Loose and unformed stools can be caused by dampness-heat or cold-dampness, which can be differentiated by the color of stools, accompanying symptoms, tongue and pulse.
1. Color and quality of feces: Damp-heat manifests as diarrhea, diarrhea is urgent, diarrhea is not refreshing, feces is yellowish-brown in color and smells foul; Cold-dampness manifests as diarrhea is thin, or even as watery.
2. Accompanying symptoms: Damp-heat is accompanied by burning in the anus, irritable heat (irritable and sultry), thirst, short yellow urine, etc. Cold-dampness is accompanied by stuffiness in the epigastric region with little food, intestinal tinnitus, chills (fear of cold), fever, headache, limb aches and pains.
3. Tongue: Damp-heat manifests as a red tongue with yellow moss; cold-dampness manifests as a light red tongue with white moss.
4. Pulse: Damp-heat manifests as a moist or slippery pulse, while cold-dampness manifests as a moist and slow pulse.
If you have loose and unformed stools, consult your physician and follow the doctor’s instructions.