Question
A four-and-a-half-year-old boy has a weak constitution, frequently gets colds, and has been hospitalized three times. He sweats heavily at night, lacks appetite, feels full after eating a small amount, and has poor digestion after eating too much. He has tried traditional Chinese medicine treatment without any improvement. The parents are seeking methods to strengthen his constitution and are asking about the cause of this condition and the corresponding measures.
Answer
This condition may be due to the child’s weak spleen and stomach function, leading to reduced appetite. It is recommended to take appropriate tonifying spleen and stomach medications, and incorporate foods beneficial for the spleen and stomach into daily meals, such as yam. You can cook yam porridge with rice and add a moderate amount of malt sugar to achieve the effect of strengthening the spleen. The diet should be diverse and avoid monotony to increase the child’s appetite. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid giving snacks before meals and offer a small amount of fruit an hour after eating.