What condition is characterized by symptoms such as constipated dry stools, thirst, and cold body sensation?

The condition characterized by symptoms such as constipated dry stools, thirst, and a cold body sensation relates to the concept of "true excess with false deficiency." In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms indicate a situation where there is an accumulation of internal heat, which can lead to constipation and dryness in the stools. The thirst arises from the body's attempt to compensate for the heat that is drying out fluids.

The cold body sensation suggests a yin deficiency or a lack of warming energy within the body despite the presence of excess yang (heat). In TCM, this contradiction is termed "true excess with false deficiency"; the body feels cold and depleted even though there is an accumulation of excess heat, which creates a false sense of deficiency.

This understanding reflects the complexity of TCM diagnoses, where symptoms can seem paradoxical. The other options do not fully capture this duality of excess and deficiency present in the described symptoms, emphasizing why this choice aligns best with the described condition.