The Causes of Disease
Modern Western medical science tends to isolate
physical factors such as germs, bacteria and viruses as the cause of all
diseases. Many of these “causes” are viewed merely as symptoms of disease by
the Chinese physician. From their perspective, a certain organ is unable to
resist outside invasion because it is already weak. Killing the germs may
eliminate the immediate symptoms but does not restore the original true energy
of the diseased organ and tissues. It therefore fails to treat the real cause
of the disease and is only a matter of time before the weakened organ is
attacked again. The Chinese physician stresses the notion of why germs attack some
people and do not attack others.
According to Chinese theory the reason is that germs gather and flourish only
in weakened parts of the body of patients with low resistance. The true cure is
to counteract the conditions which give way for disease to develop in the first
place instead of just killing the germs.
Six external cosmological causes are distinguished, which permit disease to
develop when in excess. They are governed by meteorological conditions of
climate and season. The excess of certain meteorological conditions tends to
have negative effects on the body. If the resistance of patients is low, then
the pernicious influences of wind, heat, damp, cold, and dryness can more
easily gather in weakened parts of the body.
In Chinese medical theory a major internal factor of disease is the propensity
to be swayed by Seven Emotions. The emotions of anger, excessive joy, worry,
pensiveness, sadness, fear, and shock can cause disease and injury to vital
organs only if they become uncontrollable and overwhelming. What is harmful,
however, is not the intensity but the duration of such an extreme emotion. The
practice of meditation, proper eating, and mindful exercise like Tai Qi and Qi
Gong are preventative factors in maintaining an emotional equilibrium.
The notion of balance is paramount to the health and harmony of life according
to Chinese Medicine and philosophy. Therefore, any excesses in physical labor
or fatigue will also weaken the body and open doors to disease. Furthrmore,
engaging in preventive care is essential, according to Chinese literature;
proper diet, exercise, proper breathing, regulated sex, and preventive herbal
prescriptions are considered vital.
|
|
|
