Introduction

In TCM, special attention is always given to the Stomach, both in the prevention and treatment of disease.

This organ holds a very important place in the maintenance of human life, from both a TCM perspective, and from the viewpoint of modern medical science.

In TCM, it is considered the source of all post-natal Qi while from a modern physiological standpoint it is one of the first components of a complicated metabolic process that serves to nourish the human organism. Because the body exists as an organic whole, we can say that if the stomach is weak, it will fail to nourish the body and can cause an eventual malfunction of other organs and process's. This, in turn, leads to further weakness.

By the same token, the strength of the rest of the body may also influence the Stomach, and if the body is in decline, Stomach function will also be compromised. In treating the elderly, we are presented with both a general decline in the body system due to the aging process (or years of physical neglect and abuse) as well as specific factors which impede the Stomach itself. These can include improper diet, unstable emotional circumstances due to depression or dementia and the harsh forms of drug therapy common with those of advanced years.

Therefore, special attention should always be given to the Stomach in clinical practice, especially in the field of gerontology. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the general physiology, pathology and protection or treatment of the Stomach Qi function with special emphasis on how this relates to the elderly.