DIABETES BY MOXIBUSTION

Lin Yungui, Xu Lanying, Lu Xiling, Wu Ruirong, Chen Hongyu

(Fiijian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou) Gao Yunting, Chen Ruiying

(The Clinic of Fujian Provincial Government, Fuzhou)

The result of the 1st periodic observation of the treatment for nineteen cases of diabetes by moxibustion is reported in this summary. These cases include 11 male, and 8 female. Their average ages were between 50-65 years old, and the period of the diseases was between 2-12 years. They had all been treated with medicines and controlled with routine diet. Among them, 5 patients were treated with insulin. The average level of blood glucose was 184.26 mg%. Clinical Symptoms: thirst 18 cases; hunger 14 cases; nocturia (3-9 times/ night) 14 cases, pruritus 9 cases, soreness in limbs 14 cases, numbness in limbs 11 cases, fatigue 15 cases, complicated cataract 5 cases, mild heart disease 4 cases, mild liver disease 4 cases.

(1) Grouping: a. discontinuation of the original medicines and treatment by moxibustion for 13 cases, b. Treatment by moxibustion which combines with the original medicines for 6 cases.

(2) The method of treatment by moxibustion:

The moxa cone was manufactured by the machine, 1.5 cm in diameter, 2 cm Might, 0.5g in weight. It took 3 minutes in combustion. The thickness of the slices of ginger was 3-4mm, 2 cm in diameter. The stimulative temperature which separated from the skin by slices of ginger was 55°c. Twenty one points were used in treatment by moxibustion and these points were divided into 8 groups. Nine accessary points were used or disused (from one to several points) in the treatment according to the condition of the disease. Ten to thirty moxa cones were used for every point. It took once every other day and 24 times to make a course, two courses were enough for a patient.

(3) The result of the treatment: 19 cases after taking two courses: Blood glucose reduced 36.05 mg% on average. The difference before and after treatment was significant (P<0.001). The symptoms disappeared in some patients: thirst 15 cases, hunger 10 cases. pruritus 4 cases, soreness in limbs 6 cases, fatigue 15 cases, nocturnal urination decreases to 1-2 time/night 14 cases.

(4) The responses analysis:

The responses of the group of treatment by moxibustion: The average level of blood glucose before treatment by moxibustion wasl75.60 mg%. After the 1st course it reduced 36.83 mg%, and after the 2nd course it reduced 8.00 mg% continuously. Among them 9 cases were responsive (the level of blood glucose reduced 15.00 mg%). Before the treatment by moxibustion, the average level of blood glucose was 207.36 mg%, after the 1st course it reduced to 50.24 mg%; after the 2nd course it reduced to 13.75 mg% continuously.

The average level of glucose tolerance (mg%) before the treatment was as follows; 115 fasting, 210 in 1/2h, 248 in Ih, 196 in 2h, 139 in. 3h. After the 1st course: 101 in fasting, 164 in 1/2h, 195 in Ih, 152 in 2h, 109 in 5h. The difference before and after the treatment was sigificant. The average level (u.u/ml) of plasma insulin before treatment was 10.45, after the 1st course it rised to 14,55. Four cases were ineffective. The average level of blood glucose was 156.40 mg%. After two courses of treatment it raised 11.29 mg% in average.

The responses of the group of treatment by moxibustion combined with the medicines:

The average level of blood glucose before treatment was 202.83 mg%. After the 1st course it reduced 37.83 mg%. After the 2nd course it rose 21.00 mg%. Among them three cases were effective. The average of blood glucose before treatment was 218 mg%. After the 1st course, it reduced to 79.34 mg%, and after the second course it rose 25.34 mg%. In blood glucose before treatment was 156.40 mg%. After the 1st course, it reduced to 0.80 mg% and after the 2nd course it rose again to 7.80 mg%.

(5) The result in following-up: Two months after ceasing treatment by moxibustion in nine responsive patients, the subjective symptoms and the level of blood glucose in 7 cases rose again. Their level of blood glucose was lower than that of pre-treatment with moxibustion, if they took the original medicines. Two cases did not take any medicine but still kept the level as the treating days. Other patients were recovered to the level of pre-treatment.

Diabetic patients treated with moxibustion have evident response, and it is quick in trating for the symptoms such as' thirsty, hunger, nocturia, fatigue, etc. The response of reducing the level of blood-glucose is significant within 50 days, but it is not significant in the patients, who are dependent on insulin.