Diabetes is a condition characterized by polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia. In many patients the urine also has a high level of sugar. In chronic cases, the patients usually manifest emaciation (Xiao in Chinese) and thirst (Ke in Chinese). Hence, Xiao-Ke is the Chinese medicine terminology for diabetes. However, any other illnesses manifesting thirst and emaciation can be called Xiao-Ke as well. Diabetes is commonly classified into three types according to the Chinese medicine theories: upper, middle and lower. Upper diabetes involves the upper-jiao, and is marked by thirst and polydipsia. Middle diabetes involves the middle-jiao, and is marked by hunger and polyphagia. Lower diabetes involves the lower-jiao, and is marked by thirst and polyuria with turbid urine. (Note: what is commonly called “diabetes” is, strictly speaking, “diabetes mellitus”, that is, “sweet diabetes”. Diabetes mellitus is often also known as “sugar diabetes”.)
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