How to Distinguish between Stomach Heat and Stomach Cold?

Our stomachs can actually be classified as having either a cold or hot nature. Some people often have poor digestion, eat small meals, and particularly prefer hot foods, often feeling a lack of taste in their mouths. Such individuals typically exhibit symptoms of a cold stomach. Conversely, those with a hot stomach tend to digest food quickly, have good appetites, and prefer cold foods. Therefore, it is essential to diagnose and treat cold and hot stomachs differently. Let's explore how to distinguish between them:

1. Appetite: Symptoms of a cold stomach typically include a dull taste sensation in the mouth, slow digestion, and reduced appetite compared to usual. People with cold stomachs often prefer hot foods. This is mainly because, according to traditional Chinese medicine, individuals with a cold stomach have a slow loss of heat in their bodies and slow blood circulation, leading to compromised stomach function. In contrast, people with a hot stomach digest food quickly, have good appetites, and prefer cold foods. Their blood circulation is faster, resulting in faster digestion and different characteristics in appetite and food preferences compared to those with a cold stomach.

2. Bowel movements: People with a cold stomach typically have loose and irregular bowel movements, while their urine is clear and long. This is mainly due to their slow digestion, which can lead to irregular stool consistency. In contrast, individuals with a hot stomach tend to have dry stool and yellow urine. These differences can help distinguish between the two conditions.

3. Tongue coating: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that problems with the stomach are often reflected in the tongue coating. People with a cold stomach have a pale red tongue with a generally white color. In contrast, a red tongue with a yellowish coating may indicate excessive heat in the stomach.

4. Vomiting: People with stomach issues often experience vomiting. The odor and appearance of vomiting matter can help distinguish between cold and hot stomachs. Vomiting matter with a clear and unchanged consistency and no unusual odor is typical of a cold stomach. In contrast, vomiting matter with a sour and foul odor is more common in individuals with a hot stomach.

5. Bad breath: Both cold and hot stomachs can cause bad breath, but the odor may differ. Bad breath associated with a cold stomach often has a reflux or corrosive odor, while bad breath associated with a hot stomach typically has a strong and unpleasant odor.