Human health and disease

CAUSES OF DISEASE

The causes of disease are divided into four categories:

1. Those originating from outside the body.

2. Those arising inside the body.

3. Miscellaneous causes (neither outside nor inside).

4. Phlegm.

When the different vital forces of the body are in a harmonious balance, there is positive health. And when this balance is disturbed, there is DISEASE.

The factors on which the development of disease depends:-

1. The immunity level of the body.

2. The virulence of the disease causing agents.

If the body is in positive health there is no way for disease to gain a foothold. Disorders may also arise from internal disharmonies without being caused by exogenous influences. In traditional medicine much emphasis is placed on the prevention of disease by the promotion of general health and the early treatment of internal disharmonies.

In traditional medical terminology, the physiological activity of the organ, the vital energy, and the blood, all of which have the power to resist disease, are called normal vital force. The course of a disease is seen as a battle between the Normal vital force of the body and the disease causing factors. Treatment of the disease, at any point in time, depends on the dynamic interaction between these two forces. Disorder which are primarily caused by internal disharmony require appropriate treatment so as to properly re-establish normal functioning of the affected organ.

CAUSES OF DISEASE

1. Those originating from outside the body: The six Excesses are the extrinsic causes of disease.

a) Wind

b) Cold

c) Heat

d) Dampness

e) Dryness 

f) Summer heat

Here the term Excess means "ABNORMALITY OR EVIL".

When normal environmental forces become excessive they may cause disease. 

2. Those arising inside the body: 

The seven Emotions:The seven Emotions are Excessive happiness, anger, worry, pensiveness, sadness, fear, and anxiety. They are linked with five element system of correspondences.

Worry and Sadness - Metal element

Fear- water element

Frustration upests the free flowing nature of liver.

These are the normal emotions which can lead to illness if sustained for long period of time.

3. Miscellaneous causes:  These refer to syndromes due to aetiologies that are neither Excesses nor Emotions. Inconsistency in the quantity, quality or time of eating causes indigestion and related diseases. Quality here refres both hygienic level of food and to the traditional classification of foodstuffs as either cold or Hot. Each organ is associated with a corresponding taste in five elements system. Too much of one taste will injure the corresponding Organ.

4. Phlegm: The word phlegm doesnot refer exclusively to the secrections that are coughed up from the Lungs, but also to stagnant fluids in the body. Its formation is due to the dysfunction in the water metabolism. When the water in the body becomes stagnant, it transform into Phlegm. When Phlegm collects in the lungs there is coughing and wheezing with profuse expectoration. When it enters the Stomach there is nausea and vomiting. When it invades the channels local swelling occur.