Conflict Between Antipathogenic Qi and Pathogenic Qi

The conflict between antipathogenic qi and pathogenic qi refers to the struggle between the body ' s powers of resistance and any pathogenic factors. Tills struggle has significance not only in relation to the onset of disease, but also to its progression and transformations. To some extent this struggle can be described as the main focus for the onset, progression and transformation of disease. Invasion of pathogenic qi results in conflict between the antipathogenic qi and the pathogenic qi which destroys the yin - yang harmony of the body and causes functional disturbance of the zang - fu organs and meridians, derangement of qi and blood and abnormal ascending and descending of qi, leading to various pathological changes. These mainly manifest as excess or deficiency syndromes. Syndromes of excess type are likely to occur if there is both hyperactivity of pathogenic qi and sufficiency of antipathogenic qi. Syndromes of deficiency type, or syndromes of deficiency mixed with excess, are likely to occur if there is excess of pathogenic qi and deficiency of antipathogenic qi. The twenty - eight chapter of Plain Questions states : " Hyperactivity of pathogenic qi causes syndromes of excess type and consumption of essential qi will lead to syndromes of deficiency type. " Excess here mainly refers to hyperactivity of pathogenic qi, i.e. the pathological reaction dominated by excess of pathogenic qi. It is commonly seen in the early and middle stages of diseases due to invasion of the exogenous pathogenic factors, and diseases caused by retention of phlegm fluid, stagnant blood and water damp as well as retention of food. Deficiency mainly refers to insufficiency of antipathogenic qi which is the pathological reaction dominated by decline of antipathogenic qi. It is commonly seen in diseases resulting from prolonged weakness of body constitution, poor function of the zang - fu organs, and deficiency of qi, blood and body fluid due to a lingering disease.