Hello everyone, I am Dr. Xia. Today, instead of discussing difficult cases from the clinic or clinical consultation techniques, I would like to share a true story about my own illness and self-regulation.

      In my thirty-plus years of medical practice, I have constantly advised patients to be mindful of their diet, regulate their emotions, and maintain regular sleep schedules, repeatedly urging everyone to cherish their health. Yet, as a physician myself, years of high-intensity clinical work, heavy mental burdens, and constant stress led to prolonged depletion of my spirit and energy. Unknowingly, I had overdrawn my own physical and mental well-being.

      Earlier this year, I began experiencing dry mouth, mental fatigue, and general weakness, so I conducted a blood test on myself. The results showed a fasting blood glucose level as high as 18.84 mmol/L (see Figure 1), far exceeding the normal range, which served as a stark wake-up call.

Figure 1: Fasting Blood Glucose as High as 18.84 mmol/L

      Friends and family all advised me to immediately use Western medicine for rapid blood sugar control. However, having been deeply engaged in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for decades, I have always adhered to the principles of holistic pattern differentiation and treating the root cause of disease. In the TCM framework, hyperglycemia falls under the category of "Xiao Ke" (Wasting-Thirst Syndrome). Its essence is a bodily warning signal indicating visceral dysfunction, impaired transportive function of the spleen and kidneys, and disordered qi metabolism.

      Western medicine acts quickly to control symptoms, but it mostly offers targeted interventions that require long-term medication dependence without fundamentally improving one's constitution. As a TCM practitioner, I believe in the path of regulation that balances yin and yang and strengthens the body's foundation. Therefore, I decided against Western pharmaceutical intervention and chose to rely entirely on pure TCM pattern differentiation to formulate a prescription, aiming to regulate my constitution from the root (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: This prescription is provided solely for reference and academic exchange. Self-medication based on this formula is strictly prohibited. If you experience similar physical discomfort, please consult a professional TCM physician for an in-person diagnosis and treatment.

      Drawing on my years of clinical experience and the root pathogenesis of my own condition, I developed a personalized regulation plan encompassing internal herbal decoctions, dietary management, and restful recuperation. It was through this personal practice that I truly realized: every piece of advice I give to patients is backed by day-after-day self-discipline and perseverance.

      I took my self-formulated decoction daily for two full months, after which my fasting blood glucose dropped to 12 mmol/L. Subsequently, I switched to taking one dose every other day for consolidation, and my blood glucose fell to 9.7 mmol/L. In early May, I stopped taking the medication entirely, and today’s retest shows my fasting blood glucose has decreased to 7.8 mmol/L (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Fasting Blood Glucose Has Dropped to 7.8 mmol/L

      Although the value has not yet fully returned to the normal range, compared to the initial 18.84 mmol/L, this represents a qualitative improvement. More importantly, all uncomfortable symptoms have completely resolved: the persistent dry mouth, bodily heaviness, and mental lethargy have vanished. Now, my qi and blood flow smoothly, my energy is abundant, and my overall state has been completely revitalized.

      This experience of self-healing has made me even more convinced of the charm of TCM: Western medicine controls the manifestations, while TCM regulates the root. True healing is never merely about suppressing clinical data; it is about restoring the functional integrity of the body's organs and its innate self-healing capacity.

      A healer must first heal himself before healing others. Personally verifying medical techniques and experiencing the regulation process firsthand enables a physician to better benefit every patient.

      Coincidentally, in early May of this year, I treated Mr. An, a patient in his fifties. He complained of chronic dry mouth and bitter taste, accompanied by systemic fatigue, poor mental state, and extreme exhaustion. After completing relevant examinations, his fasting blood glucose was found to be as high as 24.7 mmol/L. Upon seeing this result, Mr. An became extremely anxious.

      After careful pattern differentiation, I informed him that his pathogenesis closely mirrored my own previous Xiao Ke condition and that there was no immediate need for Western pharmaceutical intervention. Based on his specific constitution and condition, I customized an exclusive pure TCM regulation plan for him, repeatedly emphasizing the importance of regular medication, strict dietary and lifestyle management, and restful recuperation. I will continue to follow up on his recovery and truthfully share the therapeutic outcomes and progress of this case with everyone.

[Warm Educational Reminder]

      The core of TCM lies in individualized prescriptions and treatment based on pattern differentiation. Each person’s constitution, pathogenesis, and triggering factors are unique. The cases presented in this article are merely personal and individual records of regulation, intended solely for educational reference. The general public is strictly prohibited from filling prescriptions independently or blindly following these regimens. If you experience physical discomfort, please consult a professional TCM physician for an in-person diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Xia Bang'en, TCM Physician, Medical License No.: 541330283000002

Medical Institution Practice License No.: MA2J5BU1433028315A2102