Focal Distention Of The Chest in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different focal distention of the chest patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Focal distention of the chest refers to a specific area of swelling, tightness, or pressure within the chest cavity. This sensation can vary in intensity and may be accompanied by discomfort or pain. It often indicates underlying issues that might involve cardiovascular, respiratory, or digestive systems. Understanding the precise nature and location of this distention helps in diagnosing the potential causes, which could range from muscular strain to more severe conditions like cardiac events or respiratory disorders.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives focal distention of the chest as a symptom arising from imbalances within the body's vital energy, or Qi, and its pathways. According to TCM, such distention typically results from disharmonies involving Phlegm, Heat, or Stagnant Qi disrupting the smooth flow of energy and Body Fluids.
Effective treatment in TCM requires a thorough diagnosis to understand which disharmonies are present, thereby guiding the use of specific herbal formulas and acupuncture to restore balance and alleviate symptoms.
TCM Patterns for Focal Distention Of The Chest
Phlegm
Causes: Focal distention, Focal distention of the chest
Phlegm-Heat
Focal distention
Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression
Damp-Phlegm
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Profuse white sputum, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Obesity, Swollen limbs, Abdominal fat
Phlegm in Chest
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Difficulty breathing in
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Damp-Cold Phlegm
Focal distention
Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Palpitations, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum, Upper respiratory tract infections, Chronic bronchitis, Emphysema, Goitre
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Focal distention
Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Profuse white sputum, Anorexia, Peptic ulcer, Chronic gastritis, Acid reflux, Abdominal pain, Bloated abdomen
Phlegm clogging the Lungs with Qi Stagnation
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia, Chronic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma, Emphysema, Childhood asthma, Diaphragm pain
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum, Hypertension
Heat
Causes: Focal distention, Focal distention of the chest
Phlegm-Heat
Focal distention
Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Focal distention
Along with: Severe constipation, Excessive gas and flatulence, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Abdominal tightness, Pancreatitis, Appendicitis, Cholecystitis, Bacillary dysentery, Icteric hepatitis
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum, Hypertension
Dampness
Causes: Focal distention, Focal distention of the chest
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Focal distention
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Damp-Phlegm
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Profuse white sputum, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Obesity, Swollen limbs, Abdominal fat
Damp-Cold Phlegm
Focal distention
Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Palpitations, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum, Upper respiratory tract infections, Chronic bronchitis, Emphysema, Goitre
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Focal distention
Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Profuse white sputum, Anorexia, Peptic ulcer, Chronic gastritis, Acid reflux, Abdominal pain, Bloated abdomen
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Focal distention of the chest
Phlegm clogging the Lungs with Qi Stagnation
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia, Chronic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma, Emphysema, Childhood asthma, Diaphragm pain
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Focal distention of the chest
Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum, Hypertension
Cold
Causes: Focal distention
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Focal distention
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Damp-Cold Phlegm
Focal distention
Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Palpitations, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum, Upper respiratory tract infections, Chronic bronchitis, Emphysema, Goitre
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Focal distention
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Focal distention
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Wind
Causes: Focal distention
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Focal distention
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Herbal Formulas for Focal Distention Of The Chest
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address focal distention of the chest
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Focal distention
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities...
Er Chen Tang
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen)
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Damp-Cold Phlegm
How it manifests:
Focal distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Palpitations, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum...
Damp-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Focal distention of the chest
Accompanying symptoms:
Profuse white sputum, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Obesity...
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
How it manifests:
Focal distention of the chest
Accompanying symptoms:
Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger...
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
How it manifests:
Focal distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Profuse white sputum, Anorexia, Peptic ulcer...
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Directs Rebellious Qi downwards
- Stops coughing
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat
How it manifests:
Focal distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Removes Dampness
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates pain
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach,
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Focal distention of the chest
Accompanying symptoms:
Profuse white sputum, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Obesity...
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Focal distention of the chest
Accompanying symptoms:
Profuse white sputum, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Obesity...
San Zi Yang Qin Tang
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Directs the Qi downward
- Transforms Phlegm
- Reduces harbored food
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Phlegm clogging the Lungs with Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Focal distention of the chest
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia, Chronic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma, Emphysema...
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Expands the chest
- Dissipates clumps
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Focal distention of the chest
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines
- Relieves constipation
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
How it manifests:
Focal distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Severe constipation, Excessive gas and flatulence, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Abdominal tightness, Pancreatitis...
Gua Di San
Addresses these focal distention of the chest patterns:
Main Actions
- Discharges Phlegm or food stagnation through vomiting
Addresses These Focal Distention Of The Chest Pattern Variations
Phlegm in Chest
How it manifests:
Focal distention of the chest
Accompanying symptoms:
Difficulty breathing in