Type 2 Diabetes
Overview
Diabetes is a metabolic disease of chronic hyperglycemia due to insufficient insulin action; classic features are polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, weight loss, and fatigue, though early type 2 is often asymptomatic. Chinese medicine classifies it as wasting-thirst (xiao ke), with yin deficiency and dryness-heat as the core mechanism involving the lung, stomach, and kidney (upper, middle, and lower xiao); over time qi and yin are both damaged and stasis or dampness may appear. TCM is adjunctive and never replaces glucose-lowering medication or monitoring.
Pattern differentiation (clinical patterns)
Qi-Yin Dual Deficiency
Thirst with frequent drinking, fatigue, shortness of breath and weak voice, five-center heat or spontaneous/night sweating, increased appetite with loose stools, red tongue with scant moisture and little coating, fine weak pulse.
Boost qi and fortify the spleen; nourish yin and engender fluids.
Exuberant Stomach Heat
Polyphagia with easy hunger, thirst, emaciation, dry stools, red tongue with dry yellow coating, forceful slippery pulse.
Clear the stomach and drain fire; nourish yin and increase fluids.
Connections
Daily care & prevention
Follow prescribed medication and monitor blood glucose and HbA1c; never stop medication yourself. Control total calories, eat regular meals favoring low-glycemic foods, plenty of vegetables and quality protein, and limit sugar and refined carbohydrates. Exercise regularly, care for the feet, stop smoking, limit alcohol, and manage weight. Massage Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and the upper-back/spleen-shu and stomach regions as an adjunct.
When to seek medical care
Confusion, drowsiness, deep rapid breathing with a fruity odor, persistent vomiting/dehydration, or extremely high glucose is an emergency, as is severe hypoglycemia (palpitations, cold sweat, tremor, altered consciousness)—treat and call for help immediately. Seek prompt care for foot ulcers or infection.