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Kaj je diabetes?
Diabetes je bolezensko stanje, ko telo ne more več pravilno uporabljati ali shranjevati sladkorja. Do tega pride, ker bodisi telo preneha proizvajati bodisi ne proizvede zadostnih količin inzulina. Raven krvnega sladkorja poraste do nezdravih vrednosti. Pri ljudeh z diabetesom trebušna slinavka ali proizvede malo ali nič inzulina (tip 1), ali pa se celice na proizveden inzulin ne odzivajo primerno (tip 2 in nosečniški diabetes).
V krvi se začne kopičiti glukoza, ki se prebije tudi do urina, s katerim nato izstopa iz telesa. Če ni zdravljen, lahko diabetes povzroči številne zdravstvene probleme, ki vljučujejo impotenco, amputacijo okončin, odpoved ledvic, slepota in kardiovaskularne bolezni. Srčne bolezni so vodilni vzroki za smrti, povezane z diabetesom, ki jih je statistično 2- do 4-krat več kot pri odraslih brez diabetesa.
Trije glavni tipi diabetesa so:
Tip 1, poznan tudi kot otroški diabetes ali včasih avtoimuna bolezen [Preberite si več o TKM za avtoimunske bolezni]
Tip 2 diabetes [Preberite si še: Statini lahko podvojijo tveganje za pojav diabetesa tip 2]
Nosečniški diabetes (do njega pride v obdobju nosečnosti, vendar izzveni po porodu)
Tipični simptomi tipa 1 vključujejo:
Povečana potreba po tekočini
Suha usta
Pogostejše uriniranje
Utrujenost (občutek šibkosti, utrujenost)
Moten vid
Otrplost ali ščemenje v rokah in nogah
Simptomi diabetesa tipa 2:
Isti simptomi kot zgoraj našteti pri tipu 1
Počasno celjenje ran in ureznin
Srbeča koža (predvsem v dimljah in v vaginalnem območju)
Glivične okužbe
Kakšna so konvencionalna zdravljenja za diabetes?
Ko vam zdravnik diagnosticira diabetes, je zelo verjetno, da vam bo poleg spremembe življenjskega stila svetoval tudi sledeče:
Dodatki inzulina (vedno pri tipu 1 in včasih pri tipu 2)
Spremljanje ravni krvnega sladkorja
Oralna zdravila (tip 2)
Cilj zdravljenja diabetesa je normaliziranje ravni glukoze v krvi oz. krvnega sladkorja, kolikor je to mogoče, in zmanjšanje možnosti pojava sledečih kroničnih zapletov diabetesa:
Tradicionalna kitajska medicina pri diabetesu
Skupino simptomov diabetesa, ki jo je zaokrožila konvencionalna medicina, s svojim sistemom zdravi tradicionalna kitajska medicina (TKM) že tisoče let. TKM se ozira na znake in simptome s pogledom na celotno telo, torej na človeka kot celoto. Specifičneje, ta sistem išče vzorce disharmonije, tako kot tudi opazuje pacientove čustvene in psihološke odzive. [Preberite si: Vaše telo je ekosistem, ne stroj]
Za razliko od konvencionalne medicine se TKM ne osredotoča na določanje ali manipulacijo ravni krvnega sladkorja, ampak se raje individualno načrtuje povrnitev telesnega ravnotežja in harmonije, kar pa temelji na naravi diagnosticiranega neravnotežja. Najpogosteje uporabljene terapevtske metode v TKM vključujejo akupunkturo, moksibustijo, kitajsko zeliščarstvo, terapija z dieto, miselne/telesne vadbe (Qigong and Tai Chi), in Tui Na (kitajska masaža).
Akupunktura za krvni sladkor
Akupunktura se je dobro izkazala pri zniževanju ravni krvnega sladkorja in je bila prav tako demonstrirana za učinkovito pri izboljševanju periferne nevropatije in nevropatične bolečine (najpogostejši zapleti diabetesa tipa 2).
Izbira akupresurnih točk je osnovana na teoriji TKM. Štiri najpogosteje rabljene točke so Zusanli ST 36, Sanyinjiao SP 6, Fei Shu UB 13 in Shen Shu UB 23. Ostale točke so naknadno izbrane skozi zdravljenje glede na pacientovo diagnozo (Dey, L. et al., 2002). Velja prepričanje, da dalj časa kot traja zdravljenje, vidnejši bo učinek. Pacienti, ki se poslužijo tudi nadzora nad prehrano, imajo običajno boljše rezultate terapij kot tisti, ki tega nimajo. Prav tako lahko učinek terapij povečajo še hkratna telesna aktivnost, dihalne vaje in masaža (Dey, L. et al., 2002).
Kako uporabiti integracijske terapije pri obvladovanju diabetesa
Vsi pristopi stremijo k optimizaciji telesne sposobnosti, da normalno funkcionira. Ko v zdravljenje integriramo terapevtske pristope, morajo vsi pacienti prepoznati pomembnost skrbnega spremljanja ravni krvnega sladkorja, tako kot tudi upoštevanja navodil svojega zdravnika splošne medicine. Prosimo vas, da pomnite, da je pri TKM zdravljenjih potrebnega veliko več časa, da se raven krvnega sladkorja zniža, zato ne smete nenadoma prenehati z jemanjem svojih rednih zdravil.
Ob dodatku novih terapij in praks, se bo v idealnem primeru raven krvnega sladkorja znižala ali normalizirala in recepti za zdravila se bodo zmanjšali v odmerku ali pa jih sploh ne boste več potrebovali. Zato so zanesljiva in redna samokontrola ravni krvnega sladkorja, točno in natančno beleženje/poročanje in pogosta komunikacija z ekipo, ki skrbi za vaše zdravje, kritičnega pomena.
Medtem ko naj bi diabetični bolniki preverjali ravni svojega krvnega sladkorja večkrat na da, je najboljši način za vrednotenje in nadzorovanje povprečne ravni krvnega sladkorja opravljanje testa s hemoglobinom A1c (HbA1c). Ta test zagotavlja pregled nad povprečjem ravni krvnega sladkorja za več mesecev nazaj. Nacionalne smernice priporočajo, da se ravni HbA1c izmerijo štirikrat letno. (Višja kot je raven hemoglobina A1c, bolj je diabetes ‘nenadzorovan’).
Kakšni so pričakovani rezultati zdravljenja diabetesa s TKM?
Imamo veliko pacientov z diabetesom, čeprav jih veliko ne pride k nam predhodno zaradi diabetesa. Tu je nekaj resničnih učinkov, ki sem jih opazila na naših pacientih:
Zmanjšan odmerek inzulina na inzulinski črpalki pri pacientu s tipom 1
Izboljšane vrednosti pri testu HbA1c
Dolgoročno zmanjšan odmerek inzulina pri pacientu s tipom 2
Nadzorovana in obvladovana mejna bazalna glikemija
Moč kitajske medicine leži v izboljšanju telesnega sistema in skupnega stanja. Diabetes povzroči poslabšanje funkcij celotnega telesa. Golo osredotočanje na zniževanje ravni krvnega sladkorja brez nadaljnjega globljega ozira na izvor problema pravzaprav ne pozdravi problema. Če vas zanima zdravljenje s pomočjo TKM ali pa imate kakršnakoli vprašanja, nas prosimo kontaktirajte.
Diabetes - The TCM approach
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot use and store blood sugar correctly. This is because the body either stops producing or doesn’t produce enough insulin. The amount of sugar in the blood then rises to unhealthy levels. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin (type 1), or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced (type 2 and gestational diabetes).
Glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body in the urine. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many health problems including impotence, amputation, kidney failure, blindness, and heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related deaths with death rates being about 2 to 4 times as high as that of adults without diabetes.
The three main types of diabetes are:
Type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes or sometimes an autoimmune disease [Read more about TCM for autoimmune disease]
Type 2 diabetes [Read more: Statins may double the risk of type diabetes 2]
Gestational diabetes (occurs in pregnant women during the pregnancy, but resolves after delivery)
The typical symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
Increased thirst
Dry mouth
Frequent urination
Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
Blurred vision
Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:
The same as those listed above
Slow-healing sores or cuts
Itching skin (especially the groin or vaginal area)
Yeast infections
What are the conventional treatments for diabetes?
When your physician diagnoses diabetes, it is likely that he or she will suggest, in addition to lifestyle changes, the following:
Insulin (always in type 1 and sometimes in type 2)
Monitoring blood sugar levels
Oral medication (type 2)
The goal of all diabetic treatment is to normalize blood glucose (sugar) levels as much as possible, and to minimize the following long term complications of diabetes:
Blood vessel damage that can lead to heart attack, stroke, limb loss, kidney damage, blindness, and other serious physical consequences
Nerve damage, or neuropathy, resulting in loss of sensation
Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)
Skin conditions
Traditional Chinese Medicine for diabetes
The group of symptoms termed diabetes in conventional medicine has been treated for thousands of years with the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM looks at signs and symptoms in the context of the whole person. Specifically this system looks at patterns of disharmony, as well as patients' emotional and psychological responses. [Read more: Your Body as a Garden]
Unlike conventional medicine, TCM does not focus on determining or manipulating the blood sugar levels, but rather individualizes a plan to restore balance and harmony, depending upon the nature of the diagnosed imbalance. The most commonly employed therapeutic methods in TCM include acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, diet therapy, mind/body exercises (Qigong and Tai Chi), and Tui Na (Chinese massage).
Acupuncture for blood sugar
Acupuncture has been shown to lower glucose levels and has been demonstrated to improve peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain, one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes.
Acupuncture points are chosen based on TCM theory, and four points commonly used are Zusanli ST 36, Sanyinjiao SP 6, Fei Shu UB 13 and Shen Shu UB 23. Other points are added during treatment according to the pattern diagnosis (Dey, L. et al., 2002). It is believed that the longer the course of treatment, the more marked the effect will be. Those patients with dietary control generally have better therapeutic results than those without it, and concurrent physical exercise, breathing exercises or massage can improve the therapeutic effect (Dey, L. et al., 2002).
How to use integrative therapies in your diabetes care
All of these approaches seek to optimize the body's ability to function. When integrating therapeutic approaches to diabetes, all patients must recognize the importance of careful monitoring of blood glucose levels, as well as following your conventional doctor’s instruction. Please note TCM treatment takes much longer time to lower the blood sugar so you should not stop your regular medication abruptly.
When new therapies and practices are added, ideally glucose levels will decrease or normalize, and prescription medications may need to be decreased in dose, or sometimes even eliminated. Therefore, reliable and regular self-testing of glucose levels, accurate recording/reporting, and frequent communication with your medical care team is critical.
While individuals with diabetes should check their blood sugar level multiple times per day, the best way to assess the overall level of glucose control is by taking a Hemoglobin A1c test. This provides an average of glucose levels over several months. National guidelines recommend that Hemoglobin A1C levels are measured four times per year. (The higher the Hemoglobin A1c, the more "uncontrolled" the diabetes.)
What is the expected results from TCM for diabetes?
We have many diabetic clients, even though not all of them come preliminary for their diabetes. Here are some of the real effects observed in our clients:
Decreased insulin usage shown in the insulin pump in Type 1 diabetes patient
Improved HbA1c
Reduced dosage of insulin in a long term Type 2 diabetes patient
Marginal diabetes controlled and reserved
The strength of Chinese medicine lies in the improving the body systems and overall condition. Diabetes is caused by a deterioration of the functions of the entire body. Simply focusing on reducing the blood sugar level without looking further and deeper at the root cause do not actually cure the problem. If you have interest or question about TCM for diabetes, please do not hesitate to contact us.