Can spleen deficiency cause diarrhea?

　　Diarrhea usually refers to loose, watery stools. Generally speaking, spleen deficiency refers to a state of weakened spleen function in traditional Chinese medicine theory. Whether spleen deficiency can cause diarrhea needs to be determined based on the specific condition. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

　　If spleen deficiency leads to dysfunction in the transportation and transformation of bodily fluids, causing internal accumulation of dampness in the intestines, it often triggers diarrhea. Diarrhea in such individuals typically presents as loose stools, increased frequency, worsening symptoms after consuming greasy foods, and is often accompanied by poor appetite, abdominal distension, and a sallow complexion. This occurs because weakened spleen function impairs the normal absorption of nutrients from food, leading to dampness accumulating in the intestines and accelerating the expulsion of waste.

　　When spleen deficiency coexists with kidney yang deficiency, diarrhea often occurs at dawn. In this case, the deficiency of yang in both the spleen and kidney fails to warm and nourish the intestines. In the early morning, when yang energy has not yet revived and coldness prevails internally, intestinal function becomes disordered, resulting in abdominal pain and bowel sounds preceding diarrhea, with relief of pain after defecation. Symptoms may also include cold intolerance, cold limbs, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, and other related manifestations.

　　In daily life, it is important to keep the abdomen warm to avoid exacerbating spleen and stomach coldness due to exposure to cold. In terms of diet, it is advisable to consume foods that help strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, such as glutinous rice, lotus seeds, and gorgon fruit. One should also avoid eating raw, cold, cooling, or hard-to-digest foods.