Diarrhea
AliasDysentery
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Diarrhea, known in traditional Chinese medicine as "diarrhea," falls within the category of spleen and stomach system diseases. According to the description in Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, diarrhea refers to dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, leading to impaired transmission and transformation in the intestines, failure to separate water and grain, increased frequency of bowel movements, thin stool consistency, or even watery stool, often accompanied by abdominal pain, borborygmus, and other symptoms.
In clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the core pathogenesis of diarrhea is attributed to the weakness of the spleen and stomach, with internal retention of dampness, which results in the dysfunction of the intestines. Common precipitating factors include irregular diet, emotional imbalance, and external pathogenic invasion. During the process of differentiation, attention should be paid to distinguishing the nature of cold, heat, deficiency, and excess:
1. Cold and damp diarrhea: The stool is thin and watery, accompanied by abdominal pain and intestinal rumbling, chest stuffiness, and reduced appetite. It is characterized by the combination of cold and dampness, and the treatment should focus on aromatic dampness resolution and external cold dispersal.
2. Damp-heat diarrhea: Abdominal pain is followed by urgent diarrhea, with yellowish and foul-smelling stool, burning sensation at the anal opening. It is often due to internal damp-heat retention, and the treatment should aim at clearing heat and resolving dampness, and promoting diuresis and stopping diarrhea.
3. Spleen deficiency diarrhea: The stool is loose and frequent, with recurrence over time, and an increase in bowel movements after consuming greasy foods. It is often due to spleen deficiency and dampness retention, and the treatment should prioritize strengthening the spleen and Qi, and resolving dampness to stop diarrhea.
Overall treatment direction: The treatment of diarrhea should follow the principle of syndrome differentiation, adopting corresponding treatment methods based on different patterns, focusing on regulating the spleen and stomach, and restoring normal intestinal function.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Cold and Damp Diarrhea
Main Manifestations: Diarrhea with thin, watery stools, abdominal pain, bowel sounds, chest oppression, and decreased appetite
Management Approach: Aromatically Drying Dampness, Dispersing the Exterior and Relieving Cold
Damp-Heat Diarrhea
Main Manifestations: Abdominal pain followed by diarrhea, urgent defecation, yellow-brown stools with an unpleasant odor, and burning sensation in the anus
Management Approach: Clearing Heat and Promoting Diuresis, Differentiating and Stopping Diarrhea
Spleen Deficiency Diarrhea
Main Manifestations: Diarrhea and loose stools at times, persistent and recurrent, and an increase in bowel movements with the intake of fatty foods
Management Approach: Strengthening the Spleen and Benefiting Qi, Drying Dampness and Stopping Diarrhea
The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.
Physician's Clinical Insights
Diarrhea patients often suffer from spleen and stomach weakness. During treatment, it is necessary to strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, while also paying attention to regulating the liver Qi.
— Li Mingjiu Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
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This page is for the popular science of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Specific diagnosis should be completed by a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in person.
This article has been reviewed by licensed TCM physicians at Hangzhou Kezhentang TCM Clinic. It is for TCM popular science reference only and does not involve specific treatment plan recommendations.
References: Internal Medicine of TCM (13th Five-Year Plan Textbook), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Effectiveness Standards for TCM Diseases and Syndromes (ZY/T001.1-94), Classification and Codes of TCM Diseases and Syndromes (GB/T 15657-2021)