What are the symptoms of spleen cold?
Disease description:
Recently, I have been feeling physically unwell, with frequent mild abdominal pain and regular episodes of diarrhea. At times, my hands and feet also feel cold. Additionally, I have a poor appetite and feel bloated after eating only a small amount of food. Could I possibly have spleen coldness (spleen deficiency with cold symptoms)? What are the common symptoms of spleen coldness?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Spleen cold, refers to a pathological condition characterized by dysfunction of the spleen and the internal generation of cold and dampness. Common symptoms:
1. Discomfort of the spleen and stomach: Patients may experience symptoms such as stomach pain, abdominal fullness, distension, and discomfort, which are related to the decline in spleen and stomach function caused by spleen cold.
2. Indigestion: Patients with spleen cold often exhibit symptoms of indigestion such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea because spleen cold impairs the transportation and transformation functions of the spleen and stomach over food and fluids.
3. General malaise: Patients may also experience systemic symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and aversion to cold, due to insufficient spleen yang and a decline in overall bodily function.
4. Cold extremities: Particularly marked coldness in the hands and feet, pale or sallow complexion, mental fatigue, and easy tiredness.
5. Irregular menstruation: Women may experience menstrual irregularities and dysmenorrhea.
Patients with spleen cold may also exhibit symptoms such as decreased urine output and a sensation of heaviness in the lower abdomen. Tongue examination typically reveals a pale tongue with a white coating, and the pulse is deep and slow or deep and slippery. Treatment should focus on warming the middle jiao, strengthening the spleen, eliminating dampness, and dispersing cold, such as using herbal medicine for regulation, while also maintaining a warm diet, avoiding raw and cold foods, engaging in physical exercise, and enhancing the body's yang energy.
