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Colitis is inflammation and malfunction of the colon. There are two basic types of colitis, ulcerative and spastic.
Ulcerative colitis is much more serious and is characterized by the frequent passage of bloody stools. Its cause is unknown, but its onset is usually associated with emotional stress and frustration. Antibiotics and cortisone derivatives may relieve symptoms of inflammation temporarily, but antibiotics may cause allergic reactions or encourage the growth of fungi while corticoids may increase the danger of perforation. Some cases of ulcerative colitis remain chronic for many years with brief periods of remission, but others become severe so rapidly that surgical removal of the colon is necessary.
Spastic colitis is considered mainly a functional disorder and is much less serious but sometimes very persistent. It is characterized by diarrhea with mucus excretion alternating with episodes of constipation. Taking laxatives aggravates the condition and should be avoided. Laxatives, such as cascara, irritate the intestines and are not helpful. Sedatives promote constipation. There is no known drug which is effective for treating this condition, but a high fiber diet with plenty of liquids and all the essential vitamins is beneficial. Large doses of Vitamin C will help prevent bleeding.Although people with cerebral palsy have brain damage and may not speak, write or perform manual tasks well, they may have high intelligence and are usually very sociable.
Acupuncture is effective for treating both types of colitis. Six treatments are usually enough for lasting relief from spastic colitis, but ulcerative colitis may require many more treatments. Acupuncture can also be used to treat the anxiety and depression which frequently accompany and aggravate colitis. Most patients experience a feeling of well-being after the first few treatments.
Patients who have been taking ACTH or cortisone derivatives for colitis should not discontinue their drugs suddenly, because withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Physicians should supervise the gradual reduction of these dangerous drugs.
[Treatment]
1. Body acupuncture
Prescription:
Acute enteritis: Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), Liangmen (ST 21), Tianshu (ST 25) and Yin-lingquan (SP 9).
Chronic enteritis: Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST 36).
Modification: In acute enteritis, for cold-dampness type, Shenque (CV 8) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) are added; for damp-heat type, Quchi (LI ll),Dazhui (GV 14) and Neiting (ST 44) are added; for fever, Hegu (LI 4) and Quchi (LI 11 ) are added; for dyspepsia, Zhongwan (CV 12) and Gongsun (SP 4) are added. In chronic enteritis, for liver depression subjugating the spleen, Zhangmen (LR 13) and Taichong (LR 3) are added; for hypofunc-tion of the spleen and stomach, Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) are added; for decline of fire in mingmen (gate of life), Mingmen (GV 4) and Shenshu (BL 23) are add-ed; for prolonged diarrhea and prolapse of rectum, Baihui
(GV 20) is added.
Performance. For acute diarrhea, filiform needles and reducing techniques are used. For chronic diarrhea, Zhangmen (LR 13) and Taichong (LR 3) are needled with mild reducing and reinforcing techniques or reducing tech-nique, the rest acupoints are needled with reinforcing techniques. For predominance of cold and asthenia of qi and yang, the needling is followed by moxibustion and cupping.
2. Ear acupnucture
Prescription: Large Intestine (CO7), Small Intestine (C06), Spleen (CO13), Stomach (CO4), Liver (CO12), Abdomen (AH8), Sympathetic Nerve (AH
Performance: Each time 3 - 5 acupoints are selected and needled with routine procedure. For acute enteritis, strong stimulation in needling is required, once or twice a day; for chronic enteritis, moderate stimulation in needling is required, once a day or once every other day; or Wangbu-liuxingzi (Semen Vaccariae) is used for ear pressure.
