Feeling sleepy after eating is caused by spleen deficiency

I saw a very interesting video a few days ago, in which a little girl was eating and sleeping at the same time. My first reaction was that the little girl had a very serious spleen deficiency. During outpatient diagnosis and treatment, many people have symptoms of drowsiness after meals. However, they do not know that drowsiness after meals is a typical symptom of spleen deficiency. Some patients also said: "I thought everyone felt sleepy after a meal, but it turns out it's a sign of spleen deficiency!"

Why do people with spleen deficiency feel sleepy after meals?

This has to start with the process of the spleen digesting, absorbing and transporting nutrients from food. There is such a statement in Huangdi Neijing·Chapter 21: Discussion on Meridians: "When drink enters the stomach, the essence and qi roam around and are transported to the spleen. The spleen disperses the essence and qi and returns it to the lungs. It regulates the water channels and transports it to the bladder. The essence and water are distributed throughout the four seasons and the five meridians run parallel to each other, in accordance with the yin and yang of the five organs and this is considered normal." It can be seen that one of the main functions of the spleen is to be in charge of transportation and digestion.

Food and water enter the stomach, and after initial digestion, they are sent to the spleen for further digestion and absorption. Later, with the help of the spleen, the essence and energy will return to the lungs, and then be sent to all parts of the body to nourish the internal organs. Therefore, when the spleen functions healthily, a person's digestive function will be good, and the body will show signs of being energetic. If the spleen is weak or not functioning properly, the spleen's own strength cannot complete the task, and the body needs to mobilize more Qi and blood to complete the task.

When the spleen's workload suddenly increases after a meal, the spleen system needs more qi and blood to help the spleen digest, absorb, and transport nutrients of food, which will inevitably lead to a decrease in blood and qi supply to other organs in the body. When the blood supply to the brain decreases, symptoms of drowsiness will appear. People with mild spleen deficiency will feel sleepy after meals, but they can still control themselves and not fall asleep. People with severe spleen deficiency must sleep after meals, otherwise they will not be able to continue working. Some people are even more sleepy as soon as they start to eat. In cases like this, after acupuncture treatment, the patient's symptoms of drowsiness after meals will gradually ease and eventually disappear.

How to treat spleen deficiency?

You should usually maintain a happy mood and in your daily life: avoid irregular life, drinking, smoking, indiscriminate use of tonics, and abuse of chemical drugs.

Regularly measure the esophageal pH, pressure test, exfoliated cell examination and biopsy, endoscopy, ultrasound examination, and specialist treatment when necessary every 3 to 6 months. Eat a balanced diet, with staple foods as the main component. Eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C. Usually, you should eat light foods and drink appropriate amounts of fresh fruit juice, oatmeal, and millet porridge.

What fruits are good for spleen deficiency?

1. Apple

Apples taste sweet and sour and are neutral in nature. It has the functions of strengthening the spleen and stomach, promoting salivation and quenching thirst. Used for insufficient Qi, diarrhea, constipation, etc.

2. Pomegranate

It tastes sweet, slightly sour, astringent and is warm in nature. It can produce fluid and quench thirst, astringe and stop diarrhea. Sweet pomegranate is used for insufficient stomach yin, thirst and dry throat, and malnutrition in children; sour pomegranate can treat long-term diarrhea, dysentery, bloody stool, and rectal prolapse; pomegranate peel can kill and expel insects, and treat abdominal pain caused by insect accumulation.

3. Lychee

Lychee tastes sweet and slightly sour and is warm in nature. It has the effects of nourishing the spleen and liver, nourishing blood and calming the mind. Used for long-term diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, stomach pain, abdominal pain, hiccups, etc.