Etiology & Pathogenesis

The subject of etiology is the study of the causative factors of disease, whilst the study of pathogenesis concerns the actual bodily processes whereby disease occurs, develops and changes. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that there is normally a state of relative equilibrium between the human body and the external environment on the one hand, and among the zang - fu organs within the body on the other hand. This equilibrium is not static, but is in a state constant self - adjustment, and in this way the normal physiological activities of the body arc maintained, if external influences exceed the powers of adaptability of the organism, or if the body itself is unable to adjust to changing conditions, then this relative equilibrium will be lost, and disease will develop. Whether a disease occurs or not, whilst associated with the presence of the various causative factors, is primarily determined by the physiological adaptability of the body to the natural environment. This is the basic viewpoint of traditional Chinese medicine regarding pathogenesis.