Medical Guidance: Professor Lin Lin, a renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner in Guangdong Province and the director of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department at the Guangdong Provincial Chinese Medicine Hospital.
[Column Introduction] This column is a special publication led by Professor Lin Lin, the department head and leader of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department at the Guangdong Provincial Chinese Medicine Hospital. It aims to focus on balancing physical constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine, health preservation, and the prevention and treatment of common respiratory diseases. It will introduce knowledge about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, daily health care techniques, lung protection, and common conditions such as pulmonary nodules, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis, various viral and bacterial pneumonia, acute and chronic cough, and allergic rhinitis concerning their prevention, treatment, daily care, and lung rehabilitation.
Clinic Story
Ms. Li, 35 years old, has been very busy with work lately. After working late one night, she unfortunately caught a cold and experienced a sharp pain in her throat. She heard from the elders at home that this was due to damp heat, so she bought some traditional Chinese medicine herself to clear the heat and eliminate the dampness. Unexpectedly, the throat pain eased slightly, but her cough and hoarseness gradually worsened, eventually becoming severe enough that she couldn’t speak at all. This left her very distressed. Thus, through a friend’s introduction, she sought help at Professor Lin Lin’s clinic at the Guangdong Provincial Chinese Medicine Hospital.
Professor Lin carefully asked questions, noting the following symptoms: dry cough with little phlegm, increased cough at night, hoarseness, inability to speak, dry throat, increased thirst, slight throat pain, no chills or fever, no nasal congestion or runny nose, normal appetite, regular bowel movements, and poor sleep. Upon examination, it was noted that her tongue tip was red, with a white dry coating, and a fine, rapid pulse.
Professor Lin informed Ms. Li that her condition was due to Yin deficiency and lung dryness, rather than damp heat. Therefore, the previous traditional Chinese medicine she took not only did not help but actually worsened her situation. She prescribed three doses of traditional Chinese medicinal decoction that would clear the lungs and moisten dryness, advising her to return for a follow-up in three days.
Three days later, Ms. Li returned for a follow-up with excitement. She told Professor Lin that after taking one dose of medicine, she could speak that very night. After finishing the three doses, her cough and throat pain had improved significantly, and even her sleep had improved. Professor Lin was delighted to hear this. After adjusting the prescription, Professor Lin reminded Ms. Li…
