Six Excesses, namely Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire, are collectively referred to as external pathogenic factors. The term “excess” implies an overwhelming presence. The Six Excesses are the primary causes of external diseases.
The Six Excesses originate from the natural elements of Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire. Under normal circumstances, these elements do not harm the human body. However, when there are drastic climatic changes, certain individuals with poor immune regulation may develop external diseases. In such cases, the normal variations of these elements become pathogenic, hence referred to as “Six Excesses.”
The pathogenic characteristics of the Six Excesses vary, but they share commonalities:
External Pathogenicity: The Six Excesses invade the body through the skin, mouth, and nose, leading to disease. Initially, the disease manifests as exterior symptoms, such as fever and chills. If not treated promptly, it can penetrate deeper into the body, resulting in interior symptoms.
Seasonality: The Six Qi and the Six Excesses change with the seasons, leading to seasonal diseases. For example, Wind-related illnesses are more common in spring, while Heat-related illnesses are prevalent in summer. However, this is not absolute, as multiple diseases can occur in a single season.
Environmental Factors: The diseases caused by the Six Excesses are often directly related to the living and working environments. For instance, working in high-temperature environments can lead to diseases caused by Heat and Dryness. In the southeastern coastal areas, where temperatures are high and humidity is significant, Dampness and Heat-related diseases are more common.
Combination: The Six Excesses can independently cause illness, such as the common cold or influenza. However, two or more types of pathogenic factors can also combine to invade the body, leading to conditions like Wind-Heat attacking the lungs, Wind-Cold constraining the exterior, Wind-Cold-Dampness causing bi syndrome, and Wind-Dampness-Heat causing bi syndrome.
Transformation: Under certain conditions, the nature of the symptoms caused by the Six Excesses can transform. This does not mean that the Six Excesses interchange with one another, but rather that the nature of the symptoms caused by the pathogenic factors can change due to factors such as constitution and treatment, resulting in symptoms that differ from those initially caused by the invading pathogen.
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