case study...opinions welcomed:)

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I'm working on a case study for one of my final exams, and I was wondering

if anyone could be so kind as to shed some light on some of my findings...

patient is a 45 year old man, chief complaints are asthma (diagnosed as

hyperactive airways), and lack of sleep.

He wakes up every night between 2:30 and 3 am, and doesn't fall back asleep

until 5am (LR<LU times!). Usually woken up by coughing, and expectorating a

thick CLEAR, BUBBLE LIKE sputum, sometimes green tinged. Has seasonal

allergies, aggravated by stress, sob on exertion (feels like his lungs can't

catch up to his body...needs time to " get them started " )and diet~especially

wheat and dairy. He is irritable the majority of the time, and eats when he

gets home from work " non stop-grazing " . Experiences fatigue between 3-5 pm.

Drinks tea 3-4 times a day (instead of coffee). He is a teacher (sitting at a

desk all day~may add to LU qi xu-blocking qi from flowing) He is a

disciplined man, with a stern voice, when at times can seem shouting. Face is

somewhat red.

When asked, the eating is because of emotional stress, not necessarily

hunger. Mostly eats starch/bread, sandwiches, and likes to eat hot pickled

peppers often.

 

Tongue was pink, slightly swollen, peeled along sides, and in center.

Pulse was quite strong/full on the right cun and guan positions, deep in chi.

Left was thin~maybe tight? (i'm still learning with the pulses! I'm at the

bottom of that mountain:)

 

So his diet has a large impact on his breathing, and snoring (no wheat/dairy

= quiet sleep).

I was thinking a number of things, among them LR Qi

stasis~irritability,anger,~a disruption of the smooth flow of emotions...

Lu Qi deficency-sob, cough tiredness. sitting at a desk all day...

But then I thought along the 5 element lines of wood insulting metal, which

can be reflected in his diet~ wheat (wood) having a strong damaging effect on

the lungs (metal). I've only briefly studied 5 element (would like to learn

more), so I'm really not able to say much about this, unfortunately.

Ahhh...but maybe I'm just looking at too many things.

OK~my question is most specifically about the tongue-with two peeled spots in

the ST/SP area...without showing SP/ST signs?

And the clear thick bubbly sputum- it was likened to bubble wrap used in

packaging.

 

Well, that was a mouthful. Again, if anyone would care to comment on my

findings, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You Very Much!

Lauren