The Successful Treatment of a Case of Anorexia Nervosa with Anchu-san / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

We present here an interesting case of anorexia nervosa that was well controlled by Ancyu-san, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine. A 17-year-old student was re-admitted to our department in December of 1990, because of anorexia and eating disorders. She had lost approximately 12kg body weight during 3 months. She was 154cm tall and weighed 26kg. Her blood pressure was 75/40mmHg, her pulse rate was 30beats/min, and her body temparature was 34.4°C. She was extremely emaciated and hyperactive. On oriental examination, a shallow complexion, a cold feeling in the limbs, postprandial headaches, and a feeling of obstruction of the external ear. Her pulse was slow and feeble. Abdominal examination revealed that the abdominal strength was reduced to 2/5 with Inai-teisui (abdominal water and gas retention). Based on these findings, this case was diagnosed as Deficient Spleen and Stomach due to Deficient Ki and Blood combined with Stagnated Ki, and therefore a candidate for the Kampo formula Ancyu-san. The patient began medication in January 1991. Her appetite improved gradually and her body weight increased from 26kg to 47kg in two months.