Asthma is a disease that troubles many people. As friends and family of asthma patients know well, when an asthma attack occurs, it can be very severe and often leads to sleepless nights, with difficulty finding a comfortable position. In some extreme cases, an asthma attack can be fatal within a short period, separating a person from their loved ones.
How should we provide first aid during an asthma attack, and what daily measures can help eliminate the root causes? Today, we will share some health tips for asthma and persistent coughs as introduced in the Human Body Manual.
Asthma is a disease that causes great distress. Famous Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng passed away due to suffocation caused by asthma. The danger of asthma lies in its ability to cause death within a very short period. People with asthma often appear healthy just an hour before an attack but can be separated from life shortly after. This sudden impact is difficult for family members to bear. However, with our health maintenance methods, there are many examples of patients recovering completely.
First Aid for Asthma Attacks
When a patient has an asthma attack, acupuncture or massaging the Tai Chong acupoint (located on the foot) should be done immediately, followed by a downward massage on the chest to help open the airways.
In addition to these emergency first aid methods, regular maintenance is essential. You should massage the liver and kidney meridians two to three times per week, spending three minutes on each major acupoint. To address the root cause, a three-step long-term health regimen, focused on nourishing blood and energy, can lead to a full recovery over time.
The Origins of Asthma
Asthma occurs when the airways, especially at the tracheal opening, are blocked by excessive phlegm, preventing the normal flow of air.
In mild cases, there is less phlegm, leading to coughing. In severe cases, there is more phlegm, resulting in wheezing (asthma).
There are two essential factors for the formation of this condition:
- Phlegm-producing organs
- Liver qi that pushes the phlegm upwards
Most people or doctors assume that asthma-related phlegm comes from the lungs. However, according to Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine), all of the body’s organs can produce phlegm, leading to asthma symptoms. Here, we will only discuss asthma caused by the lungs and the digestive system (stomach and intestines).
Phlegm from the Lungs and Stomach
According to our experience, asthma caused by the lungs and digestive system accounts for the majority of asthma cases. At least half of asthma patients have phlegm in the trachea not from the lungs, but from the stomach or small intestine. You can distinguish the origin of the phlegm based on its color. Phlegm originating from the lungs is gray due to the dust in the airways, while phlegm from the stomach and small intestines is yellow or white.
- Lung-related phlegm: This type of asthma occurs when the patient is exposed to cold, particularly in winter.
- Stomach and small intestine-related phlegm: This type often occurs after overeating and may also occur during seasonal changes, such as spring or summer, when liver and heart fire rise. Emotional stress or anger also contributes to its onset.
The upward movement of phlegm into the trachea is mainly due to liver qi pushing it upwards. Liver qi issues often arise from liver dysfunction, and emotional stress, such as anger, can trigger asthma attacks. This is why patients often experience wheezing when angry.
First Step in Health Maintenance – Dispel Liver Qi to Address Symptoms
Based on this asthma model, the health maintenance approach is quite simple.
To address the symptoms, first remove the upward-moving liver qi to stop the asthma attack as soon as possible. This can quickly relieve symptoms temporarily
Acupuncture or massaging the Tai Chong acupoint can help guide the liver qi downward, which is also an emergency method.
If the liver qi is regulated, the asthma will not occur temporarily. However, it’s important to avoid anger, as strong emotions can trigger asthma.
In the long term, the focus should be on treating the phlegm-producing organs to prevent asthma from recurring.
Another effective method for daily maintenance is soaking the feet in hot water, which also helps to dispel liver qi. However, this method is better suited for regular care rather than immediate relief during an acute asthma attack. With consistent care over 2-3 weeks, patients may experience temporary relief, but a long-term solution requires more time.
Liver qi issues can be caused by genetic factors, overwork, excessive alcohol consumption, anger, or emotional stress. Regular care can address these liver issues, and massaging the Tai Chong acupoint is a key health practice. If the head feels warmer than other body parts, it indicates excessive liver qi, and you should massage Tai Chong or soak your feet.
Second Step in Health Maintenance – Adjusting Diet and Lifestyle to Treat the Root Cause
To address the root cause of asthma, TCM suggests a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the phlegm-producing organ.
The most important method is to adjust lifestyle and dietary habits. For patients with digestive-related asthma:
- Avoid overeating and do not consume raw or cold animal foods.
- Avoid intense physical activity immediately after eating, as this may reduce the likelihood of asthma attacks.
- Massaging the swollen stomach and intestines also helps alleviate symptoms.
For lung-related asthma, it’s essential to avoid cold exposure and emotional stress.
Long-Term Health Maintenance – Adjusting Lifestyle and Improving Health
The long-term approach focuses on restoring blood and energy and expelling cold to prevent asthma. This includes:
- Cultivating a habit of going to bed early and waking up early.
- Regularly tapping the gallbladder meridian.
As blood and energy levels increase over time, the body’s self-healing system will begin to repair damaged organs. This may cause temporary symptoms similar to those experienced during illness. It’s essential to consult a suitable doctor for assistance.
Once diagnosed, the doctor will guide the patient to understand the causes of their symptoms and provide appropriate health measures. This will involve meridian massage to gradually alleviate symptoms. During the process, patients will also develop better habits and recognize the impact of unhealthy habits on their health, ultimately leading to the maintenance of long-term health.
With continued blood and energy circulation, asthma can be completely cured, and the risk of future attacks eliminated. Moreover, this holistic approach will also help protect against chronic diseases, ensuring that the individual remains healthy and enjoys life to the fullest.
