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It is stated that the disease of Xu Lao (Deficiency Consumption) manifests as Wu Lao (Five Exhaustions) when pathogenic factors affect the five Zang organs, and as Qi Shang (Seven Injuries) due to emotional disturbances. When damage from overexertion is severe, leading to extreme physical fatigue, it manifests as Liu Ji (Six Extremes).

The so-called "Qi Shang" (Seven Injuries) are: First, excessive fullness injures the Spleen; Spleen injury leads to frequent belching, a desire to lie down, and a sallow complexion. Second, intense anger causes Qi counterflow, injuring the Liver; Liver injury results in blood deficiency and dim vision. Third, strenuous lifting or prolonged sitting on damp ground injures the Kidney; Kidney injury leads to seminal insufficiency, lower back and waist pain, cold extremities, and coldness below. Fourth, exposure to cold affecting the body or drinking cold beverages injures the Lung; Lung injury results in shortness of breath, coughing, and nasal resonance. Fifth, worry and overthinking injure the Heart; Heart injury leads to distress, frightfulness, forgetfulness, and irritability. Sixth, wind, rain, cold, and heat injure the physical form; Form injury leads withered and prematurely aging skin and hair. Seventh, great fear and lack of moderation injure the Will (Zhi); Will injury leads to mental confusion and unhappiness. These seven constitute the causes of injury from overexertion, hence named "Qi Shang."

The so-called "Wu Lao" (Five Exhaustions) are: First, Lung exhaustion causes shortness of breath, facial edema, and loss of smell. Second, Liver exhaustion causes dry and dark complexion around the eyes and face, bitter taste in the mouth, and blurred vision. Third, Heart exhaustion causes mental agitation, frightfulness, forgetfulness, difficult and hard stools, occasional loose stools, and oral ulcers. Fourth, Spleen exhaustion causes stiffness of the tongue root and inability to swallow saliva. Fifth, Kidney exhaustion causes difficulty in bending and extending the back, yellow-red urine, occasional dribbling after urination, genital pain and sores, and distension and urgency in the lower abdomen. These five represent exhaustion Qi residing in the five Zang organs, hence named "Wu Lao."

The so-called "Liu Ji" (Six Extremes) are: First, Qi Extreme causes internal emptiness, insufficiency of the five Zang organs, an excess of pathogenic factors and deficiency of healthy Qi, and reluctance to speak. Second, Blood Extreme causes pallor, loss of eyebrows and hair, mental agitation, frightfulness, and forgetfulness. Third, Tendon Extreme causes frequent muscle spasms, pain in all ten fingers and nails, severe fatigue, and inability to stand for long periods. Fourth, Bone Extreme causes soreness and emaciation of bones, severe toothache, vexatious pain in hands and feet, inability to stand, and reluctance to move. Fifth, Muscle Extreme causes emaciation and lack of luster, where food essence fails to nourish the muscles. Sixth, Essence Extreme causes shortness of breath and shallow respiration, internal emptiness, insufficiency of Qi in the five Zang organs, loss of hair, sadness, and forgetfulness. These six represent severe injury from overexertion and extreme physical fatigue, hence named "Liu Ji."

Beyond Wu Lao, Liu Ji, and Qi Shang, there are various other pathological changes. The treatment methods should all prioritize tonification and nourishment. For those with insufficient Form, tonify their Qi with warming agents; for those with insufficient Essence, replenish them with rich flavors. When the properties and flavors harmonize, they are taken together to benefit Essence and boost Qi; this is the essential principle.