Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Red with sticky yellow coating
Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Epigastric fullness, nausea and a sticky yellow tongue coating are enough in and of themselves to diagnose Damp-Heat in the Stomach. Together with the feeling of heaviness they constitute this pattern's key symptoms.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Greasy fried foods are especially likely to cause this pattern as they tend to create Dampness and frying makes food hotter in nature.
Emotional strain due to anger, frustration and resentment may lead to Stomach Qi Stagnation which, over time, produces Heat. Since Qi is Hot in nature, making it stagnant leads to a concentration of Heat.
Pathological Mechanism
In this pattern Dampness obstructs the Stomach, which prevents the descending of Stomach Qi and causes nausea and a feeling of fullness of the epigastrium.
The Stomach Channel connects to the face so the Dampness also leads to the symptoms of facial pain, blocked nose and thick nasal discharge. Viewed from a Western medicine standpoint, this pattern is a common cause of chronic sinusitis.
The feeling of heaviness is also caused by Dampness which obstructs the muscles.
The Heat dimension of the pattern causes thirst but the obstruction of the Middle Burner (where the Stomach is located) by Dampness makes the patient reluctant to drink. This is a somewhat counter-intuitive symptom but one commonly reported by patients suffering from this pattern.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Resolve Dampness, clear Heat, restore the descending of Stomach Qi.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Favor a diet free of dairy and fried and/or greasy foods. In general since there is Heat, ensure your diet has a higher concentration of cold-natured ingredients.
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