Strengthening the spleen and kidney to deal with the dry mouth problem of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy

Guangdong Province in my country is a high-incidence area for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, so nasopharyngeal carcinoma is known as "Guangdong cancer". Radiotherapy is the preferred method. The clinical remission rate of early radiotherapy is very high, but head and neck radiotherapy kills tumor cells while also killing salivary gland secretory cells, which can easily cause stubborn dry mouth. This causes patients to develop oropharyngeal mucosal ulcers during and after radiotherapy, and they cannot eat solid food. They need to get up several times at night to drink water, which seriously affects their quality of life and emotional stability.

According to TCM theory, the amount of saliva in the human body is determined by the spleen and kidneys: "Saliva is kidney fluid" and "Saliva is spleen fluid". Therefore, TCM believes that the secretion of saliva can be promoted by strengthening the spleen and kidneys, thereby repairing salivary gland cells damaged by radiotherapy. In clinical practice, Sijunzi Decoction and Erzhi Pills are often used to treat dry mouth problems in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy, with satisfactory results.

Four Gentlemen Decoction

Drug composition: white Poria cocos (peeled), ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, licorice (roasted).

Explanation of the prescription: This prescription is the basic prescription for treating spleen and stomach qi deficiency syndrome. Nowadays, many spleen-tonifying and qi-invigorating prescriptions are derived from this prescription. There are only four ingredients in the prescription: ginseng, white atractylodes, poria, and licorice. It is neither hot nor dry, and is moderately effective, following the ancient meaning of "a gentleman should achieve harmony".

Erzhi Pills

Drug composition: Ligustrum lucidum fruit and Eclipta prostrata in equal parts.

Explanation of the prescription: It nourishes the liver and kidneys, nourishes yin and stops bleeding. It is used for liver and kidney yin deficiency, dizziness, tinnitus, dry throat and nose, and sore waist and knees.