Bile Duct Stones

Bile duct stones (calculus of bile duct) refers to a condition caused by primary or secondary bile duct stones, with abdominal pain, chills and high fever, and jaundice as its main symptoms.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Burning or stabbing pain in the hypochondriac region; tenderness or a mass below the ribs; slightly red tongue with a thin white or slightly yellow coating; normal or slightly wiry and rapid pulse

In everyday terms:

  • Pain in both sides below the ribs that feels burning or like a needle prick; discomfort may become more noticeable when moving or turning.
  • The area below the ribs is more painful when pressed and feels tender, or a firm, obstructive-feeling lump may be palpable.
  • The tongue may look slightly red, with a thin white or pale-yellow coating that appears light in color.
  • The pulse is generally even, or feels taut like a string under pressure and slightly fast, with mildly rapid beats.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Soothe the liver and relieve stagnation; clear heat and promote bile flow

In everyday terms:

  • May help promote the smooth flow of liver qi and relieve stagnation, easing discomfort such as distension in the chest and hypochondriac region, low mood, or frequent sighing.
  • May help clear constrained heat in the liver and gallbladder and promote bile flow, easing symptoms such as a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, distending pain in the hypochondriac region, nausea, poor appetite, or yellowing of the eyes and skin.

|Related Products

The products listed 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 physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Distending pain in the hypochondriac region and yellowing of the body and eyes. Red tongue with a thick, yellow, greasy coating; slippery and rapid pulse

In everyday terms:

  • There is a feeling of distension and pain around both sides below the ribs. It may be more noticeable with movement or pressure, with a sensation of internal blockage.
  • The body and whites of the eyes appear yellow, with discoloration that is clearly visible in the mirror.
  • The tongue appears red, with noticeable redness when extended.
  • The tongue is covered with a thick, yellow, greasy coating, which may look like a layer of oily yellow material.
  • The pulse feels smooth and somewhat fast under pressure, with a slippery, rapid quality.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Clear heat and promote bile flow; transform dampness and promote downward movement

In everyday terms:

  • May help clear heat in the liver and gallbladder and promote bile flow, easing symptoms such as a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, distending pain in the hypochondriac region, or yellowing of the eyes and skin.
  • May help transform dampness and turbidity in the body, easing discomfort such as a heavy feeling in the body, fullness or oppression in the chest and abdomen, or poor appetite.
  • May help promote downward movement and clear accumulated stagnation, easing symptoms such as difficulty passing stool, abdominal fullness, or straining during bowel movements.

|Related Products

The products listed 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 physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Distending, burning pain in the hypochondriac region and high fever. The tongue may be dry and red, deep red, or have purple stasis spots; the coating may be thick and yellow, scorched and black, or absent; surging and rapid pulse

In everyday terms:

  • There is a feeling of distension and burning pain in the area below both sides of the ribs, along with a high fever and marked heat throughout the body.
  • The tongue looks dry and red, or darker and deep red, or has dark purple stasis spots or patches.
  • The tongue coating is yellow and very thick, scorched and nearly black, or almost entirely absent.
  • The pulse feels forceful and fast, with rapid beats and a strong, surging quality.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Drain fire and resolve toxins; nourish yin and promote bile flow

In everyday terms:

  • May help clear excessive internal heat, easing symptoms such as restlessness, thirst, a sore or swollen throat, or facial redness and feverishness.
  • May help dispel pathogenic factors in the body, easing discomfort such as red, swollen sores, a sore throat, or mouth ulcers.
  • May help nourish yin and promote bile flow, easing symptoms such as a bitter taste in the mouth, yellowing of the eyes, distending pain in the hypochondriac region, or poor appetite.

|Related Products

The products listed 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 physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Intermittent pain in the right hypochondriac region, described as distending, oppressive, or shifting. Pale-red tongue with a thin white, thin white and greasy, or thin yellow coating; normal or wiry pulse

In everyday terms:

  • Pain comes and goes on the right side below the ribs, often with a distending or oppressive feeling that may radiate around the area. Discomfort may be more noticeable with movement or pressure.
  • The tongue is pale red, appearing reddish but not deeply colored, and generally light in appearance.
  • The tongue coating is very thin and may be thin and white, thin, white, and greasy, or thin and pale yellow.
  • The pulse is generally even, or feels taut and straight under pressure, like a tightened string.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Soothe the liver and promote bile flow; regulate qi and relieve pain

In everyday terms:

  • May help promote the smooth flow of liver qi and bile, easing symptoms such as distending pain in the hypochondriac region, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, or yellowing of the eyes and skin.
  • May help regulate qi flow and ease pain, reducing discomfort such as distension and fullness in the chest and hypochondriac region, frequent belching, or dull pain in the upper abdomen.

|Related Products

The products listed 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 physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Persistent, dull pain in the right hypochondriac region that worsens with exertion, with dizziness and blurred vision. Red tongue with little coating or a peeled, glossy coating; wiry and fine or fine and rapid pulse

In everyday terms:

  • There is persistent, dull pain on the right side below the ribs that fluctuates in intensity and does not fully ease.
  • Pain worsens with fatigue or increased activity, and dizziness or blurred vision may also occur.
  • The tongue appears red, with very little coating; when extended, it may have almost no thick coating.
  • The tongue may also appear glossy and smooth, as if its coating has been scraped off.
  • The pulse feels taut like a string and fine, or fine and rapid with reduced force.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Nourish yin and soften the liver; soothe the liver and promote bile flow

In everyday terms:

  • May help nourish yin and soften liver qi, easing symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, dry mouth and throat, or muscle and tendon tightness.
  • May help promote the smooth flow of liver qi and bile, easing discomfort such as distending pain in the hypochondriac region, a bitter taste in the mouth, yellowing of the eyes, or poor appetite.

|Related Products

The products listed 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 physician or pharmacist.

References

  1. Zhu Peiting, Zhang Jingzhe. Integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of cholelithiasis should emphasize TCM pattern differentiation and treatment [J]. Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery, 2003, 15(3): 145-146.
  2. Sun Xun, Liang Xiaoqiang, Zhang Jingzhe. Advances in integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment of intrahepatic bile duct stones [J]. Medical Recapitulate, 2009, 15(15): 2337-2339.
  3. Pan Guangdong, Yan Lunan, Li Bo. Liver transplantation for hepatolithiasis [J]. Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery, 2005, 7(11): 467-470.
  4. Liu Yunyi, Lai Junxiong, Liu Xiaoxin. Diagnosis and treatment of intrahepatic bile duct stones [J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery, 2009, 29(7): 540-541.
  5. Lu Qiping. Advances in treatment concepts and understanding of hepatolithiasis—reflections on studying the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatolithiasis [J]. Journal of Abdominal Surgery, 2008, 21(2): 116-118.
  6. Zhu Peiting, Zhang Jingzhe, Zhang Xuelin. TCM biliary disease at the turn of the century [J]. Chinese Journal of Surgery of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 2001, 7(1): 8-9.
  7. Zhang Jingzhe. Current status and prospects of integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment of cholelithiasis [J]. Modern Chinese Medicine, 2006, 23(3): 4-9.