短气者，气短而不能相续，似喘而非喘，若有气上冲，而实非气上冲也。似喘
而不摇肩，似呻吟而无痛。《金匮》云∶平人无寒热，短气不足以息者实也。（丹溪治白
云许先生脾疼胯疼短气，用大吐大下者二十余日，凡吐胶痰一大桶，如烂鱼肠或如 油条者数碗而安。）
仲景论短气皆属饮。《金匮》云∶夫短气有微饮，当从小便去之，苓桂术甘汤主之，肾气丸亦
主之。又云∶咳逆倚息，短气，不得卧，其形如肿，谓之支饮。又云∶支饮亦喘而不得卧，
加短气，其脉平也。又云∶膈上有留饮，其人气短而渴，四肢历节痛，脉沉者，有
留饮。又云∶肺饮不弦，但苦喘短气，其治法，危急者，小青龙汤。胀满者，浓朴
大黄汤。冒眩者，苓桂术甘汤，及泽泻汤。不得息，葶苈大枣汤。吐下不愈者，木
防己汤之类是也。
【胸痹】胸中气塞，短气，茯苓杏仁甘草汤主之，橘枳姜汤亦
主之。胸痹，喘息咳唾，胸背痛，短气，栝蒌薤白半夏汤主之。
【磨积】孙兆正元散，
治气不接续气短，兼治滑泄及小便数，蓬莪术一两，金铃子去核二钱半，为末，入
硼砂一钱，拣过研细和匀，每服二钱，盐汤或温酒调下，空心服。
【补虚】东垣云∶
胸满少气短气者，肺主诸气，五脏之气皆不足，而阳道不行也。气短小便利者，四
君子汤去茯苓，加黄 以补之，如腹中气不转者，更加甘草一半。肺气短促或不足
者，加人参、白芍药，中焦用白芍药，则脾中阳升，使肝胆之邪不敢犯之。如衣薄
而短气，则添衣，于无风处居止，气尚短，则以沸汤一碗，熏其口鼻，即不短也。
如浓衣于不通风处居止而气短，则宜减衣，摩汗孔令合，于漫风处居止。如久居高
屋，或天寒阴湿所遏，令气短者，亦如前法熏之。如居周密小室，或大热而处寒凉
气短，则就风日。凡短气，皆宜食滋味汤饮，令胃气调和。戴复庵云∶短乏者，下
气不接上，呼吸不来，语言无力，宜补虚，四柱饮，木香减半，加黄 、山药各一
钱。若不胜热药及痰多之人，当易熟附子作生附，在人活法，余皆仿此。药轻病重，
四柱饮不足取效，宜于本方去木香，加炒川椒十五粒，更不效，则用椒附汤。上焦
干燥，不胜热药者，宜于椒附汤中加人参一钱，寻常病当用姜附，而或上盛燥热不
可服者，唯此最良。气短乏力之人，于进药之外，选一盛壮男子吸自己之气，嘘入
病患口中，如此数次，亦可为药力一助，此法不特可治虚乏，寻常气暴逆致呃者，
用之良验。
【针灸】《灵枢》云∶短气，息短不属，动作气索，补足少阴，去血络。
【诊】寸口脉沉，胸中短气。阳脉微而紧，紧则为寒，微则为虚，微紧相搏，
则为短气。
短气，是指呼吸短促而不能连续接续，看起来像喘证但并非真正的喘证，感觉好像有气向上冲逆，但实际上并没有气上冲。它表现为类似喘证但肩膀不摇动，类似呻吟但没有疼痛感。《金匮要略》中说：普通人没有恶寒发热的表证，却出现呼吸短促、气息不足以维持的症状，这属于实证。（朱丹溪曾治疗白云许先生因脾疼和胯疼导致的短气，使用了剧烈吐法和泻法治疗二十多天，最终吐出如烂鱼肠或油条状的一大桶胶痰数碗后病情痊愈。）
张仲景论述的短气大多归属于饮邪（体内水液代谢失常形成的病理产物）。《金匮要略》说：短气伴有轻微的水饮内停，应当通过小便排出，主方用苓桂术甘汤（茯苓、桂枝、白术、甘草组成的方剂），肾气丸也主治此证。又说：咳嗽气逆，倚靠物体呼吸，短气，不能平卧，身体外形浮肿，这称为支饮（水饮停留于胸膈之间）。又说：支饮也会引起喘息且不能平卧，加上短气，其脉象可能平和。又说：膈上有留滞的水饮，患者感到短气且口渴，四肢关节疼痛，脉象沉，这是有留饮。又说：肺部的饮邪脉象不弦，只是苦于喘息和短气，其治疗方法是：病情危急的，用小青龙汤；胀满明显的，用浓朴大黄汤；头晕目眩的，用苓桂术甘汤及泽泻汤；呼吸困难（不得息）的，用葶苈大枣汤；经过吐下法治疗无效的，用木防己汤之类的方剂。
【胸痹】胸部气机阻滞，短气，主方用茯苓杏仁甘草汤，橘枳姜汤也主治此证。胸痹，伴有喘息、咳唾痰涎，胸背疼痛，短气，主方用栝蒌薤白半夏汤。
【磨积】孙兆的正元散，治疗气机不接续导致的短气，兼治滑泄及小便频数。配方为：蓬莪术一两，金铃子（川楝子）去核二钱半，研成细末，加入硼砂一钱，拣选干净后研细混合均匀。每次服用二钱，用盐汤或温酒调服，空腹服用。
【补虚】李东垣说：胸部胀满、少气、短气的，是因为肺主一身之气，五脏之气都不充足，导致阳气运行不畅。如果短气且小便通利，可用四君子汤去掉茯苓，加入黄芪来补益；如果腹中气机不运转，再加一半量的甘草。如果是肺气短促或不足，加入人参、白芍药；在中焦使用白芍药，可以使脾中的阳气上升，使肝胆之邪不敢侵犯。如果因为衣着单薄而短气，就增添衣物，在无风的地方居住；如果增加衣物后仍然短气，就用一碗沸水，熏蒸口鼻，短气就会缓解。如果在穿着厚衣且不通风的地方居住反而短气，就应该减少衣物，按摩汗孔使其闭合，在有微风的地方居住。如果久居高楼，或因天寒阴湿遏制导致短气，也像前面所说那样用沸水熏蒸。如果居住在密闭的小房间，或因天气大热而处于寒冷环境导致短气，就前往有风有阳光的地方。凡是短气，都适宜食用味道浓郁的汤饮，以使胃气调和。戴复庵说：短乏，是下焦之气不能接续上焦，呼吸无力，语言声音低微，适宜补虚，用四柱饮，木香减半，加入黄芪、山药各一钱。如果不能耐受热性药物及痰多的人，应当将熟附子改为生附子，具体用法需灵活变通，其余仿照此例。如果药力轻而病重，四柱饮不足以见效，宜在本方中去掉木香，加入炒川椒十五粒；如果仍无效，则用椒附汤。上焦干燥，不能耐受热性药物的，宜在椒附汤中加入人参一钱；寻常病症当用姜、附，但如果上盛燥热不可服用的，以此方最为良善。对于气短乏力的人，除了服药之外，可选一名强壮男子吸入自己的气息，然后嘘入病患口中，如此数次，也可以作为药力的辅助，此法不仅可治疗虚乏，寻常因气暴逆导致呃逆的，使用此法效果良好。
Shortness of breath (Duan Qi) refers to rapid, shallow breathing that cannot be sustained continuously. It resembles panting (Chuan) but is not true panting; it feels as if there is Qi rushing upward, yet in reality, there is no actual upward rush of Qi. It presents similarly to panting without shoulder movement, and resembles groaning without pain. The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: "In a healthy person without exterior cold or heat symptoms, shortness of breath with insufficient respiration indicates an Excess pattern." (Zhu Danxi treated Mr. Xu from Baiyun for spleen and hip pain accompanied by shortness of breath. He employed drastic emetic and purgative therapies for over twenty days, eventually expelling a large bucket of viscous phlegm resembling rotten fish intestines or fried dough sticks, after which the patient recovered.)
Zhang Zhongjing's discussions on shortness of breath generally attribute it to Fluid Retention (Yin). The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: "For shortness of breath caused by mild fluid retention, one should promote urination to eliminate it; Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Atractodes Macrocephala, and Licorice Decoction) is the primary formula, and Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) also treats this condition." It further states: "Coughing and wheezing while leaning on an object for support, shortness of breath, inability to lie flat, and bodily swelling are termed Zhi Yin (Branching Fluid Retention)." It also says: "Zhi Yin also causes wheezing and inability to lie flat, accompanied by shortness of breath, while the pulse may remain normal." Additionally: "Fluid retention above the diaphragm causes shortness of breath and thirst, pain in all joints of the four limbs, and a deep pulse, indicating the presence of retained fluid." Furthermore: "Fluid retention in the Lung does not present with a wiry pulse; rather, the patient suffers from wheezing and shortness of breath. Treatment methods include: Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) for critical conditions; Hou Po Da Huang Tang (Magnolia Bark and Rhubarb Decoction) for distension and fullness; Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang and Ze Xie Tang (Alisma Decoction) for dizziness and vertigo; Ting Li Da Zao Tang (Semen Lepidii and Jujube Decoction) for dyspnea; and Fang Ji Tang (Stephania Decoction) and similar formulas for cases unresponsive to emesis and purgation."
[Thoracic Bi Syndrome] Chest tightness and shortness of breath are primarily treated with Fu Ling Xing Ren Gan Cao Tang (Poria, Apricot Seed, and Licorice Decoction); Ju Zhi Jiang Tang (Citrus Peel, Immature Bitter Orange, and Ginger Decoction) also treats this condition. Thoracic Bi syndrome, characterized by wheezing, coughing up saliva, chest and back pain, and shortness of breath, is primarily treated with Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang (Trichosanthes Fruit, Macrostemon Rhizome, and Pinellia Tuber Decoction).
[Moving Accumulation] Sun Zhao's Zheng Yuan San treats shortness of breath due to discontinuous Qi flow, and also addresses slippery discharge and frequent urination. The prescription consists of 1 liang of Eze Rhizome (Curcuma zedoaria), 2.5 qian of processed Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit (Meliae Toosendan Fructus) with seeds removed, ground into powder, mixed with 1 qian of Borax (Borax), sifted and finely ground together. Take 2 qian per dose, administered with salt water or warm wine on an empty stomach.
[Supplementing Deficiency] Li Dongyuan stated: "Chest fullness, scanty Qi, and shortness of breath occur because the Lung governs all Qi; when Qi of the five Zang organs is deficient, Yang pathways fail to circulate." For shortness of breath with free urination, Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) with Poria removed, plus Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), should be used to tonify. If abdominal Qi stagnation persists, add half the amount of Licorice Root (Gan Cao). For急促 or insufficient Lung Qi, add Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) and White Peony Root (Bai Shao Yao); using White Peony Root at the Middle Jiao raises Spleen Yang, preventing pathogenic factors from the Liver and Gallbladder from invading. If shortness of breath results from thin clothing, add layers and reside in windless areas; if shortness of breath persists despite added clothing, fumigate the mouth and nose with boiling water to relieve symptoms. If thick clothing in a poorly ventilated area causes shortness of breath, reduce clothing, massage sweat pores to close them, and reside in breezy areas. Shortness of breath caused by living in high buildings or being suppressed by cold and dampness should also be treated with fumigation as described above. Shortness of breath resulting from residing in tightly enclosed small rooms or from extreme heat followed by exposure to cold should be addressed by seeking windy and sunny environments. Generally, patients with shortness of breath should consume nourishing soups and drinks to harmonize Stomach Qi. Dai Fuan stated: "Shortness and fatigue indicate that Lower Qi fails to connect with Upper Qi, resulting in weak respiration and feeble speech; deficiency should be supplemented with Si Zhu Yin (Four Pillar Drink), with reduced Mu Xiang, plus 1 qian each of Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) and Chinese Yam (Shan Yao). For those who cannot tolerate hot herbs or have excessive phlegm, replace prepared Aconite Root (Fu Zi) with raw Aconite Root; application requires flexibility, following other examples accordingly. If the medication is too mild for the severity of the disease, Si Zhu Yin may be ineffective; remove Mu Xiang from the base formula and add 15 roasted Sichuan Pepper grains (Chuan Jiao). If still ineffective, use Jiao Fu Tang (Pepper and Aconite Decoction). For Upper Jiao dryness where hot herbs are intolerable, add 1 qian of Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) to Jiao Fu Tang. While Ginger and Aconite are typically used for common conditions, they are contraindicated in cases of Upper Jiao excess heat and dryness; this formula is most suitable. For individuals with shortness of breath and fatigue, besides medication, one can select a robust male to inhale his own Qi and exhale it into the patient's mouth several times; this assists medicinal efficacy. This method is effective not only for deficiency fatigue but also for hiccups caused by sudden rebellious Qi."
[Acupuncture] The *Ling Shu* states: "For shortness of breath with discontinuous respiration and Qi depletion upon movement, tonify the Shaoyin channel and bleed the collateral vessels."
[Pulse Diagnosis] A deep pulse at the Cun Kou position indicates shortness of breath in the chest. A superficial pulse that is both faint and tight indicates Cold (tight) and Deficiency (faint); the combination of faint and tight pulses leads to shortness of breath.