tears, Bitot’s spots, brown pigmentation on bulbar conjunctiva; ang cornea ay maaaring maging cloudy, soft, necrotic, forming ulcer, leading to anterior chamber exudate, resulting in white opacity affecting vision, severe cases may lead to corneal perforation, iris prolapse, or eyeball atrophy.
2. Skin and Mucous Membranes
Dry skin with scaling, keratotic papules, dry and falling hair, nails with many lines, dull, brittle, easily broken.
3. May growth delay, malnutrition, at iba pang signs of vitamin deficiency.
[Treatment Method]: Nourish the Liver and Brighten the Eyes, Nourish Blood and Activate Blood Flow
[Post-Meal Decoction] (simulan sa low heat):
pork liver 30g, codonopsis 12g, poria 10g, cooked rehmannia 15g, angelica 8g, goji berry 10g
southern mulberry 10g, dodder seed 10g, ephedra 9g, cicada slough 9g, white atractylodes 12g