Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a group of common disorders that are characterized by persistent and recurring GI symptoms such as IBS, abdominal pain, dysphagia, dyspepsia, bloating, diarrhea or constipation; without structural tumors or masses; or biochemical abnormalities. Causes of these disorders are not found through x-ray, CT scans, blood tests, or endoscopic exams but are identified based on their symptomatology.
The presence of FGIDs is often associated with chronic pain in conditions such as fibromyalgia and in other syndromes such as chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety, and depression. It is therefore not surprising that FGIDs can affect a person’s health-related quality of life including their general feeling of well-being, ability to carry out everyday activities, anxiety, concern about the illness, and their satisfaction with health care.
Western medicine explains that the cause of FGIDs is a complex of multiple factors such as 1) an underlying abnormality in GI motility that creates muscular spasm from too rapid or slow peristalsis causing pain and contractions, 2) visceral hypersensitivity which means the nerves of the GI tract response to normal stimuli such as digesting a meal, are so sensitive that even normal contractions bring on pain or discomfort, or 3) a brain-gut communication disorder meaning that there is an error in gut-brain communication. For instance, activity in the gut can affect the perception of pain; mood disorders or strong emotions such as anger or overjoy can affect appetite and digestion, and vice versa.
Other factors that can cause FGID include increased intestinal permeability, gastrointestinal infections, altered gut microbiota, immune dysfunction, host genetic susceptibility, and psychiatric and psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, or an overactive fight or flight response so that external stressors, emotions, or thoughts affect GI sensation, motility, and secretion.
Treatment with Western medicine depends on the particular symptoms that a person is experiencing. Different medications affect different symptoms: antispasmodics, such as Bentyl or Levsin, can be helpful in decreasing GI tract spasms. Promotility agents such as Zelnorm, help accelerate movement along the GI tract which is especially useful for treating chronic constipation. Prescription medications, such as Lomotil for diarrhea or Miralax for constipation can be used when symptoms are more severe. Antidepressants are often prescribed, not for depression, but to decrease chronic GI pain; they modify messages between the brain and the gut to dampen down pain intensity. A low FODMAP diet, probiotics, and psychological therapies are also often suggested along with medication.
Despite pharmacologic and nutritional therapies to provide relief for the discomfort of FGIDs, the physiologic mechanisms are complicated and treatment with Western medicine has its limitations and can often provide only temporary or suboptimal relief.
However, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are one of the most common conditions that have been successfully treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for several thousand years. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas are often effective in patients with functional GI disorders; they are used to alleviate gastrointestinal problems, prevent pain, modify acid secretion, alter GI motility, and decrease visceral pain.
TCM considers FGIDs to be the result of an imbalance or disruption in energy flow in the body. According to TCM theory, the four most common patterns of functional gastrointestinal disorders are: 1) weakness of the Spleen, 2) stagnation of Liver energy, 3) damp-heat retention in the Stomach and intestines, and 4) coldness of the Spleen and Kidneys.
The causes of these common patterns can be chronic illness, emotional disorders, improper diet (cold foods; raw foods; foods that are too spicy, too sweet, or too oily; and foods that contain alcohol, caffeine, or other stimulants); some medications including chemo or antibiotics, and unhealthy eating habits (skipping meals, binge eating, eating too quickly or too late in the day). External causes of FGIDs can be viral or bacterial infections or environmental pathogens such as molds or toxins.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can safely and effectively help patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders without the adverse effects that often occur with invasive procedures, conventional Western medicine, and pharmacology. Acupuncture decreases abdominal pain by affecting the concentration of endogenous opioids and can regulate visceral reflex activity, gastric emptying, and acid secretion. Acupuncture also overall relieves symptoms of FGIDs by facilitating and enhancing the functions of digestive organs, regulating bowel habits, assisting in the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, reducing abdominal pain and bloating, and stabilizing stress and anxiety that can contribute to the condition.
Studies show that Chinese herbal formulas such as Shun-Qi-Tong-Xie (SQTX) and Tong Xie Yao Fang (TXYF) can greatly reduce symptoms of FGIDs. SQTX is found to reduce abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea that are mainly accompanied by emotional instability. Ingredients of SQTX are Bai Shao (Paeonia Radix alba), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma), Xie Bai (Allimacrostemi Bulbus), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen), Fo Shou (Citrisacrodactylis Fructus), and Bo He You (Oleum Menthahaplocalycis).
Tong Xie Yao Fang (TXYF) is another very well-known Chinese herbal formula that is used to treat the symptoms of FGIDs. TXYF treats symptoms of FGIDs through its ability to adjust the activation of mast cells to decrease visceral hypersensitivity. TXYF contains four ingredients: Chao Bai Zhu (dry-fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Chao Bai Shao (dry-fried Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chao Chen Pi (dry-fried Citrireticulatae Pericarpium), and Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). TXYF has been found to decrease abdominal pain and distention, improve stool quality, and stabilize emotional health in patients more effectively than Western pharmaceutical interventions.
If you are experiencing gastrointestinal disorders, consider acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to help decrease symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders and strengthen the digestive system in order to prevent their recurrence.