Abstract:

Pectoral Qi(Zongqi)， as the core of acquired Qi in the human body，is formed by the combination of clean Qi inhaled by the lungs and the essential Qi of water and grain transformed and transported by the spleen and stomach. Its functions of "governing respiration through the respiratory tract and promoting blood circulation by penetrating the heart vessels" are closely related to breathing patterns. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of pectoral Qi and integrated with modern medical research findings， the paper systematically elucidates the differential mechanisms by which nasal and oral breathing affects the generation and function of pectoral Qi. Nasal breathing ensures the purity and suitability of "clean Qi", laying the physiological foundation for the transformation， generation， and distribution of pectoral Qi. In contrast， oral breathing tends to allow turbid and cold Qi to directly invade the lung， consuming the Qi of the lung and spleen， and stagnating the Qi movement in the throat， which ultimately leads to disharmony of pectoral Qi, becoming a key pathogenic link in the occurrence and progression of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). Based on it， a comprehensive prevention and treatment system of pediatric OSA embodying the trinity of "nose-Qi-spirit" is established， with restoring nasal breathing as the primary treatment principle and combined with methods to tonify the lung and spleen and free Qi movement.

Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea, Pectoral Qi(Zongqi), Nasal breathing, Oral breathing, Child