Treatment of Asthma based on the Syndrome Differentiation Theory

Abstract

Modern medicine treats diseases based on allopathic diagnosis whereas traditional medicine on the syndrome differentiation. The former treatment tends to ignore to treat symptoms whereas the later, diseases. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of many diseases have been well-established; however, guidelines for treatment of different symptoms are still inadequate and need more scientific studies. In recent years, medical profession often challenges the validity of traditional medicine and its scientific basis of 'Syndrome Differentiation Theory'. Therefore, traditional medicine practitioners have to face different questions arose from ”Syndrome Differentiation Theory'. Using herbal formula for asthma is an example to illustrate the similar and different perceptions between the modern and traditional medicine in the aspect of mechanism of diseases and symptomology to discuss the viewpoint of syndrome differentiation. The application of etiology, mechanism and symptoms of certain diseases such as asthma in modern medicine can bring the modern concept into the domain of syndrome differentiation theory in traditional medicine. Thus, an objective and scientific standard can be achieved when using herbal medicine in treating asthma. Two studies of herbal medicine on asthma were discussed based on both guidelines from the traditional and allopathic medicines. The results showed that herb formulas improved asthma symptoms and correlated well with the reduction of histamine, IgE or eosinophils. This is consistent with current successful allopathic asthma treatment that improves symptoms and sputum eosinophil counts. In conclusion, syndrome differentiation theory may achieve a better symptom improvement with the help of modern medicine.