Acute Biliary Tract Infection
Acute biliary tract infection refers to acute bacterial inflammation of the biliary system (including acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis).
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Dull, stuffy, distending, or wandering pain in the hypochondrium or epigastrium, which may radiate to the back; a thin white or slightly yellow tongue coating.
In plain language:
- A dull ache may occur along either side of the ribs or in the upper abdomen. The pain may also feel stuffy and distending, or seem to move around.
- The pain may radiate to the back and feel more uncomfortable with movement or pressure.
- The tongue coating is relatively thin and white, appearing as a light white layer on the tongue.
- The coating may also be slightly yellow, but is generally still thin.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the Liver and relieve constraint; clear heat and promote bile flow.
In plain language:
- Help promote the smooth flow of Liver qi and ease constraint, relieving discomfort such as fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, low mood, or frequent sighing.
- Help clear constrained heat in the Liver and Gallbladder and promote the smooth flow of bile, relieving manifestations such as a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, dull hypochondrial pain, nausea, poor appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or dark urine.
|Related Medicines
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Gripping or colicky pain in the hypochondrium or epigastrium, with tenderness on pressure; fever or alternating chills and fever; sometimes yellow-orange skin; a thick, greasy yellow tongue coating; a wiry, slippery pulse or a slippery, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- There may be gripping or twisting pain along either side of the ribs or in the upper abdomen. The painful area is sensitive to pressure, and pressing on it makes the discomfort worse.
- Fever may occur, or there may be alternating episodes of feeling hot and cold.
- Sometimes the skin becomes yellow, with a noticeable orange-yellow hue.
- The tongue coating is yellow, thick, and greasy in appearance.
- The pulse feels taut and smooth, or smooth and rapid, with a faster-than-usual beat.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and promote bile flow; resolve dampness and promote downward drainage.
In plain language:
- Help clear constrained heat in the Liver and Gallbladder and promote bile flow, easing manifestations such as a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, distending hypochondrial pain, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Help resolve dampness in the body, easing discomfort such as a heavy feeling, fullness in the chest or abdomen, or poor appetite.
- Help promote downward movement and eliminate accumulated stagnation, easing manifestations such as constipation, abdominal fullness, or difficulty passing stool.
|Related Medicines
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Severe pain in the hypochondrium or epigastrium radiating to the shoulder and back; rigid abdominal muscles and tenderness on pressure; high fever; a flushed face or deep yellow skin over the body; skin bruising; nosebleeds or gum bleeding; cold extremities; a barely perceptible, nearly extinguished pulse; a dry yellow, gray-black, or absent tongue coating.
In plain language:
- There is very severe pain along either side of the ribs or in the upper abdomen, which may be intense and difficult to bear. Movement may make the discomfort worse.
- The pain may extend to the shoulder and back, radiating upward and backward.
- The abdominal muscles feel tense and hard, as if the abdomen were rigid like a board.
- The area is tender to pressure, and pressing on it makes the pain worse.
- A very high fever may occur, causing significant discomfort and not readily subsiding.
- The face may be flushed, or the skin over the body may turn deep yellow, with obvious discoloration.
- Purple or dark bruises may appear on the skin, as spots or patches that resemble bleeding beneath the skin.
- The nose may bleed, and the gums may ooze or bleed; bleeding may recur.
- The limbs may become cold, even icy cold, with marked coldness in the extremities that is difficult to warm.
- The pulse may be extremely weak and difficult to feel, with almost no perceptible beat.
- The tongue coating may be yellow and dry, appearing parched and lacking moisture.
- The tongue coating may also be gray-black and appear dry.
- Alternatively, there may be almost no tongue coating, leaving the tongue surface exposed.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Purge fire and resolve toxins; nourish Yin and promote bile flow.
In plain language:
- Help clear excessive internal heat, easing discomfort such as restlessness, thirst, a red and swollen throat, or a flushed, feverish face.
- Help eliminate pathogenic substances from the body, easing manifestations such as red, swollen sores, a sore throat, or a bitter or sticky taste in the mouth.
- Help nourish Yin and promote bile flow, easing discomfort such as a bitter taste in the mouth, yellowing of the eyes, distending hypochondrial pain, or poor appetite.
|Related Medicines
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Severe pain in the hypochondrium or epigastrium; rapid yellowing of the skin, with a golden hue; high fever and intense thirst; confusion and delirium; sometimes faint rashes, gum bleeding, or nosebleeds; constipation or heat-related overflow diarrhea; a deep-red tongue.
In plain language:
- There is extremely severe pain along either side of the ribs or in the upper abdomen. Movement or pressure may make the pain worse.
- The skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow quickly, with a bright golden hue that is clearly visible.
- A very high fever and intense thirst may occur, along with persistent restlessness despite wanting to drink water.
- Mental clarity may deteriorate, with confused or incoherent speech, reduced awareness, and delirium.
- Faint rashes may appear on the skin, and the gums or nose may bleed.
- Stool may be dry and difficult to pass, or a small amount of loose stool may leak around an obstruction associated with internal heat.
- The tongue may be a deep red or crimson color.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear Liver heat and purge fire; resolve toxins and calm the mind.
In plain language:
- Help clear constrained heat in the Liver and reduce excessive fire, easing discomfort such as dizziness, red eyes, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, or irritability.
- Help eliminate pathogenic substances from the body, easing manifestations such as a sore throat, red and swollen sores, or mouth ulcers.
- Help calm the mind and settle emotions, easing manifestations such as restlessness, insomnia, vivid dreams, waking easily, or mental unease.
|Related Medicines
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Lu Deming, Lu Jingen. Practical TCM Surgery (2nd ed.) [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 2010: 291–295.
- Zhu Peiting, Zhu Shimin. Practical TCM Biliary Disease [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 1999: 48–134.
- Zhang Jingzhe. Treating Biliary Diseases from the Liver: The Essence of Zhu Peiting’s Academic Experience [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2008: 1–36.
- Zhang Qiyu, Qian Li. Abdominal Surgery [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2006: 629–638.