Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
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Diagnostic Signs
Sticky white coating
Slippery (Hua), Floating (Fu)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the aversion to cold, sudden swelling of eye and face, fever and Floating-Slippery pulse.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Pathological Mechanism
This Exterior pattern is similar to Wind-Cold invading the Lungs, but there are also Dampness related symptoms in addition. It is because the water passages controlling function of the Lungs are damaged and it causes symptoms like facial or eye swelling.
The Wind, Cold and Damp obstruct the Lungs' Defensive Qi so that it can not go downwards properly, hence the coughing and slight breathlessness. Body Fluids also fails to descend properly and it gives rise to scanty urination below and facial edema on top. The obstructed Qi also harms Yang, thus the pale urine color and bright shiny face.
The Circulation of Defense Qi is disturbed so that it can not be dispersed to the space between the skin and muscles to warm them. Therefore the patients dislike cold and windy environment.
The Defense Qi reacts to the Wind-Cold-Damp invasion and it causes fever. This TCM concept is very similar to how the immune system reacts to bacteria or virus attack in Western Medicine.
The sticky tongue coating and Slippery pulse indicates Dampness.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Release the Exterior, expel Cold, resolve Dampness, restore the descending of Lung Qi and open the Water passages.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Avoid being in an damp, windy and cold environment.
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