External Dampness is a very common aetiological factor in urinary diseases. It penetrates the
channels in the legs and then flows upwards to settle in the Bladder, uterus or Intestines.
External Dampness is contracted by sitting on damp grass, living in a damp environment or
damp house, wading in water, keeping a wet swimming suit on after swimming, being exposed
to early-morning dampness while jogging and sweating, etc. Women are particularly prone to
invasion of Dampness during their period or after childbirth.
Diet
Excessive consumption of sweets, sugar, dairy foods and greasy foods leads to the formation of
Dampness which, if it settles in the urinary system, causes Painful-Urination Syndrome.
Excessive consumption of spicy foods and alcohol may generate Heat which combines with
Dampness and causes Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. This is an extremely important factor in
Painful-Urination Syndrome, particularly Heat or Cloudy Painful-Urination Syndrome.
Long-standing Dampness may condense under the action of Heat to form urinary stones or
"sand". This is called Stone Painful-Urination Syndrome.
The Heat part of Damp-Heat may injure the blood vessels in the urinary tract and cause blood in
the urine. This is called Blood Painful-Urination Syndrome.
Finally, long-standing retention of Dampness may weaken Spleen-Qi and lead to Qi
Painful-Urination Syndrome.
Thus, Damp-Heat may be the origin of different types of Painful-Urination Syndrome, i.e. Heat,
Sticky, Stone, Blood and Qi Painful-Urination Syndrome.
Excessive Sexual Activity
Excessive sexual activity weakens the Kidneys and leads to either Cloudy or Fatigue
Painful-Urination Syndrome, depending on whether Dampness or Deficiency is the predominant
resulting factor.
Deficient Kidney-Yang fails to provide Qi to the Bladder and this causes dribbling of urine and
Fatigue Painful-Urination Syndrome.