How to determine whether the body has dampness or damp-heat
Disease description:
I often feel weak, fatigued, sensitive to cold, and frequently have cold hands and feet. Later, after seeing a doctor, I was told that I have excessive dampness in my body. I would like to consult: how can one differentiate between dampness and damp-heat in the body?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Ding Yu
The main difference between dampness and damp-heat lies in whether there is internal heat. Dampness is mostly caused by spleen deficiency, which impairs the transformation and transportation of food and fluids, leading to accumulation of dampness in the body without obvious tendency toward cold or heat. It mainly manifests as heaviness in the limbs, physical fatigue, low energy, and lethargy; some patients may experience excessive sleepiness, a sticky and sweet sensation in the mouth, cravings for sweet foods, reduced appetite, frequent bloating after meals, and loose stools. Damp-heat refers to dampness that has accumulated in the body for a prolonged period and eventually transforms into heat. In addition to signs of dampness, it presents with symptoms such as thirst, feelings of tidal fever, sticky and difficult bowel movements, burning sensation in the anus, and dark yellow, short urination.
