At the turn of winter and spring, a variety of respiratory diseases are prevalent, and many people have symptoms of coughing up sputum. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that as the condition improves, the symptoms of visible phlegm gradually disappear, but there are still invisible phlegm that may remain in the body, bringing hidden dangers to health. Recently, some experts reminded: Don't take phlegm cough seriously.
What is Invisible Phlegm?
Tangible phlegm: It usually refers to the fluid secreted by the respiratory tract when it is stimulated, also called sputum, such as yellow phlegm, white phlegm, etc.
Invisible phlegm: refers to the invisible phlegm that accumulates or flows between the organs and tissues of the body when the water and fluid infusion and transportation in the body are abnormal, such as phlegm dampness.
What diseases can be caused by phlegm dampness?
Since ancient times, there has been a saying in Chinese medicine that "all diseases are caused by phlegm". Nowadays, the diet is rich, many people like to eat fat and sweet taste, less exercise, metabolism declines, water and fluid accumulation are micro-accumulated, and it is easy to form phlegm and dampness. Long-term stagnation of phlegm and dampness in different parts of the body can cause a variety of diseases.
Phlegm dampness in the lungs. Symptoms: cough, sputum production, wheezing, breathlessness.
Causes of illness: pneumonia, cor pulmonale, heart failure, tracheitis.
Phlegm damp in the heart. Symptoms: chest tightness, breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, irritability, insomnia, confusion, speech difficulties, coma.
Diseases that can be caused: coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, psychological or psychiatric disorders.
Phlegm dampness in the spleen and stomach.
Symptoms: greasy tongue, obesity, loose stools, swollen feet, diarrhea, oily slime, drowsiness and fatigue, sticky mouth.
Diseases that can be caused: gastroenteritis, hyperlipidemia.
Phlegm dampness in the liver and gallbladder.
Symptoms: flank distention, bitter mouth, dry throat, irritability, dry stools, abdominal distention.
Diseases that can be caused: cholecystitis, gallstones.
Phlegm dampness on the head. Symptoms: dizziness, headache, heavy head, memory loss, tinnitus, hearing loss, lethargy, poor limb movement.
Diseases that can be caused: hemiplegia after stroke, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral arteriosclerosis.
Phlegm dampness in the limbs.
Diseases that can be caused: arthritis, hyperostosis, history disease.
Phlegm dampness in the epidermis.
Symptoms: **Itching, acne, hives, eczema, pimples, rashes.
Causeable diseases: allergic diseases, dermatitis, lipomas, neurofibromas, dermatomyositis.
How is phlegm dampness generated?
The spleen is the source of phlegm - the spleen is not healthy.
The production of phlegm and dampness is mostly related to the dysfunction of spleen transport. If the spleen is mainly transported, it can transport water and food, if it is lost in the ability to transport and transfer, then the fluid shall not be infused with cloth, and it will gather into dampness, and the dampness will turn into phlegm after a long time, and the dampness will become phlegm.
The lungs are the reservoir of phlegm – the lungs are insufficient.
The lungs are the place where phlegm and drinking are stagnant, and when the lungs are dysfunctional, such as lung qi deficiency or external wind and cold, the lungs cannot transpire normally, and the water stays in the lungs and gathers into phlegm.
The kidneys are the foundation of phlegm production - kidney yang deficiency.
The kidney is the foundation of yin and yang in the human body, and kidney yang plays a warming and biochemical role in the viscera and tissues. When the kidney yang is insufficient, it will affect the movement of the spleen and stomach, and then produce phlegm and dampness.
How to get rid of phlegm and dampness in daily life?
Eat modestly: eat on time, and don't overfill each meal. The diet is healthy and reasonable, and pay attention to the proportion of vegetables, meat, etc.
Proper exercise: Exercise can promote the movement of the spleen and stomach, and help to remove phlegm and dampness.
Regulate emotions: Poor emotions can easily damage the spleen and stomach, leading to the formation of phlegm and dampness.
A common prescription for expectorant dampness in traditional Chinese medicine: Erchen decoction.
Tangerine peel, banxia, poria cocos, boiled licorice, ginger, black plum, decoction and take. It has the functions of rational qi and phlegm, spleen and dampness. When using it, it is necessary for the doctor to make appropriate adjustments according to the specific condition and on this basis.
*: CCTV Finance).
Editor: Fu Ying].
*: CCTV Finance).