Coughing is a protective respiratory reflex action of the human body to clear secretions or foreign objects from the respiratory tract. Although it has its advantages, severe and prolonged coughing can lead to respiratory bleeding. It is important to differentiate between regular cough and cough variant asthma to prevent misdiagnosis. The treatment of cough should be based on the type of cough, and both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine can be used, with dietary therapy being the best option.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Coughing is caused by external pathogens or internal organ damage affecting the lungs, resulting in audible sounds and phlegm. This is described in the book "Plain Questions - Formation of the Five Organs" and "Plain Questions - Collection of Disease Mechanisms and Vital Qi Preservation": "Cough refers to the absence of phlegm but with sound, indicating lung qi damage and lack of clarity; while coughing is the absence of sound but with phlegm, caused by spleen dampness. Coughing refers to the presence of phlegm and sound, which is due to lung qi damage and spleen dampness. Coughing becomes cough."
Coughing can be caused by external pathogens invading the lungs or internal organ damage affecting the lungs. Each person may have different symptoms when coughing, such as yellow phlegm, white phlegm, or dry cough. In fact, these cough symptoms can be treated with massage.
1. Cough with Yellow Phlegm
Yellow phlegm indicates lung heat. The selected acupoints should have the function of clearing lung heat. The Yuji point is the Ying point of the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin, and the Shaoshang point is the Jing point of the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin. Both points have the effect of clearing lung heat.
The Yuji point is located in the middle of the palm, near the edge of the first metacarpal bone. When stimulating this point, press with the fingertip of the thumb, which will produce a noticeable soreness and fullness.
The Shaoshang point is the last point of the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin, located 0.1 cun beside the corner of the radial side of the thumb nail. Pressing this point can relieve lung heat. Due to the small size of the acupoint area, it is not easy to apply force, so the fingernail can be used to press. It may cause pain or even a burning sensation, which is normal. In addition to pressing, bloodletting with a three-edged needle can also be used. The bloodletting method can also treat sore throat. Interestingly, if bloodletting is done on one side of the Shaoshang point, the sore throat on the same side will be significantly relieved almost simultaneously.
Note that when stimulating these two acupoints, the manipulation must be stronger, as gentle manipulation is for tonification, while strong stimulation has a purgative effect.
2. Cough with White Phlegm
This is a typical cough caused by wind and cold, usually occurring in winter. The characteristics are cough, itchy throat, clear and thin phlegm, clear runny nose, white tongue coating, etc. To prevent cough caused by wind and cold, it is important to enhance the ability to resist cold.
When bowing, touch the highest protruding bone at the back of the neck. Just below this high bone is the Dazhui acupoint, where all the yang meridians of the body converge and yang qi gathers. Rubbing the Dazhui acupoint behind the neck with the palm of the hand until the skin becomes warm and red can help invigorate yang qi and resist external pathogens. If you can take a hot bath, use hot water to flush this area, even just use a hot towel to cover the Dazhui acupoint with steam, it can also resist the invasion of cold.
Of course, the characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine is to prevent diseases before they occur. Instead of finding ways to solve the problem after falling ill, it is better to completely prevent the occurrence of diseases. To fundamentally solve the trouble of cough, start from daily life and take good care of your lungs, which is much better than any effective treatment.
3. Dry Cough and Itchy Throat
Dry cough or itchy throat often indicates lung yin deficiency. The treatment should not only stop the cough but also nourish yin. The combination of Que and Zhaohai acupoints is a method of treating both the symptoms and the root cause.
Que is an extra point of the Lung Meridian, and its function is to stop coughing. Therefore, when there is a simple cough without other symptoms, pressing Que can relieve the symptoms of cough. How to find this acupoint? Cross your hands and straighten your wrists. Place your index finger on the side of your wrist, and you can feel a noticeable longitudinal fissure below the index finger bone. This is the Que acupoint, a very vivid name. Since the Que acupoint is located in a narrow bone cleft, it needs to be pressed with the fingertip of the thumb. Press for 3-5 minutes each time, 5-10 times a day.
Nursing Care:
1. Try not to use air conditioning at night, and if you do, set the temperature to around 25 degrees Celsius. It is best to wear socks.
2. Do not wear open-necked clothes to sleep. Pay attention to protecting the neck and shoulder joints.
3. Avoid walking barefoot at home. Wear slippers.
