CHAPTER 39 Cough During Pregnancy
Aetiology
Overwork
Overwork may injure Yin; as in pregnancy the Kidneys are taxed from nourishing the fetus, Kidney-Yin may develop easily. If the woman also has emotional problems such as worry, grief or sadness, the Yin deficiency will affect the Lungs also, causing a persistent cough.
Irregular diet, emotional problems
Excessive consumption of dairy and greasy foods injures the Spleen and leads to the formation of Phlegm; this may settle in the Lungs and prevent the proper descending of Lung-Qi, causing a cough. Emotional problems such as anger, frustration, resentment and worry may lead to Qi stagnation which, with time, may generate Fire. Fire combines with Phlegm easily and it may injure Lung-Yin, causing a cough.
Pathology
Thus, the pathology of cough in pregnancy consists in Lung-Qi deficiency, Lung-Yin deficiency or Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Lungs. The two patterns may also coexist as the Fire within Phlegm-Heat may injure Lung-Yin and lead to Yin deficiency. A cough from Lung-Yin deficiency is of course a dry cough with dryness of the throat, while a cough from Phlegm-Heat will be productive of yellow sputum.
Identification of patterns and treatment
The treatment principle in cough in pregnancy is either to nourish Lung-Yin and moisten the Lungs or to resolve Phlegm and clear Heat and, in both cases, to restore the descending of Lung-Qi. In addition to these treatment principles, one should also adopt the principle of calming the fetus as a persistent cough in pregnancy may lead to miscarriage. Particular care should be exercised when prescribing herbs that make Qi descend, or dry, pungent herbs that resolve Phlegm, or herbs that drain Dampness through urination during pregnancy, as all these types of herbs may cause miscarriage if used in excess.
Lung-Qi deficiency
Clinical manifestations
Mild cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, weak voice, propensity to catching colds. Tongue: Pale. Pulse: Empty.
Acupuncture
LU-7 Lieque, LU-9 Taiyuan, BL-13 Feishu, Ren-12 Zhongwan (if within 3 months of pregnancy), ST-36 Zusanli, ST-37 Shangjuxu. All with reinforcing method.
Herbal treatment
Prescription
Explanation
This formula tonifies Lung-Qi, restores the descending of Lung-Qi and stops cough.

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