Constipation Chinese Medicine
I ask people daily about their bowel movements. Yes, sounds a bit shitty, but it’s a very important subject. The characteristics of your bowel movements provide valuable information about your overall health. Having proper digestion can mean the difference of having lots of energy or no energy at all. The subject at hand is constipation. Most people will be constipated at some point in their life. Many people think that going three times a week is regular, and in Western medicine that is within the normal range.
In Chinese medicine, the ideal I aim for in practice is one good bowel movement per day.
What is the perfect one? I may have some people out there disagree with me on some of the characteristics, and that’s ok, but what I aim for in practice is the following;
- Solid/Formed
- Easy to Pass
- Medium Brown – or close to this colour
- Not too thin – like a pencil or soft serve ice cream.
- No Pebbles
- No Blood
- No Food
- No Mucous
- No Pain
- Not very stinky, should smell good/pleasant
The following is for educational purposes only. If you have a serious bowel issue such as IBS, Crohn’s Colitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, please speak with me or seek medical advice from your family doctor.
Too Dry and Hard
In Chinese medicine, hard stools are often linked with stress and with heat in the large intestine. Heat dries things out.
Diarrhea or Very Soft
In Chinese medicine terms, there is too much water in your bowels, and we call this water ‘dampness’. Dampness is usually the result of an underactive digestion. Loose stools that last more than a few days should be checked by your doctor.
Smell Horrible
Can you clear a room? In terms of Chinese Medicine, a strong smell usually points to poor digestion and too much dampness. It often goes with soft bowel movements which require a lot of wiping.
Very Dark
In Chinese medicine, very dark stools that are also hard are generally linked with heat in the large intestine, and soft dark stools with dampness along with heat. Black or tarry stools can be a sign of bleeding, so see your doctor right away if you notice them.
Very Light
In Chinese medicine, very light stools point to weakness and cold. You may be feeling cold all the time, and warming foods may suit you. Very pale or clay-coloured stools should be checked by your doctor.
Pain
Most common pain comes from stools, which are too hard and dry to pass, or from hemorrhoids, which can be from the result of pushing too hard which makes the muscles protrude.Pain could be from a number of different reasons, and a more thorough diagnosis and evaluation is recommended.
Pebbles
In Chinese medicine, pebble-like stools are often linked with stress. Stress does not have to equate to anger, but it can also mean just having too much on your plate.
Blood
If fresh blood, most likely a hemorrhoid, it could be internal or external
If un-fresh dark blood, can be something more serious, I would call your family doctor immediately.