Question
A 5-month-old baby has been experiencing symptoms of a thick white tongue coating and mild diarrhea for 10 days. The parents have taken the child to three hospitals for consultation, but the symptoms have not improved, and they are feeling anxious. What could be the possible causes of these symptoms?
Answer
A thick white tongue coating is a common clinical phenomenon, often associated with superficial symptoms or cold syndrome, but it can also be an expression of internal syndrome or heat syndrome. For instance, a thin, white, and moist tongue coating may indicate wind-cold, while a thin, white, and dry coating may suggest wind-heat. Internal syndrome of damp-cold may manifest as a thick and greasy tongue coating. The thicker the tongue coating, the more severe the disease may be, typically indicating that the pathogen is strong. However, the formation of the tongue coating also reflects the presence of stomach Qi; even if the tongue coating is thick, it indicates that stomach Qi is still present. Conversely, a lack of tongue coating may suggest deficiency of vital energy, and a complete absence of coating may indicate extreme deficiency of stomach Qi, lacking vitality. For a baby’s mild diarrhea, it may be related to various factors, including an immature digestive system, infection, food allergy or intolerance. It is recommended that parents continue to monitor the baby’s condition.