Abstract
Abstract The infection of SARS-CoV-2 has triggered Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to the fever and respiratory symptoms in the process of coronavirus infections, gastrointestinal symptoms, especially diarrhea, are prominent features of its acute infection and long COVID. The associations between lung and large intestine have been demonstrated by Western medicine at the aspects such as tissue origin, microflora homeostasis, mucosal immunity, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and autonomic nervous system as well, which are considered as the evidence of material basis and potential regulatory mechanisms for “gut-lung crosstalk” in COVID-19. We have noticed that probiotics and other preparations can regulate the intestines, and further treat COVID-19 with effective and gratifying results. In the system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there’s a term of “lung and large intestine standing in exterior-interior relationship (肺与大肠相表里)”, showing an interconnection of lung and bowel. “lung and large intestine standing in exterior-interior relationship” is an important part of the theory of visceral activities proposed by ancient physicians through a long-term observation and practice. It’s considered that "lung" and "large intestine" are interconnected and mutually exterior-interior in the normal physical activities and the disease development, providing a theoretical basis for treating lung diseases and bowel diseases from the perspective of overall concept. Here, we intend to compare the term of “lung and large intestine standing in exterior-interior relationship” in TCM and “gut-lung crosstalk” in Western medicine regarding the development of COVID-19 and its intestinal symptoms, and provide more ideas for diagnosing and treating lung and bowel related diseases.
Published Version
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