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MingLang

Jan 15

Hyperthyroidism

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The main function of the thyroid gland is maintenance of basal metabolic rate. Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common endocrine imbalances seen in clinic, with hypothyroidism and its many complications such as infertility, weight problems, depression and chronic tiredness the most frequent. It is estimated that thyroid dysfunction of some type affects as much as 10% of the population.

The two main clinical syndromes of the thyroid are over activity and under activity. The classic Chinese medical literature discusses thyroid conditions in terms of swelling of the thyroid gland, without specific reference to either hyperthyroid or hypothyroid conditions.

Swelling of the thyroid gland is known as ying bing in Chinese medicine. The term is usually translated simply as goitre, but there are different types of ying that reflect a variety of thyroid problems. A typical contemporary text gives the following types of ying:

– qi yung (diffuse swelling, goitre)
– rou ying (benign nodules, adenoma)
– ying yong (inflammation of the thyroid, thyroiditis)
– shi ying (malignancy)
– ying qi (thyroid swelling with heat, overactive thyroid)

Below are some causes for hyperthyroidism:

Graves disease (thyrotoxicosis): This accounts for about 75% of cases. Autoimmune in nature, due to stimulation of the thyroid by antibodies which bind to TSH receptors and mimic its effect. Can occur at any age but its unusual before puberty and most commonly affects the 30-50 year old age group. Women are affected about four times more often than men. There are genetic dispositions and familial link. The trigger for onset of symptoms in genetically susceptible individuals may be infection, stress or emotional trauma. The course of the illness can fluctuate with period of increase and decrease or remission, or may progress to hypothyroid.

Multinodular goitre: Most common in older women, 50+. Usually T4 and T3 are only slightly elevated, but because and older age group is affected the cardiovascular features, arrhythmia, fibrillations and palpitations predominate.

Autonomously functioning single nodule (toxic adenoma or ‘hot’ nodule): Most common in women over 40. The nodule is follicular adenoma which autonomously secretes thyroid hormone and inhabits TSH. Mild hyperthyroidism and usually only T3 is elevated.

Thyroiditis (subacute postpartum): May be viral (mumps, adenovirus) or postpartum. The viral type appears after an acute upper respiratory tract infection and leads to transitory hyperthyroidism due to destruction of follicle cells with relese of hormone into the blood, sometime followed by hypothyroidism. Postpartum thyroiditis is mild and self limiting, although 5-10% of postpartum women are affected. Can recur with subsequent pregnancies with patients gradually progressing to hypothyroidism.

Iodine induced: Drugs, especially amiodarone (an anti-arrhythmic agent loaded with iodine) and radiographic contrast media can overloaded the gland and induce a mild hyperthyroidism.

Some of the most common features of hyperthyroidism includes:
– anxiety
– nervousness
– emotional lability
– irritability
– hyperkinesis
– increased sweating
– heat intolerance
– increased basal metabolic rate
– fatigue
– breathlessness with exertion
– weight loss
– increased frequency of bowel movement
– palpitations
– tachycardia
– arrhythmias
– excess lacrimation

The thyroid and its influences in Chinese medicine:
The anterior neck and thyroid gland are influenced primarily by the Liver, Heart and Kidneys organ systems, and the renmai which traverses the area. The triyin and yangming organ systems (Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine and Stomach) can also be involved in thyroid pathology because of local influence via channel pathways, proximity of the organ itself (Lungs), and as a result of dampness and phlegm that can be created by their weakness.
The throat and neck are also the bridge between the head and the body. The neck connects the head, the seat of the intellect, to the chest, the seat of the emotions. The throat is associated with communication and the ability to express oneself clearly. The neck is the place where emotions can get caught when their expression is repressed, inappropriate or otherwise difficult. This can manifest in disorders of the throat and vocal cords, in globus hystericus (plum pit qi) and thyroid problems.

Etiology:
There are two primary pathological processes we see in patients with thyrod disorders. They manifest from disruption to two of the major energetic axes of the body, the Liver and Spleen, and the Heart and Kidney.
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen creates some of the necessary preconditions for thyroid dysfunction, such as qi constraints, heat and phlegm, as well as weakened resistance (qi deficiency). Once these preconditions exist then any disruption to the Heart and Kidney axis by emotional trauma, persistent or increasing stress, or by pathogenic invasion such as wind heat or warm disease may precipitate clinical thyroid disease.

Treatment:
There are two broad aims of treatment. Overall Chinese medicine treatment aims to correct the constitutional imbalances that led to the disorder in the first place. When heat is extreme, however, it must be swiftly cleared to avoid damage to yin. Acupuncture is often the treatment of choice in these circumstances (particularly when Liver pathology is responsible) with its unparalleled ability to regulate qi, clear heat and calm the shen very quickly.
In cases with more deficiency, treatment of the constitutional aspects with herbal medicine is important.
Jan 13

Wheezing

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In Chinese medicine, wheezing refers to a sense of tightness, congestion, breathlessness or constriction in the chest with difficult inspiration. The term asthma is commonly used when referring to this condition, however true asthma is only one of a number of biomedical diagnoses that may fall into the TCM category of wheezing, hence the adage of Western medicine, ‘All that wheezes is not asthma, however a lot of it is’. Because asthma is diagnosed so frequently, a separate discussion is warranted.

In TCM terms, wheezing is due to failure of Lung qi to descend as it naturally should. There are two primary mechanisms, excess and deficient. Excess wheezing is due to obstruction to Lung qi by an external pathogen (Wind plus Heat or Cold) or internally generated pathogens (Phlegm, Heat or qi stagnation). Deficient wheezing occurs when Lung qi is too weak to descend under its own stream, or Kidney qi is unable to grasp qi and aid the Lungs. In either case, the end result is accumulation of qi in the chest, leading to a sense of fullness, tightness or congestion.

Wheezing may be acute or chronic, and in many cases acute episodes occur on a background of chronic disease. In severe cases, the breathing difficulty may be serious enough to cause severe distress, and perhaps precipitate collapse, anoxia and even death. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospitalization.

Excess Chinese Medicine Patterns:
– Wind Cold
– Wind Cold with congested fluids
– Wind Cold with internal Heat
– Wind heat
– Phlegm Damp
– Phlegm Heat
– Qi stagnation

Deficient Chinese Medicine Patterns:
– Lung qi and yin deficiency
– Lung and Spleen qi deficiency
– Lung and Kidney yin deficiency
– Kidney yang deficiency

Jan 13

Body Organ Clock

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The Circadian Rhythm is a 24-hour internal clock that regulates the biological functions of all living things, from bacteria to mammals.

It regulates the cycles between your energy levels, feeding times, hormone production, and brain wave activity.

The Body Organ Clock is a concept from the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that is based off the Circadian Rhythm.

TCM focuses on a holistic approach. Good health is considered to be the effect of a harmonious relationship with the outside environment. TCM includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure massage, and exercise.

According to the ancient theory of meridians, and the principles of yin and yang in TCM, each organ is most active during a specific time of the day — resulting in the body organ clock below.

Morning: Wake Up, Hydrate, Fuel, and Be Active

5AM – 7AM
Organ: Large Intestine
Optimize: Wake up and drink 500 + milliliters of water. Your body needs water for a healthy colon, so avoid caffeine.

7AM – 9AM
Organ: Stomach
Optimize: Eat breakfast. Fruit, protein, healthy fats, and low GI (glycemic index) carbs are a good choice. If you take vitamins, now’s the time.

9AM – 11AM
Organ: Spleen
Optimize: The spleen supports metabolism and converts nutrients into energy. This is a great time for mental alertness, work, and physical activity.

11AM – 1PM
Organ: Heart
Optimize: Eat a nutrient-balanced lunch that isn’t too filling. This is a great time to socialize with people, offer to be of service, and cooperate with others.

Afternoon: Get Organized and Detox“

1PM – 3PM
Organ: Small Intestine
Optimize: The body is digesting, so this is a good time to “mull things over” like solving problems or getting organized.

3PM – 5PM
Organ: Bladder
Optimize: This is the best time for efficient afternoon work and studying. Drinks liquids (especially tea) to detox.

5PM – 7PM
Organ: Kidneys
Optimize: Kidneys are your energy reserves. This is a time to eat dinner and restore you energy.

Evening: Restore and Relax

7PM – 9PM
Organ: Pericardium (the membrane around your heart)
Optimize: This is a good time for intimacy and socializing. Now is also the best time to get a massage or do light stretching (both have to do with circulation).

9PM – 11PM
Organ: Thyroid and Adrenals
Optimize: This is a time for energy transfer and temperature regulation. Avoid eating, instead do a relaxing activity like reading.

Night: Time of Deep Rest

11PM – 1AM
Organ: Gallbladder
Optimize: Sleep and regenerate. If you have gallstones, they may start to act up and cause pain during this time.

1AM – 3AM
Organ: Liver
Optimize: This is a time for deep resting and dreaming while your liver is detoxing. If you wake up during this time, your liver is taxed by a poor diet, alcohol, or drugs.

3AM – 5AM
Organ: Lungs
Optimize: You should be in deep sleep while your lungs are expelling toxins. If you wake up congested, or cough at this time, your lungs are overburdened.

Of course the demands of modern life don’t always make it possible to follow this clock. But, it’s a great way to check in with your body and perhaps gain a little more insight into how it functions.

Jan 13

Alternative Ways To Improve Health

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Alternative ways to improve health

Established in 1995, Mount Gambier Chinese Medical Centre has serviced the Limestone Coast for over two decades. With an aim to not only treat illness but prevent disease and ensure a better quality of life. The centre offers a range of treatments, these include typical Chinese medicine treatments like acupuncture, herbal medicine and cupping therapy. The centre is also able to treat sports injuries, cold and flu symptoms and digestive issues, just to name a few.

Centre practitioner, Hong Yu Cao, also uses techniques such as pulse and tongue diagnosis, something many Chinese medical professionals are not competent in. Mr Hong Yu Cao said, while Chinese medical practitioners were briefly taught how to use the pulse or tongue to diagnose illness in training, the little information received means many are not confident in using the technique. Once he completed his formal training, Mr Hong Yu Cao spent time with a master of pulse and tongue diagnosis to become a specialist in the technique. With this extra training, Mr Hong Yu Cao is able to diagnose a range of illnesses without western style medical testing. Mr Hong Yu Cao said he had patients suffering from acute back pain and looking for a cure, but it was only when he read their pulse that he discovered other underlying issues such as digestive issues or a Qi block. He believes these techniques are key in accurate diagnosis and without such training, he may treat back pain as just that, which would offer relief for a finite amount of time.

Mr Hong Yu Cao is also a qualified Myotherapist and treats a range of musculoskeletal problems. Although Mr Hong Yu Cao believes in the merits of western medicine, he says there are numerous ways to treat certain diseases and those suffering from illness or injury should try all options available to them. Cooperation between Western Medicine, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture works well for IVF support and helps nausea, vomiting, lost appetite and insomnia caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Everyday occurrences such as the common cold and muscle pain are easily cured with Chinese medicine, in a more effective manner according to Mr Hong Yu Cao.

Although he still encourages the public to visit their western doctor if they deem it necessary, Mr Hong Yu Cao believes the alternative treatments offered at the Chinese Medical Centre could help many health issues.

Jan 13

Acid Reflux

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Take a moment to step away from what you know about acid reflux. Let’s look at this painful symptom from a different angle. Could it be that the body is giving you a sneak peek into the deeper energetic workings of your body? Traditional Chinese medicine views symptoms as messages of a deeper imbalance. Getting to the root cause of the problem will not only fix the problem for good, it will rebalance the body itself. Once the body works in harmony, disease—or symptoms such as acid reflux—cannot and will not appear.

All aspects—body, mind and spirit—have to cooperate for optimum health. Think of your car. For it to operate smoothly, the engine has to function properly. But that’s not all! The engine also has to cooperate with the wheel, which is connected to the steering mechanism. When you push down on the brake pedal, it has to engage other parts to be sure you stop safely. All parts of the car have to function properly themselves. Then they need to work together so the car rides well. You also need some form of energy to power the car. And don’t forget—you need to be a good driver.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Acid Reflux Patterns:

Liver Qi Invading the Stomach
Recurrent acid reflux aggravated by mental stress and/or emotional changes. Depression, emotional instability, anxiety, sighs often. Chest pain, blocked feeling in the chest, distension & tenderness of the hypochondrium, abdominal distension or pain. Cold extremities while the rest of the body is warm. Nausea, alternating constipation & diarrhoea, incomplete defection. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual breast swelling and pain. Tongue: Red with thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry or deep.

Stomach Heat
Recurrent acid relux aggravated by heating foods such as spicy foods, alcohol, chocolate, coffee or stress. Often occurs in early morning hours. Bad breath, excessive hunger, thirst and desire for cold drinks, irritability, restlessness, anxiety, flushing, bloodshot eyes, stomstitis, insomnia, distended hypochondrium, nausia. Tongue: Red with a yellow coat. Pulse: Wiry, slippery and rapid.

Phlegm-damp
Acid reflux. Dull heavy sensation of the extremities, tiredness, lethargy, foggy-headedness, may be overweight or pear-shapes, greasy skin. Distension and fullness of the upper abdomen, sticky sensation in the mouth, decreased sense of taste, indigestion, anorexia, belching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May have chronic mucus problem. Tongue: Swollen with white, thick, greasy coating. Pulse: Soft and moderate or slippery.

Food Stagnation
Acid reflux after eating large or hard-to-digest meals. Indigestion, abdominal fullness and distension, abdominal pain, eructation, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence. Tongue: Thick and sticky tongue coating. Pulse: Slippery, full.

Spleen Qi Vacuity
Acid relux exacerbated when eating hard-to-digest foods (e.g. raw foods). Tires easilty, general feeling of weakness, ‘heavy’ limbs, feeble voice, pale complexion, bloating after eating, feeling tired after eating, impaired sense of taste, upper abdominal distension, abdominal pain that is relieved with warmth and pressure, general aversion to cold. Tongue: Pale and flabby with thick, white greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery and weak.

Stomach Yin Vacuity
Chronic acid reflux, hyperacidity, may be exacerbated with stress, often occurs during the night. Hunger but no desire to eat, dry mouth and throat, dry retching, hiccough, discomfort in the epigastrium, dull epigastric pain, dry stool or constipation. Tongue: Dry with little or no coating, especially in the centre. Pulse: Thready rapid.

Treatment will be a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture points and herbal recommendations will differ person to person.

Jan 13

Acne, Eczema & Dermatitis

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Skin conditions such as Acne, Eczema and Dermatitis can really effect your mental health and day-to-day confidence. A lot of people have made Acupuncture a regular part of their beauty routine after having no luck with Western techniques.

Before an acupuncture treatment, you will be asked to stick out your tongue, which is a traditional diagnostic tool. The body of the tongue can fall on a spectrum of deeper, darker, purplish reds to a light pink. The tongue body reflects the overall physical systems. Bright red for instance will reflect excess heat in the system. Purples could mean there is stagnation of blood or a blockage in circulation. By checking the tongue coating and body, the acupuncturist can confirm a diagnosis.

Below you will find the different Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns;

Acne

Damp-Heat: Oily suppurative acne on face, back and chest. patient often has a relatively strong but hypersensitive constitution. Sticky sensation in the mouth, heaviness of the body and limbs, lassitude, loose stools or diarrhoea, abdominal distension, leukorrhea. Tongue is red with a slightly greasy yellow coat.

Upper Jiao Wind Heat: Inflamed, red acne in the face and neck area, redness of the upper body (especially face), suppuration, itching and pain. Feverishness, blood-shot eyes, facial flushing and thirst. Tongue is red with a yellow coating.

Liver Qi Stasis: Acne that is aggravated by mental stress and/or emotional changes. Premenstrual acne. Irritability, short temperateness, headache, flushing, insomnia, thirst, dizziness, eye strain, light sleep, fatigue, oedema, dysmenorrhoea, PMT. Tongue is red.

Blood Head, Blood Vacuity: Acne with little or no exudate. Lack-luster skin, dizziness, blurred vision, flushing, feverishness, anxiety, insomnia, blood-shot eyes. Tongue is red with a slightly yellow coating. Pulse is thready and rapid.

Eczema & Dermatitis

Damp-Heat: Red itchy skin progressing to a rash with small vesicles. Scratching produces weeping lesions. Tongue has a yellow coating. Pulse is rapid.

Blood & Fluid Vacuity: Recurrent attacks, skin of the effected areas are rough, thick and itchy.

Jan 13

Anxiety

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Anxiety is a normal human emotion and most people will experience it to some degree as a normal response to stress. Anxiety becomes pathological when it repeatedly interferes with daily life, is irrational, excessively prolonged or out of proportion with the cause. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, anxiety is the emotion most frequently associated with disorders of the heart and instability of shen. The Shen is easily agitated by heat and easily destabilized if heart or blood are weak.

For obvious reasons, patients with anxiety need to be treated with special care and gentleness. Many will be phobic and may have a major fear of acupuncture, so the technical and communication skills of the therapist are of utmost importance in reassuring the patient and engaging them in a program of treatment. At the same time, many patients will be medicated. Any anxiolytic medication should be withdrawn gradually, while constitutional treatment to support their yin, qu etc proceeds. In our experience, acupuncture is especially good for calming the shen and the repeated application of needles on a weekly or twice-weekly basis ensures the momentum of the treatment. At the same time, herbs are particularly good at replenishing yin and blood and providing the anchor for the shen. Together, acupuncture and herbs are effective at ameliorating the withdrawal effects of conventional medications, and at the same time dealing with the problem that gave rise to the anxiety in the first place.

It is important to remember that other drugs may be responsible for a anxiety, and to elicit a full list of medications and other potential aggravating substances the patent is taking. In addition to the benzodiazepines and recreation drug noted above, other drugs like appetite suppressants and caffeine may be implicated. Excessive use of caffeine (in coffee, chocolate and cola drinks) is a reasonable common cause of anxiety and easy to overlook.

Jan 13

Psorasis

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Presenting Signs and Symptoms
Itchy red areas with increased skin scaling and peeling with bleeding spots after scraping. The lesions were the typical elevated plaques, of different sizes, irregular oval in shape, mostly located on the scalp, ears and forehead, accompanied by generalized itching.

General signs and symptoms include fatigue, low energy, insomnia (disturbed sleep). Pulse deep, slow and choppy. Tongue is deep red body with a yellow and dry coating.

There are three different TCM patterns in Psoriasis, These and their symptoms include;

Wind in the skin with blood heat: Acute or initial stage. Severe itching and scaling, red papules with bleeding spots after scraping. Restlessness, irritability, dry mouth and throat, aversion to heat. Tongue is red with a thin yellow coating. Pulse is rapid.

Blood dryness: Dry lesions, less severe scaling. Tongue is normal, thin and has a dry coating. Pulse is weak and thready.

Blood stagnation: Enduring pigmented or dark red lesions. Thick scales, only mild itching. Tongue is purple or with stasis speckles. Pulse is weak.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Principles
Blood heat-toxin, blood dryness due to deficiency in the Yin and blood fluids. These all cause the skin to lack nourishment.

The aim is to resolve blood statis, clear heat and relieve toxicity, unblock the channels and moisten the dryness. Treatment will be a combination of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine blends.

Jan 13

Sinus Issues

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Your sinuses are four connected spaces in your skull, found behind your forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks. They produce mucus that drains directly into your nose and through it, helping keep bacteria, dirt, and other irritants out.

Generally, your sinuses are empty except for air that moves through the channels linking them. But allergies or a cold can block them up. Certain pollutants, like dust or smoke, and nasal growths called polyps can also cause blockages.

If your sinuses are blocked, you might feel like there’s pressure building up in your face. You might also feel congested and develop a headache. While over-the-counter decongestants can provide some short-term relief, they aren’t great for long-term use.

If you want to try a more natural route or have a recurring sinus issues acupuncture may help.

How does it work?
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), your health depends on the flow of qi (energy) in your body. This energy travels along invisible pathways, known as meridians. These are found throughout your body.

Qi is believed to help keep your body in balance and promote its natural ability to heal itself. A blocked or disrupted flow of qi can negatively impact physical and emotional well-being.

During an acupuncture session, very thin needles are inserted into your skin to stimulate certain points, based on the symptoms you’re addressing. This stimulation, according to TCM, helps to clear blockages along your meridians, restoring the flow of qi through your body.

People use acupuncture to help with a range of sinus issues, including hay fever, headaches, pressure, pain, and nasal congestion.

What causes sinus issues?

Wind Heat (or Wind Cold transforming into heat) is the most common external cause, while Wind Cold (without heat) is a common cause for nasal congestion. Invasion of Wind disrupts the function of the Lung system, in this case obstructing and preventing drainage of normal fluids of the sinuses and nasal passages. If Heat is present, these fluids quickly condense to form the thick, sticky yellow or green mucus present.

Other causes include:

Liver Qi Stagnation with Stagnant Heat
Ongoing stress and repressed emotions disrupt the circulation of Liver qi. Prolonged qi stagnation generates Heat which can rise to the sinuses, drying fluids and causing congestion of the mucous membranes.

Phlegm Heat
This pattern is caused or prolonged by over consumption of Heating and/or Phlegm producing substances, such as rich, greasy foods and alcohol.

Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency
Overwork, excessive worry or mental activity, irregular eating habits, excessive consumption of cold, raw foods or prolonged illness can weaken the Spleen and lung qi.

Kidney Deficiency
Kidney deficiency is usually a factor in Chronic conditions, ans almost always in older people. It can be acquired from chronic illness, aging or overexertion, or it can be inherited.

Jan 13

The Common Cold

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The term common cold refers to a variety of disorders characterised by symptoms like headache, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, fever, chills and a floating pulse. In some varieties acute nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea occur. In healthy individuals they are generally mild and self limiting, and more people will experience the common cold once or twice a year.

In Chinese medicine, the common cold is due to the invasion of the superficial layers of the body by pathogenic Wind, accompanied by Cold, Heat, Dampness or Dryness. In susceptible individuals the pathogen may penetrate to deeper levels of the body, affecting the internal organs. The potential for penetration of an external pathogen largely depends on the relative strength of the pathogen and strength or weakness of the bodies resistance.

Common colds are generally predictable in their outcome, and resolve quickly with correct treatment. The key to success is timing. The earlier the intervention, the faster the resolution. However, if the incorrect treatment is applied or if the patient is frail or chooses to ignore the body’s signals and ‘soldier on’ through illness, the pathogen may progress further into the body.

A combination of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can be very effective in treating a common cold and its symptoms.

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