泄泻
Alias腹泻
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
In traditional Chinese medicine, diarrhea is referred to as "泄泻" and falls under the category of脾胃系 diseases. According to the description in "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," diarrhea is characterized by the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, leading to the disorder of intestinal transportation, with the separation of water and grain, increased frequency of bowel movements, loose stool consistency, and sometimes resembling water. It often accompanies symptoms such as abdominal pain and intestinal rumbling.
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
寒湿泄泻
Main Manifestations：泄泻清稀如水，腹痛肠鸣，脘闷食少
Management Approach：芳香化湿，解表散寒
湿热泄泻
Main Manifestations：腹痛即泻，泻下急迫，粪色黄褐而臭，肛门灼热
Management Approach：清热利湿，分利止泻
脾虚泄泻
Main Manifestations：大便时溏时泻，迁延反复，稍进油腻则便次增多
Management Approach：健脾益气，化湿止泻
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.
— 李明久 中医执业医师
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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.
参考文献：《中医内科学》（十三五规划教材）、《中医病证诊断疗效标准》(ZY/T001.1-94)、《中医病证分类与代码》(GB/T 15657-2021)