The Issue with Dampness

What is Dampness?
Anything that upsets our normal functioning is called a pathogenic factors (PF). 
There are many categories of PF’s, amongst them are the climatic (environmental) factors.
There are 6 climatic factors, dampness, cold, heat (fire), wind, summer-heat, and dryness. 

Modern homes have heating and air-conditioning which have eased the problems of climatic extremes of cold, humidity, and summer heat.

Here we shall focus on Dampness of which there are two types, external & internal.

External Dampness 
Can be an issue for those living in basement flats, near waterways, very damp environments, or with hidden mould.

Internal Dampness
Internally generated Dampness is a bigger issue and is the focus of this article.


What are the signs & symptoms of Dampness?

Physical signs & symptoms 

• Weight around the middle, thighs, or water retention of the ankles or face. 
• ​Swellings of any kind, including within the joints or in the sensory orifices (ears, eyes, nose, throat)
• Dampness is also a part of arterial plaque build ups, cataracts, glaucoma, blurry vision, sinus problems, hearing loss. 
• Accumulations and conglomerations (jia and ju) which include : fat deposits, masses, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, prostatitis, tumour formation, and even hernias. 
• Signs and symptoms arising from spleen qi deficiency.

Psychological signs 
Dampness is often accompanied by a feeling of being overwhelmed—whether consciously or not. When dampness is prevalent a person can feel, as they say, ‘swamped’ by life. 


What are the causes of Dampness?

Common Causes 

• Sticky foods (dairy, sugar, and glutinous grains - wheat in particular)
• Irritants (tobacco, too much caffeinated products, alcohol, hot peppers, onions, garlic, nightshades - tomato, aubergines, potato)
• Stagnation in the intestines (bowel irregularities)
• Sugar overconsumption
• Underlying unresolved emotions

Underlying imbalances
These can be assessed by a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine.

• Hormonal imbalances 
• Spleen Qi deficiency
• Kidney Yang deficiency (adrenal fatigue)

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What can I do to help myself?
General guidelines for people with dampness :

1. Ensure proper bowel function

2. Foods & activities to avoid
These things trigger or cause Dampness in the body :

• Cut back or avoid foods that easily create or add to dampness (sugar, dairy, gluten), 
• Cut back or avoid stimulants and irritants (excess coffee or alcohol, hot peppers, onions, garlic, nightshades)
• Avoid erratic mealtimes,
• Avoid eating :
  • under stress
  • pre-occupied with other activities
  • standing or walking,
  • to suppress emotions
  • before sleep

3. Foods & activities that are helpful
These things help to drain and resolve Dampness from the body :

• build healthy fluids, blood, fats (Yin) while draining dampness through encouraging urination
• for specific issues (for example, whole grains, oils, and root vegetables to clear stagnation in the intestines). 
• Regular mealtimes, take time to eat your meal free from distracting activities (checking mobile, reading, watching TV etc), sit down to eat, find a resolution for the emotional triggers of eating/cravings, don’t go to sleep on a full tummy