The Treatment of Modern Western - Biblio.nhat-nam.ru

28DIVERTICULITISDiverticula are small pouches which bulge outward in thelarge intestine. When one has a number of these pouches,this is called diverticulosis. If these diverticula becomeinflammed, this is called diverticulitis. Fifty percent ofAmericans 60-80 years old have diverticulosis, and this numberbecomes 100% in those more than 80 years old. Ten to25% of those with diverticulosis have diverticulitis. Whilethe etiology of this condition is unknown, because it is mostcommon in developed countries, there is speculation that itis related to a diet high in refined foods and low in fiber.Diverticulosis may be asymptomatic or there may be mildcramps, bloating, and constipation. Diverticulitis is characterizedby abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower leftabdomen. If the diverticula become infected, there may befever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation.This condition may lead to infections, perforations, tears,blockages, and bleeding.The Western medical diagnosis of this condition is based onthe patient’s history and presenting complaints plus a digitalrectal exam. The stools may be checked for blood, and lowerGI x-rays may help confirm the diagnosis. Its Western medicaltreatment consists of a high fiber diet and mild painmedications. If there is infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.If attacks are severe or frequent, surgery may be usedto remove a section of the colon.CHINESE DISEASE CATEGORIZATION: Based onthe symptoms of lower abdominal pain, distention, and constipation,this disease is categorized in Chinese medicine asshao fu tong, lesser abdominal pain, xiao fu tong, smallerabdominal pain, xiao fu zhang tong, smaller abdominal distentionand pain, and bian bi, constipation.DISEASE CAUSES: Habitual bodily vacuity weakness dueto aging, unregulated dietDISEASE MECHANISMS: Lower abdominal pain is themost prominent symptom of this condition, and the keystatement of fact about pain in Chinese medicine is that, “Ifthere is pain, there is no free flow.” In this case, the paintends to be fixed in location. This is one of the characteristicsof blood stasis pain. Yan De-xin, one of the greatest livingChinese medical geriatric specialists believes that essentiallyall geriatric diseases are complicated by blood stasis.Such blood stasis is the result of a lifetime of damage due toexternal, internal, and neither external nor internal causes ofdisease. As Dr. Yan says, all diseases are diseases of the qi andblood. Further, it is said that, “Enduring disease enters thenetwork vessels.” This implies that chronic, enduring diseaseis associated with blood stasis in the network vessels.It is also said in Chinese medicine, “In the elderly, blame thespleen.” Most elderly patients exhibit signs and symptoms ofqi and yin or yin and yang vacuity. When the spleen qibecomes vacuous and weak, it fails to upbear the clear.Instead, the unseparated clear and turbid fall downward tothe lower burner. There, they block the free flow of qi andblood, giving rise to qi stagnation (abdominal distention)and blood stasis (fixed pain). Qi stagnation and blood stasismay give rise to depressive heat. If dampness becomes mixedwith depressive heat, then there is damp heat stasis and stagnation.If damp heat brews and binds internally, it may giverise to heat toxins. In that case, abdominal cramps may becomplicated by fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Sugarsand sweets damage the spleen. However, so can refined carbohydrates.In the Yuan dynasty, Li Dong-yuan referred tothese as “sodden wheat foods.” A high fiber diet means thespleen-fortifying, stomach-boosting clear, bland diet ofChinese medicine.If spleen vacuity reaches the kidneys, there may be kidneyyang vacuity. In that case, vacuity cold may further constrict