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Diarrhoea

Typical symptoms:

abdominal pain, abnormal bowel sounds, diarrhoea, food poisoning, loose stool, poor appetite, stomach ache

Disease description:

Diarrhoea is one of the most widespread health disorders and can be caused by infections or food intolerances, but also stress and poisoning. While acute diarrhoea is over after two weeks at the latest, chronic diarrhoea lasts longer.

Those who have diarrhoea are plagued by frequent bowel movements with almost liquid stool. Because the body excretes an excessive amount of fluid, which can lead to a loss of electrolytes, this situation is particularly threatening for children and elderly people. On top of that diarrhoea can be accompanied by other complaints such as nausea, abdominal cramps, malaise and circulation problems.

Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Diarrhoea is a disorder of the Spleen, Stomach and Intestine. Gastrointestinal Invasion of Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat can cause acute diarrhoea. Spleen and Stomach Weakness, Liver and Spleen inconsistency and insufficient Kidney Yang can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction and chronic diarrhoea.

Possible syndromes causing these problems:

ACUTE: External Damp-Cold

Invasion of External Cold and Damp, disrupting the functions of the Spleen, Stomach and Intestine (gastroenteritis): acute diarrhoea, stomach rumble, loss of appetite, aversion to cold, sometimes vomiting, fever, weakness.

Recommended formulas to use:

External Damp

ACUTE: Damp-Heat

Damp-Heat blocks the Spleen function leading to foul-smelling diarrhoea or with mucus, abdominal pain, more frequent bowel movements, burning sensation in the anus.

Recommended formulas to use:

Clear Intestine Heat

CHRONIC: Spleen Qi Deficiency and Damp

Failure to transform and transport leads to loose stools containing undigested food, more frequent bowel movements, poor appetite, abdominal distension, chest oppression and fatigue.

Consolidate Qi alternatively Arouse Center Qi

Recommended formulas to use:

Consolidate Qi, Arouse Center Qi

CHRONIC: Spleen Yang Deficiency

Failure to transform and transport leads to chronic (early morning) diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rumbling noise, a feeling of cold in the abdomen, worse after cold food.