Phlegm-damp obstructing the lung

　　The syndrome of phlegm-damp obstructing the lung refers to the symptoms manifested by phlegm-damp blocking the lung, which is often caused by spleen qi deficiency, long-term coughing that injures the lung, or being affected by external pathogens such as cold and dampness.External pathogens invade the lung, causing the lung to lose its normal ascending and descending function, the lung not distributing fluid, and eventually leading to phlegm-damp due to the accumulation of fluid over time; spleen qi deficiency leads to the failure of fluid distribution, and dampness condenses into sputum, accumulating in the lung; or long-term coughing injures the lung, weakening the lung's function of distributing fluid, leading to disease due to the accumulation of dampness. All three reasons can lead to phlegm-damp obstructing the lung..

　　Severe patients with phlegm-damp obstructing the lung may experience difficulty breathing. Pneumonia is completely curable, but improper treatment or delay in treatment may be life-threatening. Especially for elderly patients, due to insufficient lung qi, when sputum secretion increases, they may not have the strength to cough it out, which can cause sputum thrombosis in the lungs and lead to difficulty breathing. Therefore, elderly patients should receive active treatment to keep the respiratory tract unobstructed.

　　The clinical manifestations of patients with phlegm-damp obstructing the lung include cough with a large amount of sputum, sticky in nature, white in color, easy to expectorate, chest tightness, and a series of respiratory system symptoms, and even asthma with sputum wheezing, pale tongue with white greasy coating, and slippery pulse.

　　What should be paid attention to in the prevention of phlegm-damp obstructing the lung? Briefly described as follows:

　　1. Pay attention to keeping warm and preventing cold in daily life. When there is a change in weather, change clothes in time. People with weak bodies are recommended to take drugs such as Yu Ping Feng San regularly to prevent external infections.

　　2. Quit smoking and avoid inhaling dust and all toxic or irritating gases.

　　3. Strengthen physical exercise to enhance physical fitness.

　　4. Pay attention to concentration during eating or feeding. Patients should chew slowly and avoid talking while eating to prevent food from being aspirated into the lungs.

　　The examinations for phlegm-damp obstructing the lung include sputum culture, routine sputum examination, sputum volume, sputum odor, sputum characteristics, and sputum color. X-ray examination can exclude other lung diseases, and traditional Chinese medicine examination can diagnose the disease.

　　What should be paid attention to in the dietary care of patients with phlegm and dampness obstructing the lung? Briefly described as follows:

　　One, try to avoid eating poultry, fried foods, candies, and desserts.

　　Two, do not eat too much greasy food. Avoid excessive animal products and smoked or fried foods.

　　Three, do not eat too salty. Many facts have proven that eating light food is beneficial to health.

　　Four, eat more phlegm-resolving foods.

　　1. Pear. Cold, it has the effects of moistening the lungs, resolving phlegm, relieving cough, and reducing fire;

　　2. White radish. Cold, it has the effects of smoothing Qi, resolving phlegm, relieving cough, and clearing heat and detoxifying;

　　3. Lily. Slightly cold, it has the effects of moistening the lungs and relieving cough;

　　4. Water chestnut. Cold and slippery, it has the effects of clearing heat, resolving phlegm, invigorating Qi, promoting appetite, and digesting food;

　　5. Silver ear fungus. Neutral, it can resolve phlegm and relieve cough;

　　6. Almond. Warm, it can moisten the lungs, relieve cough, resolve phlegm, (almond has slight toxicity, not suitable for long-term use);

　　7. White fungus (gingko). Warm, it can warm the lungs, invigorate Qi, relieve cough, remove phlegm, (white fungus has certain toxicity, be cautious, not suitable for children);

　　8. Tangerine peel (chen pi). Warm, it can regulate Qi, dry dampness, resolve phlegm, relieve cough, and improve digestion;

　　9. Seaweed skin (salt-free). Warm, it can soften hard substances and resolve phlegm;

　　10. Maltose. Sweet and warm, it can moisten the lungs and relieve cough.

　　The following is a brief description of the Western medical treatment methods for phlegm and dampness obstructing the lung:

　　1. Antimicrobial therapy: also known as 'root treatment', this is the most important. Special attention should be paid to the correct and rational use of antibiotics.

　　2. General supportive therapy: including adequate intake of calories, nutrition, and protein, maintaining the balance of water and electrolytes in the body.

　　3. Treatment of the primary disease and enhancement of immunity: For example, obstructive pneumonia caused by diabetes or tumors should be actively controlled.

　　4. If the pathogen causing pneumonia invades the lung through the blood circulation from the primary focus, it should be eliminated and treated promptly.

　　5. If there are complications such as shock or empyema in pneumonia, proactive treatment should be anticipated.

　　6. Symptomatic treatment: adequate rest, oxygen therapy, expectoration, antipyretics, and more.