Table 1

The 63 symptoms in the data set

No.

Symptom

1

Chills

2

Cold limbs

3

Dampness-heat

4

Feverish palms and soles

5

Spontaneous sweating

6

Night sweat

7

Palpitation

8

Chest distress

9

Chest pain

10

Short breath/dyspnea/suffocation

11

Edema

12

Hypodynamia

13

Dysphoria

14

Paroxysmal night dyspnea

16

Amnesia

16

Dizziness

17

Tinnitus

18

Mouth and tongue sore

19

Cough

20

Cough with sputum

21

Hiccup

22

Acid regurgitation

23

Gastric stuffiness

24

Gastralgia

25

Epigastric upset

26

Nausea and vomiting

27

Heavy breathing

28

Lateral thorax distending pain

29

Abdomen distending pain

30

Soreness and weakness of waist and knees

31

Numbness of hands and feet

32

Body soreness

33

Thirsty and dry pharynx

34

Absence of thirst and no desire for water drink

35

Intake of fluid failing resolve thirst

36

Like cold drink

37

Like hot drink

38

Poor appetite and less amount of food

39

Always hungry

40

Hunger without desire to eat

41

Bitter taste

42

Mucosity in mouth

43

Tastelessness in mouth

44

Loose stool

45

Water like stool

46

Diarrhea with undigested food

47

Diarrhea in the morning

48

Stool sometimes sloppy and sometimes bound

49

Constipation

50

Dry stool like sheep feces

51

Non-smooth defecation or tenesmus

52

Clear urine in large amounts

53

Dark urine

54

Frequent micturition

55

Deficient urine

56

Stranguria

57

Urinating burning heat

58

Dribble of urine

59

The frequent and increased urination at night

60

Aggravating gloom

61

Sleepiness

62

Impetuosity and susceptibility to rage

63

Easily frightened and scared

Li et al. Chinese Medicine 2012 7:9   doi:10.1186/1749-8546-7-9