Discussion on the Treatment of Elderly Insomnia with the Perspectives of Nourishing Nutritious and Defensive Levels,and Harmonizing the Five Spirits
10.19879/j.cnki.1005-5304.202504172
- VernacularTitle:从养营和卫、平调五神论治老年失眠症
- Author:
Lankun ZHANG
1
;
Weifeng GUO
Author Information
1. 南京中医药大学第二附属医院,江苏 南京 210017;建邺区海峡城社区卫生服务中心,江苏 南京 210019
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
elderly insomnia;
nourishing nutritious and defensive levels;
the theory of five spirits;
syndrome differentiation and treatment;
insights and methods
- From:
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;32(9):166-169
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Elderly insomnia refers to a type of insomnia that is specific to individuals over the age of 60,characterized by prolonged sleep latency,low sleep efficiency,and reduced total sleep time.It can be categorized under TCM as"insomnia","inability to close the eyes",and"inability to sleep".This article combined the physiological and pathological characteristics of the elderly population,based on the theory of"nutritious and defensive levels"and the theory of"five zang-organs governing spirits".It is believed that the harmony of nutritious and defensive levels and the balance of the five spirits are the physiological basis of elderly sleep.The disharmony between nutritious and defensive levels and the internal disturbance of pathogenic factors are the initial stages of insomnia in the elderly,and the imbalance of the five zang-organs,the imbalance of the five spirits,and the loss of mental health are the key pathological mechanisms of abnormal sleep rhythms.In clinical treatment,the fundamental approach should be to nourish nutritious and defensive levels,balance the five spirits,and calm the heart and soothe the spirit.Guizao Longmu Decoction created based on Guizhi Longgu Muli Decoction combined with Ganmai Dazao Decoction,follows the principles of nutritious and defensive levels circulation and the coordination of the functions of five zang-organs.It aims to nourish nutritious and defensive levels to adjust nutritious and defensive levels,balance the five zang-organs and calm the five spirits,and calm the heart and soothe the spirit to aid sleep and stabilize the mind,achieving a peaceful rest.The goal is to provide insights and methods from TCM for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of insomnia in the elderly.One medical case was attached to support evidence.
