"Intestinal symptoms including abdominal pain after meals and diarrhea up to 10 times a day."
symptom
During treatment for ulcerative colitis, I began experiencing frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain two months ago. I was having bowel movements about 10 times a day, 5 of which were diarrheal. I experienced abdominal pain in the hypochondriac region and next to the navel when I needed to defecate and after meals. The frequent need to use the restroom at work was interfering with my job. I was also waking up 1-2 times at night to use the restroom, which reduced the quality of my sleep. I received medication for suspected irritable bowel syndrome, but saw no improvement.
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Visitors
Male
30's
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Period
February 2024 - March 2024
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frequency
About 1 times a week
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Number of hospital visits
5 times
Treatment and progress
At the initial consultation, tenderness and discomfort were observed in the lower abdomen and hypochondriac region. Acupuncture was performed on points on the hands and feet, and two to three days after the treatment, the frequency of bowel movements decreased to about five times a day. Since abdominal pain and discomfort persisted, the same treatment was continued in subsequent sessions, and acupuncture was also added to points on the feet to address the lower back pain that appeared during the treatment. After the fifth treatment, the frequency of diarrhea decreased significantly, and the abdominal pain subsided.
Acupressure points used
Summary
In a case of ulcerative colitis where bloody stools were improving, acupuncture treatment on points in the hands and feet was effective in treating persistent diarrhea. Improvements in bowel movement frequency were observed relatively early after the start of treatment, and symptoms significantly improved after five sessions. Sleep disturbances caused by nighttime urination also improved, contributing to an improved quality of life. This case suggests that acupuncture may be an effective treatment option for functional bowel disorders in patients with underlying digestive system diseases.
Staff in charge
Seiya Fujieda
Acupuncture clinic for the case:Eda Acupuncture and Massage Clinic
