Patient's question:
In May 2009, my mother mainly had high fever, a bit of shortness of breath, couldn't move, ate dinner relatively well, but didn't sleep well and had poor bowel movements. My mother previously had chronic bronchitis. Past treatment history and effectiveness: Now, a detailed CT examination...Doctor's answer:
Generally, patients undergoing general supportive therapy are encouraged to rest in bed, pay attention to preventing colds, and consume easily digestible foods for defecation. Those with fever should drink more water and receive intravenous fluid supplementation if necessary. Patients with high fever should undergo physical cooling or take antipyretic medications. Those with symptoms such as shortness of breath, cyanosis, and other choking symptoms should receive oxygen via nasal cannula. Severe, cough can be treated with codeine 15–30 mg, administered 2–3 times daily. Mucolytics such as ammonium chloride and brown syrup can be used. Antibiotics are often ineffective, and currently, there is still a lack of specific treatment methods. The disease typically progresses with gradual expansion, ultimately leading to respiratory and heart failure. Traditional Chinese Medicine has shown certain efficacy in treating this condition. Through our summary and speculation of diagnosed cases, we believe the primary pathogenesis of this disease is the deficiency of the lungs and kidneys, combined with the entanglement of pathogenic factors such as blood stasis, phlegm, and heat. Treatment methods such as replenishing the lungs and kidneys, promoting blood circulation and collateral unblocking, softening and resolving masses, and clearing heat and cooling blood can slow disease progression, alleviate clinical symptoms, such as reducing dyspnea, stabilizing lung function, and lowering blood oxygen partial pressure, enabling patients to engage in some physical activity, reducing their mental stress, and thereby improving their quality of life. Enhancing patients' immunity and increasing the frequency of fever can help prevent deterioration due to infection. When necessary, combining with hormones can reduce their side effects and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Interstitial pneumonia must be first clearly diagnosed, and then treated long-term under the guidance of experienced physicians. It should never be taken lightly.