Are You “Damp”? And Why It Matters

Are You Damp? If you experience any of the following, then yes, you’re “Damp” according to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

• Fatigue

• A feeling of heaviness in the limbs

• Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, foggy thinking

• Diarrhea or loose stools

• Poor appetite

• Always thirsty, but you don't want to drink any liquids

• Carrying extra body weight

• Cysts, edema, mucus, etc.

• Your symptoms are worse in humid weather

• You worry and/or over-think

Why does it matter?

You know how a flooded road blocks traffic? You may be surprised to learn that the same thing can happen inside of us. Our bodies are comprised of approximately 60% water. Other types of fluids include lymph fluid, interstitial fluid, the fluids that keep our muscles, tendons and ligaments working smoothly, mucus, phlegm, and even our bones are comprised of 30% water. Our bodies regulate the production and movement of these fluids to sustain life.

If the fluids become blocked - like a flooded road, fluids will first try to find alternate routes. If the blockage continues for too long, the body will start to store fluid where it doesn’t belong. Some areas of the body can end up having too much fluid, which we call “Dampness Accumulation” in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), and others too little, which is called “Dryness, or Yin Deficiency”. Here’s an example: A patient comes in with two symptoms: 1) chronic cough with phlegm (lungs have too much dampness/fluid), and 2) constipation (intestines are too dry), which is an indication that fluids are not moving properly.

If fluids are in the wrong place, or are not flowing properly, you’ll see the symptoms listed above start to appear.

• When dampness accumulates, it blocks function. Think of how your nasal passages are blocked when you have a cold. The mucus/phlegm (aka Dampness) is blocking your ability to breath normally. This can happen anywhere in the body, with any body fluid.

• Dampness primarily affects… the lungs, joints, intestines, stomach, spleen, and bladder.

• When dampness accumulates for too long it begins to congeal and harden… think cysts, edema, phlegm, pus, adipose tissue, etc. Even cholesterol is considered an excess deposit of dampness and phlegm in the blood vessels. Hard deposits, like bone spurs, nodules, and arthritis, are considered the result of dampness and phlegm that has dried and congealed.

• Dampness can cause heat… like a puddle of stagnant water that sits in the sun. In TCM, dampness + heat is another way to describe inflammation.

• External dampness, (humid weather) can make symptoms of internal dampness worse. If you can "feel it in your bones" when rain is coming - this is why!

What can you do about it?

Self-Care Tips:

• Avoid sugar, dairy, ice-cold drinks, raw salads, raw vegetables, fried foods, and fruit juice. These foods cause dampness (and inflammation) and make symptoms worse.
  Add warm drinks, warm foods, cooked vegetables, and whole fruit. These foods support the digestive system supports the proper generation and movement of fluids throughout the body.

• Add mindfulness practices to offset worry and over-thinking. In TCM there is no separation between the mind and body. Physical dysfunction can cause emotions, and emotions can cause physical dysfunction. It’s a 2-way street.

• Add exercise and movement to keep those body fluids flowing.

How We Can Help:

• Acupuncture moves blood and reduces inflammation. It helps get those body fluids moving to the right place at the right time.

• Chinese herbal medicine addresses the root cause of dampness to stop it from forming in the first place. There are 4 ways to get rid of dampness once it’s already in the body. You can dry it, drain it, dissolve it, or transform it depending on where it’s located and how congealed it already is. Chinese medicine has herbs with these functions to safely and effectively get rid of dampness and phlegm, no matter what form it takes and where it’s located. Additionally, our formulas heal the organ systems that are causing dampness to accumulate.

To schedule an initial consultation to see if dampness is an issue for you, call us at (810) 505-5014.