Chapter 18
Acute bronchitis, dry cough Summary Essence: A hyper alpha-sympathetic spasmophilia of fragilized bronchi in response to an aggressor. Terrain: (1) Irritation of the bronchus: environmental or infectious and (2) Spasmophilia: Alpha > Para, low Beta with (3) Inflammation: hyperfunctioning central thyroid + adaptative cortisol with (4) Dry cough: from insufficient mucous to protect irritated bronchus.
Treatment goals Symptomatic: Emollient, antitussive, spasmolytic, antiinfectious (as indicated). Terrain: ●
● ●
●
●
ANS: ⇓ Alpha > Para, relaunch Beta (to resolve spasmophilia) CORTICO: ⇓ Cortisol THYRO: ⇓ TRH and TSH, adapt thyroid according to situation DRAIN: 1-Exocrine Pancreas-Pulmonary axis, 2-Hepato-Splenic, 3-Intestines, 4-Skin (as indicated) DIET: Pancreas sparing
Sample treatment 1. Neuroendocrine-infectious: Passiflora incarnata MT 40 mL, Fabiana imbricata MT 40 mL, Cornus sanguinea GM 40 mL, Lavandula angustifolia EO 1.5 mL, Cinnamomum zeylanicum EO 1 mL: 3 mL three times per day for 10–14 days (Table 18.6). 2. Emollient-drainage-infectious: Agrimonia eupatoria MT 60 mL, Malva sylvestris MT 60 mL, Eucalyptus smithii or globulus EO 2 mL: 3 mL three times per day for 10–14 days (cf. Table 18.8). 3. Topical antispasmodic: Eucalyptus spp. EO 8 drops, Lavandula angustifolia EO 4 drops, Cupressus sempervirens EO 3 drops + 1 tbsp carrier oil.
Terrain in detail Precritical terrain There is, prior to the time of exposure to the inciting agent, a global hyperfunctioning of the terrain that targets and The Theory of Endobiogeny. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816965-0.00018-4 © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
fragilizes the bronchi to maintain an increased oxygen requirement: 1. Endocrine, hyperfunctioning a. Pituitary b. Thyroid: TSH, T4 c. Pancreas, Endocrine d. Adrenal cortex (lesser role) 2. ANS: Para, hyperfunctioning 3. Emunctory a. Defense, oversolicited and taxed i. Exocrine pancreas ii. Spleen: Immunity b. Congestion i. Colon ii. Liver iii. Skin
Agent The agent provokes a supraphysiologic oxygen demand that is beyond the adaptation capability of the patient, further diminishing the already-fragilized buffering capacity. This neuroendocrine adaptation response will determine if the bronchitis is wet or dry (cf. Chapter 19: Acute bronchitis, wet). Common aggressors include: 1. Pathogens: viruses most common 2. Particulates: allergens, tobacco smoke, etc. 3. Gastric secretion reflux: microaspiration 4. Cold air
Critical terrain 1. ANS: Hyper Alpha > Para, with spasmophilia: blocked or delayed beta 2. Corticotropic: Adaptive cortisol 3. Thyrotropic: a. Central: Hyperfunctioning TRH, TSH b. Peripheral: Thyroid response varies; greater the activity, greater the inflammation tends to be in the face of elevated cortisol 4. Emunctories: a. Broncho-pulmonary unit: congested due to exocrine pancreatic overactivity 139
140 SECTION | C Assessment and treatment of common disorders
b. Spleen and Liver: oversolicited, overtaxed, and congested c. Intestines: congested d. Skin
Mechanisms Hyperinflammatory response with insufficient mucous to protect the airway, or, high inspissated mucous, which is difficult to expectorate.
History and BoF findings During acute bronchitis, typical symptoms of an irritable, spasmodic cough, with or without fever, of 10 or less days duration will be present. In a patient with known history of recurrent seasonal bronchitis, evaluate the precritical terrain in the preceding season to institute prophylaxis. Some possible correlations between precritical symptoms and Biology of Functions are presented in Table 18.1.
Physical exam and BoF findings During presentation with acute bronchitis, the following may be observed on physical exam with some possible Biology of Functions correlations (Table 18.2)
Result Inspiratory, spasmodic dry cough
TABLE 18.1 Precritical terrain symptoms and Biology of Functions correlations. Area
Finding
Terrain
BoF
Psyche
Acute stress, Exacerbation of chronic stress
Complex, varied
⇑ Serotonin, ⇓ PL, ⇑ Potential histamine, ⇑/⇓ βMSH/αMSH + ⇑ Noxious free radicals ⇑/⇓ LMI, ⇑ Thyroid relaunching, Thyroid relaunching corr.
Insomnia, reduced stress tolerance Alpha
GERD, Gastritis, constipation, insomnia
High Alpha
Para
Good sleeper, good eater, seldom cries, shy, introverted, sweats easily, eczema, prolonged expiratory phase
High Para
Thyro
Vivid dreams, nightmares
TRH
⇑ Thyroid relaunching, Thyroid relaunching corr., HypothalamoMetabolic, TRH/TSH
Hypoglycemic tendencies
TSH + Insulin
TSH serum <1.5 + ⇓ Insulin resistance
Tonsil hypertrophy
Latent hypothyroidism
TSH serum > 3 + ⇓ Genito-thyroid ⇑ fT4
Heat intolerance Pancreas, Exocrine
Recurrent ENT infections, eczema, mucus with dairy/gluten, bloating
Over-solicited, insufficient
⇑/⇓ Somatostatin
Spleen
Unfocused effort, fatigue, impaired adaptability, depressive tendency, recurrent infections
Splenic congestion
⇓ PMI
Liver
Poor immune response, loss of appetite especially in AM, chills
Hepatic congestion
⇑/⇓ LMI
Colon
Constipation, acne on buttocks
Colon congestion
⇓ Pelvic congestion
TABLE 18.2 Critical terrain signs and biology of functions correlations. Area
Finding
Terrain
BoF
Airways
Spasmodic cough: inspiratory, dry
Alpha ≫ Para, Beta delayed
⇑/⇓ LMI + ⇓ PMI + ⇑ Noxious free radicals, Proinflammatory, Inflammation
Alpha
Cold extremities, dry mucous membranes, stringy saliva
Elevated alpha > para
⇑/⇓ LMI + ⇓ PMI
Acute bronchitis, dry cough Chapter | 18 141
TABLE 18.2 Critical terrain signs and biology of functions correlations—Cont’d Area
Finding
Terrain
BoF
Neuro
Chvostek
Spasmophilia
⇑/⇓ LMI + ⇓PMI
Brisk DTR, Clonus, Eyelid flutter on Glabella tap
⇑ TRH
⇑ Thyroid relaunching, Thyroid relaunching corr.,
Adrenals
Tender on palpation, Tender Cortisol point
Adrenal oversolicitation
⇑ Cortisol, Adaptation-permissivity Varies: Adrenal cortex, often: Cortisol/Adrenal cortex ratio > 4
Thyro
Pain of palpation of tibial prominence
Adaptative TSH
⇓ TSH serum
Cold sensitivity (T3), heat intolerance (T4), weight loss, pruritis
Hyperfunctioning peripheral thyroid
⇑ Thyroid index, Thyroid yield
Immuno
Suprasternal notch: Tender on palpation
Thymus congested from oversolicitation
⇑ IL-1
Pancreas
Tender: above umbilicus
Congestion: general
N/A
Tender, right of umbilicus
Oversolicitation: exocrine
⇑/⇓ Somatostatin
Tender, left of umbilicus
Oversolicitation: endocrine
N/A
Tender, right of umbilicus
Vascular hepatic congestion
⇑/⇓ LMI
Tender, right of umbilicus
Metabolic hepatic congestion
⇑/⇓ LMI
Tender: various points
Colon congestion
Depends on points tender
Liver
Colon
Key: DTR: Deep tendon reflex; LMI: Leukocyte mobilization index; PMI: Platelet mobilization index.
Treatment Acute bronchitis During acute bronchitis, antibiotics should be avoided unless proven bacterial etiology in a fragilized patient. The general emphasis of treatment is listed in Table 18.3 in columns from left to right. The general approach is three-fold: 1. Symptomatic, localized to bronchi (Tables 18.3 and 18.8) 2. Neuroendocrine, in following order of emphasis (Table 18.4) a. Reduce Alpha
b. Reduce Corticotropic: Cortisol, balance Cortisol:adrenal cortex ratio on BoF c. Reduce Thyrotropic: TRH, TSH, thyroid (as indicated) d. Oligoelements (discussed later) 3. Drainage (Table 18.5), in following order of emphasis a. Pancreas-sparing diet b. Pancreato-Pulmonary axis c. Hepato-Splenic d. Intestines e. Skin (as indicated)
TABLE 18.3 Medicinal plants with polyvalent symptomatic actions. Plant
Antispasm.
Agrimonia eupatoria
•
Arctium lappa
Decon.
Anti-inflam.
Anti-infect.
•
•
•
•
Ceanothus americanus
•
•
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
•
•
Cornus sanguinea
Lavandula angustifolia
•
•
Eucalyptus ssp.
• •
Emol.
•
• •
142 SECTION | C Assessment and treatment of common disorders
TABLE 18.3 Medicinal plants with polyvalent symptomatic actions—Cont’d Plant
Antispasm.
Decon.
Anti-inflam.
Malva sylvestris Plantago major
•
Populus nigra
•
•
Emol.
•
•
• •
Viola tricolor
Anti-infect.
•
•
•
Zea mays
•
•
Key: Anti-infect.: Anti-infectious, Anti-inflam.: Anti-inflammatory, Antispasm.: Antispasmodic, Emol: Emollient.
TABLE 18.4 Medicinal plants for neuroendocrine regulation. Axis
Primary
Other
⇓ Alpha, Para
Passiflora incarnata MT, Lavandula angustifolia EO
Valeriana officinalis MT, Tilia tomentosa GM, Matricaria recutita MT
⇑ Beta
Cinnamomum zeylanicum EO
Satureja montana EO
⇓ ACTH
Matricaria recutita MT
Passiflora incarnata MTa
⇓ Cortisol
Passiflora incarnata MT
Leonurus cardiaca MTb, Sequoia gigantea GM
Support global adrenal
Ribes nigrum GM
Quercus pedunculata GM. Glycyrrhiza glabra MT
⇓ Thyrotropic: Via central inhibition
TRH: Fabiana imbricata MT
TRH: Leonurus cardiaca MT
TSH: Cornus sanguinea GM
TSH: Zea mays GM
Somato: Delay Insulin/⇑ Insulin resistance
Malva sylvestris MT, Arnica montana MT
Indirectly: ⇓ Cortisol, block TSH
Key: EO: Essential oil, GM: Gemmomacerate, MT: mother tincture. a
Indirect via Alpha-sympatholysis.
b
Reduces cortisol fixation.
TABLE 18.5 Polyvalent medicinal plants with drainage and pulmonary tropism. Plant
Pancr.-pulm
Agrimonia eupatoria Plantago major
Liver
Intestines
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ceanothus americanus
Hepato-splenic
Skin
•
Viola tricolor
•
Key: Pancr.-Pulm: Pancreatic-Pulmonary axis.
Exemplary prescriptions Based on an Endobiogenic approach to acute dry bronchitis, a number of prescriptions can be derived. 1. Neuroendocrine-infectious: 3 mL three times per day for 10–14 days (Table 18.6) Passiflora incarnata MT 40 mL, Fabiana imbricata MT 40 mL, Cornus sanguinea GM 40 mL, Lavandula
angustifolia EO 1.5 mL, Cinnamomum zeylanicum EO 1 mL; An alternate formula is presented in Table 18.7. 2. Emollient-drainage-infectious: 3 mL three times per day for 10–14 days (Table 18.8) Agrimonia eupatoria MT 60 mL, Malva sylvestris MT 60 mL, Eucalyptus ssp. EO 2 mL. 3. Topical antispasmodic: Apply up to every hour for relief of cough
Acute bronchitis, dry cough Chapter | 18 143
Eucalyptus spp. EO 8 drops, Lavandula angustifolia EO 4 drops, Cupressus sempervirens EO 3 drops + 1 TBSP carrier oil; Instructions: (a) Mix carrier oil and EOs in glass bowl, (b) Apply with friction rub in circular and up/down motions for 3–4 min, (c) Cover chest with a shirt or blanket, then heated pad or towel; Alternative: Diffuse undiluted essential oils within 2 feet (0.6 m). 4. Oligoelements: (a) Spasmodic cough: Magnesium oligo: 1–2 droppers every 4 h for first three days; (b) Inflammation: Selenium: 1–2 droppers every 4 h for first three days. 5. Diet Pancreas sparing, favor root vegetables: turnip, black radish, yams, and, juices of carrot, quince, chervil, cabbage, lettuce, mulberry, apple, and turnip.
TABLE 18.6 Neuroendocrine-infectious prescription. Amount and form
Replacements and alternatives
Passiflora incarnata
40 mL MT
Matricaria recuctita EO
Fabiana imbricata MT
40 mL MT
Leonurus cardiaca MT, Fabiana imbricata MT
Cornus sanguinea
40 mL GM
Zea mays GM, Lycopus europaeus MT
Lavandula angustifolia
1.5 mL EO
Eucalyptus ssp. EO 1.5 mL
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
1 mL EO
Thymus vulgaris EO 0.5 mL + Satureja montana EO 0.5 mL
Herb
TABLE 18.7 Neuroendocrine-infectious prescription alternate. Herb
Amount and form
Replacements and alternatives
Ribes nigrum
60 mL GM
Quercus pedunculata GM
Populus nigra
60 mL GM
Ceanothus americanus MT
Satureja montana
0.5 mL EO
Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Menyanthes trifoliata MT
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
0.5 mL EO
Satureja montana, Rosa canina GM
TABLE 18.8 Emollient-drainage-infectious prescription. Amount and form
Replacements and alternatives
Agrimonia eupatoria
60 mL MT
Plantago major MT
Malva sylvestris
60 mL MT
Arnica montana MT 40 mL + Glycyrrhiza glabra MT 20 mL
Eucalyptus smithii
2 mL EO
Eucalyptus globulus (unrectified) EO 2 mL
Herb