Syndrome of perversion of qi

In the syndrome of perversion of qi, there is a dysfunction of the qi in ascending and descending which leads to upward disturbance of the qi of zang - fu organs. This syndrome often refers to pathological changes resulting from upward disturbance of the qi of the lung and stomach, and from excessive ascending of the qi of the liver.

Clinical manifestations : Upward disturbance of the lung qi manifests as coughing and asthmatic breathing. Upward disturbance of the stomach qi gives rise to belching, hiccups, nausea and vomiting. Excessive ascending of the liver qi causes headache, dizziness and vertigo, coma, hemoptysis and hematemesis.

Etiology and pathology : Upward disturbance of the lung qi is often due to invasion of exogenous pathogenic factors or to retention of phlegm in the lung. In either case, the lung qi fails in its function to disperse and descend, but instead ascends and disturbs, giving rise to coughing and asthmatic breathing.

Retention of fluid, phlegm or food in the stomach, of invasion of the stomach by exogenous pathogenic factors may all block qi circulation and deprive the stomach qi of its function in descending. Upward disturbance of the stomach qi produces belching, hiccups, nausea and vomiting.

Injury of the liver by anger leads to excessive ascent of the liver qi and further, to upward disturbance of qi and fire of the liver, producing headache, dizziness and vertigo, and even coma, hemoptysis and hematemesis in severe cases.