Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous primary disorder
affecting the processing of carbohydrates with multiple etiologic factors that
generally involve absolute or relative insulin deficiency, insulin resistance
or both. All causes of diabetes ultimately lead to hyperglycemia, which is the
hallmark of this disease. Diabetes
is typically classified into Type I, or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, in
which patients have little or no endogenous insulin secretory capacity, and
Type II, or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, in which patients retain
significant endogenous insulin secretory capacity.
Diabetes mellitus is known in
traditional Chinese medicine as “Xiao Ke” or wasting-thirst syndrome. According
to traditional Chinese medicine, diabetes is caused by an imbalance of the
cyclical flow of Qi within the meridians and organ systems. This particular
imbalance produces heat that depletes the body’s fluids and Qi causing the
following symptoms:
-
Fatigue
-
Lethargy
-
unexplained weight loss
-
excessive thirst (polydipsia)
-
excessive urination
(polyuria)
-
excessive eating (polyphagia)
-
poor wound healing
-
irritability
-
blurry
vision
-
infections
The
cause of wasting-thirst syndrome is understood to be a deficiency of yin in the
body, along with a heat pathogen affecting the lungs, stomach, and kidneys. Diabetes occurs in association with the following etiologic
factors:
1. The spleen and stomach are damaged by overeating
greasy food or by over-consuming alcohol
2.
Anxiety, anger, mental depression, etc. injure the liver
3.
Deficiency in the kidneys caused by intemperance in sexual life or congenital
essence defect
Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to treat
diabetes for over 2000 years. In treating diabetes, Chinese medicine seeks
an individualized treatment in order to address and treat the symptoms of
individual patients, their patterns of disharmony, and points of deficiency. The
practitioner may choose to use a variety of techniques during treatment
including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The treatment for diabetes
will focus on regulating the circulation of blood and Qi and balancing the
organ systems to improve pancreatic function and address internal heat and the wasting
of fluids. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can assist the body to
regain its normal healthy functioning.
