Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is indicated by elevated blood-sugar levels higher than 140 mg/dl and generally characterized by excessive thirst, excessive hunger, excessive urination and emaciation. Western medicine attributes this metabolic disease to genetic factors but research has also shown that it is associated with environmental and dietary factors in which the body is unable to breakdown glucose. This can occur as a result of either a lack of insulin (a hormone essential in the metabolism of glucose) in which the body attacks the cells that produce insulin; or there is an elevated level of insulin in which insulin simply does not recognize the signal and therefore is unresponsive.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to diabetes in ancient texts as “xiao-ke” which means “wasting and thirsting”. In TCM, diabetes is divided into three types: upper (lung), middle (spleen) and lower (kidney), each of which is associated with its predominant symptom, thirst, hunger and polyuria, respectively. Factors which contribute to “xiao-ke” include:

• Prolonged emotional factors: stress, anger, over-thinking, resentment, frustration
• Improper diet: fatty, greasy, spicy and sweet foods and drinks
• Constitutionally deficient, chronic illness, excessive sexual activity, pregnancy (gestational diabetes)

All of these factors can cause internal heat and left untreated, over time it can consume body fluid and essence (yin) and lead to excessive thirst, excessive appetite and/or polyuria and wasting. Traditional Chinese Medicine can help regulate the disharmony, nourish the body and restore the essence. Also, if there are any secondary complications such as renal failure, retinal damage, gangrene or nerve damage, acupuncture can help prevent and treat these conditions.

Your TCM practitioner may suggest herbal medicine in conjunction to acupuncture treatments and the course of treatments may be at least 10 treatments (once or twice a week). Speak to your TCM practitioner to find out more information.