Diarrhea is defined as an increase in stool weight (> 200g/ day). Clinically, it is commonly reported as decreased stool consistency, although the term is also used to describe in-creased frequency, urgency, and fecal incontinence. This sec-tion discusses the physiology of water and solute transport across the intestine and the pathophysiology and management of diarrhea.
Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, this disease belongs to the category of "li ji "(dysentery).
Differentiation and Treatment of Common Syndromes m Traditional Chinese Medicine
1. Diarrhea due to Damp-heat Pathogen (Occuring in acute diarrhea) :
Clinical manifestations: Abdominal pain, diarrhea with bloody mucous stool which is moved several times or more than ten times a day with a small amount each time, tenesmus, burning sensation at the anus, scanty deep-coloured urine, or accompanied with chill and fever, yellow and greasy coating of the tongue, slippery and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic method: Clearing away heat and eliminating dampness and regulating qi to remove stagnancy.
Recipe: Modified Peony Decoction.
Ingredients:
Radix Paeoniae Alba 10g
Rhizoma Coptidis 10g
Radix Scutellariae 30g
Flos Lonicerae 30g
Herba Portulacae 6g
Radix et Rhizoma Rhei 6g
Radix Aucklandiae 10g
Semen Arecae 10g
Fructus Aurantii 6g
Radix Glycyrrhizae 20g
Administration: All the above drugs are to be decocted in water to get 200-300ml of decoction. Take equal portions in the morning and in the evening.
Modification: For the case with the onset of chill an fever, Rhizoma Puerariae 15g is usually added.
