Symptoms are merely superficial manifestations. Behind any symptom, there generally lies a complex etiology and pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches this through pattern differentiation to identify the cause and treatment based on the cause. Pattern differentiation involves identifying the current systemic state (state) of a disease, which is referred to as the syndrome. TCM treats the syndrome rather than directly targeting the symptoms. Although pattern differentiation can establish the pathogenesis, it is important to note that each syndrome is merely a cross-section of the disease's developmental process and does not represent the entire progression of the disease. Moreover, in this database, the syndromes listed for each symptom are only the tip of the iceberg and should be used as a reference for thought, not as the complete range of possibilities for that symptom.

The Su Wen‧Cough Discussion states: "The five zang and six fu organs can all cause cough, not just the lung." There are at least ten different TCM syndrome types (systemic states) for cough, which are far more advanced than Western medicine's approach to treating cough by several generations. And it's not just cough; the existence of any part of the human body requires the direct or indirect contribution of other parts, influencing each other. Just as a person's survival depends on the direct or indirect support of various members of society. Therefore, broadly speaking, any symptom is related to all parts of the body. A problem in any part of the body can directly or indirectly affect another part, albeit to varying degrees. When encountering any symptom, a skilled physician does not simply "treat the head for a headache and the foot for foot pain" but aims to address the root cause of the problem.