Relief for diarrhea sufferers

Diarrhea has got to be one of the most unpleasant and uncomfortable health problems.

Its causes - mainly food and radical changes of body temperature - are often misdiagnosed, and this can sometimes lead to a worsening of the condition.

A woman in her 30s who had frequently suffered from diarrhea and abdominal pain since her childhood once came in to see me. She said she had experienced this problem every time she felt cold or drank a cold beverage, and was very often unable to eat a full meal. Western-style doctors were never able to figure out what was causing her problem.

After a careful examination and analysis, I realized that she had a "yin" constitution, and therefore experienced poor blood circulation and coldness in her extremities.

According to Oriental medicine, people who exhibit yin characteristics are more likely to suffer from diarrhea because of their "cool" constitution. When this type of person has diarrhea, Western-style doctors sometimes fail to find a cause because the harmful viruses and bacteria that many times cause the condition are missing.

I advised her to take an herb called "hwangi" and undergo moxibustion treatments, in which herbs like artemisia (wormwood) are dried, ground and made into small punks that are burned just above the skin on the abdomen in a circular holder.

Moxibustion acts to warm the body - especially the abdomen, where it is placed - as the smoke-born herbs are absorbed into the body through the pores and increase circulation. The herb medicine also acts to ease tension in the stomach.

One month after starting this treatment, the diarrhea almost completely cleared up, and she was able to eat full meals again, without feeling uncomfortable.

Since then, she has also cut out a lot of sugar - especially soft drinks - from her diet. I also recommended that she eat more onions, leeks and garlic, which are very effective in regulating the functioning of the heart, and therefore circulation.

Now, she is 100 percent free of diarrhea and enjoys eating whatever she pleases.

Now let's take a look at some of the general causes of diarrhea.

Overeating and excess consumption of alcohol are major culprits. But these causes, obviously, are also the easiest to remedy. If you tend to overindulge in food and drink, and have a problem with diarrhea, keep in mind the old adage, "Everything in moderation," and you should have no more problems.

The consumption of spoiled foods, which are full of harmful bacteria, is another cause of diarrhea. In this case, however, it is likely that serious symptoms like stomachache, headache, fever and general weakness will also occur. And the diarrhea may continue even if no solid food is consumed due to the fever.

In this situation, it is best to take an antibiotic as soon as possible to prevent the bacteria from multiplying.

A lack of "yang," or warm, expansive energy, can also cause runny bowels.

Workaholics, or those who expend an excessive amount of yang energy through frequent sexual activity, may also experience diarrhea. Sex energy is yang energy; so when it is used up, the temperature of the body drops - especially in the extremities - and loose bowel movements result.

For those suffering from this type of diarrhea, which often occurs in the morning, doctors of Oriental medicine recommend drinking ginger tea made from 10 grams ground ginger to 1 liter of water.

For more information, contact Dr. Sin Min-sik at 501-3333/011-710-9812.

Updated: 10/28/1999

Korea Herald