Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat (脾胃湿热), also known as Middle Jiao Damp-Heat (中焦湿热), refers to the pathological condition where damp-heat accumulates in the spleen and stomach, leading to dysfunction in the spleen’s transport and the stomach’s reception.This condition is mostly caused by the invasion of damp pathogens or improper diet, particularly excessive consumption of rich and greasy foods, resulting in damp-heat accumulation in the spleen and stomach.The symptoms include abdominal distension, fatigue, loose stools, yellow urine, bitter mouth, body heat, thirst with little intake, and even a yellowish complexion, yellow greasy tongue coating, and a slippery rapid pulse. The main treatment method is to clear heat and resolve dampness.
Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat (肝胆湿热) refers to the pathological condition where damp-heat accumulates in the liver and gallbladder,often caused by external damp-heat pathogens, excessive alcohol consumption, or a diet rich in spicy and fatty foods, leading to internal dampness or abnormal spleen-stomach function, resulting in dampness transforming into heat, which obstructs liver and gallbladder diseases due to spleen-stomach dysfunction.The symptoms can include rib pain, internal burning sensation, abdominal distension with aversion to food, bitter mouth, dry stools, yellow or red urine, jaundice, a large tongue, yellow greasy tongue coating, and a wiry rapid pulse.The main treatment method is to clear and resolve liver-gallbladder damp-heat.
There are some commonalities between Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat and Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat, which often leads to confusion among many people in daily life.This article will first introduce the common points between the two conditions, as follows:1.The causes are similar, both often arising from the invasion of damp-heat pathogens or improper diet, such as a preference for rich and greasy foods, leading to the generation of damp-heat.2.Some similar symptoms of the spleen and stomach include abdominal distension, aversion to food, nausea, and poor appetite.3.Upon examination, both conditions can show a red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and symptoms of bitter mouth and body heat.4.Both conditions can present with yellowish urine and jaundice.
Although there are similarities between the two, they can still be distinguished from each other. The following are the differences:1. Although both Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat and Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat involve damp-heat accumulation, their emphasis differs.Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat is characterized by a heavier dampness than heat,where dampness leads to significant fatigue, lethargy, and abdominal distension, while heat symptoms are relatively mild;Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat, on the other hand, is characterized by more severe heat than dampness,manifesting as body heat, dry mouth, bitter taste, hard stools, short red urine, and pronounced yellowing, while dampness symptoms are relatively mild.2. Both conditions exhibit symptoms of spleen-stomach dysfunction, butthe dysfunction in Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat is due to damp-heat accumulation in the spleen and stomach,leading to spleen dysfunction and stomach’s inability to descend, resulting in heavier dampness and prolonged heat accumulation, thus the dysfunction is more pronounced with symptoms like aversion to food and poor appetite;whereasthe dysfunction in Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat is due to damp-heat accumulation in the liver and gallbladder,affecting the spleen and stomach, resulting in milder related symptoms.3.Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat causes rib pain and discomfort due to damp-heat accumulation obstructing liver function, leading to liver qi stagnation and pain, and it may also present with symptoms of damp-heat descending, such as scrotal eczema, dampness or yellow foul discharge, and vulvar itching, while Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat primarily presents with symptoms of abdominal discomfort without rib pain or these descending damp-heat symptoms.
Due to the rise in living standards and the imbalance in dietary habits and daily routines, Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat and Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat are relatively common among modern individuals. Although they can be adjusted, it is essential to pay attention to prevention. The following are some preventive and treatment measures:1.Develop good dietary habits, quit smoking and drinking, reduce consumption of barbecued and greasy foods, focus on a light diet, avoid spicy foods, and pay attention to strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, as well as soothing the liver and promoting lung function.2.Establish healthy daily routines to promote the balance of yin, yang, qi, and blood in the body. While it may not be possible to achieve this due to work and life reasons, one can coordinate and create a personalized plan.3.Engage in appropriate physical exercise, as a certain amount of exercise can enhance the body’s righteous qi and resist external pathogens.4.Maintain a positive and happy mindset, as a cheerful mood can keep liver qi smooth and prevent qi stagnation, which can lead to damp-heat generation.5.For patients already suffering from Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat or Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat, there is no need to worry.It is recommended for Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat patients to regularly consume yam, coix seed, and red bean porridge or consult a TCM practitioner for prescriptions such as Huo Po Xia Ling Decoction (藿朴夏苓汤) or San Ren Decoction (三仁汤), while patients with Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat are advised to take Long Dan Cao Pian (龙胆泻肝丸).(Article content images sourced from the internet, please delete if infringing)
Gastrointestinal diseases, one-on-one free consultation, click the image below
▼
Gastrointestinal Health Regulation