THE AIRWAY PASSAGES IN THE LUNGS, called bronchi, are susceptible to viral and bacterial infections. Following a common cold or flu, the pathogen often settles in the bronchi, causing an acute infection called bronchitis. Severe cough, mild fever, and chest tightness and pain accompanied by fatigue and exhaustion are common symptoms. Over 90 percent of acute bronchitis is caused by viral infections that do not respond to antibiotics. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is often associated with smokers, people with asthma, immune-compromised individuals, and the elderly. 

 

In Chinese medicine, respiratory infections are classified as heat in the lungs due to exterior pathogens. Weakened immunity as a result of lung-large intestine network deficiency is considered in chronic cases. Bronchitis is often remedied first with cupping, a practice using suction cups on the upper back, and acupuncture to relax the bronchial constriction and relieve the cough. These treatments are followed by fast-acting herbal therapy to remove the pathogen, clear the lungs, and further subdue the cough. For chronic bronchitis, it is also essential to support the healthy functioning of the lung, stomach, and kidney networks, and to provide dietary and lifestyle advice. Stopping smoking is a must.

 

Many cases of chronic bronchitis are caused by stomach imbalance. For example, a woman came to me after suffering from chronic bronchitis for more than two years. She took various medications and used inhalers but still had a constant cough. I discovered that she also suffered from indigestion and postnasal drip. I decided to tackle the postnasal drip and the acid reflux first, in other words, I wanted to support the spleen-pancreas stomach network to stop mucus production and to re-balance acid production. As soon as her indigestion and postnasal drip cleared up, her two-year-old bronchitis went away. Chronic bronchitis is a serious condition that requires a collaborative effort. In these cases I work with pulmonary specialists to develop and administer comprehensive treatment plans integrating Western and Eastern medicine.