Emphysema

In Western medicine, Emphysema is characterized as a chronic lung condition affecting the alveoli, which serve as the primary site for gas exchange. It is categorized under Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and progresses through four stages marked by diminishing lung capacity and escalating symptoms (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, GOLD Guidelines, 2020). Stage four, with a lung capacity reduced to 30%, necessitates breathing aids and can be life-threatening.

Concurrently, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) identifies a disharmonious pattern called Cold-Phlegm, attributed to a fire deficiency affecting the spleen's fluid-transforming function, resulting in phlegm accumulation (Shi et al., Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2016). This medical lens offers a holistic perspective on Emphysema, bridging Western and Eastern medical paradigms, backed by extensive clinical research, including studies cataloged by the National Institute of Health.