Noisy Breathing in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different noisy breathing patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Noisy breathing, also known as sonorous breathing or respiratory rattling, is a condition characterized by audible sounds during the breathing process. This phenomenon occurs when air passages are partially obstructed or when there is an accumulation of fluids in the airways. The sounds can range from a soft whistle to a loud gurgle, depending on the underlying cause and severity. Noisy breathing can be a symptom of various respiratory conditions, including infections, allergies, or chronic lung diseases. In some cases, particularly in end-of-life situations, a specific type of noisy breathing called the "death rattle" may occur due to the inability to clear secretions from the throat or upper chest. While noisy breathing can be alarming for patients and caregivers, it's important to note that it doesn't always indicate a serious condition and may sometimes resolve on its own.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches noisy breathing through the lens of pattern diagnosis, a fundamental concept that distinguishes it from Western medical approaches. In TCM, noisy breathing is seen as a manifestation of underlying imbalances within the body's energy systems, particularly involving the Lung and Heart.
This holistic view considers not just the audible symptom itself, but how it relates to overall bodily functions, energy flow, and organ interactions. Identifying the correct pattern is crucial because it guides the entire treatment strategy. For noisy breathing, patterns might involve Phlegm accumulation, Wind invasion, or Heat disturbances affecting the Lungs and Heart. By addressing these root patterns, TCM aims to restore balance and improve respiratory function more comprehensively than treating the symptom in isolation.
TCM Patterns for Noisy Breathing
Phlegm
Causes: Rattling sound in the throat
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia, Noisy breathing, Vomit
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Wind-Phlegm
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Mind Disturbance
Causes: Rattling sound in the throat
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia, Noisy breathing, Vomit
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Heat
Causes: Rattling sound in the throat
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Wind
Causes: Rattling sound in the throat, Sonorous breathing
Wind-Phlegm
Rattling sound in the throat
Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Sonorous breathing
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Sonorous breathing
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Sonorous breathing
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Cold
Causes: Sonorous breathing
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Sonorous breathing
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Dampness
Causes: Sonorous breathing
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Sonorous breathing
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Herbal Formulas for Noisy Breathing
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address noisy breathing
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Sonorous breathing
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities...
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Zhi Bao Dan
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Resolves toxicity
- Transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Hui Chun Dan
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Arrests spasms and convulsions
- Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Sedates the Heart
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Fire
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Di Tan Tang
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Removes Phlegm
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Gun Tan Wan
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains Fire and Phlegm
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Su He Xiang Wan
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and aromatically opens the sensory orifices
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Transforms turbidity
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Ding Zhi Wan
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Pacifies timidity
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Addresses these noisy breathing patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries and dissolves Phlegm
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Soothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic)
- Clear Dampness
Addresses These Noisy Breathing Pattern Variations
Wind-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Rattling sound in the throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness