This diarrhea refers to increased frequency and volume of defecation, with thin or even watery-like stool. It is attributed to disharmony between Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine. Clinically it is classified into acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea, the former is often caused by improper diet with invasion of Damp-Cold, or invasion of Damp-Heat in summer. The latter is due to deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, which fails to transform and digest food.
Differentiation and Treatment
1.Diarrhea due to Damp-Cold
Main Symptoms
Loose stool, diarrhea, borborygmi, cold limbs, no thirst, pale tongue with thin and white coating, pale and superficial venule of the index finger.
Treatment Principle: Warming the middle Jiao and reinforcing the Spleen to remove Dampness.
Treatment Principle: Warming the middle Jiao and reinforcing the Spleen to remove Dampness.
2.Diarrhea due to Damp-Heat
Main Symptoms:
Fever or no fever, thirst, watery stools in green or yellow colour with undigested food and mucus, frequent diarrhea, reddened anus with burning sensation, scanty dark urine, yellow and greasy tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse, and blue purple superficial venule of the index finger.
Treatment Principle: Clearing Heat and removing Dampness
3.Diarrhea due to overeating
Main Symptoms:
History of overeating, abdominal distension and pain which are relieved afterdefaecation, windy, stools with foul smell, smelling breath, anorexia, vomiting, thick and greasy or yellow tongue coating, slippery pulse, deep and stagnated superficial venule of the index finger.
Treatment Principle:Promoting digestion, regulating the Middle-Jiao
2. Chronic Diarrhea
Main Symptoms:
Intermittent or lingering diarrhea, loose stool, or undigested food in stools with white milky mass or food residues, diarrhea right after food intake, pale complexion, sleeping with eyes open, pale tongue with thin and white fur, deep and weak pulse, pale and superficial venule of the index finger.
Treatment Principle:Reinforcing the Spleen to stop diarrhea
Acupuncture Treatment
Main Points:
- Zusanli (ST 36), Sifeng (Extra 25)
Supplementary points:
- Diarrhea due to Damp-Cold, add Zhongwan (REN 12), Qihai (REN 6)
- Diarrhea due to Damp-Heat, add Neiting (ST 44), Yinlingquan (SP 6)
- Diarrhea due to overeating, add Lineiting (Extra)
- Diarrhea due to Spleen deficiency, add Pishu (BL 20), Zhongwan (REN 12)
- Diarrhea with vomiting, add Neiguan (PC 6)
- Diarrhea with fever, add Quchi (LI 11)
Method: Retain needles for 20-30 minutes. Frequency: every other day, even method or reinforcing methods are used.
