What Causes Dampness in the Stomach?

Generally, dampness in the stomach refers to cold-dampness or damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, usually caused by factors such as innate constitution, environmental factors, and poor eating habits. Here are the causes:

1. Innate Constitution: If one has a weak constitution with insufficient yang qi in the spleen and stomach, it fails to warm the limbs and internal organs, leading to symptoms of cold deficiency. If a pregnant woman consumes warm foods such as chili peppers, mustard, and onions for a long time during pregnancy, it can affect the fetus, resulting in a damp-heat constitution after birth.

2. Environmental Factors: Prolonged exposure to low-temperature environments, such as cold storage, basements, and ice cellars, can lead to cold-dampness invading the body. Living in a damp and hot environment or failing to take measures against heat in midsummer can also affect one's constitution with damp-heat evil.

3. Poor Eating Habits: A long-term preference for cold drinks, iced watermelon, ice cream, seafood, and other foods can also damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach. Patients may experience symptoms of spleen and stomach deficiency with cold, such as cold limbs, abdominal pain and diarrhea, short urine, and poor spirits. A long-term preference for spicy, sweet, and greasy foods, such as fried chicken, spicy soup, fatty meat, and chocolate, can lead to excessive stomach fire, weakened spleen transportation function, and the production of dampness. The combination of heat and dampness forms a damp-heat constitution in the spleen and stomach, causing appetite loss, abnormal bowel movements, bloating, acid reflux, and other discomforts.

Besides the above reasons, it may also be due to drug abuse, emotional distress, and underlying diseases. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly if you feel unwell.