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Sudden death is caused by encountering "thieving wind" (pathogenic wind) when the body is in a state of "three deficiencies." The "three deficiencies" refer to: first, encountering a year with declining annual qi; second, meeting the time of the waning moon; third, failing to harmonize with the seasonal climate. When a person possesses these three deficiencies and is injured by thieving wind, it causes yin qi to be excessively depleted internally and yang qi to be blocked externally. The two qi become congested and closed, leading to sudden cessation of breath, resembling death. If the qi of the zang-fu organs has not yet been exhausted, the patient may revive after a long period.

However, there are also cases of sudden death accompanied by the qi of ghosts and spirits, where survival depends on the pathogenic factors receding. In cases of Zhong'e (sudden attack by evil qi) and Zu Wu (sudden collision with external pathogenic factors), if qi suddenly ceases but the patient later revives, it indicates that the pathogenic qi was not completely eliminated. If the pathogenic qi remains stagnant in the heart and abdomen, it may cause heart and abdominal pain, heaviness of the body, and inability to eat, forming chronic conditions (Su Zhen). These all transform into Zhu disease (a type of infectious or lingering disease).

Zu Wu, also known as Ke Wu, refers to external pathogenic qi suddenly invading and disturbing the spirit. This belongs to the category of toxic vapors from ghosts and plagues, similar to Zhong'e. People with weak hun and po souls are prone to being invaded by ghostly qi, often occurring on roads or outside doors. The manifestations include: severe cramping pain and distension in the heart and abdomen, qi rushing upward to the chest and heart, or immediate suffocation and unconsciousness with loss of recognition, changes in skin color. If the zang-fu organs are deficient and exhaustion occurs without immediate treatment, death may result. However, the severity of this toxic vapor varies; mild cases may recover with slight treatment, while severe cases invade and overcome the zang-fu organs. Even if treated immediately, residual qi stagnates and may flare up later, transforming into Zhu disease.

When suffering from Zu Wu, the external pathogenic ghostly qi suddenly and urgently injures the body, entering the zang-fu organs, causing the separation and severance of yin and yang, and the sudden blockage of blood and qi flow. The patient suddenly faints, resembling death. After a long period, when yin and yang qi harmonize, the patient revives; if the zang-fu organs are weak, death ensues. Some patients may appear to recover, but if the toxic vapor is not fully cleared, it may flare up intermittently, causing stabbing pain in the heart and abdomen, leading to lingering complications and transforming into Zhu disease.

Gui Ji (Ghost Strike) refers to the qi of ghosts and plagues striking the human body. It occurs without gradual onset, presenting as a sudden impact, feeling as if pierced by a knife or spear. There is intense, cutting pain in the chest, hypochondrium, and abdomen that cannot be pressed, accompanied by hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), or lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gui Ji is also named Gui Pai (Ghost Push), meaning the ghost pushes against the person. Individuals with weak blood and qi, and diminished jing and hun, may suddenly encounter ghosts and spirits, leading to being pushed and struck by them. Mild cases result in distress but survival, while severe cases often lead to death.