Phlegm-Fluids in the Lungs
Phlegm-Fluids in the Lungs
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Pale tongue with thick sticky white coating
Slippery (Hua), Soggy (Ru), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the coughing with white, watery, foamy and frothy sputum. It is more likely to occur to the elderly.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Phlegm is the result of overconsumption of greasy and dairy foods.
Excessive physical work harms the Spleen, Kidney and Lung Yang, which then causes Phlegm.
Pathological Mechanism
This pattern is similar to Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs. Both has the typical symptoms of Phlegm such as coughing, breathlessness, chest oppression, sputum, feeling of heaviness of the head and dizziness. Coughing and breathlessness happen because the Lung Qi can not descend accordingly. Chest oppression, sputum and head heaviness are due to Phlegm obstructing the chest, the throat and the head orifices.
As for the other aspects of the two pattern, Dampness is a type of Body Fluids that is like a mist. It can be causes by external Damp invasion for acute cases, while the chronic cases are mainly due to Spleen Qi or Kidney Yang Deficiency and the Dampness becomes internal.
Fluids (饮 Yin) is a type of Body Fluids that is very watery, dilute and frothy. It is lighter than Phlegm and but heavier than water. It usually happens only in chronic cases among the elderly. It is a result of long term Spleen, Lungs and Kidney Yang Deficiency. Therefore there are the symptoms of cold feeling and pale tongue.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Resolve Phlegm, tonify Spleen, Lung and Kidney Yang.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Avoid greasy and dairy foods.
Explore More Patterns
Browse all TCM patterns of disharmony