What condition does kou mai (hollow pulse) often indicate?

Kou mai, or hollow pulse, is typically associated with the condition of hemorrhage. This pulse manifests as being thin and weak, suggesting that there is a loss of blood or a significant deficiency in vital substances due to bleeding. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, hemorrhage can lead to a depletion of the blood and, consequently, a weakened pulse.

When hemorrhage occurs, the body loses not just blood but also the “qi” that is nourished by it. This leads to significant changes in the pulse quality, resulting in what is perceived as a hollow sensation upon palpation. Other conditions associated with weak pulse may have overlapping symptoms but do not specifically point to the hollow quality that indicates active blood loss.

While qi deficiency and other forms of stagnation or deficiency may present their own unique pulse characteristics, kou mai distinctly suggests a state where blood loss is significant enough to alter pulse dynamics in this notable way.