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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Bloody stools are not always hemorrhoids or colorectal cancer, doctor says ulcerative colitis may improve with traditional Chinese medicine

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A 51-year-old man with bloody diarrhea initially self-treated for suspected hemorrhoids and later received an ulcerative colitis diagnosis.
  • Western medication reduced his abdominal pain and diarrhea, while the physician said two weeks of traditional Chinese medicine eliminated the bloody stools and further reduced bowel movements.
  • The doctor advised patients to eat light, nutritious meals, avoid stress and late nights, and be cautious with supplements and rich foods.

A 51-year-old man thought his bloody diarrhea came from hemorrhoids. When abdominal pain developed, he attributed the symptoms to gastroenteritis or irritable bowel syndrome and bought over-the-counter medicine himself.

His condition did not improve. He lost weight and became weaker before hospital tests diagnosed ulcerative colitis. Western medication relieved his abdominal pain and reduced diarrhea from eight episodes a day to four, but bloody stools continued.

He then sought combined Western and traditional Chinese treatment from Chen Lin-kuang, director of Tianbao Chinese Medicine Clinic in Taichung. Chen assessed the patient as having what traditional Chinese medicine describes as a “spleen failing to contain blood” and “spleen dampness” pattern. After two weeks of prescribed herbs, the bloody stools reportedly disappeared, while bowel movements fell to twice a day and became formed.

Spleen failing to contain blood

— Chen Lin-kuangThe physician’s traditional Chinese medicine assessment of the patient’s condition.

Chen said ulcerative colitis affects an estimated 12.8 to 19.6 people per 100,000 in Taiwan, and that nearly 5,000 people hold certificates for major illness related to the disease. Western diagnosis generally relies on colonoscopy, and treatment can include anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, immunosuppressants, biologic medicines and targeted drugs. Severe cases may require partial bowel removal.

He said treatment in traditional Chinese medicine varies by the patient’s assessed pattern. Chen also advised patients to eat moderately, maintain regular schedules, avoid excessive stress and sleeplessness, and avoid rich supplement foods that could worsen inflammation.

Spleen dampness

— Chen Lin-kuangA traditional Chinese medicine pattern he identified in the patient.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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