Detailed Explanation of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment for Asthma (1)

Wind asthma and other asthmatic conditions, as well as all illnesses, occur when internal factors go wrong and allow external pathogens to invade the body, which can also be described as a susceptibility. For example, in wind asthma, when healthy qi is insufficient and turbid phlegm obstructs the lungs, wind pathogens easily invade, leading to blockage of lung qi and failure of dispersing and descending, which manifests as asthma. The main cause is wind pathogens, and it has the characteristics of wind, such as coming and going suddenly; when it arrives, there is first itching in the ears, nose, throat, and even the eyes.

This is followed by nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, chest tightness, rapid breathing, wheezing with sound, coughing with rushing breath, and sticky and abundant phlegm. Tongue diagnosis may show a thick turbid or turbid greasy tongue coating, and pulse diagnosis reveals a slippery and excess pulse. These signs indicate excessive phlegm and excess qi. Treatment should dispel wind and cleanse phlegm, descend qi and calm wheezing. The main formula often selected is Sanzi Yangqin Tang with additions. If during treatment there is severe wheezing and abundant phlegm making it impossible to lie flat, Tinglizi, Zhuyazao, etc. can be added, and Kongxian Dan may also be given as appropriate to purge the lungs and remove phlegm.

In wind asthma, if wind qi is relatively severe, Fangfeng, Cangercao, Suye, Chanyi, Dilong, etc. can be added to the main formula; this is the treatment method for excess patterns with branch excess. If it is a deficiency pattern, namely deficiency wind asthma, the symptoms may include wheezing sounds like snoring, short and rapid breathing, inability to move, with wheezing especially severe upon movement. These symptoms often recur, and in severe cases may last for many days, with cyanosis of the nails and lips, clear thin or sticky phlegm, and shortness of breath and weakness.

Long-standing illness leading to deficiency is one of the causes of deficiency wind asthma, meaning various excess wind asthma patterns will also transform into deficiency wind asthma after prolonged illness, or a mixture of deficiency and excess. Patients often also show a pale complexion, or red cheeks with purple lips, dry throat and thirst, irritability and heat, or cold body and limbs, tongue diagnosis showing a pale or reddish, dark purple tongue, and a deep thin or thin rapid pulse, etc. At this point, there is both phlegm and qi stagnation, and damage has already occurred to the lungs and kidneys, or multiple organs including the lungs, spleen, and kidneys.