Incomplete Intestinal Obstruction

Incomplete intestinal obstruction refers to impaired passage of intestinal contents, with only some contents able to pass the point of obstruction. Clinical manifestations include abdominal pain of varying severity and character, abdominal distension, vomiting, and decreased or absent passage of gas and stool. It is a common acute abdominal condition. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the category of “intestinal binding” (chang jie).

TCM Pattern Identification and Treatment Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Marked abdominal distension; a sensation of qi moving within the abdomen; intermittent abdominal pain that comes and goes and changes location; nausea and vomiting; inability to pass gas; constipation; pale tongue, thin white coating, and a wiry, tense pulse.

In plain language:

  • The abdomen is swollen and taut like a drum, causing a pronounced feeling of pressure and discomfort.
  • There is a sensation of gas moving back and forth within the abdomen.
  • Abdominal pain comes and goes rather than remaining constant.
  • The location of the pain is not fixed; it may be felt in different places at different times.
  • Nausea and an unsettled stomach may occur.
  • Vomiting may occur.
  • There is little or no passage of gas.
  • Stool does not pass, or is very difficult to pass.
  • The tongue looks pale overall.
  • The tongue coating is thin and white.
  • The pulse feels taut and tense, like a tightly stretched string.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Move qi, disperse stagnation, regulate qi, and promote bowel movements.

In plain language:

  • Methods that regulate qi and relieve stagnation are used to support smoother qi movement and ease discomfort such as chest and abdominal fullness, upper abdominal pressure, belching, and post-meal fullness.
  • Methods that regulate qi in the intestines and promote bowel movements are used to support easier stool passage and relieve constipation, straining, abdominal distension or pain, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

|Related Products

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

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Abdominal distension and tenderness with pain on pressure; dry mouth and bad breath; constipation; possible fever, irritability, intense thirst, and dark, scanty urine; red tongue with a yellow, greasy or dry coating; slippery, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • The abdomen becomes distended, causing a pronounced feeling of pressure and discomfort.
  • The abdomen is painful and tender; pressing on it makes the discomfort worse.
  • The mouth feels dry, and there may be unpleasant-smelling breath.
  • Stool is hard and difficult to pass.
  • There may sometimes be a feverish feeling throughout the body.
  • You may feel restless and thirsty, with a strong desire to drink water.
  • Urine may be scanty and dark yellow, with a shorter duration of urination.
  • The tongue looks red overall.
  • The tongue coating is yellow and greasy, or yellow and dry.
  • The pulse feels slippery and faster than usual.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Drain heat and disperse stagnation; unblock the interior and purge downward.

In plain language:

  • Methods aimed at clearing internal “heat” and relieving stagnation are used to help disperse accumulated contents and ease discomfort such as feeling feverish and restless, dry or bitter mouth, strong breath odor, upper abdominal pressure and distension, belching, acid reflux, and constipation.
  • Methods that promote intestinal elimination and move accumulated “excess” out through the stool are used to support easier bowel movements and relieve hard stools, straining, abdominal distension or pain, a burning sensation at the anus, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

|Related Products

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

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Abdominal pain with tenderness on pressure; constant pain in a fixed location; marked abdominal distension; cessation of the sensation of qi moving within the abdomen; inability to pass gas; constipation; red tongue with purplish stasis spots, yellow coating, and a wiry, choppy pulse.

In plain language:

  • The abdominal pain is severe, and pressing on the abdomen makes it worse.
  • The pain is nearly constant and does not ease much.
  • The pain stays in the same location rather than moving around.
  • The abdomen is swollen and taut like a drum, causing significant pressure and discomfort.
  • The previous sensation of gas moving around in the abdomen has stopped, as if the gas is blocked.
  • There is little or no passage of gas.
  • Stool cannot be passed, or is extremely difficult to pass.
  • The tongue looks red, and purple spots or patches may be visible on its surface.
  • The tongue is coated with a yellowish layer.
  • The pulse feels taut like a stretched string, but also rough or uneven.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Invigorate blood and resolve stasis; move qi and promote bowel movements.

In plain language:

  • Methods intended to promote blood circulation and disperse “stagnant blood” are used to support smoother movement of qi and blood and ease discomfort such as sharp or localized pain, tenderness, localized firmness, or bluish-purple bruising.
  • Methods that promote qi movement and bowel movements are used to support intestinal transit and relieve constipation, hard stools, straining, abdominal distension or pain, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

|Related Products

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

Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Abdominal distension and pain that fluctuate in intensity; nausea and vomiting; dry mouth; constipation; fatigue; pale, dull complexion; possible tidal fever and night sweats; pale or red tongue with a white coating; fine, weak or fine, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • The abdomen feels full and distended, with pain that may become more or less intense.
  • Nausea and vomiting may occur, with an unsettled stomach and the urge to vomit.
  • The mouth feels dry and insufficiently moist.
  • Bowel movements are difficult, and stool may be hard to pass.
  • There may be fatigue, low energy, and difficulty finding the strength to do things.
  • The face may look pale and lack luster, with a generally poor complexion.
  • There may sometimes be episodes of tidal fever and sweating during sleep.
  • The tongue may look pale or red overall.
  • The tongue is covered with a white coating.
  • The pulse feels fine and weak, or fine and faster than usual.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Replenish qi and nourish yin; moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements.

In plain language:

  • Methods that replenish qi and nourish yin are used to support energy and hydration and ease discomfort such as easy fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, dry mouth and throat, and irritability.
  • Methods that moisten the intestines and soften stool are used to support easier bowel movements and relieve hard stools, straining, constipation, abdominal distension, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

|Related Products

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

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