Why is it easy to have internal heat (fire) when the body is cold, and what can be done?

In general, body coldness accompanied by excessive internal heat may be caused by factors such as dietary imbalance, lack of physical activity, deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach, liver qi stagnation transforming into fire, and kidney yang deficiency. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and improve the condition under a physician's guidance through general treatments, medication, and other approaches. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Dietary Imbalance: Regular consumption of raw and cold foods damages yang energy, causing body coldness, while excessive intake of spicy and fried foods creates internal heat, resulting in a complex condition of alternating cold and heat. Adjust the diet by reducing intake of ice cream, cold dishes, chili peppers, and fried chicken, and eat more mild-natured foods such as pumpkin and millet. Maintain regular meals and avoid irregular eating patterns or fluctuating between overeating and undereating.

2. Lack of Physical Activity: Long-term lack of exercise can impair circulation of qi and blood, preventing yang energy from distributing properly and causing body coldness. Simultaneously, slowed metabolism leads to accumulation of internal heat, resulting in coexisting cold intolerance with symptoms such as dry mouth and sore throat. Engage in physical activity 3-4 times weekly, such as brisk walking or yoga, each session lasting about 30 minutes, to enhance qi and blood circulation and help balance internal cold and heat.

3. Spleen and Stomach Deficiency-Cold: Weakened transformation and transportation functions of the spleen and stomach lead to fluid retention and internal cold, while impaired digestion causes food stagnation that transforms into heat. Symptoms may include cold pain in the epigastric region along with oral ulcers. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Fuzi Lizhong Pills, Xiangsha Yangwei Pills, or Wenwei Supercritical Granules to alleviate symptoms.

4. Liver Qi Stagnation Transforming into Fire: Prolonged emotional suppression causes liver qi stagnation, which over time transforms into internal heat. This qi blockage also disrupts yang energy distribution, leading to body coldness, irritability, anger, and cold extremities. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Xiaoyao Pills, Chaihu Shugan Pills, or Dazhixiaoyao Pills for treatment.

5. Kidney Yang Deficiency: Insufficient kidney yang leads to general yang deficiency manifesting as body coldness, while floating deficient fire causes internal heat, presenting as cold intolerance with cold limbs combined with heat sensations in the palms and soles. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Jinkui Shenqi Pills, Yougui Pills, or Guifu Dihuang Pills to support yang energy recovery.

In daily life, maintain warmth, avoid direct exposure of the waist, abdomen, and feet to air conditioning, and adjust clothing promptly according to weather changes. Drink plenty of warm water and limit consumption of cold beverages. Comprehensive regulation can improve the condition of body coldness and susceptibility to internal heat, helping maintain stable bodily functions.