Intestinal Abscess

Intestinal carbuncle is one of the common acute surgical abdominal conditions. It is characterized by pain that migrates to the right lower abdomen, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever, with localized tenderness or guarding in the right lower abdomen. In modern medicine, it corresponds to acute appendicitis. Pathologically, acute appendicitis can be broadly classified into three types—acute simple appendicitis, acute suppurative (phlegmonous) appendicitis, and acute perforated (gangrenous) appendicitis—representing different stages in the progression of inflammation.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Migratory pain in the right lower abdomen that is persistent and progressively worsening, with tenderness and a localized mass in the right lower abdomen; abdominal muscle rigidity is not prominent. Accompanied by a mild fever, nausea, poor appetite, epigastric and abdominal fullness, and constipation; the tongue may show purple stasis spots, with a white, greasy coating; the pulse is wiry and tight, or wiry and slippery.

In Plain Language:

  • Pain develops in the right lower abdomen after moving from another area. It is persistent and gradually worsens.
  • The right lower abdomen is painful when pressed, and a localized mass may be felt.
  • Abdominal muscle rigidity is not pronounced; the abdomen may not feel particularly stiff.
  • Often accompanied by a mild fever, nausea, and poor appetite.
  • The upper abdomen and abdomen may feel full and uncomfortable, and bowel movements may be constipated or difficult.
  • Purple spots or patches may be visible on the tongue, which has a white, greasy coating.
  • The pulse may feel taut and tight like a drawn string, or taut and smooth.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Move qi and dispel stasis; unblock the bowels and drain heat.

In Plain Language:

  • Intended to promote the smooth flow of qi and resolve stasis, easing discomfort such as distension in the chest and flanks, abdominal distension and pain, or palpable masses.
  • Intended to promote bowel movement and clear internal heat, easing symptoms such as constipation, abdominal distension and pain, fever, or irritability.

| Related Products

The following products are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Abdominal pain worsens, with tenderness and rebound tenderness in the right lower abdomen or throughout the abdomen, abdominal muscle spasm, and a palpable mass in the right lower abdomen. Accompanied by high fever, poor appetite, dry mouth and thirst, nausea and vomiting, constipation or abdominal fullness, and dark yellow urine; the tongue is red with a yellow, greasy coating, and the pulse is wiry, slippery, and rapid.

In Plain Language:

  • Abdominal pain becomes clearly more severe than before.
  • Pressing on the right lower abdomen or the whole abdomen causes pain; the pain worsens when the pressure is released.
  • The abdominal muscles may spasm involuntarily.
  • A localized mass may be felt in the right lower abdomen.
  • There may be a marked high fever and a feeling of intense heat and discomfort.
  • Appetite may decrease, with little desire to eat.
  • The mouth may feel dry, with a strong desire to drink.
  • Nausea and possibly vomiting may occur.
  • There may be constipation or abdominal distension and discomfort.
  • Urine may appear dark yellow or reddish.
  • The tongue may appear red.
  • The tongue coating may be yellow and greasy.
  • The pulse may feel taut and smooth, and be rapid.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Unblock the bowels and drain heat; resolve toxins and promote the discharge of pus.

In Plain Language:

  • Intended to promote bowel movement and clear internal heat, easing symptoms such as constipation, abdominal distension and pain, fever, or irritability.
  • Intended to help resolve pathological substances in the body and promote the outward discharge of pus, easing discomfort such as redness and swelling of sores, impaired drainage, or pain.

| Related Products

The following products are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Abdominal pain becomes more severe and diffuse, with cramping throughout the abdomen, tenderness, and rebound tenderness. Accompanied by persistent high fever, frequent sweating, irritability and intense thirst, nausea and vomiting, a flushed face and red eyes, dry lips and bad breath, sunken eyes, constipation, or an uncomfortable feeling of incomplete bowel movements; the tongue is deep red and dry, with a thick, yellow, dry coating, and the pulse is bounding and rapid.

In Plain Language:

  • Abdominal pain becomes much worse and spreads across the abdomen, which may feel tight and cramp. Pressing on it causes pain, and the pain worsens when pressure is released.
  • A high fever persists. There may be frequent sweating, irritability, intense thirst, nausea, or vomiting.
  • The face may become flushed and the eyes red; the lips may be dry, with bad breath and sunken-looking eyes.
  • There may be constipation or an uncomfortable feeling of incomplete bowel movements, similar to dysentery.
  • The tongue may be dark red and dry, with a thick, yellow, dry coating.
  • The pulse may feel forceful and rapid.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Unblock the bowels and expel pus; nourish yin and clear heat.

In Plain Language:

  • Intended to promote bowel movement and the discharge of pus, easing discomfort such as redness and swelling of sores, impaired drainage, or abdominal distension and pain.
  • Intended to nourish yin and clear internal heat, easing symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, irritability, difficulty sleeping, or heat in the palms and soles.

| Related Products

The following products are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

References

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  2. Zhang Qiyu. Qian Li’s Abdominal Surgery[M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House，2006：1230.
  3. Ilves I，Paajanen HE，Herzig KH. Changing incidence of acute appendicitis and nonspecific abdominal pain between 1987 and 2007 in Finland[J]. World J Surg，2011，35(4)：731-738.
  4. Cui Lianjun，Zhuge Ping. An investigation of factors associated with acute appendicitis[J]. Qingdao Medical Journal，2012，35(1)：17-19.
  5. Yao Shiwei，Cheng Junmin，Zhang Minjie，et al. A study of the relationship between appendicitis and environmental temperature[J]. Chinese Journal of Trauma and Disability Medicine，2010，18(6)：78-79.
  6. Deng Y，Chang DC，Zhang Y，et al. Seasonal and day of the week variations of perforated appendicitis in US children[J]. Pediatr Surg Int，2010，26(7)：691-696.
  7. Wu Hao，Wang Xueqian，Zhao Shu. Advances in research on the TCM treatment of chronic appendicitis[J]. Henan Traditional Chinese Medicine，2014(10)：2065-2066.