How to Determine if There is Phlegm-Dampness in the Body
Disease description:
I have been coughing and producing phlegm frequently lately, and I'm worried that I might have phlegm-dampness in my body. I would like to ask, how can one determine if there is phlegm-dampness present in the body?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
To determine whether there is phlegm-dampness in the body, the following aspects can be considered:
1. **Observation of symptoms**: Individuals with a phlegm-dampness constitution commonly exhibit symptoms such as physical heaviness and fatigue, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, oily skin, eczema or itching, sticky sensation in the mouth, bad breath, poor appetite, abdominal fullness, sticky or mucus-containing stools, muscle aches, joint discomfort, mental exhaustion, and slow thinking. Additionally, symptoms such as chest tightness, excessive phlegm, cough, and shortness of breath may also appear.
2. **Tongue diagnosis**: A TCM practitioner will examine the appearance of the tongue, particularly the color and thickness of the tongue coating. When phlegm-dampness is evident, the tongue coating may appear white, greasy, and thick.
3. **Pulse diagnosis**: The pulse condition can also reflect the status of dampness in the body. In individuals with phlegm-dampness, the pulse is typically described as slippery and deep-slow, indicating accumulation of dampness within the body.
