Lung Heat
Lung Heat
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Diagnostic Signs
Red tongue with yellow coating
Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the feeling of heat, coughing and red tongue.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Lung Heat can be acute or chronic. When it is acute, it normally develops from External Pathogenic Factor invasion. It then accumulates and becomes Internal Heat. It can also become chronic Lung Heat if the acute condition is not treated well for a long period of time.
Lung Heat can be acute or chronic. When it is chronic, it often develops from overconsumption of hot and rich diet. In additional to that, tobacco is also considered hot in TCM and contributes to the pattern.
Pathological Mechanism
Lung Heat can be acute or chronic.
When acute, it is one of the five patterns of the Qi level, the second level of the Four Levels theory. In that case, it is caused by external invasion of the Lungs by Wind-Heat. The patients usually suffer from flaring of nostrils because the Lungs open to the nose. There might be fever as well.
Chronic cases are often develop from not completely recovered Wind invasion or retention of Internal Heat. It can be identified by a red tip of the tongue.
Lung Heat disturbs the descending of Lung Qi and thus coughing or breathlessness happens. Other typical symptoms include thirst, red face and a feeling of heat. There are also chest pain due to obstruction of chest by Heat.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Clear Lung Heat, restore the descending of Lung Qi.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Avoid hot and rich foods. Avoid smoking.
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