Pneumonia
What's pneumonia?
A pneumonia, also known as pneumonia, is an infection in which the lung tissue becomes inflamed. The symptoms may vary considerably. Some people mainly have cough and fatigue, while pneumonia in others is accompanied by high fever, breathlessness and a clearly sick feeling.
A pneumonia can be caused by bacteria and viruses among other things. Age, general health, existing lung diseases and the severity of the infection affect the course.
Within Chinese medicine, not only the diagnosis of pneumonia, but also the stage in which the infection is present and the way the symptoms are presented at that time. As a result, treatment can change during the course of the disease. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be applied in addition. A pneumonia should be assessed regularly and when regular treatment is needed TCM is also used.
Common symptoms
A pneumonia may include:
- cough, with or without mucus;
- yellow, green or sometimes bloody mucus;
- fever and chills;
- shortness of breath or faster breathing;
- chest pain, especially coughing or deep breathing;
- tiredness and feeling sick;
- decreased appetite.
Possible causes
A pneumonia is usually caused by an infection with bacteria or viruses. Sometimes other pathogens play a role.
The severity of pneumonia can vary considerably. The risk of a more severe course may be greater in elderly, young children, people with reduced resistance and those with existing lung or heart disease.
How can acupuncture help with pneumonia?
Within Chinese medicine the treatment is adapted to the phase and the picture of complaints. Acupuncture can therefore be applied in addition both during the acute phase and during the further recovery.
The treatment may include:
- treat cough and breathlessness;
- support the coughing and removal of mucus;
- treat pain, pressure or chest discomfort;
- treat additional complaints during the acute infection phase;
- treat persistent cough and shortness of breath during recovery;
- also treat fatigue, dryness and reduced capacity for activity during recovery.
In severe pneumonia acupuncture is a supplement to regular medical treatment and does not replace it.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with pneumonia?
Chinese herbs can be used in different stages of a lung infection according to the TCM source used. The treatment is adjusted when the disease is changing.
In an early phase, for example, treatment may be different from when clear Heat and a lot of Phlegm are present. Even if the acute infection decreases and fatigue, dryness or persistent cough lag behind, the treatment strategy changes.
The treatment may include:
- treat cough, fever and other acute respiratory problems;
- help reduce and dispose of thick or hard coughable mucus;
- treat remaining cough and mucus when the acute infection decreases;
- treat dryness and irritation when present after infection;
- treat fatigue and weakness during recovery.
In case of severe or bacterial pneumonia antibiotics and other regular treatments may be necessary. Chinese herbs are then used only in addition and should be tailored to any medication.
How does Chinese medicine view pneumonia?
Within Chinese medicine, pneumonia does not fall under one fixed TCM pattern. The disease can develop during the infection and therefore change patterns.
The Lung organ system is central. Within TCM, the Lungs are responsible for breathing and for spreading and lowering Qi. When this function is disturbed during an infection, cough, mucus and shortness of breath can occur.
For example, in a novice infection there may be Wind-Heat . As the disease moves further in, Heat and Phlegm can become stronger. In severe infections TCM describes a concentrated form of Heat as Toxicity-Heat . As the infection decreases, a shortage of Lung-Qi and Lung-Yin can be left.
During one pneumonia, a person may subsequently show different TCM patterns. The treatment can change with the disease course.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns
Wind-Heat in the Lungs
Brief explanation
This pattern is particularly suited to an early phase of acute respiratory infection. According to TCM, the pathogen is still relatively superficial, but begins to disrupt the normal function of the Lungs.
Common symptoms
- acute cough;
- fever and possibly chills;
- dry or painful throat;
- yellow or hard to cough up mucus;
- thirst;
- headache;
- short or breath or chest tightness.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in viral or bacterial respiratory infections, bronchitis and early pneumonia.
Toxic-Heat in the Lungs
Brief explanation
Toxicity Heat within TCM is a term for a strong and concentrated heat image in case of a severe infection. According to this theory, the heat can affect body fluids and be associated with the formation of thick or slimy mucus.
Common symptoms
- persistent high fever;
- strong cough;
- yellow, green or unpleasant smelly mucus;
- chest pain or discomfort;
- Breathlessness;
- high sweating;
- strong thirst and dry mouth;
- feeling sick and weak.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognized in more severe pneumonia and other serious bacterial infections of the lower respiratory tract. A lung abscess is a much rarer, serious possible presentation.
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Brief explanation
At Phlegm-Heat both mucus accumulation and Heat are clearly present. According to TCM, the mucus inhibits the decline of Lung-Qi, which can increase cough and breathlessness.
Common symptoms
- productive cough;
- a lot of yellow, green or thick mucus;
- difficult to cough up mucus;
- breathlessness or wheezing;
- chest feeling full or oppressive;
- thirst;
- fever and restlessness.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in pneumonia, acute bronchitis and infectious exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease.
Phlegm-Heat with Blood stasis
Brief explanation
In addition to Heat and Phlegm, the flow of Blood can also be hampered in case of a more severe or advanced disease. This is called Blood stasis.
This pattern is associated with severe or complicated lung infections and is not a situation for only TCM treatment.
Common symptoms
- a lot of thick or pussy mucus;
- mucus with traces of blood;
- local or stabbing chest pain;
- Breathlessness;
- persistent cough;
- fever that may already start to decrease while a lot of mucus is coughed up.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in severe lung infections and pulmonary abscess. Blood coughing should be assessed by a doctor.
Lung-Qi- and Lung-Yin-deficiency after een longontsteking
Brief explanation
After a severe or prolonged infection, the pathogen may have largely disappeared while the body has not fully recovered. According to TCM both Lung-Qi and Lung-Yin can be weakened during the disease. This can prevent fatigue, shortness of breath and dryness side by side.
Common symptoms
- persistent but less severe cough;
- shortness of breath;
- fatigue and weakness;
- low mucus or alternating thin and sticky mucus;
- dry mouth and throat;
- spontaneous sweating or night sweats;
- slight increase, especially later in the day;
- decreased appetite.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised during recovery after pneumonia, bronchitis or any other severe or prolonged respiratory infection.
When to contact your doctor?
A suspicion of pneumonia should be assessed by a doctor. Please contact the general practitioner for symptoms that may fit in with pneumonia, especially when fever is associated with cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or a clear feeling of illness.
Find medical help more quickly with severe or rapidly increasing breathlessness, drowsiness or confusion, coughing up blood or rapid deterioration.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in addition to pneumonia, but do not replace necessary regular diagnostics and treatment.
Outlook
The recovery of pneumonia depends, among other things, on the cause and severity of the infection, age, general condition and any other conditions.
According to Chinese medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in several stages. In the acute phase, the focus is mainly on the present disease; during the recovery, attention gradually shifts to remaining cough, shortness of breath, dryness, fatigue and weakness.
In acute patterns, a much higher treatment frequency can be applied within TCM than in chronic complaints. The treatment protocols used describe daily treatment at more severe acute phases and sometimes even multiple treatments per day. In the Dutch practical situation this is not always practicable and the treatment should also be consistent with the necessary regular medical care.
If the acute infection decreases, the frequency may be reduced. Remaining symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and fatigue may persist longer and may lead to continued treatment during the recovery phase.
Contact
Do you have pneumonia or do you keep symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or fatigue after pneumonia and do you want to know whether acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can be used in addition? During a first consultation we discuss the course of illness, regular treatment and your current complaints. Based on the overall complaint picture, we will examine which TCM pattern is at the forefront at that time and what additional treatment fits in with it.