Discussion on the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome from the Theory of

Hui WENG; Bo CHEN; Tengfei CHEN; Chengjian YE; Wenhe ZHENG

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Discussion on the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome from the Theory of "Qi Loses Its Regulatory Function，Fluids and Blood Follow the Same Path"

VernacularTitle:从“气失其治、津血同辙”探讨急性呼吸窘迫综合征的治疗
Author: Hui WENG ¹ ; Bo CHEN ¹ ; Tengfei CHEN ¹ ; Chengjian YE ¹ ; Wenhe ZHENG ¹
Author Information

1. Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Fuzhou，350003
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome; qi; blood; body fluids; prone position ventilation
From: Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):792-797
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS） is believed to primarily result from a disorder of the qi movement， with qi dysfunction occurring first， followed by changes in fluids and blood. The disease is located in the lungs， with its root in qi and pathological changes in fluids and blood， aligning with the theory of "qi loses its regulatory function， fluids and blood follow the same path". Accordingly， ARDS is divided into three stages， the early stage with qi congestion， counterflow， fluids and blood obstruction， severe stage with qi collapse， yang depletion， fluids and blood out of control）， and recovery stage with qi consumption and fluids damage， residual pathogen retention. For the corresponding treatments， in the early stage， the focus is on diffusing the lung qi， opening the block， dissol-ving phlegm， and eliminating fluid retention， using Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction （葶苈大枣泻肺汤） and Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction （宣白承气汤） / Shegan Mahuang Decoction （射干麻黄汤） with modifications. In the severe stage， the priority is to reinforce qi， stabilize collapse， and promote diuresis and blood circulation， with modified Zhenwu Decoction （真武汤） and Shenge Powder （参蛤散）. During recovery stage， the emphasis shifts to replenishing qi and body fluids while clearing residual pathogens， with Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） and Bufei Decoction （补肺汤）. At the same time， from the perspective of "qi loses its regulatory function， fluids and blood follow the same path"， the mechanism of prone position ventilation （PPV） is explored. It is believed that the effect of "qi reaching the blood" via PPV by restoring the qi movement and unblocking qi， blood and water retention， which offers insights for the diagnosis and treatment of ARDS with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.