Asthma

In Western medicine, asthma is recognized as a chronic respiratory condition characterized by the swelling and narrowing of airways, leading to symptoms like difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath, commonly managed using bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs (Bateman et al., 2008, Lancet).

This is distinct from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) conceptualization, which refers to asthma as Xiao-Chuan, governed by interrelated processes involving the lungs (responsible for inhalation) and kidneys (responsible for exhalation) (Chung et al., 2006, Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology). TCM posits that in a balanced state, lung Qi moves downward and is held in place by the kidneys while also being influenced by the liver Qi and spleen Qi. Imbalances, such as deficiencies in lung or kidney Qi, excessive liver Qi (Yang), spleen deficiencies leading to phlegm, or the presence of persistent wind, can result in the manifestation of asthma symptoms (Li et al., 2009, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine). Thus, while Western medicine focuses on pharmacological intervention to manage symptoms, TCM emphasizes a multifaceted approach to address the underlying imbalances causing the disease.