Illness, from the perspective of TCM, follows a sequential process:
Deficiency leads to cold; cold leads to dampness; dampness leads to stagnation; stagnation leads to stasis; stasis leads to blockage; blockage leads to lumps; lumps lead to cancer.

1. Deficiency (虚) – The First Step of Declining Health

Deficiency manifests as fatigue, lack of energy, and mental exhaustion. Modern lifestyles—late nights, high work and life stress, emotional instability—often cause physical and mental fatigue, gradually leading to a “deficient constitution,” which is the first sign of declining health.

2. Cold and Dampness (寒与湿) – The Root of All Diseases

When the body becomes deficient, cold and dampness can easily invade due to factors like frequent air conditioning, consuming cold drinks, or insufficient clothing in colder weather. Over time, the accumulation of cold and dampness leads to a “cold-damp constitution,” which TCM identifies as the root cause of many illnesses.

Symptoms of cold-dampness include:

• Sensitivity to cold and wind
• Joint pain and soreness
• Poor digestion
• Cold hands and feet
• Dizziness, headaches
• Heavy limbs
• Sticky stools
• Bacterial overgrowth and inflammation

At this stage, the body is in a sub-health condition characterized by deficiency, cold, and dampness.

3. Stagnation and Stasis (凝与瘀) – The Development of Chronic Illnesses

When cold and dampness persist and are left untreated, they lead to stagnation, stasis, and eventually blockages. Symptoms become more evident, such as:

• Slowed digestion and circulation
• Qi stagnation and blood stasis
• Painful, numb, or swollen areas
• Decline in organ function
• Blocked meridians and chest tightness

Over time, chronic illnesses develop at this stage.

4. Blockage to Lumps and Cancer (堵到瘤与癌)

Without proper care through exercise, lifestyle adjustments, and health practices, the body progresses to more severe conditions, such as the formation of lumps and eventually cancer.

Prevention and Maintenance

Understanding this progression reminds us to cherish our health. Regular maintenance, such as:

• Clearing meridians
• Removing cold and dampness
• Regulating qi and blood
• Supporting yang and strengthening immunity

can prevent the body from deteriorating further. Remember, health is not just the first priority; it is the only priority.

中医视角下的生病过程

中医认为，人体生病的过程遵循以下顺序：
虚则寒、寒则湿、湿则凝、凝则瘀、瘀则堵、堵则瘤、瘤则癌。

1. 虚——健康下滑的第一步

“虚”表现为疲劳、乏力、没有精神。现代人常因熬夜、工作和生活压力大、情绪焦躁等导致身心疲惫，久而久之体质便会变“虚”，这是健康开始下滑的第一步。

2. 寒与湿——万病之源

当体质变虚后，经常吹空调、喝冷饮或天冷少穿衣等，寒气和湿气就容易进入人体。长时间积累下来，便形成寒湿体质，中医认为寒湿体质是众多疾病的根源。

寒湿体质的症状包括：

• 怕冷怕风
• 关节酸痛
• 消化不良
• 手脚冰凉
• 头晕头痛
• 四肢沉重
• 大便粘滞
• 体内细菌滋生与炎症感染

此阶段属于亚健康状态，主要表现为“虚、寒、湿”。

3. 凝与瘀——慢性疾病的发展阶段

寒湿长期堆积而未能祛除，容易导致“凝、瘀、堵”的情况。此时身体症状加重，例如：

• 消化吸收、循环代谢变慢
• 气滞血瘀
• 酸麻胀痛
• 机能下降
• 器官病变
• 经络堵痛、气短胸闷

这一阶段慢性病逐步发展。

4. 堵到瘤与癌——重大疾病的形成

如果此阶段仍不注意调养，不进行运动、改善生活习惯及健康保健，身体便会恶化，最终发展到“瘤与癌”的重大疾病。

预防与调养

了解人体病变过程后，我们应更加注重健康。定期进行：

• 经络疏通
• 排寒祛湿
• 调理气血
• 扶阳固本
• 提高免疫力

可有效防止身体恶化。请记住，健康不仅是第一，更是唯一。