"Shanghuo" (上火) seems to be a folk term that only Chinese people can understand. It is not the name of a specific disease, nor is it a professional medical term, but rather a very general term. In the eyes of many, symptoms such as mouth sores, limb weakness, dizziness, and bleeding gums are all attributed to "Shanghuo." "Shanghuo" is not only related to external factors like climate but is also somewhat related to diet. When the following "Shanghuo" symptoms appear, everyone can reflect on their diet and make timely adjustments.
1. Not drinking enough water, feeling like you're "about to catch fire"
The body's dehydration due to various factors leads to an increase in the osmotic pressure of body fluids. Receptors send signals back to the central nervous system, creating a sensation of thirst, which feels like you're "about to catch fire." At this time, you should replenish water promptly.
2. Sore throat and a feeling of having something stuck in the throat after eating certain foods
First, consider if it's an allergy. The most common culprits in China are muskmelons and some nuts. If so, avoid them next time. Additionally, freshly cooked hot food, combined with alcohol and spicy stimulation, can easily cause congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa and hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles, leading to a feeling of having something stuck in the throat when swallowing. Food should be served warm, not too hot, and drink plenty of water.
3. Itching on the body after eating seafood
The most common reason is that the seafood is not fresh. If you also experience these symptoms after eating fresh and hygienic seafood, it might be an allergy to seafood protein, and you should avoid eating it.
4. Mouth blisters after eating melon seeds
These roasted foods are often too dry and salty. On one hand, they are too rough and can scratch the oral mucosa. On the other hand, they create a local high osmotic pressure that causes dehydration and inflammation. When eating such foods, try to choose the original flavor, avoid cracking them with your mouth, and control the amount you eat each time.
5. Lip blisters from often eating fast food
If you have small blisters on the corners of your mouth or around the lips, it is likely herpes labialis, caused by a viral infection. Often, the time when people frequently eat fast food is also when they are under high work stress and their immunity is low. In this case, you should pay attention to rest, apply ice compresses to the blisters, clean them, and even use some antiviral medication. If white ulcers appear in the mouth, it might be a deficiency of iron, zinc, or vitamin B.
6. Gum bleeding from often eating a lot of meat and fish
People who eat a lot of meat and fish all day often eat fewer fruits and vegetables. A lack of vitamin C can cause problems with collagen synthesis, leading to bleeding gums and mucous membranes. In addition, some meats are more likely to get stuck in teeth, and high-sugar residues from fruits can easily breed bacteria, causing inflammation. Over time, this can lead to calculus and gum bleeding. In this situation, in addition to eating less fish and meat, you should also rinse your mouth after meals, brush your teeth, and use dental floss daily.
7. Pimples from eating sweets
Pimples, medically known as acne, currently have very clear evidence showing that a high glycemic load diet can exacerbate acne. The mechanism may be that androgen levels are positively correlated with blood sugar levels, and sebum secretion is regulated by androgens. Therefore, friends who are getting pimples might want to think if they have eaten too much ice cream and pastries recently. If so, they should reduce their consumption.
8. Anal burning from eating spicy food
When the capsaicin receptor is activated by capsaicin, it produces a sensation of pain and can even stimulate muscle reactions and increase blood flow. Although this is not necessarily a bad thing, more sensitive people can easily experience discomfort, such as diarrhea and anal burning. These symptoms will subside in less than two days, but to avoid them, you need to eat less chili.