Acute Enteritis
Acute enteritis is an acute inflammatory reaction of the intestines that commonly occurs in summer and autumn. It is often caused by intestinal infection with microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Overeating, drinking too many cold beverages, consuming spoiled or contaminated food, exposure to cold, and typhoid fever may also lead to the condition. Symptoms mainly include abdominal pain and diarrhea, and may also include general discomfort, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, and even fever. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “abdominal pain,” “diarrhea,” and “cholera-like disorders.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Treatment Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, abdominal pain, foul-smelling diarrhea, a sensation of urgency and discomfort, abdominal pain relieved after defecation, a pale-red tongue, a thick, greasy coating, and a slippery, forceful pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel nauseated and vomit, with a marked sense of feeling unwell.
- You may have little interest in food and a poor appetite.
- You may experience abdominal pain that comes in waves and makes it difficult to relax.
- Diarrhea may have a particularly foul odor.
- You may feel as though gas is building up in your abdomen, causing discomfort or a sense of fullness.
- Abdominal pain may ease after a bowel movement.
- The tongue may appear pale red.
- The tongue coating may be thick and greasy, as if covered by a sticky layer.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel slippery and forceful.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Promote digestion and resolve food stagnation; harmonize the stomach and direct rebellious qi downward.
In plain language:
- The approach is intended to aid digestion and address food stagnation, which may help ease fullness and discomfort.
- It is intended to harmonize stomach function and direct stomach qi downward, potentially easing the sensation of upward surging.
| Related Products
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:
Vomiting clear fluid, nausea, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, borborygmi, aversion to cold, chest oppression, poor appetite, a pale tongue, a white, greasy coating, and a soggy, moderate pulse.
In plain language:
- You may vomit clear, watery fluid and feel nauseated.
- Diarrhea may be very watery, with loose, thin stools.
- You may have waves of abdominal pain and noticeable discomfort.
- Your abdomen may frequently rumble, with audible gurgling sounds from the intestines.
- You may feel unusually sensitive to cold or uncomfortable when exposed to cool temperatures.
- You may feel a stuffy or oppressed sensation in your chest.
- You may have a poor appetite and little desire to eat.
- The tongue may appear pale.
- The tongue coating may be white and greasy, with a somewhat sticky appearance.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel soft and relatively slow, with a weaker beat.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Disperse cold and eliminate dampness; harmonize the middle and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach is intended to disperse internal cold and address dampness, potentially helping the body feel warmer and more comfortable.
- It is intended to support the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach and help relieve diarrhea.
| Related Products
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:
Sudden onset, nausea and vomiting, episodic abdominal pain, urgent diarrhea, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, yellow-brown foul-smelling stools, thirst, a red tongue, a yellow, greasy coating, and a soggy, rapid or slippery, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- Symptoms may begin suddenly and develop quickly.
- You may feel nauseated and vomit.
- Abdominal pain may come and go in waves.
- Diarrhea may come on urgently, with a frequent need to use the bathroom.
- Bowel movements may feel incomplete, leaving a lingering sense of discomfort.
- Stools may be yellowish-brown and have a very foul odor.
- You may feel thirsty and want to drink water.
- The tongue may appear red.
- The tongue coating may be yellow and greasy, with a sticky appearance.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel soft and fast, or slippery and fast.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and transform dampness; regulate qi and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach is intended to address internal heat and dampness, potentially helping you feel more comfortable.
- It is intended to regulate qi and help relieve diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
| Related Products
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:
Diarrhea associated with damp-heat that persists over time, bitter taste in the mouth, dry retching, cold abdominal pain, worsening diarrhea after drinking cold beverages, a red tongue, a thin, yellow, greasy coating, and a moderate pulse.
In plain language:
- You may have diarrhea along with a heavy, warm, and clammy feeling.
- Symptoms may have lasted a long time without improving.
- You may have a bitter taste in your mouth and dry retching.
- You may feel a cold, aching pain in your abdomen.
- Diarrhea may worsen after drinking cold beverages.
- The tongue may appear red.
- The tongue coating may be thin, yellow, and greasy.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel relatively slow.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Balance cold and heat; regulate qi and stop diarrhea.
In plain language:
- The approach is intended to address both cold and heat and bring imbalanced sensations toward equilibrium.
- It is intended to regulate qi and help relieve diarrhea and related discomfort.
| Related Products
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
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- Ling Gang. A brief discussion of methods for preventing and treating acute gastroenteritis [J]. China Health Industry, 2013(36): 13–14.
- Wang Rujun, Fu Dingzhong, Shao Tingyin, et al. Digestive pharmacology research on Bao He Wan [J]. Pharmacology and Clinics of Chinese Materia Medica, 1991, 7(4): 1–3.
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- Cao Liqin, Xuan Haixian. Treatment of 200 cases of acute gastroenteritis with Chang Wei Kang Granules [J]. Huainan Medical Journal, 2002, 20(1): 77.
- Li Jie, Qi Tuanjie, Liu Han, et al. Gegen Qinlian Wan combined with Zheng Chang Sheng Capsules for acute diarrhea: report of 62 cases [J]. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2014, 41(7): 1421–1422.