After digestion, the glucose passes into our bloodstream where it is available for body cells to use for growth and energy. For the glucose to get into the cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach.

When we eat, the pancreas is supposed to automatically produce the right amount of insulin to move the glucose from our blood into our cells. In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the body cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body. Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.

There are three types of diabetes:

1-1. Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) occurs when the pancreas no longer produces any or very little insulin. It is considered the body's system for fighting infection turns against a part of the body in diabetes, and the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. Insulin, you know, is needed in the body to use sugar for energy. Approximately 10 percent of people with diabetes have Type-1 diabetes. Someone with IDDM needs daily injections of insulin to live.

1-2. Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes
The remaining 90 percent are non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Type-2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not use the insulin, though it is produced effectively.

1-3. Gestational Diabetes
It is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It affects 0.5% of pregnant women with 40 percent of those cases developing into Type-2 diabetes later in life times.

Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every major part of the body. It contributes to blindness, heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage. Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy.

Some symptoms of diabetes include:

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2. Acupuncture Treatment
Diabetes is characterized by polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria and emaciation. The glucose in urine is positive and blood sugar high. Diabetes should be distinguished from diabetes insipidus and nervous polyria. There are three types of diabetes.

2-1. Diabetes Involving the Upper-Jiao.
The patient has frequent thirst and drinks a lot. There is an excessive appetite with frequent urination. The test of urine glucose shows + + and blood sugar test indicates 153 mg %.

Treatment:
Prescription: Xinshu, Weiwanxiashu, Yuji, Lianqnan which are the main points for diabetes. These points are punctured to clear the heart fire, nourish the lung Yin and stop thirst.

Slantly needle Xinshu with the twisting and reducing method, and then needle Weiwanxiashu with the even-movement method and withdraw after half a minute.

Needle Lianquan with the even-movement method for half a minute and then pull the needle out. Yuji is punctured with the twisting and reducing method retained for 10 minutes. The treatment is given once a day or every other day 10 times consist of a course of the treatment.

2-2. Diabetes Involving the Middle-Jiao.
The diabetes is characterized by rather excessive appetite with easy hunger accompanied by polydipsia and polyuria. The glucose in urine shows ++, The pulse is slippery and rapid, the tongue dry with yellow coating.

Treatment
Prescription: Pishu, Hegu, Neiting combined with Weiwanxiashu. This combination of the points is to extinguish stomach fire, quench thirst and regulate spleen. First needle Weiwanxiashu, Pishu with the even-movement method for one minute and withdraw. Then both of Hegu, Neiting are needled with the twisting and reducing method, and retained for 20 minutes with intermittent moving. The treatment is given once a day or every other day. 10 times consist of a course of the treatment.

2-3. Diabetes Involving the Lower-Jao.
This type of diabetes is indicated by treatment cloudy urination frequently accompanied by dizziness and poor vision. The patient drinks a lot and always feels hungry. The signs are low-back soreness and distention, The glucose in urine shows + + + and blood sugar of 270 mg%. The pulse is thready and rapid, the tongue body is pale.

Treatment
Prescription: Shenshu, Taixi, Weiwanxiashu. This prescription is applied to dispel the heat from the liver and invigorate the kidney, nourish Yin and relieve thirst. First puncture Weiwanxiashu with the even-movement method for half a minute and retain the needle. Shenshu is needled with the twisting and reinforcing method for one minute and retain the needle. Taxi is needled with the same way. retained for 20 minutes with intermittent moving. The treatment is given once a day or every other day. 10 times consist of a course of the treatment. During the treatment the patient should on diet, taking more vegetables and coarse grains, and avoiding greasy and sweet food, alcohol is prohibited.

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Main points of diagnosis

Auxiliary examination:

TCM treatment:

Common Used Formulas

Main symptoms: Restlessness, polydipsia, polyphagia with tendency to hunger; dryness of the mouth and tongue, polyuria; red tongue with yellowish coating; slippery and rapid pulse.

Herbal medicine formula: Modified Gypsum Decoction in combination with Nourishing the Stomach Decoction.

All the drugs are to be decocted in water for oral administration. Two times each day.

Main symptoms: Polyuria with turbid discharge, soreness and debility of the lumbus; dryness of the mouth and tongue, dysphoria with feverish sensation in the chest, palms and soles; red tongue; deep, thready and rapid pulse.

Herbal medicine formula: Modified Bolus of Six Drugs( including Rehmannia

All the drugs are to be decocted in water for oral administration. Two times each day.

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Please feel free to contact Dr. Zhang at
zhang@damo-qigong.net
Shukai TCM Hospital
34_6 Meigui Street
Tiexi District, Yingkou, Liaoning, China 110123
Tel: 0086-139-405-31830
Fax: 0086-139-405-31830