Symptoms of fever caused by food accumulation

Retention of food causing fever, a term in traditional Chinese medicine known as "retained food transforming into heat," is usually caused by overeating or indigestion, leading to food stagnation in the gastrointestinal tract and resulting in various symptoms. The following are some common symptoms of fever caused by food retention: 1. Sudden fever: Patients may experience sudden onset of fever with body temperature commonly between 38-39°C, and sometimes even higher. This fever may not have obvious accompanying symptoms, or the associated symptoms may be relatively mild. 2. Persistent high fever: Fever caused by food retention may manifest as a continuous high fever, mainly because the heat originates internally due to food retention, and simple fever-reducing measures may not be effective. 3. Abdominal distension and discomfort: Food retention causes滞留 (stagnation) of food in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to expansion of the stomach and intestines. Patients may feel heaviness, fullness, or tightness in the abdomen. 4. Nausea and vomiting: Retained food may remain in the stomach and flow back into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. 5. Loss of appetite: During food retention, the stomach cannot contract and digest food normally, resulting in reduced appetite. Patients may lose interest in food and consume less. 6. Abnormal bowel movements: Patients may experience dry stools, reduced frequency of bowel movements, or foul-smelling stools, which are related to indigestion caused by food retention.