Hashimoto’s disease (chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis)

Hashimoto’s disease, also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder which means the body’s immune system acts against its own healthy cells and tissues. In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system makes antibodies that attack cells in the thyroid and interfere with their ability to produce thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism has many symptoms that can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism are: fatigue, weight gain, puffy face, cold intolerance, joint and muscle pain, constipation, dry and thinning hair, decreased sweating, heavy or irregular menstrual periods and impaired fertility, depression, and slowed heart rate.
Symptoms more specific to Hashimoto’s disease are goiter and a feeling of fullness in the throat.

In the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the main cause of Hashimoto’s disease is Yang Deficiency in which the body’s function to warm, motivate, and transform is inadequate. The primary organ systems include the Spleen and Kidney, and the Heart organ system becomes more involved in the advanced stage. Depending on the different signs and symptoms the patient presents with, the treatment will vary from individual to individual.

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment. Acupuncture can regulate the autonomic nervous system, hormone, and neuropeptide release to help control metabolism and may aid in regulating the immune system.

References:
1. National Institute of Health (NIH) - Medical Encyclopedia
2. NIH Consensus Study on Acupuncture, Alt. Tx.: 4:1:22. Jan. '98.
3. Kawakita K, Shinbara H, Imai K, Fukuda F, Yano T, Kuriyama K. How Do Acupuncture and Moxibustion Act? - Focusing on the progress in Japanese acupuncture research -.J Pharmacol Sci. 2006;100(5):443-59.
4. Oxford University Press - Oxford Journals Group.  
5. Shi, A. (2003). Essentials of Chinese Medicine: Internal Medicine Walnut, CA: Bridge Publishing.

Graves disease (Diffuse thyrotoxic goiter, Basedow’s disease)

Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that involves overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. The production of thyroid hormone is increased, causing a wide range of symptoms from anxiety and restlessness to insomnia and weight loss. In addition, the eyeballs may begin to stick out (exophthalmos), causing eye irritation and tearing.

Graves disease is caused by an abnormal immune system response that attacks the thyroid gland, and causes too much production of thyroid hormones. Risk factors are being a woman over 20 years old, although the disorder may occur at any age and may affect men as well.

In the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the symptoms of Graves disease (goiter and hyperthyroidism) are related with the manifestations of “Stagnant Qi with Accumulated Phlegm” and “Heart and Liver Yin Deficiency with Deficient Fire”. Simply put, it means that the body’s nourishing or cooling function is deficient. The causes can be prolonged emotional stress, improper diet, and environmental and constitutional factors.

Depending on the different signs and symptoms the patient presents with, the treatment will vary from individual to individual. Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment. Acupuncture can regulate the autonomic nervous system, hormone, and neuropeptide release to help with the symptoms and may aid in regulating the immune system.

References:
1. National Institute of Health (NIH) - Medical Encyclopedia
2. NIH Consensus Study on Acupuncture, Alt. Tx.: 4:1:22. Jan. '98.
3. Kawakita K, Shinbara H, Imai K, Fukuda F, Yano T, Kuriyama K. How Do Acupuncture and Moxibustion Act? - Focusing on the progress in Japanese acupuncture research -.J Pharmacol Sci. 2006;100(5):443-59.
4. Oxford University Press - Oxford Journals Group.  
5. Shi, A. (2003). Essentials of Chinese Medicine: Internal Medicine Walnut, CA: Bridge Publishing.

Myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by variable weakness of voluntary muscles, which often improves with rest and worsens with activity. The condition is caused by an abnormal immune response.

In myasthenia gravis, weakness occurs when the nerve impulse to initiate or sustain movement does not adequately reach the muscle cells. This is caused when immune cells target and attack the body's own cells. This immune response produces antibodies that attach to affected areas, preventing muscle cells from receiving chemical messages (neurotransmitters) from the nerve cell.

The cause of autoimmune disorders such as myasthenia gravis is unknown. In some cases, myasthenia gravis may be associated with tumors of the thymus (an organ of the immune system). Patients with myasthenia gravis have a higher risk of having other autoimmune disorders like thyrotoxicosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Myasthenia gravis affects about 3 of every 10,000 people and can affect people at any age. It is most common in young women and older men.

In the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the symptoms of Myasthenia gravis is very similar to Atrophy Syndrome. The cause of Atrophy Syndrome is injury to the internal organs and deficiencies of the Essence, Blood, and Yin accompanied by excessive fire. Its symptoms pertain to vital essence deficiency and malnourishment of the muscles and extremities. Many organ systems are affected: Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Kidney. Depending on the different signs and symptoms the patient presents with, the treatment will vary from individual to individual.

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment. Acupuncture can regulate the autonomic nervous system, hormone, and neuropeptide release to help with the symptoms and may aid in regulating the immune system.

References:
1. National Institute of Health (NIH) - Medical Encyclopedia
2. NIH Consensus Study on Acupuncture, Alt. Tx.: 4:1:22. Jan. '98.
3. Kawakita K, Shinbara H, Imai K, Fukuda F, Yano T, Kuriyama K. How Do Acupuncture and Moxibustion Act? - Focusing on the progress in Japanese acupuncture research -.J Pharmacol Sci. 2006;100(5):443-59.
4. Oxford University Press - Oxford Journals Group.  
5. Shi, A. (2003). Essentials of Chinese Medicine: Internal Medicine Walnut, CA: Bridge Publishing.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease. In the case of MS, it is the nerve-insulating myelin that comes under assault of the autoimmune response. Such assaults may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus.

Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye. Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or even standing. In the worst cases, MS can produce partial or complete paralysis. Most people with MS also exhibit paresthesias, transitory abnormal sensory feelings such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles" sensations. Some may also experience pain. Speech impediments, tremors, and dizziness are other frequent complaints. Occasionally, people with MS have hearing loss. Approximately half of all people with MS experience cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment, but such symptoms are usually mild and are frequently overlooked. There is as yet no cure for MS.

In the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis are closely related with the “Deficiency of Liver, Spleen, and Kidney system and malnourishment to the extended muscles”. Depending on the different signs and symptoms the patient presents with, the treatment will vary from individual to individual.

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment. Acupuncture can regulate the autonomic nervous system, hormone, and neuropeptide release to help with the symptoms and may aid in regulating the immune system.

References:
1. National Institute of Health (NIH) - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
2. NIH Consensus Study on Acupuncture, Alt. Tx.: 4:1:22. Jan. '98.
3. Kawakita K, Shinbara H, Imai K, Fukuda F, Yano T, Kuriyama K. How Do Acupuncture and Moxibustion Act? - Focusing on the progress in Japanese acupuncture research -.J Pharmacol Sci. 2006;100(5):443-59.
4. Oxford University Press - Oxford Journals Group.  
5. Shi, A. (2003). Essentials of Chinese Medicine: Internal Medicine Walnut, CA: Bridge Publishing.

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