Can moxibustion cure colitis?

Written by Feng Ying Shuai

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Updated on September 01, 2024

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For some cases of acute colitis, particularly those caused by exposure to pathogenic cold, dampness, and wind, moxibustion is quite effective, able to immediately alleviate clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. At this time, we can choose acupoints for treating acute enteritis, such as the Liangqiu point for moxibustion, as well as other points like Yinlingquan, Zusanli, and Yanglingquan. Additionally, local points on the abdomen can also be used for moxibustion. For example, using the Tianshu point for moxibustion can warm the meridians, promote circulation, disperse cold, and relieve pain. Other points like Daheng and Qihai can also be used, and if there is qi stagnation, regulating the Sanyinjiao can help relieve symptoms of colitis.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 24sec

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Can I drink yogurt with colitis?

Colitis is relatively common in clinical practice, especially in gastroenterology. The treatment generally involves two steps: first, medication treatment; second, dietary treatment. For patients with colitis, they can consume yogurt unless they have a clear allergy to yogurt or experience abdominal discomfort after consuming it. The main symptoms patients display are abdominal pain and abnormal stools, characterized by pain in the lower left abdomen or loose stools, and sometimes even fever. For these symptoms, we can choose to treat with certain medications. Antispasmodic analgesics can be added for abdominal pain, and medications to stop diarrhea or regulate the intestinal flora can be used for diarrhea. However, if there is a fever, oral anti-inflammatory drugs may be considered as needed. The diet should focus on light, liquid-based, and easy-to-digest foods, avoiding spicy foods. Of course, consuming yogurt is not a problem, so patients with colitis can eat yogurt, but not excessively, especially if they experience abdominal pain. It is suggested to reduce the amount of yogurt consumed. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 15sec

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What medicine is used for colitis?

Colitis may involve choosing some medications that protect the intestinal mucosa and regulate the intestinal flora, along with other symptomatic treatments. If the intestinal inflammation presents as abdominal discomfort or significant illness, one might choose to use antispasmodic pain relief and antidiarrheal medications, which can generally achieve certain control. Ileitis is also relatively common clinically, with patients usually presenting with discomfort in stool or service and, after undergoing a thorough colonoscopy, inflammatory changes in the intestines are found, characterized by mucosal congestion, edema, and even scattered erosion and ulcer formation. Treatment options include oral medications, but in terms of diet, it primarily involves choosing clean, easily digestible foods and supplementing with some nutrients. Colitis generally presents with lower abdominal pain and discomfort in the lower left abdomen, typically occurring in paroxysmal attacks without specificity. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

1min 46sec

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What should you not eat with colitis?

So what foods should we avoid for patients with colitis? First of all, we should try not to eat milk and seafood, because milk and seafood are types of foreign proteins to the human body, which could potentially become allergens. Because colitis patients are likely to experience colonic allergies after consumption, resulting in worsened diarrhea, so it is advisable to avoid these foods as much as possible. Secondly, we should minimize the consumption of high-fat foods, because patients with colitis have poor digestive functions, particularly weak in digesting fats. Incompletely digested high-fat foods can cause "slippery gut" leading to diarrhea. Over time, the accumulation of fats can also induce complications such as fatty liver, etc. Therefore, foods high in fats such as lard, cream, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, etc., should be avoided or eaten sparingly. Third, it is important to eat less gas-producing food: because colonic inflammation in colitis, due to chronic and recurrent episodes, causes alternation of ulcers and scar fibrosis in the colonic mucosa, which reduces the elasticity of the colonic inner wall. Consuming more gas-producing foods, such as sweet potatoes and soybeans, may cause acute intestinal dilation due to the filling of gas in the intestines, or even lead to complications such as ulcer perforation. Fourth, eat fewer vegetables containing coarse fiber: the fiber in vegetables can absorb intestinal water and have a laxative effect, which might aggravate diarrhea. Therefore, foods high in coarse fiber like celery, crown daisy, cabbage, spinach, etc., should be consumed in limited quantities.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

1min 33sec

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What foods are good for colitis?

So, what kind of food is better for patients with colitis? First, we recommend high-protein, high-calorie foods, because colitis generally has a process of prolonged illness and long duration, which affects the digestion and absorption of food and causes substantial energy depletion in the body. Therefore, we recommend adopting a diet rich in protein and calories to meet our bodily needs. However, we must also note that if the amount of diet exceeds the intestinal tolerance of the patient, it may actually worsen the condition. Therefore, it is necessary to flexibly manage according to the specific conditions and symptoms of the patient, gradually increasing the supply of protein and calories is advisable. Additionally, we recommend high-vitamin foods. A diet low in residue often lacks vitamins, which can be supplemented with filtered vegetable soups and juices, such as tomato juice, to provide the necessary vitamins. On the other hand, we need to ensure adequate hydration. Normally, each person needs about 1200 to 1600 mL of water per day. If there is excessive water loss due to diarrhea, fluid therapy should also be supplemented. During acute flare-ups, we should eat a residue-free or semi-liquid diet, such as eggs, fish (except for those allergic), soy milk, tofu pudding, and other low-residue foods, along with noodles and sliced noodles, and it is appropriate to eat small meals frequently.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

50sec

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What are the symptoms of colitis?

Colitis can be divided into acute and chronic types. If it occurs acutely, it generally presents symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating. Some may experience fever, chills, and body aches. These can be diagnosed with routine blood tests and stool tests. If diarrhea recurs over a period exceeding two months, it suggests chronic diarrhea, such as chronic colitis, which is also characterized mainly by abdominal pain and diarrhea. In the case of inflammatory bowel disease, besides abdominal pain and diarrhea, a significant feature often includes hemolytic disease. A definitive diagnosis can be made with a colonoscopy, often accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, or anemia.