More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Diabetes and Chinese Medicine
Diabetes is a common metabolic endocrinopathy resulting from absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, which leads to a metabolic disturbance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Diabetes is called Xiao Ke in Chinese medicine and is represented clinically by weight loss and thirst.
In America, there are more then 18.2 million people with diabetes, with more than eight million 60 years and older. As people age, the risk of getting diabetes increases because the pancreas can't produce enough insulin and other organs can't use insulin well.
When you eat, your body changes most of the food into a form of sugar called glucose. Glucose travels through the blood stream to fuel or feed your cells. It is the main source of fuel for your body. When either your insulin level is not sufficient enough to get glucose into your cells or your body cells can't use insulin well, glucose builds up in your blood stream causing diabetes.
Diabetes is generally a life-long disease without a Western medical cure. In Chinese medicine Xiao Ke (diabetes) is considered to be caused by a Yin deficiency. It is divided into three types depending upon the symptoms Shong Xio (main symptom thirst), Zhong Xio (main symptom hunger) and Xia Xio (main symptom increased urination). The treatment will be different too, although treating the Yin deficiency is the main focus, regardless of the type of Xaio Ke.
Chinese medicine, in an effort to prevent degeneration and damage to pancreatic cells, works on balancing Yin. Improving Qi and moving the blood can help strengthen Yin and clear heat, which can help prevent further damage. Strengthening Yin can also reduce appetite and slow absorption of food in the stomach and intestines, which helps with weight loss. There is another important benefit in that there is a biochemical balancing in the central nervous system, which reduces stress and anxiety.
Another important treatment method involves burning fat and reducing high cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels. This helps organs and cells in the body to better use glucose and reduces blood sugar levels.
Chinese medicine enables you to naturally treat diabetes without side affects by using herbal medicine and acupuncture.
There are currently a number of medical research experiments, both in the lab with animals and in clinics with people, that are showing positive outcomes with Chinese medicine. Some patients have been successfully treated without medications.
This indicates that the ancient methods of Chinese medicine are able to assist in the treatment and prevention of modern human diseases.
