Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Summary

Here, we present the method of using ginger moxibustion to treat diarrhea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common and frequently occurring disease in the elderly population, and it tends to progressively worsen. Diarrhea is a common extrapulmonary complication in patients with COPD. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, weakness, and a loss of appetite, among other adverse consequences, which seriously affect the quality of life and nutritional status of patients. These consequences are not conducive to improving airway obstruction in COPD patients. At present, modern medicine has poor curative effects, fails to control symptoms fully, causes a relapse after drug withdrawal, has side effects, and increases the medication burden of patients. Ginger moxibustion is a unique non-pharmacological therapy of traditional Chinese medicine, which is safe and effective in controlling diarrhea, has few side effects, and is easy to accept. It is, therefore, an ideal alternative therapy. This article aims to introduce the protocol of ginger moxibustion for treating diarrhea in COPD patients.

Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough, sputum production, or exacerbations) due to abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis, bronchiolitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema) that cause persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction^1,2. COPD has become a severe chronic disease with high morbidity, high mortality, high disability rate, and heavy disease burden. The "China Lung Health Study" shows that the incidence of COPD in people over 40 years old in China is 13.7%³. The total nu....

Protocol

The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Clinical Research Approval Committee of the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (KY2022027). Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects.

1. Preparation of materials

NOTE: See Figure 1 and the Table of Materials for details about materials used in this protocol.

1. Use a utility knife to cut out five piec.......

Discussion

The causes of diarrhea in COPD patients are various, including gastrointestinal infection, irritable bowel, antibiotic abuse, food factors (cold diet, lactose intolerance, excessive fat intake), drugs (laxatives such as magnesium sulfate and lactulose, dehydrating agents such as mannitol and sorbitol)⁶, Chinese medicinal herbs-natural herbs-are used worldwide and have significant effects on human glucose and lipid metabolism, intestinal inflammation, and oxidative stress³⁰........

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
box cutter	Deli Group Co., LTD	/
disposable medical treatment towel	Sichuan Hualikang Medical Technology Co., LTD	2024010902
dry cotton swabs	Chengdu Zhongxin sanitary materials, LLC.	20240102
fresh ginger	Qingyang community comprehensive market	/
iodophor cotton swabs	Zhejiang Beijiaer hygiene Technology Co., LTD	20231201
lighter	Xiayi Shuntong Lighter manufacturing Co., LTD	25625
medical bending disc	HYNAUT	100062487683
moxa sticks	Nanyang Fuaitang wormwood biological products Co., LTD	15941917095
tweezers	HYSTIC	100013619175