Lung Syndromes Pathology

Question 1

Lung Qi Xu (deficient condition)

Slight shortness of breath,

weak voice,

easily catches cold.

Tiredness,

slight cough, watery sputum,

dislike of speaking,

spontaneous daytime sweating,

dislikes cold,

pale white complexion,

inappropriate grief

Answer 1

Lungs govern qi and respiration so deficiency of qi leads to shortness of breath

descending function of lungs is impaired. leading to slight cough

Zong qi (gathering qi) is weak so voice is weak with dislike of speaking

Wei Qi (defensive qi) is weak so catches cold easily

Sweating as wei qi holds in the fluids

Feeling cold as lung qi isn’t warming the body.

Sever lung qi xu also includes a degree of lung yang xu which is why the treatment principles include warming lung yang

Question 2

Lung Yin Xu (deficient condition)

Dry cough with scanty sputum

Dry mouth and throat

Feeling of heat in the afternoon nd evening

Weak and hoarse voice

dislike of speaking

tickly throat

malar flush

night sweats

5 palm heat

inappropriate grief

Answer 2

Dry throat and mouth due to deficient fluids not moistening the body

Weak voice and dislike of speaking due to zong qi (gathering qi) being weak as a result of weak lung qi

All other symps due to yin deficiency empty heat

Question 3

Lung Dryness (deficient condition)

Dry cough,

dry throat,

dry skin,

hoarse voice

Answer 3

All symps due to dryness in the lung. Body fluids are deficient but is the yin not yet deficient.

Question 4

Invasion of the Lung by Wind Cold (excess condition)

Aversion to wind or cold,

Sneezing

Fever

Cough,

Itchy throat

Stuffy runny nose with clear mucus

slight breathlessness

occipital headaches

body aches

Answer 4

Aversion to cold due to obstruction of the couli by wind so wei qi cannot circulate and warm the muscles

Headaches and body aches again due to wei qi not circulating properly

Fever results from the fight between the wei qi and the exterior wind, but may not be present if the pathogenic factor is not too strong

Cough, sneezing, blocked/running nose due to weak qi impairing descending function

Question 5

Invasion of the Lung by Wind Heat (full condition)

Fever

Aversion to cold

Sore throat

Cough

Stuffy nose, runny nose with yellow mucus

sneezing

headaches

body aches

slight sweating

thirst

swollen tonsils

Answer 5

As with wind cold but with heat

More often a fever

Aversion to cold as defensive qi (wei qi) is obstructed by pathogenic factor in the couli and so cannot circulate and warm the muscles

Heat dries up the fluids resulting in thirst and dry throat

Question 6

Invasion of the Lung by wind damp (excess condition)

Aversion to cold

Sneezing

feeling of heaviness in the body

stuffy runny nose with profuse white or clear mucus

Muzzy feeling in the head

feeling of stuffiness in the chest

poor appetite

loose stools, mucus in stools

bloating

Answer 6

Aversion to cold as defensive qi (wei qi) is obstructed by pathogenic factor in the couli and so cannot circulate and warm the muscles

Sneezing, blocked/running nose due to weak qi impairing descending function

Other symptoms are due to damp which also hinders the function of the Spleen - the transportation and transportation of food causing digestive issues

Question 7

Damp Phlegm obstructing the Lung (excess condition)

Chronic cough coming in bouts

Profuse white sputum - easy to expectorate

Phlegm in the throat

stuffiness in the chest

Shortness of breath

wheezing

dislike of lying down

White pasty complexion

feeling clogged up

feeling of heaviness

muzziness or dizziness in head

Answer 7

Sputum, dislike of lying down, stuffiness, wheezing, feeling of heaviness, muzziness and dizziness due to phlegm in the chest and the head.

Damp nature of phlegm makes it easy to expectotrate.

Cough, shortness of breath due to weak qi impairing descending function

Usually underlying sp qi xu characterised by pasty completion due to the phlegm and damp

Question 8

Damp Heat obstructing the Lung (full condition)

Barking cough with sticky profuse yellow green or dark sputum

phlegm in the throat

shortness of breath

wheezing

Stuffiness in chest

Feeling of heat

thirst

insomnia

agitation

heaviness and muzziness of the head

dizziness

Answer 8

Similar to damp phlegm obstructing the lung - underlying sp qi xu combines with heat to condense the damp leading to phlegm.

With acute cases, when exterior wind heat is not expells it penetrates the interior. The path factor disrupts the qi mechanism and leads to the production of phlegm. In chronic cases the phlegm results from a dysfunction of the Lungs Spleen and kidneys. Cough is due to failure of the descending function