Other symptoms and conditions
Not all health complaints logically fit within one of the other complaint groups on this website. For this reason, you will find various complaints and conditions, such as dizziness, tinnitus, excessive sweating, restless legs, thyroid problems and transitory symptoms.
These complaints have different causes and each of them asks for their own approach. Therefore, within Chinese medicine they are not placed under one common pattern. Each complaint looks at the way in which they emerge, possible causes, additional complaints and the underlying TCM pattern.
You can continue to read about the complaint or condition that is relevant to you through the topics below.
Complaints and disorders
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the amount of glucose in the blood is too high. There are several forms, including type 1 diabetes and type 2. Within Chinese medicine, symptoms such as fatigue, thirst, digestion, heat or cold and possible complications are examined in addition to diagnosis.
For more information: Diabetes mellitus
Dizziness
Dizziness may manifest itself as a light sensation in the head, vertigo, uncertainty standing or walking or feeling that you or the environment are moving. Possible causes vary greatly. Therefore, the nature of dizziness, potential triggers and additional symptoms are important for treatment.
For more information: Dizziness
Menopause and transitional complaints
During the peri- and menopause, hormonal changes can cause various symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, palpitations, dryness and menstrual changes. Within TCM, different patterns may be behind these complaints.
For more information: Menopause and transitional complaints
Oedema (water retention)
Oedema is an accumulation of fluid in the tissues and may be visible around the ankles, lower legs, hands or eyelids for example. The cause may range from temporary or hormonal changes to problems with venous or lymphatic discharge and diseases of the heart, kidneys or liver. New or unexplained oedema therefore deserves medical assessment.
For more information: Oedema (water retention)
Overweight and weight management
Weight is influenced by many different factors, including nutrition, movement, sleep, energy consumption, hormones, medication and hereditary predisposition. Within Chinese medicine the overall picture of complaints is also looked at, for example, appetite, digestion, energy, moisture retention and stress.
For more information: Overweight and weight control
Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating means that you are clearly sweating more than would be expected on the basis of heat, exercise or other conditions. It can occur throughout the body or be limited to certain areas.
Within this category, we distinguish between:
- Night sweats excessive sweating during sleep.
- Spontaneous sweating . . . . sweating without obvious cause, usually during the day.
- Sweating of hands and feet excessive sweating of palms and/or soles of feet.
- Oksel sweats over sweating under the armpits.
- Sweating of the head and chest – sweating that occurs mainly on the head, face, neck or chest.
- Sweating around the genitals excessive sweating in the groin and around the external sexual organs.
For more information: Excessive sweating
On the Level 2 page, I would only use "Excessive Sweating" as a main link. The six forms will then be left on the page Excessive Sweating. Otherwise we will get links here to Level 4 like subpages and other unnecessary pressure.
Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome creates a strong urge to move the legs, usually along with tickling, tingling, pulling or other unpleasant sensations. The symptoms are typically worse during rest and in the evening or night and usually reduce temporarily by moving.
For more information: Restless legs syndrome
Thyroid problems
Thyroid problems can cause various symptoms, depending on the action and changes of the thyroid gland. Fatigue, changes in weight, heat or cold sensitivity, palpitations and changes in bowel movements are some examples. Also, the thyroid gland may become enlarged or lumps may occur.
Within this category, we distinguish between:
- Slow thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Struma and thyroid nodules
For more information: Thyroid problems
Here too, I would only use Thyroid problems as a main link on Other. The three specific thyroid pages are then accessible from that overview page.
Tics and tremors
Tics and tremors are different types of involuntary movements. Tics are usually sudden, repeated movements or sounds, while tremor is a rhythmic vibrating movement. The possible causes range from tension and stimulants to neurological or other physical disorders.
For more information: Tics and tremors
Tinnitus and hearing loss
Tinnitus is hearing sound without an external source of sound, such as a beep, suis, hum or noise. Hearing loss may be present at the same time, but does not need it. The cause may lie among other things in the external ear, middle ear, inner ear or auditory nerve.
For more information: Tinnitus and hearing loss
What can acupuncture do?
Because the symptoms and conditions within this category are very different, there is no general acupuncture treatment for other complaints.
Each complaint will look at the nature and possible cause, the way in which the complaint affects you, factors affecting the complaints and other physical or mental complaints. The treatment will then be tailored to the overall picture of complaints and the underlying TCM pattern.
On the individual complaint pages you can read more extensively what acupuncture can mean with each specific complaint.
What can Chinese herbal medicine do?
Also Chinese herbs are not selected on the basis of the category "Overall'. The treatment is tailored to the specific complaint and the underlying TCM pattern.
As a result, herbal treatment in case of dizziness, for example, can be quite different from transient symptoms, slow thyroid gland or excessive sweating. There is usually no standard herbal treatment for Western diagnosis.
This is further developed on the individual complaint pages.
How does Chinese medicine view these symptoms?
Within Chinese medicine, not only the name of a complaint or Western diagnosis is considered. The overall picture of complaints and the body functions involved according to TCM are examined.
Because the topics on this page are very different, it would be difficult to discuss general TCM patterns here. In dizziness, for example, other mechanisms and patterns play a role than in diabetes, tinnitus or transitional symptoms.
A recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics is called a TCM pattern within Chinese medicine. On the individual complaint pages you can read which TCM organ systems, body functions and patterns may be relevant to that specific complaint.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that helps determine which treatment within TCM can be appropriate. Read more at TCM basics .
Outlook
The course of treatment varies considerably between the symptoms and conditions on this page. The prognosis depends, among other things, on the specific complaint, the cause, severity and duration and the personal situation.
That is why we do not give a general treatment time or frequency on this overview page. The individual complaint pages are dealt with more specifically where possible.
Contact
Do you have a complaint within this category and do you want to know whether acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit your complaints? During a first consultation we will discuss your complaints, any medical diagnosis, medication and other relevant health factors.
Based on the overall complaint picture, it is considered which TCM pattern or combination of patterns is likely to be at the forefront and which treatment fits.