Patient's question:
I am a 22-year-old girl, but more than ten years ago in the morning, I had bad breath in my mouth. I didn't pay much attention to it, but it never stopped. I went to the hospital, and some doctors said it was due to dampness and heat in the spleen and stomach, caused by infrequent bowel movements, which is something like accumulated stool. It seems I am the type of person with a cold body, because my hands and feet are always cold. Even after taking traditional Chinese medicine, it didn't help much. Maybe it's because it wasn't the right prescription. What should I do?Doctor's answer:
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the primary cause of bad breath is indeed damp-heat in the spleen and stomach. From the perspective of Western medicine, it is mainly caused by chronic oral inflammation such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and cavities. Chinese herbal medicine can prescribe Xiao Xiaai Decoction to regulate the middle burner, supplemented with heat-clearing and laxative herbs like rhubarb for treatment. Alternatively, dietary therapy can be chosen, commonly using ingredients like Chinese yam, coix seed, poria, and bamboo leaves to cook porridge for gradual stabilization. For patients, if the condition of bad breath is severe, immediate symptomatic treatment and proper medication should be administered, otherwise, it may lead to a recurrence of the condition. Additionally, patients should pay attention to their diet and psychological care.