10 Mar Type II Diabetes: Blood Stasis in Tongue Diagnosis
Evaluation of blood stasis on tongue diagnosis associated with diabetes mellitus
by L. Lo and P. Hsu
From International Research Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health 2012 Portland, Oregon, USA. 15-18 May 2012
Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of hyperglycemia and is associated with the increase in cardiovascular diseases and other complications. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), examination of the tongue plays an important role in diagnosis. Tongue color, tongue characteristics (e.g. petechia) and sublingual collateral vessels indicate blood stasis status in TCM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate blood stasis on tongue image and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Methods: A total of 119 subjects with DM were enrolled for tongue examination and HRV. A high resolution digital camera was used to record tongue images in a standard imaging environment. HRV and pulse wave analysis were performed by ANSWatch. A total of 51 DM patients attended the Quality-based Payment Program for Diabetes Care and received regular health education, examination, and follow-up.
Conclusion: The bluish tongue, petechia, and engorged sublingual collateral vessels were potential tongue manifestations of blood stasis. Blood stasis in diabetic patients would be important because of potential vascular complications. The relationship between blood stasis and HRV need demonstration by further study.
