» conventional diagnoses: chronic bronchitis; bronchial asthma; bronchiectasis; pleurisy
» etiology: predisposed by Xu (Deficiency) of Spleen Qi and/or Spleen Yang; recurrent attacks of exogenous pathogenic factors weaken Lung and Spleen and lead to formation of Phlegm which subsequently settles in the Lung, e.g., sequelae to pertussis in children; excess dietary consumption of greasy foods and/or Cold and raw foods leads to formation of Phlegm and may thus contribute to this pattern.
signs and symptoms
signs and syptoms:
chronic episodic cough
shortness of breath
profuse white expectorant
asthma with copious phlegm
wheezing
rattling sounds in the throat or chest
chest and flank soreness and distension
aversion to lying down
breathing difficulty increases with lying down
white pasty complexion
» pulse: slippery or weak-floating and fine
» tongue: thick sticky white coating
course and prognosis
» principle of treatment: resolve Phlegm; tonify the Lung; restore the Lung's descending function; tonify the Spleen
» therapeutic note: if there is Heat, see Lung Obstructed by Phlegm-Heat
differential diagnosis
footnotes