What causes thick white tongue coating, purple lips, and fatigue, and what should be done?
Mar 13, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, thick white tongue coating, purple lips, and fatigue may be caused by factors such as dietary irritation, lack of physical activity, common cold, bronchitis, or pneumonia. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and follow the doctor's guidance for treatments such as general care and medication. In daily life, it is also important to maintain a cheerful mood and avoid prolonged periods of negative emotions such as anxiety and tension.
Generally, thick white tongue coating, purple lips, and fatigue may be caused by dietary irritation, lack of exercise, common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other factors. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and follow medical guidance for general treatments, medications, and other therapeutic approaches. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Dietary Irritation
Consuming large amounts of raw, cold, greasy, or sweet foods that are difficult to digest within a short period may cause dysfunction of the spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation functions, leading to internal retention of dampness that rises to the tongue surface, forming a thick white coating. Meanwhile, impaired spleen and stomach function affects the generation of qi and blood, resulting in insufficient nourishment of the limbs and causing fatigue. If poor digestion leads to long-term inadequate nutrition intake, qi and blood deficiency may develop, affecting blood circulation and causing purple lips. It is advisable to maintain a balanced diet, avoid overeating, and reduce consumption of raw, cold, and greasy foods.
2. Lack of Exercise
Long-term lack of physical activity can lead to poor circulation of qi and blood, weakened spleen and stomach function, and accumulation of dampness, resulting in thick white tongue coating. Poor circulation of qi and blood may also lead to insufficient blood supply to various parts of the body, causing purple lips and fatigue. It is recommended to engage in regular aerobic exercise weekly, such as walking, jogging, or swimming.
3. Common Cold
The common cold is often caused by external invasion of wind-cold or wind-heat pathogens. These pathogenic factors attack the body, impairing lung function and affecting the transformation and transportation functions of the spleen and stomach, resulting in thick white tongue coating. In severe cases, qi and blood circulation may be affected, causing purple lips, fatigue, and possibly accompanied by fever, cough, and other symptoms. Treatment may include medications such as Ganmao Qingre Granules, Yinqiao Jiedu Tablets, and Compound Paracetamol Amantadine Capsules, under medical guidance.
4. Bronchitis
Bronchitis is often triggered by viral or bacterial infections or exposure to allergens. Inflammatory irritation of the trachea and bronchi impairs lung function and disrupts fluid metabolism, leading to thick white tongue coating. As the disease progresses, gas exchange may be affected, causing hypoxia and resulting in purple lips. Inflammatory consumption can also lead to fatigue, often accompanied by cough and sputum production. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as Amoxicillin Capsules, Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets, and Azithromycin Tablets to alleviate symptoms.
5. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is primarily caused by infection of the lungs by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. Pulmonary inflammation causes qi stagnation and fluid retention in the lungs, manifesting as thick white tongue coating. Impaired gas exchange leads to insufficient oxygen intake and poor carbon dioxide elimination, causing purple lips. The inflammatory response also results in systemic fatigue, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as sputum production and chest pain. Patients may receive treatments such as Piperacillin Sodium and Tazobactam Sodium for Injection, Ceftriaxone Sodium for Injection, and Azithromycin Hydrochloride Injection, as advised by a physician.
In daily life, it is important to maintain emotional well-being and avoid prolonged anxiety or stress. Regular medical check-ups should also be conducted to enable early detection and treatment of underlying diseases.
