What are the differences between stomach cold and stomach heat?

Generally, cold stomach and hot stomach are common gastrointestinal constitutional issues. The differences between them mainly include distinct causes and pathogenesis, different common symptoms, dietary preferences, tongue coating and pulse manifestations, as well as suitable foods. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Different causes and pathogenesis: Cold stomach is mostly caused by excessive consumption of raw or cold food, abdominal exposure to cold, or deficiency of spleen and stomach yang qi. Its core mechanism involves deficiency of gastric yang and stagnation of cold pathogens. Hot stomach often results from overconsumption of spicy and heat-inducing foods, emotional imbalances, or invasion of external heat pathogens into the stomach. Its core mechanism involves accumulation of internal heat in the stomach and impaired flow of qi.

2. Different common symptoms: Cold stomach typically presents with a cold pain in the epigastric region, preference for warmth and pressure, worsening symptoms upon exposure to cold, accompanied by vomiting of clear fluid, poor appetite. Hot stomach commonly features a burning pain in the epigastric area, tenderness upon pressure, dry and bitter mouth, along with bad breath, swollen and painful gums, and dry, hard stools.

3. Different dietary preferences: Individuals with cold stomach naturally prefer warm or hot foods, which help relieve gastric discomfort, and are highly sensitive to raw or cold foods. Those with hot stomach tend to favor cool or cold foods, which temporarily alleviate the burning sensation, and avoid spicy or heat-inducing foods.

4. Different tongue coating and pulse manifestations: People with cold stomach usually have a thin white or white greasy tongue coating and a deep, slow pulse. Those with hot stomach typically show a yellow greasy or yellow dry tongue coating and a slippery, rapid pulse. There are clear differences between the two in terms of tongue coating color and pulse rhythm.

5. Different suitable foods: Individuals with cold stomach benefit from warming, stomach-nourishing foods such as ginger, lamb, and millet. Those with hot stomach should consume heat-clearing and dampness-resolving foods like winter melon, mung beans, and celery. Dietary adjustments can assist in improving these constitutional conditions.

The调理 (regulation) approaches for these two conditions are completely different. Accurate identification of one's constitution is essential for proper management. Only through correct diagnosis combined with adjustments in diet and lifestyle can gastric health be effectively maintained.