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Ulcerative
Colitis
John K. Chen, PhD
ABSTRACT
Although some etiologic factors have been suggested as causal of ulcerative
colitis, none have yet been proven. Thus, treatment focuses on symptomatic
relief. Western medicine offers some pharmacological and surgical options;
Oriental medicine offers herbal and acupuncture treatments for ulcerative
colitis. This article discusses both approaches to the disease, with
an extensive list of herbal and acupuncture therapies.
KEY WORDS
Ulcerative Colitis, Colitis, Chinese Herbs, Acupuncture, Gastrointestinal
Disorder
INTRODUCTION
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, non-specific, idiopathic, inflammatory,
and ulcerative disease of the colon and rectum.1 Both Western and Oriental
approaches to this disease are discussed herein.
WESTERN MEDICINE
Etiology
Although many etiologic factors for ulcerative colitis have been suggested,
no evidence links any definitively to the condition. Possible risk factors
include immunologic factors, infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses,
or amoebae), dietary factors (including chemicals and drugs), and psychosomatic
factors. Ulcerative colitis usually occurs between ages 15 and 30, or
between 50 and 70.1
Clinical
Manifestation
The clinical presentation of ulcerative colitis varies greatly depending
on the extent and severity of the illness. It begins with gradual onset
of diarrhea with mucus and blood. There are symptomatic and asymptomatic
intervals of diarrhea. Patients may also experience tenesmus and left
lower quadrant pain and cramps. Systemic symptoms are usually mild or
absent in the early stages of ulcerative colitis. If the ulceration
involves only the rectosigmoid area, the stool may be normal. Rectal
discharge of mucus, red blood cells, and white blood cells will still
be present. Systemic symptoms are usually mild or absent.
Occasionally,
ulcerative colitis may present as an acute and fulminant attack characterized
by sudden violent diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. The abdominal
pain and tenderness are most obvious in the left lower quadrant. Patients
may have 10-20 bowel movements per day, often accompanied by severe
cramps and distressing rectal tenesmus. The stool is filled with mucus,
pus, and blood. In addition, malaise, anorexia, weight loss, fever,
signs of peritonitis, toxemia, and other systemic symptoms may be present.2
Toxic colitis
and toxic megacolon are the most severe forms of ulcerative colitis.
In toxic colitis, a transmural extension of the ulcerative process leads
to localized ileus and peritonitis. The colon loses its muscle tone
and gas begins to accumulate inside the colon, resulting in dilation
and paralysis of the colon. When the colon expands beyond 6 cm in diameter,
the condition is defined as toxic megacolon (or toxic dilation). In
such cases, there is high fever (40ºC [104ºF]), tachycardia,
leukocytosis, abdominal pain and distention, and rebound tenderness.
A patient with toxic colitis or toxic megacolon should be hospitalized
to avoid complications such as perforation, peritonitis, and septicemia.2
Diagnosis
Chronic history of bloody diarrhea with pus and mucus in the stool is
suggestive of ulcerative colitis. A definitive diagnosis can be made
using sigmoidoscopy, which provides a direct visualization of the rectal
mucosa. Colonoscopy is sometimes helpful to differentiate ulcerative
colitis from Crohn's disease. Biopsy should be performed if cancer is
suspected.2
Differential
Diagnosis
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are both inflammatory diseases
of the bowel. Crohn's disease may affect any part of the gastrointestinal
tract, while ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum.
Bloody stool
is usually absent in Crohn's disease but is consistently present in
ulcerative colitis. In addition, small bowel involvement, segmental
colitis, rectal sparing, and intestinal fistula are diagnostic keys
of Crohn's disease.
Other diseases with similar clinical presentation include acute infections
of the gastrointestinal tract, ischemic colitis, drug-induced colitis,
and colon carcinoma.2,3
Treatment
Since there is no known etiology for ulcerative colitis, no specific
therapy is available. Drug treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and
is divided into the following classes:
-
Antidiarrheal.
Diarrhea is commonly treated with diphenoxylate, loperamide, or
other drugs containing codeine or opium. The most common adverse
effects of these drugs are dizziness and sedation. Drugs containing
codeine and opium may also cause dependence with long-term use.
In addition, antidiarrheal drugs must be given with caution because
they may cause toxic megacolon, an emergency condition characterized
by dilation of the colon.4,5
-
Aminosalicylates.
These drugs suppress low-grade inflammation and are commonly used
for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Their usefulness, however,
is limited by their frequent adverse effects, including anorexia,
dyspepsia, nausea, and vomiting. Commonly used 5-aminosalicylates
include sulfasalazine, olsalazine, and mesalamine.4,5
-
Corticosteroids.
Mild to moderate cases of ulcerative colitis can be treated with
oral or intravenous corticosteroids. Although corticosteroids have
excellent anti-inflammatory effects, long-term use can produce many
adverse effects, including but not limited to osteoporosis, glucose
intolerance, cataract formation, fluid retention, dependence, and
muscle wasting.4,5
-
Surgery.
Emergency colectomy is indicated for life-threatening complications
such as massive hemorrhage, free perforation, or fulminating toxic
colitis. Elective colectomy is indicated for carcinoma, symptomatic
stricture, epithelial dysplasia, and intractable disease. Ulcerative
colitis is more localized in comparison with Crohn's diseas; total
proctocolectomy usually cures the disease. The disadvantages of
surgery include per manent ileostomy, possible sexual dysfunction
in males, and the physical and emotional burdens.3
ORIENTAL
MEDICINE
Etiology
Similar to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis may be caused by constitutional
deficiencies, invasion of exterior pathogenic factors, or unbalanced
diet. Constitutional deficiencies usually refer to Spleen, Stomach,
and Kidney deficiencies. Invasion of exterior pathogenic factors refers
to damp-heat or damp-cold. An unbalanced diet high in raw or cold injures
the Spleen and the Stomach, and obstructs their functions in transforming
and transporting food and nutrients.
Differential
Diagnosis
Depending on the severity and characteristics, ulcerative colitis can
be divided into 7 major categories: damp-heat in the Large Intestine,
damp-cold affecting the Spleen, alternation of heat and cold attacks,
Liver overacting on the Spleen, Qi and Blood stagnation, damp accumulation
with Spleen deficiency, and Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency.
Damp-heat in
the Large Intestine is commonly caused by excessive consumption of sweet,
fatty, and greasy food, and is characterized by an acute and sudden
onset of intestinal symptoms. Diarrhea is usually sudden and violent
with pus, mucus, and blood. There is a feeling of tenesmus, abdominal
fullness and distention, abdominal cramps and pain that diminish after
defecation. In addition to intestinal symptoms, the patient may also
experience fever, poor appetite, dry mouth, yellow urine, yellow greasy
tongue coating, and wiry, slippery, or rapid pulse.
Damp-cold affecting
the Spleen is commonly caused by excessive consumption of cold or raw
food, fruits, or vegetables. There is a sudden onset of diarrhea with
pus, mucus, and blood. The patient also experiences abdominal fullness,
distention, and mild to moderate pain that increases with exposure to
cold. There is a vague feeling of heaviness in the body and extremities.
The tongue coating is white and greasy, and the pulse is soft and slippery.
Alternation
of heat and cold attack is a chronic condition that may be caused by
many different factors, such as invasion of exterior pathogenic factors
or unbalanced diet. The patient experiences constant watery or bloody
diarrhea. When there is more heat than cold, bloody diarrhea predominates
and the patient experiences abdominal pain, bitter taste in the mouth,
dry mouth, urgency to defecate, and fever. When there is more cold than
heat, watery diarrhea predominates and the patient experiences abdominal
pain (increasing with exposure to cold), aversion to cold, and muscle
wasting. The tongue is red with a thin yellow or white coating. The
pulse is wiry and thready.
Liver overacting
on the Spleen represents an excess condition in which the Wood element
overacts on the earth element. The patient has obvious Liver Qi stagnation
evident by emotional disturbance. This corresponds with the psychosomatic
cause of ulcerative colitis suggested by Western medicine. Clinically,
the patient experiences emotional disturbance such as anger, irritability,
and short temper. The severity of diarrhea is directly proportional
to the severity of emotional disturbance. Other gastrointestinal symptoms
include diarrhea with pus, mucus, and blood, abdominal pain, fullness
and distention, borborygmus, acid regurgitation, bitter taste in the
mouth, and lack of appetite. The tongue is slightly red with a thin
white coating, and the pulse is wiry.
Qi and Blood
stagnation usually results from damp-heat injuring the Middle Jiao leading
to stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines. This condition is characterized
by constant pain at a fixed location. Palpation may not be possible
as pain increases with touch and pressure. Other symptoms and signs
of Qi and Blood stagnation include borborygmus, abdominal distention,
chest fullness and distention, acid regurgitation, lack of appetite,
and dark facial complexion. The tongue is purple with petechia; the
pulse is wiry and knotted.
Damp accumulation
with Spleen deficiency represents a chronic condition of ulcerative
colitis. Spleen deficiency may be due to congenital deficiency or secondary
to excess intake of raw or cold food injuring the Spleen. Damp accumulates
as Spleen loses its function to transform and transport food. Clinically,
the patient experiences chronic incessant diarrhea with a watery stool,
sticky with pus, mucus, and blood. Other local symptoms include dull
pain and distention in the abdomen. Malabsorption and malnutrition are
common due to the chronic nature of Spleen deficiency. The patient usually
experiences fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, and decreased
sense of taste. The tongue is flabby with teeth marks and a thin white
coating. The pulse is soft. Spleen and Kidney deficiencies also represent
a chronic condition of ulcerative colitis perhaps due to a congenital
deficiency or secondary to chronic ulcerative colitis damaging the Spleen
and Kidney.
The patient
has chronic incessant watery diarrhea with pus, mucus, and blood. Diarrhea
may occur early in the morning and throughout the day. Diarrhea worsens
with exposure to cold. Other symptoms include fatigue, lack of energy,
cold body and extremities, and abdominal pain that diminishes with exposure
to warmth. The tongue is pale with a thin white coating; the pulse is
deep and thready.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
Herbal formula: Peony combination (shao yao tang). This formula eliminates
heat and toxin and is commonly used to treat diarrhea due to damp-heat
in the Large Intestine.6,7
Modification:8-11
-
More
damp than heat (characterized by more pus and mucus than blood in
the stool; white and greasy tongue coating; and poor appetite):
add atractylodes (cang zhu), magnolia bark (hou pu), and citrus
peel (chen pi) to regulate Qi and dissolve damp; take out rhubarb
(da huang) and areca seed (bing lang).
-
More heat
than damp (characterized by more blood than pus and mucus in the
stool; fever; thirst; and preference of cold drinks): add pulsatilla
(bai tou weng), citrus viride (qing pi), and thlaspi (bai jiang
cao) to clear damp heat.
-
Constant
diarrhea with bright red blood: add biota (ce bai ye), fresh rehmannia
(sheng di huang), artemisia argyi (ai ye), and bo he to cool blood
and stop diarrhea; take out rhubarb (da huang).
-
Excess
heat and toxin with tenesmus, severe urgency to defecate and burning
sensation of the anus after defecation: add lonicera flower (jin
yin hua), forsythia (lian qiao), indigo (qing dai), dandelion (pu
gong yin), houttuynia (yu xing cao), thlaspi (bai jiang cao), pulsatilla
(bai tou weng), hedyotis (bai hua she she cao), scute barbata (ban
zhi lian), and wild chrysanthemum (ye ju hua) to clear excess heat
and toxin.
-
Chronic
incessant diarrhea: add mume (wu mei), terminalia (he zi), granatum
rind (shi liu pi), nutgalls (wu bei zi), dragon bone (long gu),
oyster shell (mu li), euryale (qian shi), and rubrum halloysitum
(chi shi zhi).
Damp-Cold
Affecting the Spleen
Herbal formula: Magnolia
and hoelen combination (wei ling tang). This formula regulates the Qi
of the Spleen and the Stomach and dispels damp-cold.6,7
Modification:8-11
-
More cold
symptoms such as abdominal pain that increase with exposure to cold:
add dry ginger (gan jiang) to warm up the body.
-
Diarrhea
with excessive mucus and blood: add angelica sinensis (dang gui),
red peony (chi shao), and sanguisorba (di yu) to regulate blood
circulation and stop bleeding.
-
Tenesmus
with heavy sensation of the rectum after defecation: add saussurea
(mu xiang) and areca seed (bing lang) to regulate Qi.
-
Chronic
incessant diarrhea: add mume (wu mei), terminalia (he zi), granatum
rind (shi liu pi), nugalls (wu bei zi), dragon bone (long gu), oyster
shell (mu li), euryale (qian shi), and rubrum halloysitum (chi shi
zhi).
Alternation
of Heat and Cold Attack
Herbal formula: Mume formula (wu mei wan). This formula has pungent
warm herbs that eliminate the cold, and bitter cold herbs that purge
the heat. It is commonly used to treat diarrhea or dysentery with mixed
symptoms of cold and heat.6,7
Modification:8-11
-
Chronic
diarrhea with Spleen Qi deficiency: add astragalus (huang qi) and
white atractylodes (bai zhu) to tonify Qi.
-
Qi and
Blood deficiency: add astragalus (huang qi) and white atractylodes
(bai zhu) to tonify Qi; add fresh rehmannia (sheng di huang) and
white peony (bai shao) to nourish blood. Take out zanthoxylum (shu
jiao) and asarum (xi xin); these 2 herbs are pungent and warm and
may damage Qi and blood further.
-
Constant
incessant diarrhea: add chaenomeles (mu gua) and granatum rind (shi
liu pi) to stop diarrhea.
-
Excess
heat and toxin with tenesmus, severe urgency to defecate, and burning
sensation of the anus after defecation: add lonicera flower (jin
yin hua), forsythia (lian qiao), indigo (qing dai), dandelion (pu
gong yin), houttuynia (yu xing cao), thlaspi (bai jiang cao), pulsatilla
(bai tou weng), hedyotis (bai hua she she cao), scute barbata (ban
zhi lian), and wild chrysanthemum (ye ju hua) to clear excess heat
and toxin.
-
Excess
damp heat: add scute (huang qin), coptis (huang lian), phellodendron
bark (huang bai), sophora flavescens (ku shen), citrus viride (qin
pi), polygonum cuspidatum (hu zhang), and catechu (er cha) to dry
up damp and eliminate heat.
-
Hemorrhage
and profuse bloody diarrhea: add agrimony (xian he cao), bletilla
(bai ji), cirsium (da ji), sophora (huai hua), biota (ce bai ye),
and pseudoginseng (san qi).
-
Blood
stagnation with constant and severe abdominal pain: add salvia (dan
shen), myrrh (mo yao), and dragon's blood (xue jie).
-
Chronic
incessant diarrhea: mume (wu mei), terminalia (he zi),
granatum rind (shi liu pi), nutgalls (wu bei zi), dragon bone (long
gu), oyster shell (mu li), euryale (qian shi), and rubrum halloysitum
(chi shi zhi).
Liver Overacting
on the Spleen
Herbal formula: White atractyldoes and white peony formula for diarrhea
(tong xie yao fang). This formula regulates Liver Qi, strengthens the
Spleen, and curbs diarrhea.6,7
Modification:8-11
-
Feeling
of fullness and oppression in the chest: add bupleurum (chai hu),
aurantium immaturus (zhi shi), and cyperus (xiang fu) to regulate
Qi.
-
Chronic
incessant diarrhea: add mume (wu mei), granatum rind (shi liu pi),
and terminalia (he zi) to stop diarrhea.
-
Spleen
deficiency: add codonopsis (dang shen), white atractylodes (bai-
zhu), euryale (qian shi), and dioscorea (shan yao) to strengthen
the Spleen.
-
Diarrhea
triggered by abdominal pain: add areca seed (bing lang)
and saussurea (mu xiang) to regulate Qi.
-
Hemorrhage
and profuse bloody diarrhea: add agrimony (xian he cao), bletilla
(bai ji), cirsium (da ji), sophora (huai hua), biota (ce bai ye),
and pseudoginseng (san qi).
-
Blood
stagnation with constant and severe abdominal pain: add salvia (dan
shen), myrrh (mo yao), and dragon's blood (xue jie).
Qi and Blood
Stagnation
Herbal formula: Fennel seed and corydalis combination (shao fu zhu yu
tang). This formula is commonly used to activate blood circulation to
remove blood stasis and activate Qi circulation to relieve pain. It
is especially effective if the pain and blood stasis are located in
the lower abdominal region.6,7
Modification:8-11
-
Dry mouth,
dry tongue, yellow tongue coating, and constipation: add rhubarb
(da huang), moutan (mu dan pi), persica (tao ren), and sargentodoxa
stem (hong teng) to clear heat. Remove dry ginger (gan jiang), cinnamon
bark (rou gui), and fennel seed (xiao hui xiang); they are warm
herbs and may worsen the condition.
-
Severe
abdominal pain, dark black stool, and dark purple tongue: add dragon's
blood (xue jie), salvia (dan shen), achyranthes (niu xi), and cyperus
(xiang fu) to activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis.
-
Hemorrhage
and profuse bloody diarrhea: add agrimony (xian he cao), bletilla
(bai ji), cirsium (da ji), sophora (huai hua), biota (ce bai ye),
and pseudoginseng (san qi).
-
Blood
stagnation with constant and severe abdominal pain: add salvia (dan
shen), myrrh (mo yao), and dragon's blood (xue jie).
Damp Accumulation
With Spleen Deficiency
Herbal formula: Ginseng and atractylodes formula (shen ling bai zhu
san). This is an excellent formula to tonify Qi, strengthen the Spleen,
and remove damp.6,7
Modification:8-11
-
Damp
and heat accumulation: add scute (huang lian), phellodendron bark
(huang bai), pueraria root (ge gen), and sargentodoxa stem (hong
teng) to eliminate heat.
-
Diarrhea
with excess blood: add angelica sinensis (dang gui), moutan (mu
dan pi), and biota (ce bai ye) to stop blood.
-
Tenesmus:
add saussurea (mu xiang) and areca seed (bing lang) to
regulate Qi.
-
Food
stagnation: add raphanus (lai fu zi), massa medicata fermenta (shen
qu), and crataegus (shan zha) to promote food digestion.
-
Watery
or loose diarrhea: add plantago seed (che qian zi) and areca husk
(da fu pi).
-
Rectal
prolapse due to chronic diarrhea: add bupleurum (chai hu) to raise
Yang Qi.
-
Excess
heat and toxin with tenesmus, severe urgency to defecate, and burning
sensation of the anus after defecation: add lonicera flower (jin
yin hua), forsythia (lian qiao), indigo (qing dai), dandelion (pu
gong yin), houttuynia (yu xing cao), thlaspi (bai jiang cao), pulsatilla
(bai tou weng), hedyotis (bai hua she she cao), scute barbata (ban
zhi lian), and wild chrysanthemum (ye ju hua) to clear excess heat
and toxin.
-
Excess
damp heat: add scute (huang qin), coptis (huang lian), phellodendron
bark (huang bai), sophora flavescens (ku shen), citrus viride (qin
pi), polygonum cuspidatum (hu zhang), and catechu (er cha) to dry
damp and eliminate heat.
-
Chronic
incessant diarrhea: add mume (wu mei), granatum rind (shi liu pi),
and terminalia (he zi) to end diarrhea.
Spleen and
Kidney Deficiencies
Herbal formula: Visceras nourishing decoction with ginseng (zhen ren
yang zang tang). This formula is used to tonify the Spleen and the Stomach,
warm up Yang, and relieve diarrhea.6,7
Modification:8-11
-
Kidney
Yang deficiency: add prepared aconite (fu zi) and cinnamon bark
(rou gui) to warm the Yang.
-
Spleen
Yang deficiency: add codonopsis (dang shen), dry ginger (gan jiang),
and white atractylodes (bai zhu) to tonify Spleen Yang and Qi.
-
Chronic
incessant diarrhea: add mume (wu mei), granatum rind (shi liu pi),
and terminalia (he zi) to stop diarrhea.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acute Ulcerative Colitis
Point Selection:8
Neiting (ST 44), Tianshu (ST 25), Binbai (SP 1), Qihai (CV 6), Zaohai
(KI 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Zhongwan (CV 12), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli
(ST 36), and Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
Technique:
Use even or sedative method; leave the needles in place for 30 min.
Modification:
-
Diarrhea
with excessive blood: Taichong (LR 3) and Quchi (LI 11).
-
Diarrhea
with excessive pus and mucus: Waiguan (TE 5), Yinbai
(SP 1), Tianzhu (BL 10), and Shenmai (BL 62).
-
High
fever: Dazhui (GV 14) and Neiguan (PC 6).
-
Headache:
Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), and Fengchi (GB 20).
-
Abdominal
pain and tenesmus: Zhigou (TE 6), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Taichong
(LR 3), Changqiang (GV 1), and Zhonglushu (BL 29).
-
Vomiting:
Neiguan (PC 6) and Fenglong (ST 40).
-
Chest
stuffiness and epigastric fullness: Neiguan (PC 6).
Chronic Ulcerative
Colitis
Point Selection:8
Zhongwan (CV 12), Pishu (BL 20), Zhangmen (LR 13), Tianshu
(ST 25), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36), Tianzhu (BL 10), Shangjuxu
(ST 37), Weishu (BL 21), Guanyuan (CV 4), and Shenshu (BL 23).
Technique:
Use tonic technique and leave the needles in place for 30 minutes. Moxa
may be applied with or without acupuncture.
Modification:
-
Diarrhea
with excessive blood: Taichong (LR 3) and Quchi (LI 11).
-
Diarrhea
with excessive pus and mucus: Waiguan (TE 5), Yinbai
(SP 1), Tianzhu (BL 10), and Shenmai (BL 62).
-
Severe
diarrhea with rectal prolapse: Changqiang (GV 1) and moxa
Baihui (GV 20).
-
Chronic
incessant diarrhea: Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB
34), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Shenque
(CV 8), and Zhongji (CV 3).
-
Inability
to eat or keep food in the stomach: Zhongwan (CV 12) and Neiguan
(PC 6).
-
Abdominal
pain and tenesmus: Zhigou (TE 6), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Taichong
(LR 3), Changqiang (GV 1), and Zhonglushu (BL 29).
-
Vomiting:
Neiguan (PC 6) and Fenglong (ST 40).
Prevention
Both Western and Oriental medicine recognize the importance of diet
and its role in the prevention and treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Western medicine acknowledges that dietary intake (such as certain chemicals
and drugs) may be linked to increased incidence of ulcerative colitis.
Oriental medicine recognizes that dietary intake with excessive cold
or raw food may injure the Spleen and the Stomach. Therefore, diet plays
an important role in both prevention and effective treatment of the
illness.
Patients should
be encouraged to avoid foods that may trigger recurrence, such as certain
chemicals and raw or cold food. Milk, cheese, and other dairy products
should be avoided, especially if patients have lactose intolerance.
High-roughage foods (such as raw fruits or vegetables) sometimes worsen
intestinal obstruction and colic and may need to be avoided. Alcohol
should be avoided. In addition to avoiding certain foods, it is equally
important to ensure that patients have adequate caloric and fluid intake
since malnutrition and dehydration are common problems associated with
ulcerative colitis.
Oral iron supplements
may be necessary for anemia due to chronic loss of blood through diarrhea;
sustained-release iron products are an option. Certain over-the-counter
or prescription antidiarrheal drugs may worsen the condition and create
toxic megacolon. These drugs should not be taken unless supervised by
a qualified health care provider.2-4
DISCUSSION
According to Western medicine, ulcerative colitis is a chronic, non-specific,
idiopathic gastrointestinal inflammatory disease. Several etiologic
factors have been suggested but none are proven. Because there is no
established cause, specific therapy is not available and treatments
focus on symptomatic relief. Surgery usually cures the disease, but
requires permanent ileostomy and creates physical and emotional burdens.
CONCLUSION
Oriental medicine offers effective treatment for mild to moderate ulcerative
colitis. Herbal and acupuncture treatments discussed herein are based
on historical treatment guidelines for abdominal pain, diarrhea, and
dysentery. Research and clinical experience greatly contribute to the
understanding and treatment of this disease. However, Oriental medicine
has its limitations. If the patient has such complications as toxic
colitis or toxic megacolon, immediate hospitalization is required. In
addition, serious complications such as massive hemorrhage, free perforation,
or fulminating toxic colitis require immediate surgical intervention.
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Yeung
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Chen GT,
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Yang
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Shu JC,
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AUTHOR INFORMATION
Dr John K. Chen is President and Founder of Lotus Herbs, Inc., and teaches
Herbal Medicine at University of Southern California (USC), Chinese
Herbology at South Baylo University, and Western Pharmacology at Yo
San University. He is the Chair of the Herbal Medicine Committee for
the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM), and an Herbal
Consultant for the California Association of Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine (CAAOM).
John K. Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc
President, Lotus Herbs, Inc
1124 No Hacienda Blvd
La Puente, CA 91744
Phone: 626-916-1070 o Fax: 626-917-7763 o E-Mail: LotusHerbs@aol.com
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