Diabetes corresponds to "xiao ke" in TCM. Pathologically, yin deficiency is the primary cause, and dryness and heat are the secondary ones. If the disease involves five zang organs, various complications may occur such as cataract, night blindness, deafness, boil, hypertension and myocardiac infarction.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Dryness and heat due to yin deficiency

It manifests dry mouth or thirst with inclination to drink, potyphagia, bulimia, cloudy and sweet urine, soreness and flaccidity of the waist and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, dry skin, red tongue with a little fur, thready and rapid pulse. It is advisable to nourish yin and tonify blood, clear away heat and moisten dryness. The prescription used is the modified Dihuang Decoction (Rehmannia Decoction) in combination with Liuwei Dihuang Bolus (Bolus of Six Drugs Including Rehmannia).

Deficiency of both yin and yang

It manifests frequent urination, very turbid urine, even urination immediately after drinking in severe cases, feverish palms and soles, dry throat and tongue, wan and sallow complexion, or blackish complexion, soreness and flaccidity of the waist and knees, cold limbs, aversion to cold, even impotency in severe cases, pale tongue with whitish fur, deep and thready pulse without force. It is advisable to warm yang, nourish yin and tonify the kidney. The prescription used is the modified Jinkui Shenqi Pill.

Deficiency of splenogastric qi

It manifests thirst with the inclination to drink, coexistence of polyphagia and loose stool, or reduced appetite, listlessness, lassitude of limbs, pale tongue with whitish fur, thready and weak pulse without force. It is suitable to strengthen the spleen, supplement qi, promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst. The prescription used is the modified Qiwei Baizhu Powder (Seven-Ingredient Powder with Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae).

If the above syndromes have the complications of cataract, night blindness and deafness, it is suitable to nourish and tonify the liver and kidney, strengthen essence and nourish blood. The selected prescriptions include Mingrnu Dihuang Bolus (Sight-Improving Bolus with Radix Rehmanniae), Shihu Yeguang Pill (Nyctalopia-Curing Pill with Herba Dendrobii), and Qiju Dihuang Bolus (Bolus of Six Drugs, Rehmannia with Wolfberry and Chrysanthemum), etc. In the case of the complication of boil, it is advisable to clear away heat and remove toxic substances. The prescription used is the modified Wuwei Xiaodu Decoction (Antiphlogistic Decoction of Five Drugs).

Rehabilitation Methods

The basic rehabilitation principle of the disease mainly lies in supplementing qi, nourishing yin, clearing away heat and promoting body fluids production. In the case of complications, the treatment should be based on the syndromes accordingly.

Regulating emotions and recreation therapy

Please refer to the relevant part of the section of "Coronary heart disease".

Physical training

Physical training can improve the regulatory function of central nervous system, enhance the metabolic function of body, reduce the factors which easily cause diabetes (such as obesity, hyperlipemia and arteriosclerosis), consequently reducing blood-sugar. The patients may select events like walking, jogging, swimming, boating, cycling, Taijiquan and eight-section brocade, of which walking is the most common method. Take a walk once or twice a day, with a daily amount of exercise less than 5km.

The patients with the administration of insulin should avoid excessive training during the maximal action period. Otherwise, the training may aggravate the hypoglycemic reaction. When having physical training at ordinary times, the patients should take some sweet with them for later use so as to prevent hypoglycemic reaction.