Bronchial asthma, simply referred to as asthma, is a chronic airway inflammatory disease involving various cells and cellular components. It is typically characterized by widespread and variable reversible airway obstruction, leading to recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and (or) coughing, which often occur and intensify at night and (or) in the early morning. Most patients can alleviate the symptoms on their own or after conditioning. This disease falls within the category of "asthma" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the lung being the primary affected organ and related to other organs such as the spleen and kidney. The pathogenic factors are mainly phlegm.
During the acute phase, the Cold Whistling type:Rapid breathing, whistling sounds in the throat, a feeling of chest and diaphragm congestion as if stuffy, scanty and sticky white phlegm that is hard to cough up, no thirst or a preference for hot drinks, triggered by cold weather or exposure to cold, with symptoms of cold intolerance, chills, sneezing, and runny nose as signs of external cold; the tongue coating is white and smooth, and the pulse is taut and tight or floating and tight.
During the acute phase, the Heat Whistling type:Coarse breathing with a rushing sound, phlegm in the throat roaring like a growl, chest heaving with rib-side expansion, coughing in fits with a paroxysmal onset, coughing up yellow or white phlegm that is thick and turbid, difficult to expel, restlessness and discomfort, sweating, red face, bitter taste in the mouth, and a desire to drink; the tongue is red, with a yellow and greasy coating, and the pulse is taut and rapid or slippery and rapid.
During the remission phase, the Lung and Spleen Deficiency type:Shortness of breath with low voice, worsened by movement, or a mild whistling sound in the throat, coughing up thin and white phlegm, a pale complexion, spontaneous sweating and aversion to wind, susceptibility to colds, fatigue, lack of appetite, and loose stools; the tongue is pale with a white coating, and the pulse is thin and weak.
During the remission phase, the Lung and Kidney Qi Deficiency type:Chronic shortness of breath and wheezing, exacerbated by movement, difficulty inhaling, coughing up sticky and frothy sputum; or mild whistling in the throat, sore and weak waist and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, or aversion to cold and cold limbs, pale complexion, pale tongue, swollen and tender texture, pulse deep and thin; or flushed cheeks, hot flashes, sticky sweat, red tongue, little coating, and a thin and rapid pulse.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Maintain good eating habits, reduce the intake of pungent, sweet, greasy foods, and foods that may cause allergies. For those with allergic constitutions, avoid contact with allergens and foods that are likely to cause allergies. Strengthen physical exercise, keep warm, prevent colds, and quit smoking. 2. Dietary therapy recipe: Ginger, Perilla Leaf, and Brown Sugar Drink. 15 grams of fresh ginger, 10 grams of perilla leaves, 10 grams of brown sugar. First, wash the ginger and cut it into thin strips, wash the perilla leaves, combine the ginger strips with the leaves in a teacup, add boiling water, seal and soak for 10 minutes, then add brown sugar, mix well, and drink. Suitable for cold-type asthma. 3. In case of severe illness or persistent asthma, seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying treatment.