Damp-Heat in the Bladder
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Dampness The concept of Heat The Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Key attributes
Chinese name: 膀胱湿热 Pinyin name: Páng Guāng Shī Rè
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Precursor patterns: Kidney Yang Deficiency Spleen Qi Deficiency
Common causes: 1. Exterior Dampness or Heat, 2. Emotional strain
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Fever Dark Urine Turbid urine Blood in urine Feeling of heat and five other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Thick sticky yellow coating on the root with red spots.
Treatment
Treatment principle: Resolve Dampness, clear Heat and open the Water passages of the Lower Burner.
Common formulas: Ba Zheng San
Pathology
This is an Excess Heat and Dampness pattern which obstructs the smooth flow of Fluids in the Lower Burner. The obstruction gives rise to difficult urination, urgent urination and turbid urine.
The Heat causes burning and other Heat sensations.
In extreme cases, Dampness can materialize into urinary stones.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Damp-Heat in the Bladder can derive from Kidney Yang Deficiency Spleen Qi Deficiency
Exterior Dampness or Heat: Exterior Dampness, typically from overexposure to humid and damp environments, may lead to retention of Dampness in the Gallbladder. Dampness can then easily combine with Heat. Alternatively, Exterior Damp-Heat may directly invade the body if one lives in a hot and humid environment.
Emotional strain: Feelings of anger, resentment or frustration over a long period of time (or very intense in a short period of time) can cause Liver Qi Stagnation which might transform into Heat and lead to this pattern.
Diagnosing Damp-Heat in the Bladder
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Thick sticky yellow coating on the root with red spots.
Main symptoms: Fever Dark Urine Turbid urine Blood in urine Feeling of heat Burning urination Frequent and urgent urination Hypogastric fullness and pain Thirst with no desire to drink Urination stopping in the middle of flow
Diagnosis commentary: Burning on urination, dark urine and difficult urination (stopping in the middle of the flow) are enough in and of themselves to diagnose Damp-Heat in the Bladder.
Treating Damp-Heat in the Bladder
Treatment principle
Resolve Dampness, clear Heat and open the Water passages of the Lower Burner.
Herbal formulas used to treat Damp-Heat in the Bladder
Ba Zheng San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire. Promotes urination. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling.
Formula summary
Ba Zheng San is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness.
Besides Damp-Heat in the Bladder, Ba Zheng San is also used to treat Damp-Cold in the Bladder or Damp-Heat.
Diet recommendations
Try to avoid too much exposure to damp, cold and humid environments. You might consider purchasing a dehumidifier if your home or office space is affected.
Related conditions
Please keep in mind that a Western Medicine condition can be caused by several Chinese Medicine patterns of disharmony and vice versa. As such a patient suffering from one of the conditions below will not necessarily be suffering from Damp-Heat in the Bladder, it is just one pattern that's commonly associated with the condition. Click on a condition to learn what other patterns it's associated with.
Cystitis Heatstroke Stomach flu Gastroenteritis Urethritis Urinary stones Vaginal discharge Cloudy urine Dark urine Frequent urination Painful urination
Consequence patterns
When it is chronic, especially in the elderly, Damp Heat in the Bladder may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency