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Diabetes mellitus is a disorder
resulting from absolute insulin deficiency (primary diabetes) or
abnormalities in insulin secretion and function. Diabetes can also result
from pancreatic disease, hormonal disorders, or genetic syndromes (secondary
diabetes).
TCM
refers to diabetes as Wasting-Thirst syndrome. The root of Wasting-Thirst is
said to be a deficiency of Yin in the body and the presence of a Heat
pathogen affecting the Lungs, Stomach, and Kidneys. When Yin is deficient,
Heat from deficiency is produced; likewise, when Heat is present, it
"burns up" Yin. It is common for people diagnosed with diabetes to
have a constitutional Yin Deficiency, but the deficiency may develop over
time as well.
There are two main types of
diabetes in terms of CTM:
1) Deficiency of Yin energy in the kidney
channel.
Symptoms: Dryness of the mouth and tongue, soreness and debility of
the limbs, polyuria with turbid discharge, fatigue and blood stasis.
Treatment principle: Nourishing
Yin and supplementing the kidney.
2) Dryness-heart in lung and stomach.
 Symptoms:
Restlessness, polydipsia, tendency to hunger, dryness of the mouth and
tongue, red tongue with yellowish coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Nourishing
Yin and clearing away pathogenic heat.
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 Herbal
medicine treatment for diabetes focuses on creating formulas according to
each patient case. For example: Formulas employ herbs such as Sheng Di Huang
and Tian Hua Fen to nourish Yin, clear Heat, and relieve thirst. Formulas use
herbs such as Shi Gao and Zhi Mu to clear Stomach Fire, nourish Yin, and thus
reduce the excess hunger Stomach Fire generates. Formulas use herbs such as
Shu Di Huang, Zhi Mu, and Shan Zhu Yu to nourish Kidney Yin, clear Heat, and
reduce excessive urination. Herbs such as Xi Yang Shen and Dan Shen may be
added to formulas as well to tonify the Qi and prevent Blood Stasis. The main herbal products for internal use
are: YI FU KANG JIAO NANG, KANG JI XIAO KE PIAN.
Acupuncture treatment for
diabetes focuses on treating the Patterns of Disharmony and any other
symptoms.
Recuperation by proper diet
also plays a very important role in relieving the symptom. Dietetic  Chinese
herbs and medical diet are comparatively desirable aids in treating diabetes.
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