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The Issue with Dampness

11/20/2019

 
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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)

​
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

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    This blog contains information concerning lifestyle, general dietary advice, and self-help guidelines for our patients.

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