Question
A diabetic patient inquires about how to address the issue of long-term constipation, mentioning that they have been taking glipizide and metformin, with blood sugar control being manageable but the constipation problem becoming increasingly severe. They currently have a bowel movement approximately every 7 days and are experiencing significant discomfort.
Answer
The physician advises that due to constipation caused by a lack of fluid, the patient should consume sesame oil three times a day, one teaspoon each time, and take 30 grams of astragalus decoction daily. Additionally, it is recommended that the patient take the traditional Chinese medicine ‘Chunlai Yuquan Pill’ for overall opsonize, with the expectation of a quick recovery. Using Western medicine alone may not effectively lower blood sugar levels, and blood sugar may still rise after the medication wears off. The doctor emphasizes that complementing with traditional Chinese medicine to enhance the body’s constitution and restore internal organ functions is necessary to achieve stable blood sugar reduction. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the cause of diabetes is kidney Yin deficiency leading to the loss of nutrients through urine, thereby causing spleen deficiency and insufficient secretion of digestive juices (i.e., insulin) by the body. This results in incomplete digestion and conversion of food into blood, leading to a lack of nutrients in the body and a decline in internal organ functions. Over time, patients may experience symptoms such as myocardial ischemia, itching, vision decline, numbness in hands and feet. The ‘Chunlai Yuquan Pill’ can enhance the body’s constitution, restore internal organ functions, aid in digestion, convert food into blood, and provide the body with adequate nutrition, thereby quickly restoring health. Most patients can recover basically within 3-5 months and around a year.