What is dampness?

In traditional Chinese medicine, dampness is referred to as "dampness pathogen" and can be divided into two types: internal dampness and external dampness. External dampness is closely related to living environment; for example, prolonged immersion in water or living in a dark, cold, and damp environment makes one susceptible to invasion by external dampness. Internal dampness arises from spleen and kidney yang deficiency, leading to dysfunction in the body's fluid metabolism. Symptoms of internal dampness include loss of appetite, abdominal distension, diarrhea, reduced urine output, sallow complexion, edema, pale tongue with moist coating, and a soft, slow pulse.