Digestivefùxiè

Diarrhea

Also called:Loose stoolsWatery stoolRuns

From the TCM perspective: TCM 'xie xie'; acute cases often damp-heat/cold-damp, chronic ones spleen/kidney deficiency.

Overview

Diarrhea is increased frequency of loose or watery stools. The Neijing calls it 'duck-stool' and 'sun-fragrance diarrhea'. TCM locates the core mechanism in the spleen with a close link to dampness ('when dampness prevails, there is soggy diarrhea'), also involving liver and kidney, differentiated as acute/chronic and cold/heat/excess/deficiency.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Damp-heat diarrhea

Key distinguishing signs: Urgent foul yellow-brown stool with burning anus, abdominal pain, vexing heat and thirst, dark urine, red tongue with yellow greasy coat, slippery rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat and drain dampness to stop diarrhea

Cold-damp (wind-cold) diarrhea

Key distinguishing signs: Clear watery diarrhea with abdominal pain and borborygmi, sometimes chills/fever and nasal congestion, white greasy coat, soggy moderate pulse.
Treatment principle: Release the exterior, dispel cold and transform dampness

Spleen qi deficiency

Key distinguishing signs: Intermittent loose stools that recur, worse after greasy food, post-meal fullness, poor appetite, fatigue, sallow face, pale tongue, weak pulse.
Treatment principle: Strengthen spleen, tonify qi and transform dampness

Kidney yang decline (fifth-watch diarrhea)

Key distinguishing signs: Pre-dawn periumbilical pain with urgent borborygmi and diarrhea relieved after passing, cold body and limbs, sore weak knees, pale tongue, deep fine pulse.
Treatment principle: Warm kidney, strengthen spleen and astringe the bowel

Daily self-care

In acute diarrhea prioritize rehydration with small frequent sips of oral rehydration solution, lightly salted fluid or rice water; pause greasy, cold foods and dairy.
During recovery use bland easy foods (rice porridge, noodles, yam, carrot); keep hands clean and food safely stored.
For chronic diarrhea track the diet-stool link and avoid self-use of astringents or antibiotics.

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Bloody stool or profuse watery diarrhea with dehydration (dry mouth, scant urine, dizziness, confusion): urgent care.
Severe pain, persistent high fever, vomiting blood or signs of shock: emergency now.
Diarrhea over two days (sooner in infants, elders, pregnancy), or after antibiotics or travel: seek evaluation.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

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