One Case of Peripheral Vertigo Disorder with Sustained Constipation Effectively Treated with the Theory of “Opening the North Window to Get the South Wind” / 日本東洋医学雑誌

One case of peripheral vertigo disorder with sustained constipation was effectively treated with the applica­tion of a Kampo medicine proverb : “opening the north window to get the south wind (balmy summer breeze)”. The therapeutic strategy behind this proverb is to cure the superior (south) disease by unblocking the inferior (north) pathogenic stagnation, and thus activate internal qi movement, blood and body fluid circulation in the body. A 69-­year-­old female with postural vertigo episodes associated with the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) was effectively treated with tokakujokito, and her constipation discomfort was resolved at the same time. Based on these results, otolaryngologists should consider the inferior disease (the lower gastroin­testinal tract disorder) when treating the superior disease (the inner ear-­based disorder), and pay attention to the harmony and balance among qi, blood and body fluid throughout the body.

<b>Five Cases of Patent Eustachian Tube Treated </b><b>with Kigikenchuto for Asthenic Disease </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The patent eustachian tubes (PET) of five patients with a chief complaint of aural fullness were successfully treated with kigikenchuto. A Kampo extract preparation of ogikenchuto and tokikenchuto (daily dose of 9 and 7.5 g, respectively) was applied as a representative prescription for kigikenchuto. The five patients had also been diagnosed with definitive PET on otological examination. Case 1 was a 73-year-old male suffering from aural fullness and autophonia after a common cold. These ear symptoms improved on lying down and resting. He had a history of admission for cerebral hemorrhage with hypertension and weight loss. Bilateral stiffness of the abdominal rectus muscle and an intolerable tickling sensation were noted. After taking kigikenchuto for two weeks, his symptoms improved. An additional study of four patients treated with kigikenchuto, including Case 2, a 75-year-old female, Case 3, a 33-year-old female, Case 4, a 78-year-old female, and Case 5, a 21-year-old male, showed effective cures. Kigikenchuto is a <i>qi</i>-blood supplementing derivative of shokenchuto, a minor center-reinforcing Kampo medicine for asthenic disease. Based on these results, we suggested that kigikenchuto serves as a useful formulation to treat PET. Life guidance to promote health is also essential for cure.