
Why does a cold caused by wind-cold lead to heatiness (fire)?
Disease description:
I have caught a chill due to exposure to cold and wind in the past few days, and have developed symptoms of a cold accompanied by heatiness (excess internal heat). Why does a cold caused by wind-cold sometimes lead to heatiness?

The causes of excessive internal heat (fire) due to a cold caused by exposure to cold and wind may include the following points:
1. **Exposure to cold and wind combined with internal heat accumulation**: When the body is attacked by cold pathogens, the body may respond with reactions such as fever and sweating to expel the cold pathogens, which could lead to symptoms of excessive internal heat. If there is already excess internal heat or excessive yang energy in the body, along with poor circulation of qi and blood, the symptoms of internal heat might worsen further upon exposure to cold and wind, manifesting as excessive internal heat (fire).
2. **Improper diet**: During a cold caused by exposure to cold and wind, improper dietary habits, such as consuming excessive spicy or greasy foods, may impair the function of the spleen and stomach, affect digestion and absorption of food, and subsequently generate internal heat, leading to excessive internal heat (fire).
3. **Emotional disharmony**: Emotional imbalances, such as prolonged stress, depression, or anxiety, may cause dysfunction of internal organs, disharmony of qi and blood, and thus trigger symptoms of excessive internal heat (fire).
Patients with concerns are advised to seek timely medical consultation.