Can stomach coldness cause diarrhea?

Generally, stomach coldness may cause diarrhea, especially when triggered by exposure to cold or consumption of cold foods. However, diarrhea is not solely caused by stomach coldness. If in doubt, it is recommended to evaluate symptoms comprehensively. The detailed analysis is as follows:

In traditional Chinese medicine, individuals with stomach coldness are considered deficient in spleen and stomach yang qi, resulting in weakened warming and digestive functions. Consuming raw or cold foods or having a cold abdomen can further impair the yang qi of the spleen and stomach, leading to abnormal fluid metabolism and impaired digestion and absorption of food, thus causing diarrhea. This is often accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, loose stools, preference for warmth, and relief from gentle pressure.

Diarrhea may also be related to various other factors, including unhygienic diet, intestinal infections, spleen deficiency, and irritable bowel syndrome. If typical signs of stomach coldness—such as stomach cold pain or sensitivity to cold—are absent during episodes of diarrhea, the cause may not be stomach coldness, and the underlying reason should be identified by considering other accompanying symptoms.

In daily life, it is important to keep the abdomen warm, avoid consuming raw, cold, or cooling foods, and instead eat warm, easily digestible foods. If diarrhea occurs frequently or is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, adjust the diet promptly and monitor symptoms carefully.