What people mean by shanghuo

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One word, several separate events

EVIDENCEGUIDE 6 · REVIEW 1 · MECH 1

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What people call shanghuo (literally, rising fire) is often one word for several different complaints: an ulcer inside the mouth, a sore throat, gums that bleed when brushed, small blisters at the edge of the lip, spots on the face, several days without being able to pass stool, a nosebleed. They happen in different tissues and have different causes; what they share is only that they turn red, swell or hurt, or leave a person feeling hot and dry.

The fiery burn in the mouth after spicy food is often counted as shanghuo too. In fact the burn is a nerve signal: the capsaicin in chili opens a pain channel on sensory nerves called TRPV1, and the tissue in the mouth has not been heated.

This piece only takes these symptoms back, one at a time, to the mechanisms in the body, and does not judge the theories of traditional medicine. One of them needs particular attention: a sore throat so bad that breathing is hard or saliva cannot be swallowed needs medical care right away.

Educational content, not medical advice. See a clinician about your own case.

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What people mean by shanghuo

Read full story

Stop 1/5

One word, several separate events

EVIDENCEGUIDE 6 · REVIEW 1 · MECH 1

READ THE ORIGINAL

What people call shanghuo (literally, rising fire) is often one word for several different complaints: an ulcer inside the mouth, a sore throat, gums that bleed when brushed, small blisters at the edge of the lip, spots on the face, several days without being able to pass stool, a nosebleed. They happen in different tissues and have different causes; what they share is only that they turn red, swell or hurt, or leave a person feeling hot and dry.

The fiery burn in the mouth after spicy food is often counted as shanghuo too. In fact the burn is a nerve signal: the capsaicin in chili opens a pain channel on sensory nerves called TRPV1, and the tissue in the mouth has not been heated.

This piece only takes these symptoms back, one at a time, to the mechanisms in the body, and does not judge the theories of traditional medicine. One of them needs particular attention: a sore throat so bad that breathing is hard or saliva cannot be swallowed needs medical care right away.

Educational content, not medical advice. See a clinician about your own case.