Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high. This is caused by the fact that the body does not make enough insulin, does not respond well to insulin, or a combination of it. In type 1 diabetes, the body makes virtually no more insulin. In type 2 diabetes, especially reduced insulin sensitivity plays an important role.
Long-term increases in blood sugar can eventually cause damage to blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Good medical monitoring of blood sugar remains therefore essential.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are not used as a substitute for regular treatment in diabetes. From Chinese medicine, they can be used in addition, looking not only at blood sugar but also at the wider pattern of symptoms such as fatigue, indigestion, thirst, dry mouth, stress or tingling in the hands and feet.
Common symptoms
Type 2 diabetes can cause little or no obvious symptoms for a long time. Possible symptoms include:
- high thirst and dry mouth;
- more frequent and increased urination;
- fatigue and low energy;
- blurred vision;
- slow healing wounds;
- recurrent infections;
- tingling or reduced feeling of hands and feet;
- Unexplained changes in weight.
Not everyone with diabetes has these symptoms. Especially type 2 diabetes is regularly detected during blood tests before obvious symptoms are present.
Possible causes
Diabetes type 1 and type 2 have various causes. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes less responsive to insulin, and insulin production may eventually decline as well. Hereditary factors play a role. Being overweight, low levels of physical activity and dietary habits can also contribute to type 2 diabetes. People who are not overweight can also develop type 2 diabetes.
How can acupuncture help with diabetes?
Acupuncture is an additional treatment in diabetes. Regular treatment and monitoring of blood sugar always remain central. Acupuncture treatment is tailored to the overall symptoms and underlying TCM pattern.
Depending on your symptoms, the treatment may be aimed at:
- supporting digestion and energy management;
- reducing Dampness and Phlegm for example in case of heavy feeling, fatigue and digestive problems;
- regulating Qi when stress and tension play a clear role;
- feeding Yin in case of dryness, thirst and heat problems;
- supporting Qi in case of pronounced fatigue and weakness;
- Promoting Qi and Blood flow in cold, tingling or numb hands and feet.
In diabetes, special caution is needed when tenderness or blood flow in the hands and feet is reduced or when wounds are poorly healed.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with diabetes?
Chinese herbs are also chosen based on the individual TCM pattern. Two people with the same diagnosis of diabetes can therefore receive a completely different herbal treatment.
For example, treatment may be directed at:
- strengthening Qi when fatigue and digestive weakness are at the forefront;
- feeding Yin and body fluids in the event of thirst and dryness;
- reducing Dampness, Phlegm or Dampness-Heat;
- regulating Liver-Qi when stress has an important influence;
- promoting blood flow when signs of Blood stasis are present.
Caution is important when using glucose-lowering medication or insulin. If glucose regulation changes, medication needs may also change. Any changes to medication or insulin should therefore always be discussed with the treating doctor or diabetes nurse. Reducing or stopping medication on your own is discouraged.
How does Chinese medicine view diabetes?
Chinese medicine looks differently at diabetes than Western medicine. Where the diagnosis of diabetes is central in mainstream medicine, TCM looks at the underlying imbalance that exists in an individual patient.
Classical diabetes is often associated with Xiao Ke, a disease in which a lot of thirst, a lot of food, weight loss and a lot of urine can occur. However, this picture does not fit any modern type 2 diabetic patient. Especially in an early stage, overweight, heavy feeling, fatigue and digestive problems can be at the forefront.
In TCM, the Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys and Liver are particularly important in diabetes. The Spleen represents, among other things, the processing and transformation of food and fluids. When this function weakens, TCM describes the development of Dampness and Phlegm: concepts referring to impaired processing and accumulation of fluids and nutrients. The Kidneys play a greater role particularly in long-standing diabetes and Yin or Yang deficiency. The Liver is important for the free flow of Qi and may be particularly relevant when stress and tension have a clear influence.
As diabetes lasts longer, Blood stasis and Phlegm can also play a larger role. Within TCM Blood stasis describes an insufficient free flow of Blood. This pattern may be associated with tingling, numbness and circulation problems for example.
A recognizable combination of symptoms and physical characteristics is called a TCM pattern. Only the most common patterns are discussed below; other patterns are possible. Also, multiple patterns may be present at the same time and the pattern may change during the course of the disease. Not everyone with the same pattern has all the mentioned symptoms. The pattern is therefore determined based on the overall picture of complaints.
Within Chinese medicine, names such as Spleen, Liver and Kidneys have a broader meaning than just the anatomical organ. Read more about this at TCM basics.
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of signs and symptoms that describes which body functions according to Chinese medicine are out of balance. Read more at TCM basics .
Most common TCM patterns
Phlegm-Dampness
This pattern reduces the processing and distribution of nutrition and moisture according to TCM. This results in an accumulation called Dampness and Phlegm. This pattern is seen especially in type 2 diabetes and may already be present before diabetes is fully developed.
Common symptoms: feeling heavy and lame, tiredness, a sticky sensation in the mouth, feeling full or bloated in the abdomen, belching or reflux, varying stools and sometimes dizziness or a palpable sensation in the head. Overweight occurs regularly but is not necessary.
Damp-Heat
When Dampness merges with Heat, a different image arises. This can mainly be expressed in digestive and urinary problems and is associated, according to the TCM source, with a rich diet and excessive alcohol consumption.
Common symptoms: moderate thirst, dry or bitter mouth, bad breath, feeling full of stomach or abdomen, strong smelling or troublesome stools, dark or turbid urine, itching and a tendency to recurrent skin infections or fungal infections.
Disharmony between Liver and Spleen with Heat
Stress plays an important role in this. Long-term tension, according to TCM, can interfere with the free movement of Liver-Qi. This can then affect the Spleen and thereby the digestion and be associated with Heat.
Common symptoms: irritability, stress sensitivity, dry mouth or throat, bitter taste, varying appetite, bloated feeling, belching, heartburn, shifting stools and strained muscles in the neck and shoulders. Headache can also occur. The symptoms often get much worse during periods of stress.
Qi- and Yin-deficiency
Qi and Yin deficiency is described in the used TCM source as a common pattern in chronic diabetes. Qi stands here for functional energy, while Yin refers to nourishing and moisturizing bodily functions.
Common symptoms: clear tiredness and weakness, dry mouth and throat, mild to moderate thirst, dry skin, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating or mild night sweats, weak or painful lower back and legs and sometimes tingling or blurred vision. Both loose stools and constipation can occur.
Kidney-, Heart- and Liver-Yin-deficiency
In case of longer-standing diabetes, Yin deficiency can become deeper according to TCM and especially influence the Kidneys, Liver and Heart. Dryness and so-called deficiency Heat will be more prominent.
Common symptoms: pronounced thirst and dryness, frequent urination and nocturnal urination, warmth in hands and feet, hot flushes, night sweats, pain or weakness of lower back and knees, dry eyes, blurred vision, dizziness and ringing in the ears. Weight loss may occur.
Kidney- and Heart-Yang- and Yin-deficiency
This is a deeper deficiency patterns that is mainly described in the source in the case of long-term diabetes. Both heating and nourishing functions are weakened. As a result, heat phenomena in the upper body may be associated with obvious cold and weakness in the lower body.
Common symptoms: frequent and frequent urination, nocturnal urination, fatigue, weakness of lower back and legs, cold feet and legs, diarrhoea shortly after eating, but at the same time dry mouth, hot flushes, sweating or insomnia.
Blood stasis
Blood stasis becomes especially important in long-term diabetes and is strongly associated in the TCM source with complications involving blood vessels and peripheral circulation. It often occurs not only in addition to, for example, Qi or Yin deficiency or Phlegm.
Common symptoms: tingling and numbness in the hands or feet, cold or discoloured extremities, circulation problems, permanent pain and wounds that heal slowly. Further advanced illness may also prevent eye, kidney and cardiovascular problems.
Diabetes and complications
Long-term increased blood sugar levels may damage the small and large blood vessels and nerves. This may cause complications such as:
- peripheral neuropathy: tingling, burning, pain or reduced feeling of hands and feet;
- retinopathy: retinal damage and visual impairment;
- renal impairment;
- cardiovascular diseases: including problems with peripheral blood flow;
- skin and wound problems: wounds can heal more slowly and infections can develop more easily.
These complications always require conventional medical assessment and treatment. Within Chinese medicine, the additional treatment is then tailored to both the complication and the underlying pattern. According to the TCM source used, Blood stasis, Phlegm and various forms of deficiency play a role.
Outlook
Diabetes is a chronic condition. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are therefore not intended to replace medical treatment or as a method to cure diabetes.
What can be achieved with additional treatment depends, among other things, on the type of diabetes, the duration of the condition, glucose control, present signs and complications and the underlying TCM pattern. In addition, in type 2 diabetes nutrition, exercise, sleep, weight and stress are important factors.
In the beginning, for example, treatment can be done once a week, after which the frequency can be adjusted depending on the course of events. For chronic or complex complaints, a longer treatment course is usually required. Herbs may be used daily between acupuncture treatments, provided that this can be safely combined with regular treatment.
When to contact a doctor?
Diabetes requires regular medical supervision. In addition, contact your doctor for new or increasing symptoms such as reduced feeling of hands or feet, poor healing wounds, changes in vision or obvious changes in blood sugar levels.
Rapid medical assessment is necessary in case of signs of severe hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.
Contact
Do you want to know if acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine can help with your diabetes symptoms? During the first appointment, we will discuss your complaints, medical treatment and general health. Based on this, we will examine which TCM pattern is at the forefront and which treatment fits in with it.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are always used in addition to diabetes and do not replace regular control and treatment.