Dampness is a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine that basically refers to an abnormal state of the body's energy that results in a pathological accumulation of fluid-type stuff. Dampness has obvious physical manifestations: mucus and phlegm are examples of dampness in the body, so a runny nose, coughing up phlegm, or feeling congested are all related to dampness. Other obvious examples would be goopey eyes, any sort of discharge or pus, or post-nasal drip.
 
These examples of dampness all relate to fluid-type stuff that we can see and feel. And the above examples refer to dampness in the head or chest. But dampness can also occur in our middle and lower bodies, too, and sometimes these manifestations are not as visible to an untrained eye. Dampness is heavy, sluggish, thick, and kind of grimy. Healthy fluids are not dampness. Therefore, dampness in the middle of the body may manifest as weight gain, a slow metabolism, and, not to get too graphic, chronically watery or sticky stools. Dampness can also affect our reproductive and genitourinary systems – for women, medical conditions like PCOS, Ovarian Cyst, Fibroid, or excessive discharge are often related to dampness. For men, some prostate issues have a damp component. Cloudy urination is also a product of dampness in the bladder.

 
Overall, feelings of heaviness, sluggishness, and lethargy can be linked to dampness in our system. Dampness can settle in our emotional being and cause fuzzy-headedness, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating. Some panic disorders are related to dampness in the emotional center.
 
Dampness can also settle in our joints. Chronic joint pain that tends to be worse with rainy weather often has a damp component – also really any time there is edema and swelling, dampness is playing a role.