How does it manifest?

It may appear as the face feeling flushed while the feet are cold, or sweating above the chest while the abdomen feels cold. The patterns may also change over time.

If it is Sangyeol-Hahan, is the cause the same?

No. There are various possibilities such as menopause, thyroid issues, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, or vascular and nerve problems, so the cause is not determined by the name of the symptom alone.

Why is it important to know when and how it changes?

The causes to be examined differ depending on whether only the face flushes after meals or tension, whether the feet feel cold or burning at night, or whether it changes according to menstruation and sleep patterns. It is recommended to record the sensations of the upper and lower body at the same time.

What is checked in Korean medicine treatment?

The actual temperature and subjective feeling of the upper and lower body are examined along with sweating, thirst, digestion, bowel movements, and sleep. After necessary checks regarding the thyroid, blood vessels, and nerves, the sequence of Korean herbal medicine treatment is determined, whether to first resolve the upper heat or supplement the lower coldness.

Is it okay to excessively regulate only one side in daily life?

Making the entire body excessively cold due to facial heat, or applying strong heat for a long time due to cold feet, may worsen the discomfort on the opposite side. Please check the distribution and cause of symptoms first rather than applying extreme cold or heat stimuli.

For Sangyeol-Hahan, symptoms of the upper and lower body must be recorded separately

Sangyeol-Hahan is a Korean medicine term describing a pattern where different temperature sensations occur together, such as heat in the face and chest and coldness in the abdomen, waist, and legs. This does not mean the body's actual temperature is physically separated into upper and lower parts; we first check whether the upper and lower body symptoms occur at the same time.

Commonly confused terms and their differences: Having both facial heat and cold hands and feet does not automatically mean it is Sangyeol-Hahan. Flushes during the menopausal transition, thyroid, autonomic nervous system, vascular, or peripheral nerve issues, and the effects of medication may overlap. Therefore, the medical cause of each symptom is confirmed first, and then the overall pattern is interpreted in Korean medicine treatment.
Information to record before your visit: Mark the areas that feel hot and cold in different colors on the body diagram and write the start and end times of each symptom. By recording body temperature, skin color, sweating, numbness, and the relationship with menstruation, sleep, meals, posture, and exercise, as well as medications and recent tests, it can be determined if they occur simultaneously or sequentially.
Scope of this material: WHO data was used to define the scope of heat-cold syndrome terms including Sangyeol-Hahan, and MedlinePlus data was used to distinguish the scope of medical confirmation for flushing, heat sensitivity, and Raynaud's phenomenon. This term itself does not guarantee a disease diagnosis or treatment efficacy. In cases of unilateral blood flow abnormalities, paralysis, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, prompt medical evaluation must be prioritized.

Official References

Medical staff who wrote and reviewed this article

Choi Yeon-seung

Chief Director of Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic

The meaning of Sangyeol-Hahan, the scope of differential diagnosis, and patient guidance expressions have been reviewed. The last review date was August 25, 2026.

Graduated from Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine
Providing Korean medicine treatment since 2010
Symptom treatment from the perspective of heat-cold balance and constitution

Check medical evaluation criteria for my symptoms View full profile

Check the guides where these terms are used

Symptom and Disease GuideUpper-Heat Lower-Cold Syndrome

Heat and Cold ColumnThe meaning of facial heat sensation and Korean medicine treatment: How do we categorize heat that surges upward?

We explain the meaning of facial heat sensation (heat rising to the face, head, and chest) and provide guidance on the direction of Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments based on tension, digestion, deficiency heat, and the imbalance of upper heat and lower cold.

Heat and Cold ColumnWhy do I still feel coldness in my lower body even when test results are normal?

Beyond simple sensitivity to cold, we examine the Korean medicine causes of coldness in the lower body and toes, and provide self-check criteria and lifestyle management methods.

Medical GuideWhere should I start checking when sensations of heat and cold recur?

Even if there are no clear abnormalities in tests, recurring sensations of heat and cold are a definite discomfort. By gathering information on the area, time of day, duration, and accompanying changes such as sleep, sweat, and digestion, we can examine the branches of symptoms more precisely from the perspective of heat and cold and determine the direction of Korean medicine treatment.

Medical GuideWhat should I record before a consultation for heat or cold sensations?

Even if the cause was not revealed in tests, you can describe your discomfort in detail. By noting the onset time, location, times when symptoms worsen, and changes in sweating, numbness, dry mouth, or sleep, and by preparing previous test results and medications, we can more accurately examine the patterns of heat and cold and the direction of Korean medicine treatment.

Comparison of similar terms

Korean Medicine ConceptHan-yeol

Cold-Heat (Han-yeol) is a criterion for dividing the body's current tendency by looking not only at feelings of cold or heat, but also accompanying patterns such as thirst, sweating, digestion, and sleep. It does not mean the same thing as a single thermometer reading.

Korean Medicine ConceptHeat syndrome

Heat syndrome refers to a tendency where various body signals converge toward a 'hot' direction. It is not a disease name referring to fever caused by infection or thyroid disease, so necessary differential diagnosis is required first.

Korean Medicine ConceptHan-jeung

Cold syndrome (Han-jeung) refers to a tendency where various body signals lean toward a cold state. It is not a term used to describe diseases such as anemia, hypothyroidism, or vascular and nerve problems.