advanced stages there is marked debility and loss of weight.
From a Chinese perspective, this usually manifests with symptoms of Damp-Heat and stasis of
Blood.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome consists in motor-secretory overactivity of the colon due to excessive
parasympathetic stimulation.
The pain is lateral or diffuse in the whole lower abdominal region and it varies from a vague
dragging ache to severe spastic pain. It is always accompanied by marked distension and usually
alternation of constipation and loose stools. The stools are often small and round or small, thin
and cigar-shaped. There is also fatigue and anxiety.
From the point of view of Chinese medicine, this usually manifests with symptoms of stagnant
Liver-Qi invading the Spleen.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis consists in inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal mucosa. It is more
common between the ages of 20 and 40.
The two main manifestations are abdominal pain and diarrhoea with mucus and blood.
In Chinese medicine, this usually manifests with symptoms of Damp-Heat in the Intestines.
Small Intestine
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is characterized by localized areas of inflammation in the small intestine. In a
few cases, it may also affect the large intestine.
The main clinical features are abdominal pain which occurs most frequently on the right side. An
abdominal mass may be palpable: this consists of inflamed loops of bowel bound together.
Diarrhoea is usually present but, in contrast to ulcerative colitis, there is no mucus or blood,
unless the large bowel is involved.