Sometimes we may experience abdominal pain and bloating for no apparent reason, which could be a sign of intestinal obstruction. So what exactly is intestinal obstruction? It is defined as any condition that obstructs the passage of intestinal contents. Traditional Chinese medicine generally uses a herbal medicine called "Wu Zhua Feng" to treat intestinal obstruction. But how do we determine if we have intestinal obstruction?
【Diagnosing Intestinal Obstruction】
The most common and characteristic symptoms of intestinal obstruction are abdominal pain accompanied by cessation of passing gas and bowel movements. Other symptoms may include vomiting and bloating. To determine if a patient has intestinal obstruction, we need to analyze the characteristics of their symptoms.
1. Abdominal pain: Patients with intestinal obstruction generally experience continuous abdominal pain. Acute obstruction causes severe, squeezing pain. If inflammation is present, the pain may be continuous with intermittent exacerbations. Patients with chronic obstruction usually experience dull, continuous abdominal pain.
2. Cessation of passing gas and bowel movements: This is a characteristic manifestation of intestinal obstruction caused by complete obstruction of the intestine. However, if the obstruction is incomplete or in the early stages (especially in cases of high-level obstruction), there may still be some gas and feces present in the intestine below the obstruction, allowing for limited gas and bowel movements.
3. Vomiting: Vomiting in patients with intestinal obstruction is usually reflexive. Obstruction at a higher level leads to more obvious vomiting, which can occur quickly after eating or drinking. If the obstruction is located lower in the intestines (such as in the colon), vomiting may be less obvious or less frequent, and is more likely to occur in cases of complete lower-level intestinal obstruction or later after eating.
4. Bloating: Bloating usually occurs after a period of time following the onset of obstruction, primarily due to the retention of fluid and gas in the intestine.
【Treating Intestinal Obstruction with Wu Zhua Feng】
Take 4 liang of fresh Wu Zhua Feng, mash it into a pulp, and mix it with an equal amount of child's feces. Slightly heat the mixture and slowly take it orally.
In winter, use dried Wu Zhua Feng. Cook 2 liang at a time, mix it with an equal amount of child's feces, and take it orally. This method is also effective. If there is severe vomiting after taking the medicine, the dosage should be replenished.
Take the medicine in small doses multiple times. Generally, there should be no vomiting after the second dose. In clinical trials, the treatment was effective within 24 hours.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Wu Zhua Feng can promote blood circulation, relieve pain, and relax muscles. It is commonly used to treat injuries from falls, rheumatic pain, gastrocnemius muscle spasms, back pain, claw wind, and paralysis.
"Sichuan Materia Medica" states, "It is used to treat injuries from falls, back pain, claw wind, and paralysis."
【Identifying Wu Zhua Feng with Images】
