Endocrine system 1

Question 1

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

• The endocrine system is a complex network of organs and glands which produce and release hormones into the body to regulate most of the body’s functions.
• Metabolism, growth, development, electrolyte balance, reproduction and sexual health and mood

Question 2

What are the endocrine system glands?

Answer 2

• Endocrine system glands: pineal gland, thalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, uterus, ovaries and testes.

Question 3

What are the two categories of endocrine disorders?

Answer 3

• Endocrine disorders are typically grouped into two categories: endocrine diseases resulting from a hormone imbalance (a gland producing too much or too little of a specific hormone) and endocrine disease due to the human body not responding to hormones the way it is supposed to (Diabetes and digestive and Kidney Diseases).

Question 4

What are common endocrine diseases in biomedicine?

Answer 4

• Common endocrine diseases are thyroid system disorders hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s syndrome and diabetes mellitus, etc.

Question 5

What are symptoms of the Kidney channel?

Answer 5

• Hunger by no desire to eat
• Dark complexion
• Coughing up blood
• SOB
• Fright
• Dry mouth and tongue
• Swollen throat
• Chest pain
• Jaundice
• Diarrhoea
• Pain and numbness along the channel pathway

Question 6

What are patterns of the Kidney channel?

Answer 6

Patterns:
* Kidney Qi Xu
* Kidney Yang Xu
* Kidney essence insufficiency
* Kidney Yin Xu
* Kidney yin xu with fire effulgence
* Kidney failing to receive Qi

Question 7

What are the treatment principles for Kidney disorders?

Answer 7

• Tonify the Kidney and replenish QI
• Warm the Kidney and tonify the life gate
• Tonify the Kidney, secure essence
• Secure essence and reduce urination
• Enrich the Kidney and replenish yin
• Enrich kidney yin, clear ministerial fire
• Promote qi absorption to calm panting

Question 8

What is diabetes mellitus?

Answer 8

• More commonly known as diabetes
• Chronic metabolic condition where there is too much sugar in your blood.
• It is characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose which overtime leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.

Question 9

What are the two types of diabetes?

Answer 9

• Type one and type two diabetes
• Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes and gestational diabetes.
• Type one: children, adolescents or young adults, associated with auto-immune related destruction of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas.
• Type two: characterised by resistance of target cells to the influence of insulin. Inactive lifestyle, improper diets and obesity.

Question 10

What is diabetes from TCM perspective?

Answer 10

• Tang Niao Bing means sweet urine disease is not a term of TCM disease
• Xiao Ke Bing – wasting and thirsting disorder is characterised by excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, weight loss, fatigue and sweet tasting urine.
• Xiao Ke Bing is believed to arise from a combination of congenital weakness, emotional imbalance, improper diet, and lifestyle factors.
• Pathogenesis of Xiao Ke Bing involves the interaction between the Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys and Lungs as well as the accumulation of Dampness, Heat and Qi stagnation in the body but the root is Kidney Yin Xu and excessive branch heat-dryness.