Chronic nephritis mostly results from acute nephritis that is lingering without cure. The disease may have latent onset as well. It can develop into chronic renal failure eventually. Therefore, people should attach great importance to the rehabilitation at remission stage.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Excessive dampness due to splenic asthenia

It manifests mild edema worsened after physical overstrain, mental fatigue, hypodynamia, anorexia, facial edema with yellowish complexion, reddish tongue with white and thin fur, deep and slow pulse. It is advisable to strengthen the spleen to promote diuresis. The prescription used is the modified Shenling Baizhu Powder (Power of Ginseng, Poria and Bighead Atractylodes ). In the case of urinary protein, use more Huangqi (Radix Astragall seu Hedysari ) and add Chixiaodou ( Semen Phaseoli ) and Chantui (Periostracum Cicadae).

Asthenia of both the spleen and kidney

It manifests pale complexion, listlessness, lassitude, hypodynamia, aching pain of the waist, edema of lower limbs which does not restore to the original state when pressed, white and thin fur and thready pulse. It is advisable to strengthen the spleen and kidney. The prescription used is the modified Bupi Yishen Decoction (Spleen-Strengthening and Kidney-Benefiting Decoction).

Yin deficiency of the spleen and kidney

It manifests dizziness, headache, dry eyes blurred vision, tinnitus, hyposomnia, red complexion dry throat and mouth, red tongue with a little fur and taut pulse. It is advisable to nourish the liver and kidney. The prescription used is the modified Qiju Dihuang Bolus (Bolus of Six Drugs, Rehmannia with Wolfberry and Chrysanthemum). In the case of hypertension, add Zhenzhumu (Concha Margaritifera Usta ), Xixiancao ( Herba Siegsbeckiae ) and Juemingzi (Semen Cassiae); in the case of purple tongue, add Taoren ( Semen Persicae), Honghua (Flos Carthami ) and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ).

Internal accumulation of dampness and heat

It manifests sticky mouth with bitter taste, vexation, or sore throat, epigastric oppression, anorexia, dry mouth with scanty water intake, yellowish and scanty or yellowish urine, red tongue with yellowish and greasy fur, slippery and rapid pulse. It is advisable to clear away heat and promote diuresis. The prescription used is the modified Ganlu Xiaodu Pill(Sweet Dew Detoxication Pill). In the case of scanty urine, add Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis ), Fuling ( Poria ) and Zhuling ( Polyporus Umbellatus); in the case of sore throat, add Tuniuxi (Radix et Rhizoma Achyranthis ) , Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae) and Mabo ( Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia ) .