Chronic Diarrhea
Chronic diarrheal diseases (CDD) are characterized by increased bowel movement frequency (>3 times/day), increased stool volume (>200 g/day), and loose stools (water content >85%). The diarrhea persists for more than 3 weeks or recurs over a prolonged period. It is a common clinical symptom of various diseases. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition falls under the category of “diarrhea” (泄泻, xiè xiè).
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Stools are sometimes loose and sometimes diarrheal, with recurrent episodes. Even a slight dietary indiscretion increases bowel movement frequency. There may also be reduced appetite, epigastric and abdominal fullness and discomfort, a lackluster complexion, and fatigue and weakness in the limbs; the tongue is pale with a white coating, and the pulse is thready and weak.
In plain language:
- Stools may be loose at times and diarrhea may occur at other times, with repeated episodes. Bowel movements become more frequent if you are even slightly careless about your diet.
- You may eat less than usual, have a poor appetite, and feel much less inclined to eat.
- The upper abdomen and abdomen may feel full, bloated, and persistently uncomfortable.
- Your face may look pale and lack its usual luster.
- Your limbs may tire easily and feel weak, and you may often lack energy for tasks.
- Your tongue may look pale overall.
- Your tongue may have a white coating.
- Your pulse may feel thin and weak, with little force under pressure.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the Spleen and boost Qi, transform Dampness, and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach aims to support the Spleen’s digestive function and replenish Qi, helping digestion function more effectively and steadily.
- It aims to transform and dispel Dampness in the body and help stop diarrhea, easing discomfort from diarrhea.
| 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 product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Diarrhea with abdominal pain, often triggered by low mood, anger, or emotional tension. There is an urge to defecate when abdominal pain occurs, and the pain eases after defecation. Other usual symptoms include distension and oppression in the chest and flanks, belching, reduced appetite, and frequent passage of gas; the tongue coating is thin and white or thin and greasy, and the pulse is thready and wiry.
In plain language:
- Diarrhea may occur with abdominal pain, causing discomfort.
- These symptoms are often triggered by low mood, anger, or emotional tension.
- When your abdomen hurts, you may feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement. The pain may ease somewhat after you pass stool.
- You may often feel bloating and pressure in the chest and along the ribs, as if something is pushing outward.
- You may often burp and have a poor appetite, with little desire to eat.
- You may pass gas more often than usual.
- Your tongue coating may be thin and white, or thin with a greasy appearance.
- Your pulse may feel thin and taut like a string under the fingers.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the Liver and relieve tension, support the Spleen, and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach aims to regulate excessive Liver Qi and ease feelings of tension and urgency.
- It aims to support Spleen function and help stop diarrhea, easing discomfort.
| 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 product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Diarrhea commonly occurs before dawn, with pain around the navel and abdomen, followed by bowel rumbling and diarrhea. Food may pass undigested, and symptoms ease after defecation. Other symptoms include aversion to cold, cold limbs, a preference for warmth on the abdomen, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees; the tongue is pale with a white coating, and the pulse is deep and thready.
In plain language:
- Diarrhea often occurs before dawn, with an urgent need to use the bathroom as daybreak approaches.
- You may have pain around the navel and abdomen, followed by rumbling in the intestines and diarrhea.
- Stool may contain food remnants that appear almost undigested, like whole grains.
- Your abdomen may feel more settled after a bowel movement, with the discomfort easing noticeably.
- You may be sensitive to cold and have cold hands and feet, with cold making you feel worse.
- Warmth on your abdomen may feel soothing and may ease the discomfort somewhat.
- Your lower back and knees may feel sore and weak, and movement may leave you feeling easily fatigued.
- Your tongue may look pale overall.
- Your tongue may have a white coating.
- Your pulse may feel deep and thin, with little strength under pressure.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm and support the Kidneys, strengthen the Spleen, and secure and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach aims to warm and support Kidney Qi and strengthen Spleen Qi, supporting the Spleen’s digestive function.
- It aims to secure and astringe and help stop diarrhea, easing discomfort.
| 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 product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Diarrhea with a feeling of incomplete evacuation; stools are yellow and foul-smelling. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, irritability and a sensation of heat, thirst, scant dark urine, and a burning sensation at the anus; the tongue is red with a yellow, greasy coating, and the pulse is soggy and rapid or slippery and rapid.
In plain language:
- You may have diarrhea but still feel that you have not fully emptied your bowels after going.
- Your stool may be yellow and particularly foul-smelling.
- You may also have abdominal pain, with cramping discomfort.
- You may feel irritable and hot, and thirsty, with a desire to drink water.
- You may pass a small amount of urine that is deep yellow, and urination may be brief.
- You may feel a burning sensation around the anus, especially during a bowel movement.
- Your tongue may look red overall.
- Your tongue coating may be yellow and greasy, with a sticky appearance.
- Your pulse may feel soft and fast, or slippery and fast.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear Heat and resolve toxins, transform Dampness, and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach aims to clear Heat and resolve toxins in the body, with the intention of helping you feel more comfortable and balanced.
- It aims to transform and dispel Dampness and help stop diarrhea, easing discomfort.
| 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 product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Loose stools and persistent, prolonged diarrhea, with a sensation of downward pressure at the anus and, in severe cases, rectal prolapse. There may also be shortness of breath, fatigue, a sallow complexion, a pale tongue, and a deficient pulse.
In plain language:
- Your stools may be loose and watery, noticeably less formed than usual.
- Diarrhea may persist for a long time and repeatedly fail to improve.
- You may feel a sensation of heaviness or downward pressure at the anus, as if something is pulling downward.
- In severe cases, rectal prolapse may occur.
- You may become short of breath, lack energy, and feel generally weak.
- Your face may look yellowish and lack its usual luster.
- Your tongue may look pale overall.
- Your pulse may feel weak and lacking in strength under pressure.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the Middle Qi, raise Yang, and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach aims to regulate the Middle Jiao and replenish Qi, supporting overall energy and balance.
- It aims to support the upward movement of Yang and help stop diarrhea, easing discomfort.
| 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 product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.