Retention of phlegm damp in the lung

Clinical manifestations : Cough with much frothy or white, sticky sputum, fullness and stuffiness in the chest, gurgling with sputum in the throat, shortness of breath or asthmatic breathing ; orthopnea in severe cases ; a white, sticky tongue coating and a rolling pulse.

Etiology and pathology : This syndrome is often due to recurrent attacks of cough following exposure to exogenous pathogenic factors. This impairs the lung ' s function in disseminating body fluid, the accumulation the syndrome may result from the dysfunction of the spleen in transportation, which leads to the formation of phlegm damp. When this remains in the lung, the above symptoms will be induced or become above symtoms will be induced or become worse on exposure to pathogenic wind cold. Phlegm damp blocks the passage of qi and impairs the function of the lung qi, bringing on cough with much sputum, stuffiness in the chest, asthmatic breathing, gurgling with sputum in the throat, and in severe cases, orthopnea. Expectoration of frothy or white, sticky sputum, a white, sticky tongue coating and a rolling pulse are all signs of retention of phlegm damp in the interior.