Disturbance in the flow of Qi, organ over-or-under activity, and external Qi invading the body are all considered pathological imbalances. They will result in too much or too little Qi (local or systemic) or an erratic flow. Improper flow and amount is the nutshell description of illness in Chinese medicine. But explanations and models of how those two factors come to be are many.

There are three general classes of the causes of illness in Chinese medicine. Internal Pathogenic Qi, External Pathogenic Qi, and Trauma. Internal pathogens are organ dysfunctions, external pathogens are Qi from outside the body which enter the body, and trauma is trauma.

TRAUMA
Trauma damages the main and subsidiary channels causing Qi and Blood to leave the normal currents of flow and accumulate in local tissues. This accumulation is termed stagnation and the pain which usually accompanies trauma is defined as a consequence of stagnation. If the stagnation’s effect is prolonged then other parts of the body which are “downstream” will be suffer from the lack of Qi.

THE INTERNAL PATHOGENS
Internal pathogens are the hyperfunction or hypofunction of the internal organs and the emotions. The role of the organs will be more apparent after you read the Functions of Organs: Zang Fu Theory section.

The emotions are the Five Element emotions. Each emotion has a specific affect on the organs of it’s element. Anger causes Liver Qi to stagnate. Joy and shock scatter the Heart Qi. Sadness consumes the Lung Qi. Both short and long periods of of emotion can affect the Qi as can intensity of the emotion.

THE SIX EXTERNAL PATHOGENS
External Pathogen Qi has six types. They’re often called the Six Climatic Pathogens because they’re named after weather phenomena which possess similar characteristics. The six types are Wind, Heat, Cold, Damp, Dryness, and Summer Heat. Wind is a good example. When Wind enters the body (via the pores in the skin) it attempts to go where it wishes. Invariably this is contrary to the body’s healthy flow of Qi and so a struggle arises between the two which impairs or stagnates the Wei Qi.

Wind
You’ve seen trees in the wind. Wind can appear and disappear very quickly or it can blow steadily. If it’s the Lung Qi which is disordered there will be intermittent coughing or paroxysmal coughing. Wind can gradually burgeon in force and speed. And it moves from place to place. When the Wei Qi is disordered “flu aches” can occur and move from joint to joint. Sometimes a gentle breeze flutters the leaves and sometimes a gale bends the tree over and holds it there. Wind can also cause tremors or paralysis.

Heat & Cold
Heat and Cold are a bit more literal. Both manifest with their actual temperature sensations. They also produce colors in parts of the body; red face, red rashes, red tongue, rusty or red colored urine, and red swellings all indicate the presence of Heat. White, gray or clear indicate the presence of Cold.

Summer Heat
This is a subset of Heat which occurs predominantly during the summer. It’s traits are severe heat signs.

Damp
This is moisture. Identifying charateristics are heaviness, thickness, moves downward. Damp excells at blocking Qi.

Dryness
Lack of moisture decreases flexibility in many things. Dryness makes stuff brittle. Paper and bread are two good examples of this. Often bits and pieces of the dry object flake away.

Although these pathogens were identified long before the technology of climate control modern city dwellers are still at risk. Sleeping or working under a vent subjects you to wind. Automobile AC/heat systems set on high create Heat or Cold in extremes to quickly affect a small space. Living in Seattle or south Georgia exposes you to damp and winter in the southwest U.S. subjects you to dryness.

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