Chronic Biliary Tract Infection
Chronic infection of the biliary tract is a chronic inflammatory disease of the biliary system caused by various pathogenic factors. Biliary stones are the main cause, and stones and infection can contribute to one another in a vicious cycle. It is a common clinical condition, and the prognosis is generally good. It typically develops insidiously, with nonspecific symptoms and a relatively mild course that may be persistent and difficult to resolve, with recurrent acute episodes.
TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Intermittent pain in the right hypochondrium, described as distending, stuffy, or shifting; the pain varies with emotional changes. Frequent sighing or belching, abdominal distension, and reduced food intake may occur. Women may experience breast distension and pain or irregular menstruation. The tongue is pale red, with a thin white, thin white and greasy, or thin yellow coating; the pulse may be normal or wiry.
In plain language:
- Intermittent pain in the right side of the rib area that comes and goes; movement or pressure may make it more uncomfortable.
- The pain often feels like distension or pressure, sometimes seeming to move into nearby areas, as if something inside is pushing and not flowing freely.
- The pain may get better or worse with changes in mood and can be more easily triggered by emotional ups and downs.
- There may be frequent involuntary sighing or a tendency to burp to relieve discomfort in the chest and abdomen.
- The abdomen may feel bloated and full, as if stretched, making it hard to feel comfortable sitting or lying down.
- Appetite may be reduced, with less interest in food than usual.
- Women may experience breast distension and pain or irregular menstruation, with changes in cycle timing or menstrual flow.
- The tongue may look pale red, with a light rather than deep-red color.
- The tongue coating may be thin and white, thin and white with a greasy appearance, or thin and pale yellow.
- The pulse may feel relatively even or taut and straight, like a tightened string.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the Liver and promote bile flow; regulate qi and relieve pain.
In plain language:
- Aims to ease Liver qi and promote the flow of bile, potentially easing distending pain in the ribs, a bitter taste, dry throat, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Aims to regulate qi and relieve pain, potentially easing fullness in the chest and ribs, difficulty belching, or dull upper abdominal pain.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Persistent dull pain in the right hypochondrium that worsens with exertion; dizziness and lightheadedness, dry eyes, reduced vision, flushed cheeks, a sensation of heat in the palms, soles, and chest, dry mouth and throat, scanty or pale menstrual flow, a red tongue with little coating or a peeled, shiny coating, and a wiry, fine or fine, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- A persistent, dull ache in the right side of the rib area, usually in one location; physical activity or exertion may make the pain noticeably worse.
- You may feel dizzy or lightheaded, with a sense that things are unsteady, particularly when standing or walking.
- The eyes may feel dry, gritty, and easily fatigued, especially after prolonged use.
- Vision may become less clear, making details harder to distinguish, as if eyesight has worsened.
- The cheeks may often look flushed and feel warm.
- The palms, soles, and chest may feel hot, with restlessness and waves of internal warmth.
- The mouth and throat may feel dry, causing noticeable discomfort when speaking or swallowing.
- Menstrual flow may be scanty or pale in color.
- The tongue may be red, with very little coating or a smooth, shiny surface that looks as though the coating has been peeled away.
- The pulse may feel taut like a string and fine, or fine and rapid, with a weak quality and faster rhythm.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish yin and soften the Liver; soothe the Liver and promote bile flow.
In plain language:
- Aims to nourish yin and ease Liver tension, potentially relieving restlessness, irritability, dry mouth and throat, or tightness and spasms in the sinews.
- Aims to ease Liver qi and promote bile flow, potentially relieving distending pain in the ribs, a bitter taste, yellowing of the eyes, nausea, or poor appetite.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
References
- 1. Zhu Peiting. Practical Chinese Medicine for Biliary Diseases [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 1999: 121.