Is your bowel movement normal? Many people struggle with constipation, experiencing foul-smelling and hard stools. Don’t underestimate the significance of your daily bowel movements, as they can reveal important insights about your health. In clinical practice, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners pay close attention to the characteristics of bowel movements and use them to diagnose diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine has effective remedies and approaches for addressing the health risks associated with constipation and providing appropriate treatment.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, what causes constipation? In the words of Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee, a TCM doctor, the human body has both bowel movements and urination. Bowel movements refer to semi-solid waste, while urination refers to liquid waste. The large intestine is considered the “transmission organ” where changes occur. When it comes to semi-solid bowel movements causing constipation, it is not just a matter of the stool being hard and difficult to pass. Often, it is due to a lack of understanding about the process of bowel movements and the fact that it requires time. Patience and waiting for five to ten minutes are necessary when it comes to having a bowel movement, as it differs from urination.
Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee explains that modern individuals often experience mental stress, leading to abnormal gastrointestinal motility and a decline in the function of transmitting waste in the large intestine. Food in the intestines stagnates and doesn’t flow properly, resulting in reduced water absorption, inadequate heat generation from fermentation, and decreased water content in the large intestine, leading to hardened stools. Additionally, the lack of patience and relaxation during bowel movements can cause excessive straining, resulting in conditions such as hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, congested and bleeding blood vessels. Forceful bowel movements can also potentially impact cerebral blood vessels and lead to cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, it is important to remember not to exert excessive force during bowel movements.
In addition, Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee pointed out that since the large intestine is where water is transformed into vapor, it is important to regularly drink water. However, excessive diuresis can also lead to a decrease in water content in the large intestine. As the human body regulates through vaporization, the large intestine and the lungs are closely interconnected. The lungs regulate the water content of the large intestine, while the large intestine regulates the vapor of the lungs. The lungs generate water (representing the element of metal), and the large intestine produces vapor in a dry environment (representing the element of dryness and metal). Therefore, respiratory discomfort is related to insufficient vapor production in the large intestine.
The large intestine needs sufficient Qi production to counteract gravity. According to Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee, when the body has abundant Qi, it feels lighter, but when Qi is lacking, the body feels heavy, leading to fatigue and lack of energy. Therefore, it is important not only to focus on bowel movements but also on overall vaporization. Since taking stool softeners can deplete the body’s Qi, it is necessary to take supplementary medications that promote the upward movement of vapor and maintain water content in the large intestine. This helps prevent the stool from becoming too dry and hard.
However, in general, people living stressful lives tend to put a lot of tension on the “transmission organ” – the large intestine. Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee emphasizes the importance of understanding the need for rest and relaxation. The constant movement of the large and small intestines can be disrupted by stress, so it’s essential to know how to rest and relax. Proper relaxation techniques, including breathing exercises, can help regulate Qi in the body. When it comes to using medication for bowel movements, it’s important to choose drugs that can assist in vaporization in the large intestine. By maintaining the proper peristaltic movements and hydration in the large intestine, the body can avoid weakness. A well-functioning large intestine with sufficient Qi can withstand stress, reducing the risk of hemorrhoids and constipation. This also ensures stable water metabolism in the large intestine.
As for everyday dietary choices to promote bowel movements, Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee suggests avoiding selective eating and increasing the consumption of vegetables. While the small intestine is responsible for nutrient absorption, the large intestine requires dietary residue. Therefore, it is important to have an ample amount of fiber in the diet to support the presence of Qi and maintain sufficient moisture in the large intestine. This promotes smooth bowel movements, as an inadequate amount of dietary residue can lead to difficulty in passing stool.
Originally from: Healthnews.com.tw
Healthnews/ Reporter Ka-Ching Kwan reports
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