Dyspnea - Chuan Zheng

Dyspnea is a breathing disorder which has shortness of breath where one cannot lay down flat, they must sit up to make breathing easier.  They raise their shoulders to breath, flapping of ala nazi , purple lips/tongue (pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema)  

Etiology (causes) of Dyspnea in TCM:

1. External pathogen  invades lung blocking respiratory tract (acute dyspnoea)

2. Internal pathogens  fluid/phlegm retention blocking respiratory tract

3. Emotion- all seven emotions cause stagnation of Qi  causes fluid retention or blood stasis

4. diet- spleen produces phlegm, phlegm blocks function of lung

5. deficiency - Lung and Kidney deficiency

Differentiate between:

Excess - more acute onset, rise shoulders, loud, rough sounding,

Deficient - onset slow, difficult to inhale, inhale is shallow, fast respiration, quiet sounding, agg by activity,

Asthma - difficulty catching breath with

WEEZING (disease),

Dyspnea - difficulty catching breath (symptoms)

Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment of Dyspnea 

Wind Cold Fullness in chest, rising shoulder, aversion to cold, shivering, sneezing, cough, runny nose, watery mucus, slight or no fever, no sweating, no thirst Tongue - thin white coat Pulse - floating, tense

Principle of Treatment:: pungent warm herbs

Herbal Medicine Formula: Ma Huang Tang

External Cold, Internal Fluid Retention Fluid retention in chest, distended chest, copious sputum

Principle of Treatment:: warm lung, expel cold, transform fluids

Herbal Medicine Formula: Xiao Qing Long Tong

Phlegm Damp in Lung Cough with yellow phlegm and dyspnoea, fullness in chest, nauseous, Tongue - white greasy coating Pulse - slippery, rapid

Principle of Treatment:: eliminate phlegm and damp, promote lung function

Herbal Medicine Formula: Er Chen Tang, San Zi Yang Qin

Wind Heat Invasion Wind heat superficial symptom and dyspnoea

Principle of Treatment: expel wind heat, promote lung function

Herbal Medicine Formula: Sang Jue Yin

Dry Heat in Lung Dry symptoms with dyspnoea, sore/dry throat, dry tongue, hoarse, fever Tongue - red, yellow coat P - rapid

Principle of Treatment: clear heat, lubricate lung

Herbal Medicine Formula: San Xing Tang

Accumulation of Phlegm Heat Full onset of Pneumonia, fever, thirst, yellow phlegm Tongue - thick sticky yellow coat Pulse - slippery, rapid

Principle of Treatment: clear heat, eliminate phlegm

Herbal Medicine Formula: Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang

Deficient Lung and Spleen Qi Shortness of breath, weak voice, bright white complexion, no appetite, loose stools, lung and spleen Qi deficiency signs Tongue - pale, puffy P - empty  

Principle of Treatment: Nourish spleen and Lung Qi

Herbal Medicine Formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Sheng Mai San

Kidney Yang Deficiency Shallow inhale, difficult to catch breath, kidney yang deficiency symptoms frequent urination, edema of lower extremities, coldness, cold/weak back Tongue - pale tongue Pulse - deep, thin

Principle of Treatment: warm up kidney yang Qi

Herbal Medicine Formula: Shen Qi Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency Reproductive system deficient symptoms, dry mouth at night, night sweats T- red, peeled Pulse - thin, rapid

Kidney Yin Deficiency

Principle of Treatment: nourish kidney yin

Herbal Medicine Formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Essence - Qi Wei Du Qi Wan Gasping - He Che Da Zao Wan