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External and Internal Causes of Disease

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis, imbalances are classed as being caused by either external or internal conditions, and are associated with one of the following 6 types of elements:

1. Wind (Spring)

2. Cold (Winter)

3. Heat (Summer)

4. Dampness (Autumn)

5. Dryness (Autumn)

6. Fire (Summer)

External Conditions

Exterior conditions are consider superficial and relatively minor. As the body adjusts to external environmental changes, sometimes these changes are abrupt and occur too quickly. Our bodies are not able to adjust and environmental elements affect the energy balance within our bodies.

Each element is associated with a specific season, and imbalances related to an element will be more prevalent during that corresponding season (although the imbalance happen at any time of the year). Each illness corresponds to either an individual element, or a combination of elements such as wind-heat or wind-dampness. As the elements impact eachother, so too can diseases transform from one state to another (e.g. a common cold, progressing to acute bronchitis or pneumonia).

External conditions include bacteria, viruses, and environmental pollutants. The most common are the cold, flu, and general aches and pains.

Internal Conditions

Not all imbalances are caused by external conditions. Some are the result of emotional and psychological stress. Internal conditions are usually more severe than external conditions and often have a number of causes. These conditions range from organ diseases, to chronic illness.

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