Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC), also known as chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis, is a nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the mucosa and submucosa of the large intestine. Common clinical manifestations include abdominal pain and diarrhea, mucus and bloody or purulent stools, and tenesmus. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the category of “chronic dysentery.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, mucus and bloody or purulent stools, tenesmus, burning sensation at the anus, bitter taste in the mouth, scanty dark urine, red tongue, yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid or soggy and rapid pulse
Plain-language explanation:
- Intermittent abdominal pain that can feel cramping and uncomfortable.
- Diarrhea with loose, watery stools.
- Mucus and pus or blood may be visible in the stool, which may look abnormal.
- A persistent urge to have a bowel movement, with a feeling that the bowel has not fully emptied even after going.
- A burning or hot discomfort around the anus, which may be especially unpleasant during or after a bowel movement.
- A persistent bitter taste in the mouth.
- Small amounts of dark yellow urine, with urination taking only a short time.
- The tongue looks red overall.
- The tongue coating looks yellow and greasy.
- The pulse feels slippery and fast, or soft and fast.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and transform dampness; regulate qi and move blood
Plain-language explanation:
- In TCM, this approach uses methods intended to clear “heat” and dispel “dampness,” addressing discomfort such as a sensation of heat and heaviness, a bitter or sticky mouth, fatigue, a thick greasy tongue coating, and scanty yellow urine.
- It also aims to regulate qi and promote blood circulation, with the goal of easing distending or stabbing pain, pain in a fixed location, tenderness to pressure, a dull complexion, or visible discoloration or bruising.
| Related Products
The products below 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:
Diarrhea with loose stools, mucus or a small amount of pus or blood, reduced appetite, abdominal bloating after meals, dull abdominal pain relieved by pressure, tired limbs and fatigue, sallow complexion, pale tongue or a swollen tongue with teeth marks, thin white coating, thready and weak or soggy and moderate pulse
Plain-language explanation:
- Diarrhea with loose stools, sometimes containing mucus or a small amount of pus or blood.
- Eating less than usual and having a poor appetite, often with little desire to eat.
- The abdomen feels bloated and uncomfortable after eating, more so than before the meal.
- A dull abdominal ache that feels somewhat better when pressure is applied.
- Tiredness and weakness in the limbs, with low energy and difficulty getting things done.
- A yellowish, dull-looking complexion.
- The tongue looks pale, or appears enlarged with teeth marks along its edges.
- The tongue coating looks thin and white.
- The pulse feels thready and weak, or soft and relatively slow.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the spleen and replenish qi; eliminate dampness and raise yang
Plain-language explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to support the Spleen and replenish qi, helping with discomfort such as fatigue, poor appetite, post-meal bloating, a heavy or tired feeling, and loose stools.
- It also aims to transform dampness and raise yang, with the goal of easing a heavy, sluggish feeling, tired or heavy limbs, swelling of the face or lower legs, a sticky feeling in the mouth, a thick greasy tongue coating, scanty urine, or prolonged diarrhea with watery stools.
| Related Products
The products below 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:
Persistent diarrhea with watery stools or undigested food, or diarrhea before dawn; pain around the navel; preference for warmth and pressure; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; aversion to cold and cold limbs; poor appetite and fatigue; pale complexion; pale tongue, swollen with teeth marks; moist white coating; deep, thready pulse or weak pulse at the chi position
Plain-language explanation:
- Diarrhea that has persisted for a long time without improvement, with symptoms that keep recurring.
- Watery stools, sometimes with visible undigested food, or diarrhea that tends to occur before dawn.
- Intermittent pain around the navel that causes noticeable discomfort.
- Warmth or pressure feels soothing and may provide some relief.
- Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, with a general sense of weakness.
- Feeling cold throughout the body, with cold hands and feet that feel noticeably cool to the touch.
- Poor appetite and mental fatigue, with a persistent lack of energy.
- A pale, dull-looking complexion.
- The tongue looks pale and enlarged, with tooth marks along its edges.
- The tongue coating looks white and moist.
- The pulse feels deep and thready, or weak at the wrist near the base of the palm.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the spleen and kidneys; warm yang and transform dampness
Plain-language explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to support the Spleen’s digestive function and nourish kidney qi, with the goal of easing fatigue, poor appetite, bloating after meals, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, feeling cold and weak, and loose stools.
- It also aims to warm yang and transform dampness, with the goal of easing a heavy, sluggish feeling, cold or swollen limbs, a sticky feeling in the mouth, a thick greasy tongue coating, clear and copious or scanty urine, or prolonged diarrhea with watery stools.
| Related Products
The products below 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 followed by diarrhea, with pain easing after defecation; episodes of diarrhea often associated with emotional factors; mucus in the stool; distension and fullness in the chest and flanks; frequent sighing; poor appetite and abdominal bloating; frequent passage of gas; pale-red tongue; thin white coating; wiry or wiry and thready pulse
Plain-language explanation:
- Abdominal pain occurs before diarrhea, and eases somewhat after a bowel movement.
- Diarrhea may be triggered or worsened by emotional distress or upsetting events.
- The stool contains mucus and looks slimy.
- There is a feeling of fullness and pressure below the ribs on either side of the chest.
- Frequent, involuntary sighing.
- Poor appetite and uncomfortable abdominal bloating.
- Passing gas more often than usual.
- The tongue looks pale red overall.
- The tongue coating looks thin and white.
- The pulse feels taut like a string, or wiry and thready.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the liver and regulate qi; strengthen the spleen and harmonize the middle
Plain-language explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to soothe the liver and regulate qi, with the goal of easing distending or aching pain along the flanks, chest discomfort, low mood or irritability, and frequent sighing.
- It also aims to support digestion and harmonize the middle, with the goal of improving poor appetite, bloating after meals, upper abdominal fullness, loose stools, and fatigue.
| Related Products
The products below 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:
Constipation or stools with a small amount of pus or blood; straining with little or no stool; persistent dull abdominal pain; irritability; low-grade fever in the afternoon; thinness and fatigue; dry mouth and throat; red tongue; dry coating with little moisture; thready and rapid pulse
Plain-language explanation:
- Hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass, or stools containing a small amount of pus or blood.
- Frequent urges to pass stool without being able to do so, with prolonged straining while sitting on the toilet.
- A persistent dull abdominal ache that lingers and causes ongoing discomfort.
- Feeling restless or irritable and becoming angry easily.
- A mild rise in temperature in the afternoon.
- Weight loss and easy fatigue or weakness.
- Dry mouth and throat, with a persistent feeling of dryness.
- The tongue looks red overall.
- The tongue coating looks dry and has little moisture.
- The pulse feels thready and fast.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish yin and blood; replenish qi and strengthen the middle
Plain-language explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to nourish yin and enrich the blood, with the goal of easing dry mouth and throat, dry skin, palpitations and sleep problems, dizziness and fatigue, and a pale complexion.
- It also aims to replenish qi and support digestive function, with the goal of improving poor appetite, bloating after meals, upper abdominal fullness, loose stools, and easy fatigue.
| Related Products
The products below 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:
Incomplete evacuation; diarrhea with pus or blood, or black stools; abdominal pain that resists pressure, fixed in location; possible abdominal masses; dull complexion; dark-purple tongue or purple spots and patches; deep, choppy pulse
Plain-language explanation:
- Diarrhea that still feels incomplete or unsatisfactory after passing stool.
- Stools with pus or blood during diarrhea, or black stools.
- Abdominal pain that worsens when pressed.
- Pain that stays in one fixed spot.
- A firm lump may be felt in the abdomen.
- A dull, dark-looking complexion.
- The tongue looks dark purple, or has purple spots or patches.
- The pulse feels deep and uneven or rough beneath the fingers.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Invigorate blood and dispel stasis; regulate the intestines and unblock the collaterals
Plain-language explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to promote blood circulation and resolve “blood stasis,” with the goal of easing distending or stabbing pain, pain in a fixed location, tenderness to pressure, local firmness, or purplish bruising.
- It also aims to regulate intestinal function and unblock the collaterals, with the goal of easing abdominal bloating and pain, recurring cramps, constipation, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
| Related Products
The products below 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
- Hu Pinjin, Qian Jiaming, Wu Kaichun, et al. Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in China[J]. Internal Medicine Theory and Practice, 2013, 8(1): 61-75.
- Chen Zhishui. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis[J]. Chinese Medicine Modern Distance Education of China, 2011, 9(10): 126-128.
- Wang Kai. Hudi Capsules for chronic ulcerative colitis: 120 cases[J]. Traditional Chinese Medicinal Research, 2004, 17(3): 23-24.
- Wang Cuiyun, Chen Jihong, Xia Bin, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of Changning enema for ulcerative colitis[J]. Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2011, 20(16): 1962-1963.
- Ma Xisen, Gao Hongliang, Yao Ping. Systematic evaluation of the efficacy of Xilei San for ulcerative colitis[J]. World Chinese Journal of Digestology, 2012, 20(31): 3057-3064.
- Liu Xiping, Jia Yuxin, Liu Xun, et al. Effects of Shen Ling Bai Zhu San on CD44, CD54, and CD62p in a rat model of ulcerative colitis with spleen deficiency[J]. Lishizhen Medicine and Materia Medica Research, 2011, 22(11): 2671-2673.
- Li Yuan. Clinical observation of Guben Yichang Tablets and other treatments in 30 cases of ulcerative colitis[J]. Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2000, 9(14): 1341-1342.
- Miao Mingsan, Liu Tongxiang, Sun Yanhong, et al. Effects of Changweining Tablets on colitis models in rats and mice[J]. Pharmacology and Clinics of Chinese Materia Medica, 2003, 19(5): 41-42.
- Xu Xinhua, Li Neng, Zheng Xia, et al. Long-term toxicity study of Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan in normal rats and rats with a spleen-deficiency ulcerative colitis model[J]. Pharmacology and Clinics of Chinese Materia Medica, 2012, 28(2): 15-17.
- Sui Jie, Wu Zhiping, Huang Zhuangguang, et al. Efficacy of mesalazine combined with Gutang Zhixie Wan in the treatment of ulcerative colitis[J]. Lishizhen Medicine and Materia Medica Research, 2011, 22(2): 517-518.
- Jia Ying. Gutang Zhixie Wan for chronic ulcerative colitis: 30 cases[J]. Journal of Shaanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 31(4): 36-37.
- Wang Wei. Xiao Yao Wan for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: 80 cases[J]. Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 29(1): 45-46.
- Chen Xia, Li Conghua, Zhang Guozun, et al. Kangfuxin Liquid retention enema combined with oral Renshen Guipi Wan for ulcerative colitis: 142 cases[J]. China Pharmaceuticals, 2013, 22(16): 108.
- Zhao Ximing, Cai Deguang, Ma Hongying. Efficacy of Longxuejie Tablets combined with Gutang Zhixie Wan for ulcerative colitis[J]. Shanxi Medical Journal, 2011, 40(7): 722.