TCM- Miscellaneous Causes of Disease (Test 5)

Miscellaneous Causes of Disease includes:

• Weak constitution
• Over-exertion
• Excessive Sexual Activity
• Bad Diet
• Trauma
• Parasites and Poisons
• Wrong Treatment
• Drugs

Weak constitution:
By and large, the constitution of a human being cannot be changed. For example, the immense power and stamina of certain of today's athletes is not only a matter of training but also of constitution, and those who are born with a relatively weak constitution can never hope to attain those outstanding athletic abilities. However, a person's constitution is not entirely fixed and immutable.

Causes of weak constitution:

• The parent's health in general as well as the parent's health at the time of conception
• The parent age --> the older the mother is at conception, the more likely the child will have a poor constitution
• Events surrounding pregnancy (emotional stress, drugs, medicines, alcohol, smoking)

A severe shock to the mother during pregnancy will affect the constitution of the baby, particularly its Heart. This is often manifested with a bluish tinge on the forehead and on the chin.

Overwork/Over-exertion:
Effects of Overwork in Relation to Qi and Yin:
There are two levels of Qi to be considered here:

1. Qi (post heaven) which is formed by the Stomach and Spleen from food on a daily basis, is constantly replenished and provides the energy for our daily activities.
2. Yin substances, which being the foundation and nourishment of the body, determine our basic body nourishment and long term resistance to disease

If however, one works extremely hard and for very long hours over many months or years without adequate rest, then the body has no chance of restoring Qi fast enough: before it has made up the lost Qi, the person is working again, using up more Qi. When one overworks beyond the point that Qi can keep up with the demands, then one is forced to draw on the Yin to face the demands of this life-style. At this point, the Yin will begin to be depleted and symptoms of deifiency of Yin may appear. When this point is reached, even adequate rest will not help the situation very quickly, but only over a long period of time. In this case there must be a radical change in routine, adequate rest on a regular basis.

Overwork over mayn years is a major cause of Yin deficiency and particularly KD Yin deficiency. It may also lead to KD Essence deficiency.