Why does excessive dampness cause a bloated belly, and what can be done about it?

Generally speaking, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a large abdomen caused by excessive dampness may be due to factors such as dietary irregularities injuring the spleen, prolonged exposure to damp environments invading the body, spleen deficiency leading to impaired transformation and transportation, liver qi stagnation with spleen deficiency, or deficiency of kidney yang. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the specific syndrome type, and then improve the condition under a physician's guidance through dietary regulation, lifestyle interventions, and TCM treatments. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Dietary irregularities injuring the spleen: Long-term excessive consumption of greasy, sweet, raw, or cold foods can damage the spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation functions, impairing the normal distribution of fluids and leading to dampness accumulation in the abdomen, causing a large belly accompanied by abdominal distension and sticky stools. Adjust the diet by consuming more spleen-strengthening foods such as Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and stir-fried coix seed.

2. Prolonged exposure to damp environments invading the body: Long-term residence in a damp environment allows external dampness to invade the body, obstructing the spleen and stomach functions and causing internal accumulation of dampness, leading to a large abdomen accompanied by body heaviness and joint pain. Improve the living environment by keeping indoor areas ventilated and dry, and avoid prolonged exposure to rain or water.

3. Spleen deficiency with impaired transformation and transportation: Those with inherently weak spleen and stomach functions have reduced capacity to transform and transport dampness, resulting in dampness accumulation in the abdomen, causing a large belly accompanied by fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools. Patients should use spleen-strengthening and qi-benefiting, damp-drying and stomach-harmonizing medicines such as Shenling Baizhu San, Jianpi Wan, and Xiangsha Liujun Wan according to a physician's instructions.

4. Liver qi stagnation with spleen deficiency: Prolonged emotional distress and liver qi stagnation impair the spleen and stomach's transformation functions, leading to dampness accumulation in the abdomen, causing a large belly accompanied by irritability, hypochondriac distension and pain, and menstrual irregularities. Patients should use liver-soothing and spleen-strengthening, qi-regulating and damp-resolving medicines such as Xiaoyao Wan, Chaihu Shugan Wan, and Dangzhi Xiaoyao Wan according to a physician's guidance.

5. Deficiency of kidney yang: Insufficient kidney yang fails to warm and support spleen yang, weakening the spleen's function in transforming and transporting dampness, leading to dampness accumulation in the abdomen, causing a large belly accompanied by cold intolerance, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, and increased nocturnal urination. Patients should use kidney yang-nourishing and fluid-transforming medicines such as Jinkui Shenqi Wan, Guifu Dihuang Wan, and Yougui Wan according to a physician's instructions.

In daily life, maintain a regular routine and avoid staying up late, which depletes yang energy. Expose yourself to more sunlight on sunny days to utilize natural yang energy to dispel dampness. Engage in moderate exercises such as Baduanjin or Tai Chi to harmonize qi and blood, enhance organ function, and improve the condition of excessive dampness and a large abdomen through comprehensive regulation, thus maintaining bodily balance.