What causes diarrhea and white tongue coating?

Diarrhea accompanied by a white tongue coating may be caused by factors such as cold exposure to the abdomen, improper diet, acute gastroenteritis, indigestion, or irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms can be improved through abdominal warmth preservation, dietary adjustments, and medication. If diarrhea is frequent or accompanied by abdominal pain or fever, prompt medical attention is necessary.

1. Abdominal Cold Exposure: Cold stimulation of the abdomen accelerates gastrointestinal motility, leading to diarrhea. Invasion of cold pathogens disrupts spleen and stomach function, resulting in a thin, white tongue coating. It is recommended to wear warm clothing to protect the abdomen, drink warm ginger and red date water, and avoid cold environments.

2. Improper Diet: Excessive consumption of raw, cold, or greasy foods overburdens the spleen and stomach, causing digestive disturbances and diarrhea, with the tongue coating appearing white and greasy. A light diet is advised, including easily digestible foods such as millet porridge and noodle soup, to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.

3. Acute Gastroenteritis: Inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection of the gastrointestinal mucosa leads to diarrhea and nausea. Impaired spleen and stomach function results in a white tongue coating. Under medical guidance, patients may use medications such as montmorillonite powder, oral rehydration salts III, and *Saccharomyces boulardii* powder to alleviate symptoms.

4. Indigestion: Weakened spleen and stomach function impairs digestion and absorption, causing diarrhea, bloating, and a thick, white, greasy tongue coating. Under medical supervision, medications such as Xingpi Yang'er Granules, Pediatric Spleen-Strengthening and Accumulation-Dissolving Oral Liquid, and Bifidobacterium Tri-Live Capsules may be used to relieve discomfort.

5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Psychological stress or intestinal flora imbalance causes intestinal dysfunction, leading to diarrhea and abdominal pain, with the tongue coating appearing thin white or white and greasy. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as pinaverium bromide tablets, *Bacillus licheniformis* live bacteria capsules, or loperamide capsules to improve symptoms.

In daily life, it's important to keep the abdomen warm and avoid cold exposure, maintain regular and light meals, limit intake of raw, cold, and greasy foods, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, manage stress, and maintain a regular sleep schedule to support gastrointestinal recovery and reduce discomfort.