Damp heat in the spleen and stomach

Clinical manifestations : Fullness and distension in the epigastrium and abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bitter taste and stickiness in the mouth, heaviness of the body, lassitude ; bright yellow face, eyes and skin ; loose stools, scanty, yellow urine, a yellow, sticky tongue coating and a soft, rapid pulse.

Etiology and pathology : This syndrome is often due to invasion of exogenous pathogenic damp heat. It may also result from excessive indulgence in greasy and sweet food, or alcoholic drinking, all of which may produce damp heat in the interior. Retention of damp heat in the stomach and spleen impairs their functions in reception, digestion, transportation and transformation, causing fullness and distension in the epigastrium and abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and loose stools. Excessive damp heat gives rise to a sticky and bitter taste in the mouth and scanty yellow urine. As damp is characterized by heaviness and viscosity, blockage of the qi by damp leads to heaviness of the body and lassitude. Damp heat stirs up the bile which, therefore, permeates the muscles and skin, presenting bright yellow face, eyes and skin. A yellow sticky tongue coating and a soft rapid pulse are both signs of retention of damp heat in the interior.