Discussion on TCM Pathogenesis Evolution and Treatment of Senile Herpes Zoster from"Fire Toxin Lurking in Collaterals"
Herpes zoster belongs to the category of collateral disease in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The elderly are the high-risk population of this disease due to the lack of positive qi and yin essence.TCM has a significant effect on diagnosis and treatment for this disease.Fire toxin lurking in collaterals and external and inter-nal evils together attacking are the keys to the pathogenesis of senile herpes zoster.The pathogenesis evolution is divided into three stages,i.e.,the latent period,eruption period and postherpetic neuralgia period.The fire toxin firstly lurks in the Shaoyin yin collateral.When the positive qi losing and the external evil invading,the fire toxin gradually spreads throughout the viscera collaterals.Then,stagnated fire toxin in liver and gallbladder attacks up-ward and breaks through yang collaterals,so herpes zoster is formed in the skin.Finally,the fire toxin burns the collaterals,resulting in yin drying up and blood stasis,and causing stubborn pain.At the same time,combined with the relevant research practice and our team's own exploration,six treatment methods for removing fire toxin in collaterals are summarized,i.e.,clearing internal heat and fire,expelling wind and dispersing fire,dissipating damp-ness and expelling fire,regulating qi and reducing fire,removing blood stasis and dispersing fire,nourishing water for suppressing hyperactive fire.In particular,attention must be paid to fill the true yin of five viscera,in order to restore the function of collaterals.In addition,according to obtaining image from analogy,using the skin and vein of herbs,can make the effects directly to the disease location.This study will provide ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of senile herpes zoster.