Stage-Based Differentiation and Treatment of Narcolepsy：from the Perspective of "Wei Qi Disharmony"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.18.008
- VernacularTitle:从卫气不和分期辨治发作性睡病
- Author:
Yijun WU
1
;
Yongkang SUN
1
;
Yanbo SONG
1
;
Min ZHAO
1
;
Xiangzhe LIU
1
;
Xinzhi WANG
1
Author Information
1. The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine，Zhengzhou，450003
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
narcolepsy;
wei qi disharmony;
sleep-wake rhythm
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(18):1961-1965
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This article summarizes the clinical experience in diagnosing and treating narcolepsy based on the wei qi theory. The key pathogenesis of narcolepsy is considered to be the disharmony of wei qi. In the initial stage， lung， spleen， and kidney deficiency leads to insufficient generation and propulsion of wei qi. In the progressive stage， phlegm-damp and qi stagnation obstruct sanjiao （三焦）， while the interstice of flesh is unrelaxed， and the skin pores are occluded， causing sluggish circulation of wei qi. In the attack stage， pathogens obstruct the upper jiao （焦）， whereas pectoral qi fails to diffuse， and wei qi becomes constrained and blocked in the yin aspect， which may transform into wind or heat and bind with phlegm and stasis， resulting in sudden excessive sleep， cataplexy， dream disturbance， hallucinations， and sleep paralysis. Accordingly， a three-stage differentiation and treatment strategy is proposed， including reinforcing the root and strengthening wei qi in the initial stage with Peiben Shiwei Decoction （培本实卫汤）， resolving phlegm and unblocking the pathways to smooth the flow of wei qi in the progressive stage with Tongjiao Dawei Decoction （通焦达卫汤）， and diffusing wei qi， awakening the spirit， and opening the upper jiao in the attack stage with Xuanwei Xingshen Decoction （宣卫醒神汤）. Clinically， treatment should distinguish deficiency from excess， the primary from the secondary， administer staged and dynamic treatments， and make good use of light， clear， ascending， dispersing， acrid， and aromatic medicinals to restore the movement of wei qi， thereby providing a reference for differentiation and treatment of narcolepsy in traditional Chinese medicine.
