gradually reduces the frequency of use of inhalers.
Corticosteroids (Becotide)
These act by reducing bronchial mucosal inflammation and hypersecretion of mucus. They are
given either orally, such as prednisolone, or by inhalation, such as beclomethasone (Becotide and
Becloforte respectively). When given orally they produce many more side-effects.
From a Chinese perspective, they produce Heat and weaken the Kidneys. They definitely affect
the tongue making it Red and Swollen. They also affect the pulse as the Kidney position
becomes Weak and the pulse is generally more rapid than normal. Although they can be
combined with acupuncture and herbal treatment, corticosteroids slow down the effects of our
treatment somewhat. In the course of our treatment, it is necessary to tonify the Kidneys even
more by using points such as BL-23 Shenshu and herbs such as Shu Di Huang Radix
Rehmanniae glutinosae praeparata and Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae.
The mode and site of action of the above three drugs may be summarized in a diagram (Figure
5.3(140)).
The approach to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis presents similar problems to that
of asthma. Since "allergic rhinitis" is a disease defined according to Western medicine, we need
to establish which symptom it might correspond to in the Chinese medical literature. Most
books, both Chinese and English-language ones, correlate allergic rhinitis to the Chinese
symptom of "Bi Yuan" which literally means "nose-pool". We need first to ascertain whether
there is such a correspondence and whether the theory of "Bi Yuan" may be used to differentiate
and diagnose allergic rhinitis. As for asthma, we shall therefore discuss the following items:
- Allergic rhinitis in Western medicine
- The theory of Bi Yuan in Chinese medicine
- Differences between allergic rhinitis and Bi Yuan