Volume 4, Number 3 | Fall 2009

Clinical Report 3 (Japan)

He received the administration of the foregoing

Goreisan + Orengedokuto for Alcohol-Induced Headache

medicines for 7 days. Further a week later, aMitsuyuki Takamura

Mie University Occupational Health Research Project

Hiromichi Yasui
Japan Institute of TCM Researchheadache developed when he used hot shower
water on the head. He said that sudden
temperature changes might have affected on theoccurrence of the headache. Same medicines wereCase: Male of 49 years old

administered for 7 day. Further a week later, heInitial Visit:made a visit to us. Headache appeared only once

June 10 of year X

Chief complaint:

Occurrence of headache after

when he drank beer. However he felt the intensity

drinking alcohol.

became less severe. Same medications were

History of present illness: The patient had beencontinued. After this, there were no incidences ofsuffering from migraines which started five to six

headache. Even after drinking beer, no headache

years ago. Before a migraine attack, he got an

occurred. On September of the year, he drankaura or visual warning of flickering points of lightalcohol but experienced no pain at all.

around the right eye. The right side of the headand behind the right eye had a dull pain. Theaching is localized. When the pain got worse,
nausea, vomit, and the urge to defecate developed,
which persisted for two to three hours. A
headache occurred 1-1.5 hours after drinking
alcohol.

Subsequently, he continued the use of themedicines and discontinued in March of year X
because of non-occurrence of headaches. Although
it recurred after a year, it resolved with theadministration of the same medicines for a while.
So, he uses the medicines on occasion.

Appetite: Ordinary.

Consideration: There is a type of headache thatSleep: GoodcanDefecation: Once a day. Ordinary stools.

ICHD-ⅡAlcohol-induced headache). The type ofUrination: 5 times/day

headaches in the patient is migraine. For typicalLeg coldness (＋).

headaches, prescriptions vary according to theExperienced body flushing.

conditions. If alcohol use is strongly associatedDry mouth (－）

with headaches, the combination of orengedokuto

Present conditions:＋goreisan is appropriate for such headaches. Ifbeprovokedbyalcohol(8.1.4ofPulse: String-like and slippery

drinking alcohol is unavoidable for some reason,Tongue: Pale colored with white furs. Moist.

the use of these formulae ahead of time is

Diagnosis: Internal stasis of water-dampness andbeneficial. It will, however, take a little bit more

dampness and heat in the triple energizer

time to feel the alcohol.

Formulae: Extract of goreisan 6.0g＋Extract oforengedokuto

4.0g,divided

into3

equalAnd, the use of orengedokuto before an
ordinary drinking will help to prevent a hangover.

dosages/day

Goreisan is also used for hangovers. This is an

Course: The patient made a re-visit a week later.

example of a combined medication, but it works

He had a headache once. The next week, he waswell.

awakened with a headache from his sleep (about
2 o’clock in the morning). The intensity was mild.
16The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)