Constipation is caused by deficiency of qi, blood and body fluids as well as internal accumulation of dryness and heat after the recovery from a disease.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Intestinal dryness due to deficiency of body fluids

Dry stool, difficult defecation, dry lips and mouth, dry throat, thirst, scanty urine, red tongue with a little fur and without fluid, thready and unsmooth pulse. In the case of concurrent residual dryness and heat, it manifests flushed face, dysphoria, abdominal distension or abdominalgia, dry mouth, foul breath, red tongue with yellowish fur and rapid pulse. It is advisable"to nourish body fluids and moisten the intestine. The prescription used is Wuren Pill (Five-Kernel Pill) with additional Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae ), Xuanshen ( Radix Scrophulariae ) and Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis). In the case of concurrent enterogastric dryness and heat manifested by abdominal distension or abdominalgia, foul breath and yellowish fur, use the modified Maziren Pill (Hemp Seed Pill).

Deficiency of qi and blood

Constipation, lustreless complexion, light-headed-ness, palpitation, or no dry and hard stool, strain in defecation, sweating, short breath, mental fatigue, lassitude of limbs, pale lips and tongue, thin fur, thready and weak pulse. It is advisable to supplement qi, nourish blood, moisten the intestine to promote defecation. The prescription used is Danggui Buxue Decoction (Chinese Angelica Decoction for Replenishing blood) with additional Shengheshouwu (unprepared Radix Polygoni Multiflori), Zhike (Fructus Aurantii) and Digupi ( Cortex Lycii Radicis). In the case of marked qi deficiency, use Huangqi Decoction (Decoction of Radix Astragali seu Hedysari); in the case of marked blood deficiency, use Runchang Pill (Intestine-Moistening Pill).

Accumulation of cold due to yang deficiency

Possible dry stool, difficult defecation, slight abdominal cold and pain, cold hands and feet, or soreness and cold of waist and spine, pale complexion, clear and profuse urine, pale tongue with white fur, deep and slow pulse. It is advisable to relax the bowels with warm-and moist-natured drugs. The prescription used is the modified Jichuan Decoction, or Banliu Pill or Congrong Runchang Pill (Pill of Herba Cistanchis for Moistening the
Bowels).

Rehabilitation methods

Physical training

Physical training increases gastrointestinal peristalsis and promotes defecation. Walking with rapid steps and fitness running are more suitable. Do it in the morning every day, fifteen to twenty minutes each time. The distance is determined by personal conditions and the amount of exercise by the fact that mild short breath and sweating appear. After training, take a lukewarm bath or hot hip bath for five to ten minutes. Then, go to number two. Besides, practice the abdominal breathing for thirty to forty minutes each time. It has the actions of massaging the stomach and bowels, and promoting gastrointestinal peristalsis due to the obvious rhythmical upward and downward movements of the diaphragm.