A patient has constipation, abdominal pain, fever, and a thick-dry-yellow coating. What is the diagnosis?

The presence of constipation, abdominal pain, fever, and a thick-dry-yellow coating aligns with the diagnosis of Heat Obstructing the Large Intestine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this pattern is characterized by a combination of excess heat and stagnation that disrupts the normal function of the intestines.

Constipation indicates that there is an obstruction in the bowel, which can occur when there is a buildup of heat that causes dryness and hardening of the stools. The abdominal pain suggests that there is discomfort due to this blockage, and can often be associated with an accumulation of heat in the intestinal area. The fever indicates the presence of an infectious or inflammatory process, which often accompanies the excess heat condition.

The thick-dry-yellow coating on the tongue is another critical indicator, as it reflects a strong heat pattern. In TCM, a yellow coating typically signifies the presence of heat, and when it is thick and dry, it further suggests that this heat has reached a more serious level, leading to obstruction.

This diagnosis synthesizes the key symptoms and tongue presentation, highlighting the interplay of heat and obstruction in the Large Intestine, which is why Heat Obstructing the Large Intestine is the most fitting diagnosis in this scenario