Asthma is an episodic allergic pulmonary disease characterised by paroxysmal attacks of breathlessness, tightness in chest and wheezing (noisy sound produced by long drawn out breathing), all due to the attacks of narrowing of the bronchial (wind-pipe) airways. Asthma attacks may come on suddenly, and they can last from 15 minutes to more than a day. They are frequently triggered by allergies to particles in the air, including pollen, dust, mold, or bits of animal skin called dander. Smoke, exercise, cold air, some foods, emotional upset, a common cold and according to new research, impaired lung muscles can also spark asthma. In a small percentage of people with asthma, aspirin can prompt an attack. In asthma, muscle spasms and swelling in the branches of the windpipe that carry air to and from the lungs constrict the airways and block the flow of air you need to breathe comfortably. Excess mucus (phlegm) may further clog the airways. As a result, patients have to gasp for breath.

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TCM's evaluation of healing effect on such disease. Many Asthma are successfully treated by TCM's treatment, it is more effective than other kind of treatments. Generally, it takes about two or three weeks to treatment; however, the acupuncture may release the difficulty breathing.

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Syndrome (a)
Asthma of Cold Type

A feeling of fullness and distress in the chest, shortness of breath with wheezing sound in the throat,cough with sputum, frequent attacks in cold seasons or caused by cold, whitish, moist and glossy fur of the tongue, taut and tight pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Ventilating the lung and expelling pathogenic (disease producing) cold, eliminating phlegm to relieve asthma.

Prescription/Formula: Belamcanda and Ephlera Decoction with additional ingredients. Belamcanda rhizome (She gan), Ephlera (Ma huang), Pinellia tuber (Ban xia), Fresh ginger (Sheng jiang ), bitter apricot kernel (Xin ren), Perilla fruit (Shu zi), at 10 g each; Aster root (Zhi yuan), Coltsfoot flower (Kuan dong hua), Schisandra fruit (Da zao), at 12 g each; Asarum herb (Xi xin) 3 g.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Ventilating the lung and expelling pathogenic cold, eliminating phlegm to relieve asthma

Prescription: Shanzhong (RN19), Lieque ((LU7), Feishu (BL13), Fenglong (ST 40),Dazhui (DU14), Fengmen (BL12).

  

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Syndrome (b)
Asthma of Heat Type

Dyspnea (shortness of breath) with wheezing, irritable oppressed sensation in the chest even gasping for breath, yellowish mucoid (full of phlegm) sputum, thirst, frequent occurrence in hot seasons or onset closely associated with heat, reddened tongue with yellow greasy fur and a rapid pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Removing heat-phlegm and facilitating the flow of the lung qi to relieve asthma.

Prescription/Formula: Modified prescriptions of decoction of Ephedre, Apricot kernel, Gypsum and Licorice. Ephedre (Ma huang), bitter Apricot kernel (Xin ren), Perilla fruit (Shu zi), Iepidium seed (Ting li zi), Sichuan fritillary bulb (Chuan bei mu), Licorice root (Gan cao) at 10 g each; Gypsum (Sheng shi gao )30 g; Mulberry bark (Shang bai pi ), earthworm (Di long), Trichosanthes seed (Gua lou) at 15 g each.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Removing heat-phlegm and facilitating the flow of the lung qi to relieve asthma.

Prescription: Shanzhong (RN19), Lieque ((LU7), Feishu (BL13), Fenglong (ST 40),Dazhui (DU14), Chize (LU5), Fenglong (ST40).

  

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Syndrome (c)
Asthma of Deficiency Type

Chronic and recurrent attacks for a long time, constant minor and persistent asthma at ordinary times, The sound of cough being low and weak, palpitation (noticeable and irregular heartbeat) and shortness of breath,spontaneous perspiration and aversion to wind, general ill health, pale tongue with little fur, and weak pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Tonifying the lung and spleen, improving inspiration to relieve asthma.

Prescription/Formula: Powder of Ginseng and ecko with additional ingredients. Ginseng(Ren shen) 10 g; Gecko (Ge jie ) 3 g;Walnut kernel ( hu tao ), Ophiopogon root ( Mai dong ), Schisandra fruit (Wu wei zi ), Astrandra fruit ( Huang qi ), Cordyceps ( dong chong xia cao ), Lily bulb ( Bai he ), Iili bulb ( fu lin ), red Tangerine peel (jue hong ) at 12 g each; Prepared licorice root ( Gan cao ) 6 g. All the above drugs except gecko are tobe decocted in water for oral administration.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Tonifying the lung and spleen, improving inspiration to relieve asthma.

Prescription: Shanzhong (RN19), Feishu (BL13), Dazhui (DU14), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Lieque (LU7), Dingchuan (Ex17).

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies

For effect of Qigong on the Digestive System, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

• Static Qigong:
  Inner-Nourishing Qigong
  Six-Character Formula
  Breathing Exercise Qigong
  Standing Qigong
  
• Dynamic Qigong:
  Fifteen Sets of Taiji-Qigong
  Hua Tuo's Frolics of Five Animals
  Taiji
  
• Specific Dynamic Qigong:
  Regulating-Lung Qigong.
  

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

(c) Life style
1) Stay away from smoke and smokers, If you smoke, quit.
2) Stay indoors, if possible,when air pollution and pollen counts are high.
3) In cold weather, breathe through your nose and cover your nose and mouth with a scarf.
4) Keep your house as dust-free as possible.
5) Get bedding that is made of nonallergenic materials.
6) Stick with pets that don't have hair or fur.
7) Take a Qi-gong or Tai-ji class, It can help relax you.
8) Lower your risk of colds and flu by washing your hands often and by getting a flu shot every year.
9) Don't lie down, you can breathe better if you sit upright and lean forward slightly.
10) Remain calm and quiet. Anxiety makes the symptoms worse.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.